Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS] Biden is screwed

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Thu, 1 Feb 2007, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:

> Alright, let me say it this way.  His history can play extremely 
> positively to the religious right.  Christianity is full of people who 
> had wild youths, and then reformed after having seen the truth.  This 
> includes quite a few pastors in my church, recent figures like Nicky 
> Cruz, more historic figures like William Wilberforce, John Newton, and 
> Augustine, even Matthew and Mary Magdeline who figure in the Bible 
> itself.
>
> If Obama comes out endorsing drug use saying "it was good for me, so it 
> is good for everyone else" of course it will be a huge disaster.  But if 
> he comes out saying that it was a big mistake, but as a result of his 
> mistakes he has tremendous compassion for those who have also made these 
> poor decisions in life, and provides hope for them that they can get out 
> of the pit they find themselves in - well, he has potential to be a 
> totally amazing president.
>
> And if it turns out that my political acumen is wrong (not an unlikely 
> proposition), and his self-revelations do hurt him, but Obama still 
> holds fast to honestly facing his sordid past, he will simply rise even 
> higher in my esteem.


I see what you mean and I'm sure you are right.  That kind of thing can 
actually help a person.  He had problems because he never knew his father, 
except from photos.  His 1995 book focuses on that, I guess, and it talks 
about how he ended up using drugs but then recovered and became a better 
person.

So will the 'swift boating' attacks backfire if they focus on this episode 
of his life?

Mike

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