Obama's Latest Blunders Prove He Is a Change We Can't Believe In
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- Obama's Latest Blunders Prove He Is a Change We Can't Believe In
- Criticism of Pope's Message Comes Too Soon
- By Dramatizing Planet's Perils, Politicians Create New Ones
- With a Few Changes, SafeRides Could Live Up to Its Name
- GOP Should Get on the Straight - Talk Express: Vote McCain
Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was supposed to be a new kind of politician, one that would transcend all of the divisions within this country and bring us together. He is remembered for his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention that called for bipartisanship and bridging the supposed gap between “red states” and “blue states.” He often talks about the “audacity of hope,” and his message seems to resonate with many Americans, even those that disagree with him politically.
A few days ago, however, Obama abandoned this message in a private speech to donors made up of liberal urban elites in San Francisco. He said in reference to residents of small towns in the Midwest that have suffered job losses: “… they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
Obama shows condescension to millions of middle-class Americans, dismissing their values and opinions as the result of their being “bitter” and making them appear like stereotypical rednecks. His remarks border on intolerance, a label he actually tries to apply to the people in his speech. The hypocrisy here is a direct contradiction of the message he has been preaching throughout his campaign.
His contention that many people seek refuge in guns and religion because they are bitter about job losses does not hold up to scrutiny. Guns have been a part of the culture in places like rustbelt Pennsylvania for decades, even during its most prosperous times. Likewise, people have been going to church long before the factories started closing. Did it ever occur to Obama that people could be religious because they believe in God or accept a church’s teachings? Obama displays a remarkable inability to understand the values and way of life of a large portion of America.
Obama’s remark that some of these people have become anti-immigrant because of job losses is also baseless. If he is referring to the city of Hazleton, Pa., which placed strict restrictions on employers hiring illegal immigrants, then he misuses the term “anti-immigrant.” Are there Americans who can be labeled “anti-immigrant?” I am sure there are, but most Americans want to make sure the immigrants are here legally, and this does not mean that they are “anti-immigrant.” Obama is trying to characterize support for tough law enforcement as nativism.
One of the most ironic portions of the speech is Obama’s attempt to criticize “anti-trade” sentiment. The race between him and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has essentially been a NAFTA bash-fest to appeal directly to this anti-trade sentiment. Forget the fact that NAFTA has significantly boosted Mexico’s economy and offered American consumers cheaper products, Obama is trying to have both sides of the issue here. He criticizes free trade on the campaign trail, but he praises it in private when the audience is a bunch of rich donors.
I think it is time that someone said the emperor has no clothes. Obama makes sweeping speeches about hope and change. His supporters faint in his presence and narcissistically declare, “We are the change we seek.” There is a Messiah complex about this guy. I have yet to see a compelling reason why Obama is special. He is a left-wing Ivy Leaguer with four years of experience in the Senate who happens to be a remarkably gifted orator. He makes an effort to appear bipartisan, when in fact he has voted the party line 97 percent of the time in the Senate, and National Journal ranked him the country’s most liberal senator. If you’re a liberal Democrat, then I am sure he is perfect for you, but please stop trying to convince us that he is a moderate.
The truth is that I found Obama appealing for a while, but some of the things that have come out over the past few months have been really troubling. Michelle Obama said that her husband’s success made her really proud of America for the first time. Obama has attended a church for 20 years led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who after 9/11 blamed the United States for the attack and preached that African-Americans should say “God damn America” instead of “God bless America.” Anyone who goes to a church like that for 20 years and then brings the reverend on the campaign trail exhibits disturbingly questionable judgment.
The recent comments solidified my belief that while Obama has a great message, there is really nothing substantive about it. If Obama wants to be a new kind of politician, he cannot say one thing on the campaign trail and contradict this in front of a different audience. If he wants his message of tolerance to resonate, he should be more tolerant himself of the different lifestyles across this country. If he wants to be a uniter, he cannot use such divisive rhetoric. He is trying to backtrack about what he has said, but I think I am ready to finally hear some straight talk.
Stephen Kenny is a senior in the College. He can be reached at kenny@thehoya.com. AGAINST THE WIND appears every other Tuesday.
Apr 15 2008 at 7:35 p.m.
Obama is being manhandled by the press. They need something new to talk about every couple of days. This is just what came along and they have blown it way out of proportion. He was not denigrating small town America he was saying that we are disillusioned and desperate for a real government that works for everyday Americans.
After 7 years of being duped and dragged through the mud by G. W. our economy is in the worst shape since the depression, we are hatted abroad and our family members serving in the military are facing extreme danger in Iraq. Of course I feel a little bitter and disillusioned about what government can and will do to make things better.
Come on guys, forget the kitchen sink, Clinton is throwing the toilet now!
Apr 15 2008 at 7:55 p.m.
If by straight talk, you mean McCain, you will be sorely disappointed when you delve into what he's really all about.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:01 p.m.
Great column. Describes the condescending, elitist as he really is and nothing can change that. Unfortunately, his supporters don't care if he calls them trash to their face. They're so enamored of him that they turn a blind eye.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:01 p.m.
Well said.
You touched on everything that I have been saying all along, including calling Obama a gifted orator. Proving you are willing to be fair in your critique.
All I need to do now to prove my point, is to copy and paste your letter. THANKS.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:04 p.m.
JUST WATCH THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a88wMP
Apr 15 2008 at 8:08 p.m.
Hey! Get a life, why don't ya!
of course you have every right to express your opinion, but I'd suggest you give a little further thought to your nonsensical remarks regarding Obama...get over it!
Apr 15 2008 at 8:09 p.m.
Obama is a devout Christian, last time I checked. Moreso than Hillary or McCain. What he's saying is that people use religion, guns, bigotry, to direct their anger they feel in general to the world. He's not saying that is the only reason, just a reason. And frankly, once again, he is right. I am an American and I am pissed off at my government. I am mad as Hell about the state of the world. Aren't you?
One note; Jeremiah Wright did not say America was responsible for 9-11, he said we brought it on ourselves with our foreign policy. He is not alone in thinking this. A true PATRIOT owns up to their mistakes so that they can make corrections make it better. If we never do wrong then we never learn never grow. We stagnate. We collapse.
