03-15-2020, 11:37 PM
I see where you’re coming from, Cars.
But, Obama’s whole point in not endorsing a candidate before the people decide who they want to go up against Trump is to avoid putting his thumb on the scale.
If he meant everything he said about the candidates who are using his praise in their campaign ads and stilll does, why would he ask some / all of them to adjust their ads?
That would be (attempted) interference with candidates’ ability to simply include truthful statements of public record to promote themselves, which is common practice.
I don’t need dates included in ads to know the difference between ‘praising’ and ‘endorsing’.
But, if some people see ads from multiple candidates featuring praising statements from Obama and still draw the conclusion that he must be endorsing them all or be wishy-washy...I don’t see that it matters since Obama’s not running and he has committed to getting behind whichever Democratic candidate wins the nomination in any case.
Anyway, I think it’s good that Obama is not attempting to use/abuse his power and popularity in attempt to dictate campaign terms to the Democratic candidates who are running. He would have no legal grounds to force the issue at any rate.
But, Obama’s whole point in not endorsing a candidate before the people decide who they want to go up against Trump is to avoid putting his thumb on the scale.
If he meant everything he said about the candidates who are using his praise in their campaign ads and stilll does, why would he ask some / all of them to adjust their ads?
That would be (attempted) interference with candidates’ ability to simply include truthful statements of public record to promote themselves, which is common practice.
I don’t need dates included in ads to know the difference between ‘praising’ and ‘endorsing’.
But, if some people see ads from multiple candidates featuring praising statements from Obama and still draw the conclusion that he must be endorsing them all or be wishy-washy...I don’t see that it matters since Obama’s not running and he has committed to getting behind whichever Democratic candidate wins the nomination in any case.
Anyway, I think it’s good that Obama is not attempting to use/abuse his power and popularity in attempt to dictate campaign terms to the Democratic candidates who are running. He would have no legal grounds to force the issue at any rate.