Posted by Christi Parsons at 11 a.m. CDT
What does Sen. Barack Obama have in common with Mary Matalin, Lance Armstrong and a stay-at-home political activist from Pittsburgh?
All four of them have agreed to be members of a new on-line community for conversationalists of all political stripes, opinions and degrees of celebrity.
Opening in October, HOTSOUP.com is supposed to be a gathering place for opinion leaders of diverse backgrounds who want to exchange ideas and weigh in on issues of the day. HOTSOUP editor-in-chief Ron Fournier promises to provide a "level playing field for people who like to discuss and debate issues in a civil and serious way," regardless of whether they're a presidential candidate or a PTA president.
Obama's game for the discussion, a spokesman said Wednesday. His first contribution to the site will be a video of a recent speech on faith and politics.
“Americans are tired of the spin they get from too many leaders today," Obama said in a written release. "If an online community can give grassroots opinion leaders a platform for smart, civil debate, it will fill a huge void in today's politics.”
Others who have signed on as members of the community include:
Matalin, Republican strategist and adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney
Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner
Scott McClellan, former White House press secretary
Davis Guggenheim, producer/director
Heidi Boynton, cancer survivor and mother of two
Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona)
Mary Shull, a stay-at-home parent and political activist from Pittsburgh
Lloyd Hill, chairman and CEO of Applebee's International
Bob Buford, Leadership Network founder
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Comments
Yawn.
Posted by: Bill | September 20, 2006 11:15 AM
Hurry, someone post the usual "another love letter" comment.
Posted by: Janet | September 20, 2006 11:38 AM
Sorry to quibble here, and I'm all for raising the level of political discourse, but just exactly what is an "opinion leader?"
Anybody who can open their yap? Operate a computer?
Posted by: Doug Zook | September 20, 2006 11:52 AM
Bruce,
That young Barack Obama has a bright future ahead of him don't you think?????
Posted by: John E. | September 20, 2006 12:23 PM
Great, just what we need. Another committee to add to the thousands of other committees, fact finders et. al. that waste millions of our tax dollars and accomplish NOTHING. Maybe they need a committee to look into corruption and how rampant it is in all levels of government. Then, at least, these losers may have to look at themselves and hope the atheists are right. Cause if not, well, most politicians should never worry about being cold in the afterlife.
Posted by: Rob S | September 20, 2006 12:45 PM
Here, Janet, I'll let John Kass respond to you (from his column today): That was some journey of discovery, wasn't it, Obama searching for his roots, with local TV and newspaper reporters and two documentary crews following every private step. I'm surprised they didn't report the real news: That Obama ran back across the Atlantic Ocean on his way to Iowa without getting his feet wet. Why did he make his anti-corruption speech in Africa? Because it's safe. If you're a fledgling Democratic icon, it's OK to lecture African governments on corruption, but you better not shake your finger at Chicago's City Hall. As for Obama, there must be a real human being under the liberal icon. I liked the human being. But the media frenzy to transform him into a political deity--when he's done little to deserve it--tells us much more about media bias than it does about Mr. Obama.
How does that grab ya, Janet??
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2006 1:08 PM
As usual, when a Trib reporter describes someone as a "political activist", that's a code word for liberal/Democrat Party activist (conservative political activists are labelled "conservative"). Predictably the Mary Shull introduced above as "a stay at home parent and political activist from Pittsburgh" is an activist in the local Pittsburgh Democrat Party. See http://forest.meetup.com/1/member/1885611/ for the facts.
Posted by: Bruce | September 20, 2006 1:39 PM
Oh, this will be perfect for Obama. If there's one thing he does oh so well, it's talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.
Posted by: Jinx | September 20, 2006 2:18 PM
Jinx Wrong the only one fighting for veterans on the Veterans Committee has been Obama. 50 Milliom for homeless veterans. Fighting the Brain Injury cuts. Because of him bring Nicholson here veterans here can now reapply for benefits. Or did you not know veterans here are the lowest paid in the Country.Obama has crossed the aisle and work to take care of the poor ,hopmeless,veterans, and seniors. Where have you been.
Posted by: Dale Peters | September 20, 2006 2:33 PM
Dale, John McCain has done more with his pinky finger in one session of Congress for veterans than Barack Obama has done with his whole body and the two years of photo ops he's been in the senate.
Posted by: Bill | September 20, 2006 3:50 PM
What difference do either of those make? Unless you think "conservative" is an insult. And I thought the Volvo driving PC squad was sensitive.
Posted by: Janet | September 20, 2006 3:58 PM
Bill tell me why Obama has 100 percent on veterans issues by all the VSO's and John has failing grades hmmm .When you use talking point know that I am a vet rep. Every time insured funding for the VA has come up John M nay Obama Yea opps. Name one bill John McCain has put out for veterans opps none . Obama 14 opps Republican voted nay.Grades are right here
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?sig_id=004044M
Posted by: Dale Peters | September 20, 2006 5:55 PM
Dale,
John McCain is losing touch with vets,he is currently sucking up to the Religous Right people,and Karl Rove,...you know...the same guys who swiftboated him in the South Carolina Repulican Primarys in 2000,the same pimary that catapulted Dubya to Presidential greatness......the same year Al Gore was elected President...
We can't trust a flipflopper like John McCain.
Posted by: John E. | September 20, 2006 10:11 PM
I like Obama, generally, BUT:
Stop helping the conservatives by bashing the Democrats!
In every very other story about OB, he is raking the Dems over the coals for no new ideas. Thanks for the help at this critical juncture.
OB, you ARE the Democrats. You ARE a big man. You give us the new ideas.
Here are a few, and guess what;
'Meet the new ideas-same as the old ideas".
Protect the environment
Protect voting rights
Champion Universal Health care
Aggressively protect and improve private pensions and SSS
Protect the country
Show some guts on separation of church and state
I know, some of these positions are politically dangerous to be associated with. That's where the guts part comes in.
Posted by: C.Morris | September 21, 2006 11:33 AM
This article reinforces my belief that politicians in power -- or seeking power -- are inherintly dangerous. Andt that's why we need Warning Labels On Politicians™!
Visit www.petitiononline.com/WLOP/petition.html to sign an online petition calling for the Federal Election Commission to require Warning Labels On Politicians™ or visit www.cafepress.com/bobmccarty/1764235 to learn more about it and to purchase merchandise to help spread the word about this campaign.
Posted by: Bob | November 27, 2006 9:52 AM