You have hair triggers on. You're looking for a reason not to believe that somebody actually wants to bring change. I assure you, Obama is not acting. He wants to open a dialoug with the rest of the planet. He wants Americans to have a chance to get Health Care. He wants out of a war we should not have gone into in the first place.
And he's going to be the next president. Count on it.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:13 p.m.
Boy, Steven, you get rattled pretty easily.
Not to worry. In 1991, in the midst of another economic recession, a Democratic nominee had this to say about the Republican Party's wedge strategy.
"When their economic policies fail, when the country's coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most economically insecure white men and scare the living daylights out of them."
That candidate - Bill Clinton.
Do ya think, Steven, that Obama might have been referrring to the same thing?
Apr 15 2008 at 8:14 p.m.
I'm glad to see someone's paying attention. All this Obama hype is just that. If this guy continues to make the kind of blunders he did in PA, what's next? As it's been said, if it isn't written for him, this guy just proves he has no judgment of any kind.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:14 p.m.
BOSNIA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
COLUMBIA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
IRAQ VOTE
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
MONICA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
NAFTA
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
HEALTHCARE (ASK IN 2009)
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
REST OF CURRENT PROMISES (ASK IN 2009)
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS"
- Chelsey CLINTON, CLINTON's BIBLE.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:16 p.m.
Not worthy of a comment.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:17 p.m.
Out of context BS is a good summary of your article.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:17 p.m.
Obama thinks people became BITTER with economy.
CLINTONS TRUST PEOPLE are FOOLS so they tell all LIES
(BOSNIA, NAFTA, COLUMBIA, MONICA, $100 Million from Lobbyists)
All BILL wants is another round of LESILATED "WHITE HOUSE PLEASURES".
Go VOTE GRANNY.!!!
Any one knows "MAD COW" Disease?
Apr 15 2008 at 8:17 p.m.
You are missing his point and cherry-picking a few words to prove yours. Hillary is losing and she is grasping at any straw she can find to try to steal the nomination. Gallup poll taken over the weekend still shows Obama ahead of McCain by 10 points on a national level. This 59-ish white middle class femals momma is for Obama!
Apr 15 2008 at 8:19 p.m.
To say that a person who has a history like Barack Obama is "elitist" is just plain ludicrous.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:21 p.m.
AMEN!
QUESTION:Since when did Hilary "Chameleon" Clinton become a beer drinking,liquor slugging,ball bowling member of the blue collar middle class?
ANSWER:Since Obama made a poor choice of words, and she realized the Sun is going down on her campaign.
The Clintons will morph to whatever they think will get their family another eight years in the White House. Move aside Mrs. Clinton, your reign of inevitability has passed. Thanks for the years of service but we are moving on!
Apr 15 2008 at 8:23 p.m.
your comment sounds like something that would come out of the mouth of effete intellectual college student whose life experience consists of listening to his parents whine about taxes.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:23 p.m.
Stephen - It's too bad that you had to miss a meeting of the Young Republicans so you could write this article. There is so much crap in it that I won't even bother to respond to all of them, but one thing I will --
In the 20 years Wright was pastor of the church he gave CONSERVATIVELY over 1000 sermons. How many of these have you seen? I'll bet the same 90 second sound bites from one or two. Therefore, how can you know that Obama listed to 20 years of this type of rhetoric? You can't. And, during the now-infamous G** d*** America, Obama wasn't even there -- he was campaigning.
I think you need to do a lot more fact checking before you write this drivil that is right out of the Clinton handbook.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:24 p.m.
Latest Nationwide Gallop Poll:
Obama 52% Clinton 49% (Biggest percentage ever for Obama)
Super Delegate Count since Super Tuesday:
Obama 70 Clinton 10
Recent Obama Quote "Small Town Bitter" Web Poll:
70% Agreed 28% Disagreed or Unsure
Stephen, a lot of Voters disagree with you, probably because you are "against the wind".
The answer my friend is "Blowing in the Wind".
Stop the Drama Vote Obama, Change we can Believe in. Obama 08
Apr 15 2008 at 8:24 p.m.
Obama will be the democratic nominee and the writer of this article will visit Wallmart at some point within the next 2 years.
FACT
Obama 08!!!
Apr 15 2008 at 8:28 p.m.
In my opinion, the media has blown this thing waaay out of proportion. At this point, a Hillary victory is nigh-impossible, and they're trying to grab and anything and everything they can to salvage a quickly sinking campaign. Obama's remarks were blown up, just like Hillary's insignificant victories in Ohio and Texas. You know why? It's because the media likes a good fight, and even when there isn't one there, they can feed of an illusion of a close race. Let's face it: right now, I say Hell freezes over before Hillary wins the nomination.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
That was 40% for Clinton not 49%, see Steve everyone makes mistakes.
Change we can Believe in. Obama 08.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
Straight Talk? You want straight Talk from who? Clinton who swore she was under sniper attack while her and Chelsea walked a Welcome Line or McCain who wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years and has said that his Vice President should be ready to lead in case of his health. Let us please keep in mind they are all politicians. We are still dealing with the devil it just which devil we want. I want someone who isn't going to die in office and someone who knows when they are being shot at or not. Obama is still the best choice. Hands Down.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:37 p.m.
I enjoy how Obama supporters demand only positive news coverage, any comment or critisism is a affront to his supporters and Obama. Obama is constantly splitting hairs and offering insults and ctitisisms of anyone who doesn't see America the way he does, but to do the same to him is 'racist'. The word racist gets tossed around alot by the people involved in or covering this campaign, but the only person I hear talking about race being an issue is Obama. There is more than race and generic 'change' at stake in this election. I find it humorous how he has trouble dealing with these attacks on the words he said (I come from Pennsylvania, the people here were bitter a long time before Obama was at his mother's teat) about how people of Pennsylvania cling to religion (first amendment) and guns (second amendment). Selective constuctionalism is unacceptable. The man hasn't even begun to face the repubican hate machine that will pick apart every word he has ever said and will make him look like an unpatriotic monster. I see it already in his own party and he is playing the ever popular democrat card of "let me explain my words better" of "allow me to clarify". John Kerry tried it, Al Gore tried it, and they lost. Pennsylvania is a swing state, Obama is not real popular here. He is not popular in any of the swing states he needs to win to get elected. When the hate machine gets turned on I do not wish what he is going to face on my worst enemy.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:41 p.m.
It's funny, the same people that say Rev. Wright gave 1000s of sermons and did a lot of good for the African American community are the same hypocrites that lashed out for Don Imus to be fired. Imus had 1000s of hours of air time, and has a ranch for sick kids, yet he was not excused. Total double standard. Or somehow Rev. Wright has been taken out of context. Hmm...tell me, what is the context for publishing in your church news letter that Italians have "garlic noses"?? It's racist and disgusting, and it shows incredibly poor judgement for Obama to raise his kids in a racist church like that yet alone appoint Wright to his spiritual advisory committee.
Of course Obama thumbs his aristocratic nose at middle America when giving a private speech to his rich friends in San Fransisco. Tell me Obama supporters, is there any behavior that you won't excuse?? Can he say anything and then just give a speech and it's okay?? That's frightening.
If McCain or Clinton had spent 20 years deeply involved with a racist/bigot their careers would be over, yet Obama can give a speech (damage control) and everything is okay. Sorry it's not, and when deciding the next president of the US we should stop applying double standards. Keep talking Michelle about America being downright mean, the campaign would complete muzzle you before November if they were smart. I can't wait for 527s in the general, get your popcorn ready
P.S. I'm just a "typical white person" living in the "US of KKK A"
Apr 15 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
obama would make a greater president than both hillbilly and mclame
Apr 15 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
Your article is everything I wanted to say about Obama.
Obama has really bad judgment.Good job!
Apr 15 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
She's definately scraping the bottom of the toilet on this one. "Elitist" is nothing more than code for "uppity n-gg-r".
Who are they kidding? The Clintons are trying to play the working-class white voters in PA like a bluegrass fiddle in a hillbilly hoedown.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:47 p.m.
way to touch on the GOP talking points...
nice to know that Georgetown supports the Clintons no matter what and does not teach critical thinking, wait, actually thats sad
this is nothing, the man "mispoke" (to the actual definition of the word, not like HRC) and did not articulate his point as well as he could have. it is known by both republicans and democrats that poeple vote against their economic interests and the future of there childeren over fear fueled cultural issues. Obama is not taking guns away from rural Pennsylvanians, and he is a devout Christian as well... i think you missed the point of what he said and are playing into the rhetoric of the over hyped media...
but you will prob get a job at a major newspaper with your degree... which is a terrible notion, however not as terrible as what you will most likely spend your whole life spewing for a paycheck and undeserved glory.
Obama in '08 wha wha!!!!!! (; he is a new type of politician, that is why you do not understand how to cover him ;)
Apr 15 2008 at 8:56 p.m.
Stinkfinger Willie,I agree, the Clintons are playing the people of Pennsylvania as hillbillies, to our faces. Obama went to one of the most liberal cities in the country and talked smack about our state(I once had the pleasure of visiting San Francisco and watching two San Franciscan park resident boot up in public with not even a look of surprise on the faces of those around, classic!) The words of Obama were elitist because he didn't have the 'jimmies' to say his words to our faces, just behind our backs. A little important info about the bitter people of Pennsylvania, our votes count, our belif in God counts, our belief in a constitution counts, We are americans too and come election day we will count more than many other states in our undemocratic electoral system.
Apr 15 2008 at 8:57 p.m.
Will Obama give Jesse Jackson, Al Shapton, Farrakhan, Charles Barron, and Jerimiah Wright access to the white house?? All his race-baiting bigot friends??...Oh wait I forgot he's married to one.
Sorry I'm just a typical white person from middle america who blindly clings to religion and guns because I don't have an Ivy league education or sip chardonnay and drive a Volvo and shop at Whole Foods...I guess I'm just racist and out-of-touch. "We are the change we have been waiting for"-how self-congratulatory and arrogant, pathetic...No thanks Obama
When is the media going to ask Obama why he is friends with a man that bombed the capitol and the Pentagon (Bill Ayers)??? So we are seriously on the way to electing a man to the Presidency who is friends with a terrorist against this country?? Is this a bad dream??
Apr 15 2008 at 8:57 p.m.
Mr. Kenny, You weren't but a punk riding a bike down your neighborhood street if even born yet when McCain was one of the main characters in a minor blip in our economic ups and downs... But you may have heard of the Keating Five, he was a key player and tacked on thousands of dollars of debt to every man woman and child in this country with the S&L scandal that we paid to bail out. He voted for the war in Iraq which 70% of our country were/are against, and he and hillary have done nothing to advance this great country other than for there own personal gain. Read your history before you tout someones pro's ... And you can hypothesize all you want like a sports or news caster two weeks before the superbowl. Many of us were wrong to take the patriots but I look at Obama as one who is not so thoroughly entrenched that he would not consider the greater good. He has run a break through campaign and I expect he will run a break through presidency if not I will vote for someone else in four years, that is our right.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:00 p.m.
Bill Clinton went to Georgetown.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:04 p.m.
And for any small minded shortsighted politico's who are offended by JWright and Obamas cling comments, you deserved Bush when you voted for him and you will deserve round three with McCain or HillBill if they get elected. How could ANYONE want ANOTHER Clinton or THE new McCain. I knew McCain in 2000 and John, your not that McCain!!!
Apr 15 2008 at 9:07 p.m.
That this was published in a Jesuit institution's paper is yet another example of the sad state of Jesuit education. Ignatius must be rolling in his grave, especially since he set up his education institutions to educate underprivileged children and charged them nothing. The Jesuits have become little more than the educators of rich and socially ignorant children who use their privilege to bash the agendas of those who pose a challenge to their own exclusive privileges.
To twist Obama's poorly delivered comment is ridiculous. Clearly Obama, an affluent and devoutly religious man does not believe that religion or guns are for angry poor people. He was saying that angry people lead to increased gun violence, angry forms of religion, and nativism. And to hide behind the "law enforcement" argument is so weak. You should be reminded of MLK's admonition that everything the Nazis did was legal. In continuing to drag Rev. Wright through the mud you should also be reminded that the sermon that MLK was preparing when he was assassinated was titled: "Why America May Go To Hell."
The only reason that Obama's message seems to lack substance is because reporters like you would rather play "he said she said" and "misspeak gotcha" than actually do the hard work of reporting on substantive issues. Obama has more concrete policy speeches and a longer list of proposed bills over the past few years than either of his running mates.
St. Ignatius, pray for us...
Apr 15 2008 at 9:11 p.m.
Why bother writing an editorial piece that's completely void of any new ideas or original perspective? Stephen's time would be better spent in the school library reading one of the legitimate newspapers. Try Muareen Dowd of NY Times or Roger Simon of Politico. The arguments are trite and mechanical.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
"the repubican hate machine" Don't you just love it. Elections that are all about hate. We spend so much time tearing the candidates who could possibly be happy with what we end up with.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
Stephen,
As you mature, you will find that all politicians are a blend of their best and worst natures. They may aspire to live their message every day, but they like yourself are only human. Each of the candidates we have to choose from have their faults and have made mistakes (some are grave).
You seem very quick to throw out the message because the messenger can not live every word of it. That is a dangerous approach. In truth, it is the message and the actions that it can generate that are far more important than the candidates mistakes.
Or perhaps you are just blowing hot air and are being disingenuous.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:18 p.m.
Most posters do not seem to be college students.
Hopefully Hoyas have learned to think for themselves,
considering opposing viewpoints
instead of reflexively denigrating them.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:20 p.m.
Lame...Lame
Apr 15 2008 at 9:21 p.m.
It's over. Obama has destroyed the once great democratic party. He even makes Clinton look good, I didn't think that was possible. Obama has handed the presidency to the repulicans in a year when democrats should have won by a landslide.
The Obamabots never bothered to find out who he really was, they just projected their own desires onto him. Now when the real Obama finally shows himself they go into massive denial. Grow up folks, you don't elect someone to be president until they have been vetted.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:24 p.m.
Umm...you guys are attend a decent school...I would think you are required to take some kind of Logic/Reasoning classes... Would it make sense that Sen Obama's comment means beacuse they are bitter that some people cling to those things?
I do not think that just because one clings to religion, guns etc., that in any way means you're bitter.
I happen to think the Senator is quite right in some instances people who are bitter also cling to other things as well.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:24 p.m.
I want an Obama supporter to answer one thing...Is there any single thing Obama could say or do that is inexcuseable?? Is there any racist he could associate with that you would consider out-of-bounds or going too far?? Could he basically say "F-Ameria" behind closed doors and then give a speech about it and everything is okay?? Answer me honsestly, I want an example of one situation where you would no longer excuse Obama. I'm not trying to be flippant, someone give me a hypothetical example of Obama crossing the line beyond the point of return.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:31 p.m.
I guess NO EXPERIENCE can make Obama a great president, NO REAL CHANGE can make Obama a great change agent, VOTE for IRAQ can make Obama excellent anti war person.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:32 p.m.
This Clinton propaganda piece just prooves that you can spend a lot of money at Georgetown and learn nothing. Even Stevie Wonder can see this flap for what it is, a desperate politician who knows she cannot win fair, seeking to destroy the candidate who has beat her without lowering himself to "kitchen sink" strategies. If she wins, you deserve her and I hope you are prod of her, just like the educated fools who voted for W twice.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:33 p.m.
This Clinton propaganda piece just prooves that you can spend a lot of money at Georgetown and learn nothing. Even Stevie Wonder can see this flap for what it is, a desperate politician who knows she cannot win fair, seeking to destroy the candidate who has beat her without lowering himself to "kitchen sink" strategies. If she wins, you deserve her and I hope you are prod of her, just like the educated fools who voted for W twice.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:34 p.m.
Yes we Blue Collar Americans are Bitter !!!!!!!!!! with this kind of Leadership and Trade Agreements that favor Big Biz and the Enablers of Washington , as they get paid with Speaking Fees , like Bill Clinton getting 800,000 by Columbia for saying and enabling what they want , but to heck with the American Workers , and our ability to Compete as these guys can manipulate our Markets with their lower valued Currency , when are we all going to have the same priced Currency Values all over the world so we all then can just compete with our talents ??? Whats the point of a Good Education ,when we are faced with Currency manipulation that out competes our talents ???????, why wouldn't we be Bitter as heck ??? Clintons Trade agreements not setting bench marks for Currency Manipulators who enable Multi-National Corporate mporters to wipe out the Mom and Pops stores over the years , Republicans continue this unfair trade agreement , OBAMAS Right on the Message about being Bitter , Bitter as Heck !!!!
U.S. seeing worst food inflation in 17 years
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24127314/
Food vendors are forced to explain higher prices; poor squeezed
Apr 15 2008 at 9:42 p.m.
The press is not manhandling Obama; he enjoys free access to the press. And he NEEDS it to continue to try and counter all his increasing inconsistencies in style, remarks, honesty and abilities.
Obama pays a fortune for that access to the media. That is why he was back in SF hitting up donors for more money in his recent debauch.
Outspending Hilary 2 to 1 for a minor fraction of a tenuous edge of the vote. One that is in itself a fiction since Michigan and Florida are not being counted. So please don't anyone kid yourself about all that.
Why does it take so much money to convince people to vote for him (the same question his donors asked)? Well it may be the old school rule applies here; you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all of the time.
The truth is electing obama is about obama not about our country... and that is why we will continue to see a breech in his hull. It won't hold water because it is not made of the materials it says it is. The label is disingenuous.
Thank you Kenny, for such an insightful well-written article you are the one who deserves applause and five gold stars, super kudos to you.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:43 p.m.
It's funny watching the moonbats in Obama's camp attack the moonbats in Clinton's camp and vice versa.
Romney and Mccain and the rest of the GOP are going to take Osama Obama apart piece by peice this fall and I am going to savor every second of it.
Obama Bin laden is not ready for primetime and won't get anywhere near the White House. I guess all of those college students who will be graduating in the next four years will have to do soemthing for themsleves instead of going from mommy and daddy's dime to the Obama gravy train of entitlements.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:43 p.m.
Obama is outspending Clinton 5 to 1 and can't close the gap, he can't finish the deal with whites. Won't work in November if he can't win Florida, Ohio, and Penn, which McCain leads by comfortable margins. Obama has won a bunch of states in this primary that he won't win in the fall or states that won't really matter...something for superdelegates to think about...
Apr 15 2008 at 9:44 p.m.
I don't know you Stephen but in reading this oped it appears you are just another fountain of BS , black is actually white and white is really black , is that it Stephen? These comments in regards to Obama being "elitist" and "aristocratic" etc are so absurd that you people actually made me laugh but truly it's pathetic , pathetic and absurd comments by some ignorant and pathetic people . In spite all of the lies and the smear campaigns Obama will win the Democratic nomination and he will be the next President of the United States and we are in dire need of a man like him in the White House. Get your crying towels ready all of you racists ! Obama 08 !!!!!
Apr 15 2008 at 9:45 p.m.
It's amazing how far people will go to TELL YOU WHAT TO THINK. Rich, Washington-entrenched millionaires doing their best to convince you that Obama is the elitist? Ridiculous non-sense that will appeal only to the uninformed and their own voter base.
When blue collar jobs evaporate all around you (like mine is doing) into other countries, health care is broken beyond belief, and the economy is in a downward spiral from corruption and abuse and people feel like the Big Business controlled government will do nothing to stop it, what do you have left to vote for but personal issues. I know someone who voted Republican in the last election solely based on the fact he believed Democrats wanted to make all guns illegal. It doesn't even make sense when you stop to think about it but it's the one issue he felt like he could honestly get behind. So Obama's wording make have left an opening for attack by his desperate opponents, but they were far from inaccurate.
Don't be fooled into voting against yourself. Make a difference and vote for the man who is actually talking about ways to fix America's urgent problems.
Apr 15 2008 at 9:58 p.m.
JJ Newman asked:
I want an Obama supporter to answer one thing...Is there any single thing Obama could say or do that is inexcuseable??
Answer:
No, there is not a single thing that would change my vote for him. He could be Hitler, and I am still voting for him. Besides how can he be wrong, he is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Tough luck,if you don't like him. Remember he will condemn you to hell if you don't support him.
Apr 15 2008 at 10:01 p.m.
Hey Stephen Kenny,
You probably won't have too hard a time getting a job as a reporter after you graduate from Georgetown. Have you ever heard of fact-checking and not removing quotes from context to suit your personal rantings? Obama's remarks were in response to a question from an attendee of a gathering of Obama Supporters (it was not a fundraiser/they had already donated their maximum). He was asked why people vote the way they do. And his reply was accurate. People all over this country are bitter (as almost every blog on the internet reveals.) When it is time to make a decision on who to support, they turn to secondary issues (guns/abortion/religion/race) because they know the government has not done anything about the primary issues of the economy/healthcare costs/the environment/Iraq, hence the bitterness. I think his statement could and should be directed at ALL Americans, not just the SMALL TOWN VARIETY.
Nice article.
Apr 15 2008 at 10:01 p.m.
So True, Obama really can say anything, do anything, associate or befriend any racist, bigot, or terrorist, and there is always an excuse or speech he has ready and then everything is okay. So again Obama supporters, give me one example that you would consider Obama going too far...I'm waiting
Apr 15 2008 at 10:07 p.m.
Seventy percent of the Democrats in Idaho voted for Obama, and sixty some percent of the Democrats in North Dakota. In June we Montanans will have a chance to vote for him too. We country people are not bitter in general, just resentful against Clintons and Bushes. One third of all family farms closed under the Clinton administration, a trend that continued under Bush. Our way of life has been endangered not by the terrorists but by our own political elites who have governed the two coasts while neglecting the whole middle of the country. Obama has run the first 50-state campaign in decades, and we take this as a sign that he has noticed that we really exist. Without him and him alone, no one on the Georgetown Campus would be discussing rural life issues today. Verdad?
Thanks for caring. Come and see us any time.
Apr 15 2008 at 10:20 p.m.
"He will change us if we just let him." No thanks, only needy insecure people project onto others like that.
I'd rather sit in the corner and get kicked than have to listen to loudmouth Michelle for the next four years. She reminds me of the typical loud chatty talk-to-the-hand oh no you didn't black woman you see on daytime talk shows. Go ahead call me racist, but everyone knows how Michelle feels about "white America". (by the way, I'd take Condi Rice over any white male liberal).
I still hear no situation where Obama could say something out of bounds, still waiting for an example. If Obama praised the Unabomber as being heroic, could he give a speech and make that okay?? Sadly to many of you yes you would in fact even excuse that scenario...
Apr 15 2008 at 10:27 p.m.
I happened upon this site and read your article thinking that something from G'town would perhaps enlighten me. As a GWU student in the mid 70's I suppose most us were liberals then. Your article stuns me frankly in how it seems to me you appear to be invested in such black/white thinking--no not racially, but so literally. Obama never suggested that folks hadn't prior relationships to guns or God or church. The "clinging" I took to mean was to take comfort in. When someone I love becomes seriously ill, my relationship with God shifts. I feel stripped of my own power and find I must turn to something that gives me strength or relief. The gun/hunting deal I likened to a hobby. Rather than hunt perhaps I'd go to the movies or a bookstore since I'm a struggling latte liberal. I am bitter, fed up, disgusted with almost everything Bush and his cronies have done. I am also afraid, in mid life self employed, watching my also self employed husband work 70 hours a week only to make less money than before 9/11. While it may sound like I'm whining, my story is 90% better than most around me and that is because I have a wealthy family I can call upon if everything collapses. Nonetheless as much as I'd like I don't have the time for hobbies, nor any spare money to leisurely spend to help drive the economy. So if those "country folks" in PA can buy guns, find the time to hunt, dislike others, they're doing better than I am. I support Obama--he has the reminiscent energy of my liberal hopeful days and when I am turning to my God in refuge these days-- for the state of the world and this God damned war and the corruption that unlimited immoral greed has brought, I pray for this man to begin to help us unite and heal our collective broken places. And for me to find the strength and courage to help him.
Apr 15 2008 at 10:32 p.m.
Mark,
This
"When their economic policies fail, when the country's coming apart rather than coming together, what do they do? They find the most economically insecure white men and scare the living daylights out of them." by Bill Clinton
is no way near "the-same-thing" as what Obama said
"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them, and they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate, and they have not."
Obama further said; "And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Apr 15 2008 at 10:39 p.m.
Why does Obama always raise his head and look down his nose when speaking to an audience?? He looks like an academically arrogant professor, like he's lecturing everyone, not speaking to them i.e. "trust me I know what's best for you because I'm smarter than you."
While this approach may impress his supporters in Central Park West and Georgetown, this snobbery is not lost on everyday folks. Trust me, this will cost him in the fall, as much as you don't want to believe it.
Apr 15 2008 at 11:15 p.m.
Kenny,
I'm surprised you've made it to your senior year in college! How could you and everyone who heard Obama’s comments not understand what he was saying? Does he have to spell EVERYTHING out for narrow-minded, bigoted Americans? I only take comfort that a journalists on CNN (Jack Cafferty) who, when he first heard the comments, immediately understood what Obama was trying to say, even though, he himself did not finish college. Tell you what, dude, save your money and drop out of school. So, NOBODY is EVER disappointed, hurt, angry, or yes, bitter over their financial circumstances? And, some of these people do not cling to already-held prejudices to soothe their frustrations over a declining economy and a government that seems to have forgotten them?
Your article is whiny and sounds suspiciously envious and yes, bitter about a black man who is intelligent and has in spite of all the odds in ‘white’ America overcome all the obstacles before him to dare to think he could lead them (white America) as the president of the United States.
Now, I can understand people who will not vote for Obama because of his political positions. People should vote their conscience regardless of race and gender. That being said, you are probably white and have never had to make an argument to defend your existence in “the land of the free” built on the backs of black slaves. Therefore, I excuse your eagerly negative response to Michelle Obama’s comments about being proud of America. I will pray for you because ‘people like you’ still don’t get it.
My regards
Apr 15 2008 at 11:27 p.m.
Elizabeth, just because someone does not agree with or was offended by Barrack Obama's "bitter" remarks, it does NOT make them a racist...you are indicative of the general race baiting that is going on with the Obama campaign, and it is disgusting. The Obama supporters have perhaps divided the Democratic beyond repair, and that is the sad fact of all this.
Apr 15 2008 at 11:31 p.m.
Some of us prefer that a simpleton not lead this land. It is unfortunate that either the author 1)lacks in the reasoning and reading comprehension departments or 2)is feigning outrage at the incident, quite obviously employing a silly tactic that is often used by Republicans. For goodness sake, go look up "wedge issue" and find out what it is. I'm in a very blue-collar area of western NC, and I can assure you that the comment is spot-on. Politicians have let us down to the point to where both sides are not trusted and people go with the lesser of two evils. Quite often, somewhat irrelevant social issues (gay marriage, gun control, etc.) are used to split and herd voters away from major policy issues. Nothing seems to change. I'm bitter, and so is everyone else that I talk to. If the author doesn't know anyone that's bitter, I'd say he's out of touch with most of this country. I'm going to make it as easy to digest as possible. 81% OF THE COUNTRY BELIEVES THAT WE'RE HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. Finally, does the author really believe that a man married to a beer baron and the Clintons are actually MORE in touch with a family that relied on a manufacturing wage and now struggles to make ends meet? Either the author is an angry Clinton fan or a status quo establishment Republican pretending that this is the straw that broke the camel's back. Rather than confront the issue head-on, McCain and Clinton hope to change the subject by attacking the author. There is a difference between intellectual thought and elitism. Our entire culture is getting reduced to sound bites and bumper stickers, and we have nothing but ourselves to blame.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:22 a.m.
I agree with Steve, incidentally, but I think the reason that these comments have been taken in the way they have (even though some of them have been quoted out of full context) is that they reinforce something that many, many people already thought about Obama.
Call it a vibe, call it death-by-a-thousand-little-cuts, whatever. There's been that effete, quasi-European, elitist, head-in-the-clouds, we-hate-the-flyover-states vibe coming from Obama's campaign for months, and he hasn't helped the situation with any of the comments coming from him, his wife, or his prominent supporters or surrogates. This is a case of confirmation of things people already suspected, so debating the finer points of context isn't going to defeat people's suspicion of him since these comments weren't the root cause of it.
HE has also chosen, like it or not, to run a campaign based on vibe, tone, feelings, and the theme of momentum, rather than filling his speeches with policy ideas and details. When you run a campaign like that, inevitably the music will change at some point, the vibe, tone and emotions will start going the other way. In recent weeks a lot of his earliest supporters here on campus have been running around like kids at a party when all of a sudden the music they were dancing to has been turned off, it's kind of funny to listen to their indignant screams of "Turn it back on!"
Sorry, that was a tangent. The real reason I wanted to respond was that while I understand the frustration of Obama's supporters, it's REALLY WEIRD that they are all blaming Clinton, Clinton, Clinton. Clinton's camp wasn't responsible for the digging up of Rev. Wright's stuff, they weren't responsible for people making hay out of the San Francisco comments. People trying to blame Clinton is just off base. Disagree with the "context" of the comments people are citing, but I'm just confused as to why Obama's supporters are targeting Clinton for their ire.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:42 a.m.
Hillary and Bill are the ones to watch. Major news about these people have been NAFTA - JOB LOSSES; MARK PENN; BOSNIA; SUPPORT OF EXTREMISTS THIS TIME HILLARY AND THE BLACK PANTHERS; REV WRIGHT - HILLARY AND BILL FOR FORGIVENESS OVER MONICA; and the list goes on and on. These are not made up but are truth through video clippings, written info, etc. Senator Obama has been upfront, honest, and straightforward. He does not change an untruth in the middle of the sentence like Hill/Bill who will say anything to fit the wind of no change. I said this before and I will say this again, Hillary and Bill, go home and let us go on with a new beginning - Hillary is not electable and cannot run a country because there are more people to serve than just Hillary and Bill.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:54 a.m.
Senator Obama did not make any blunders in Pennsylvania. You have the unthinkables like Bill and Hill who take any truth about the true state of our nation and make a completely different "story" or lie - whichever you want to choose. I am from rural America and Senator Obama is absolutely correct. People are angry and if they speak about what the government is not doing (because of the elected hypocrites) then the people become old school "blackballed". Hill and Bill are showing you only a small piece of their true nature as to what they will do and as to what lengths they will go to demonize other people who get in the way of their incompetent and selfish ambition. I voted for Bill both times and he NEVER USED RACE DURING ANY OF HIS CANDIDACIES. HE USES THE UNTRUTHS IN HIS SLOW NATURE OF SPEECH FROM A PLACE WHERE HE IDEALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIFTED UP - HOPE, ARKANSAS. I will never vote for Hillary because they cannot stand to be challenged and will never do what is right for this country. They cause too many divisions here within this country. But they love the trade deals of other international countries to make money for themselves. They should do like the average American, get a job and work.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:54 a.m.
Senator Obama did not make any blunders in Pennsylvania. You have the unthinkables like Bill and Hill who take any truth about the true state of our nation and make a completely different "story" or lie - whichever you want to choose. I am from rural America and Senator Obama is absolutely correct. People are angry and if they speak about what the government is not doing (because of the elected hypocrites) then the people become old school "blackballed". Hill and Bill are showing you only a small piece of their true nature as to what they will do and as to what lengths they will go to demonize other people who get in the way of their incompetent and selfish ambition. I voted for Bill both times and he NEVER USED RACE DURING ANY OF HIS CANDIDACIES. HE USES THE UNTRUTHS IN HIS SLOW NATURE OF SPEECH FROM A PLACE WHERE HE IDEALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIFTED UP - HOPE, ARKANSAS. I will never vote for Hillary because they cannot stand to be challenged and will never do what is right for this country. They cause too many divisions here within this country. But they love the trade deals of other international countries to make money for themselves. They should do like the average American, get a job and work.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:56 a.m.
Senator Obama speaks what the people know to be the truth which is why so many go to hear him tell the truth.
Apr 16 2008 at 12:56 a.m.
As intelligent as your writing appears, it is amazing that you could not discover Senator Obama's intent. He said nothing which should have been found objectionable.
I think people who are feeling guilty because they don't want to vote for him and don't want him to be our next President are the ones who are looking for boogers.
Apr 16 2008 at 1:27 a.m.
^5 Right on!! President Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America!!
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.? - Dr. Seuss
Apr 16 2008 at 1:29 a.m.
Well now, from the way she threw back that shot of whiskey, it seems that she is rather used to doing so. LOLLLLLLL
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.? - Dr. Seuss
Apr 16 2008 at 1:35 a.m.
Yes! By Not a Snotnosed Kid!! Let them eat McClinton!
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.? - Dr. Seuss
Apr 16 2008 at 1:38 a.m.
OK, JJ Newman, you give me something you would count as out of bounds for McClinton, and I'll respond. Otherwise, I'll just keep supporting Obama and you can stick with McClinton.
Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.? - Dr. Seuss
Apr 16 2008 at 1:42 a.m.
This jj newman person is hilarious. He should have his own radio show...
Apr 16 2008 at 1:47 a.m.
The ONLY reason all the Nike wearing, comet flying, Kool-Aid drinking Obama supporters keep calling for Hillary to quit the race is because that is the ONLY way for Obama to win...if he really was the "bomb" then he would have squashed Hillary right out of the starting gate but, that isn't the case...in fact, Obama started out way behind, so why didn't HE quit for the good of the party?
All this Clinton hatred by Obama supporters is nothing short of insanity...and THAT is what is dividing the party, not the Clintons.
Apr 16 2008 at 2:08 a.m.
This is a great article and I have found no one to debate the actual points made. The extreme left have responded with insults to the author, but have not debated his points at all. Check out the series of Obama events over the last few months. This is a pattern - not just a few words taken out of context. Also, to the misinformed person that said Obama was ahead of McCain by ten points, either you are lying or sorely misinformed. McCain is ahead or even in the Gallup polls with Obama.
Apr 16 2008 at 2:17 a.m.
Ok, if McCain (or Clinton) embraced a man for over 20 years, had this man baptize his children, marry him and Cindy, raised his kids in this man's church, and named a book after a man who printed in his church newsletter that "blacks have watermelon noses" (as Rev. Wright said "Italians have garlic noses") then I would no longer support him.
In other words, if McCain or Clinton for over 20 years had embraced an anti-black racist spiritual advisor then the entire public and media would demand they resign, just like Don Imus for his one offensive remark. No speech McCain or Clinton gave would make it all better, we would hear from Jackson and Sharpton all day everyday how racist it is and demand they resign.
Because Obama is black he gets a pass, and everyone knows it's true. No I'm not the racist one, it's the black liberals and the guilty white liberals who are constantly accusing everyone else and excusing their own.
So yes, if McCain or Clinton did something similar I wouldn't excuse and defend it like Obama supporters do, I would no longer support McCain because it would show really poor judgement and character to embrace and open racist/bigot if this were the case. (and don't bring up Hagee because McCain barely knows the guy his relationship pales in comparison to that of Obama/Wright
Again, there is literally nothing Obama can say or do that is considered out of bounds, and I'm still waiting for an example.
Apr 16 2008 at 3:23 a.m.
Finally the Hoya publishes an opinion article that doesn't drool over Obama. It is interesting to read a balance to the usual Obama worship. A journalistic trend that disturbs me in its unwillingness to critically analyze Obama's message.
The new technique of Obama supporters is to claim that every critical commentary is taken out of context and manipulated into "sound-bites." There is partial truth in both of these claims but it distresses me more that Obama supporters are unwilling to truly analyze what their candidate says. It is almost as if they have convinced themselves that Obama is their candidate and will work at all cost to prevent a real discussion on his substance.
On my previous point. Obama was taken out of context regarding his remarks on "middle-class" America. He made an excellent point that many blue-collar workers tend to vote against their economic interests, considering social and religious issues more important. Obama is by no means an elitest, a simple look at his background and professional career as a union organizer show Obama's working class origins. Nevertheless, what his San Fransisco comments prove is that Obama is a politician, sometimes his supporters forget this, he did not "misspeak" as he later said, his comments were targeted at the "latte-drinking" lefts at his dinner.What Obama's comments do show is that he doesn't understand Americans who vote against their economic interests, i.e socially motivated voters.
Many claim that Obama is a religious man. His rhetoric certainly sounds messianic. This is a man however who joined an influential Chicago church for political reasons. He might have "found his faith" under Jeremiah Wright, but he also found a position ready for him in Chicago politics. Obama is a politician, once people realize this they will see past the claims of "transcendental" politics. They will realize that his policies are motivated by more than "hope".
I believe Obama can bring about change. If your an extremely liberal Democrat maybe that's change you want to believe in but for now I'll stick with the most trustworthy, experienced and honorable moderate, John McCain.
Apr 16 2008 at 5:35 a.m.
Perhaps to keep his contact lenses straight, perhaps to keep the blinding light out of his eyes.
Why do you sweat how he looks? You most likely, at no point, considered voting for him. So, why would it matter to you? I really think what you are looking for is an excuse to not vote for Barack Obama because of your own, personal bias. The thing is, you don't want others to be aware of how shallow you really are.
Apr 16 2008 at 5:59 a.m.
I absolutely cannot believe how badly so many want to attach a negative image to Obama. His comments in context are in no way condescending or elitist. Have you ever lived in the rust belt? People there ARE bitter about the economy and have been for decades. Why should we rely on Washington politicians to solve our economic problems? They never have before. Therefore many people instead vote on cultural issues like gun rights and religion. Obama is NOT saying that these values popped up on the scene with economic depression. Of course they are and will continue to be genuinely and deeply valued. However, the fact that these are primary voting issues shows that people have come to accept that government will not help to solve their economic problems.
"Obama’s remark that some of these people have become anti-immigrant because of job losses is also baseless." Do we live in the same country? Look around! Though it is true that our isolationism is also due to our security worries, there is no denying its existence and growth.
I'm not trying to suggest Obama is perfect or a messiah. However, this comment is not the red flag people misinterpret it to be. What is condescending is to hear Clinton and McCain rush to call Pennsylvanians "spirited". "No no, they're real good sports about us ignoring them." "Spirited" and "bitter" are not mutually exclusive. Yet somehow Obama is labelled an elitist for not glossing over the real frustration many are feeling with the way politicians have ignored the basic needs of many Americans. Obama is worth by far the least of the three remaining big candidates, and somehow he's the one out of touch with the average American.
Apr 16 2008 at 7:20 a.m.
Again, being "elite" has nothing to do with any of the candidate's income levels. Let's be honest they are all millionaires. It's bowling with common folk in Penn and then behind their backs mocking them for believing in God or the 2nd amendment (in front of your rich San Fran buddies no less). It just looks bad.
Furthermore, because Obama thought it was a closed event i.e. no press it leads me to believe that's what he really thinks. When I'm driving in my car with 3 of my best friends of course I say things about other people behind their backs, because when you are around people you are comfortable with you let your guard down and speak the truth about how you really feel...
This is a general election nightmare coupled with Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, and loudmouth annoying Michelle. Someone needs to bar her from speaking in public. No one likes the sassy chatty black lady who acts like a whiny victim.
You're right, I never would have voted for Obama because I have known for over a year that he associates with dirtbags and racists in Chicago, and unlike you enlightened liberals I won't excuse that. Sorry, I don't apply double standards to blacks who align themselves with racist scumbags, but you guys can if it makes you feel better about yourselves.
Now take off your Crocs, pour a glass of pinot noir, put on a Dave Matthews record, and open up your Washington Post to the latest Eugene Robinson op-ed piece and feel more guilty about being a white man in America
Apr 16 2008 at 2:32 p.m.
I never knew that it was a terrible thing to work hard for a paycheck. Silly me, I thought that's what you had to do to earn a living and support a family. I see why you are for Obama- rather than having to "spew" for a paycheck, you can just sit and let the working taxpayers provide you with cash,food, education, healthcare and housing, all lovingly provided by your government.Obama is not a "new type of politician". He's a cookie-cutter liberal who appeals to people by assuring them that the government will take care of them, rather than making them responsible for themselves. Now THAT'S a terrible waste of a life.
Apr 16 2008 at 11:54 p.m.
Does anybody see the parallels between his sociological comparison and all the other obvious ones?:
Angry rural white people cling to guns, religion, and anti-trade sentiment due to their tough luck.
Poor blacks have clung to the legacy of racism for far too long due to their inability to pull themselves out of poverty.
Elitist liberal pricks cling to environmentalism because they have come to realize how unjust their massively disproportionate consumption of the worlds resources is, yet are entirely unwilling to do anything substantive about it. They just pretend to "go green" when really all they are helping is their conscience.
Apr 17 2008 at 2:50 a.m.
great article steve.
i love reading the response from the obama guys, just spitting out the same rhetorical garbage time and time again, and never bothering to back it up with a single reason as to why this guy would make a good president.
Apr 17 2008 at 2:50 a.m.
I keep hearing how ALL college students love Obama, so I was surprised and pleased to see that that's not the case. (I'm a Democrat, and, frankly, I'm disappointed with both Democratic candidates.) What I don't get, though, is why some posters here assume that, just because someone writes an article that is not pro-Obama, that automatically makes them a Hillary supporter. I am not pro-Obama; but I'm not pro-Hillary either. I've been around for a few elections, and this is the first time that I can recall where we're not allowed to say anything negative about a presidential candidate without being attacked. It's like there's some kind of Obama rapid response attack squad out there or something. I'm black, and I would love to see a black president, too, but I hope I never get to the point where I don't question a candidate and make him accountable. Once a candidate reaches the point where he/she is worshiped, like Obama seems to be, people start to lose their objectivity. But, anyway, keep up the good work. Hopefully, the Obama fad will end pretty soon, and people will start to take a closer look at him; but he's kind of reached the American Idol status now, and that's tough to break.
Apr 17 2008 at 5:35 a.m.
It is really scary how college kids are being brainwashed on American
campuses by extreme left wing professors. The scariest part is that this generation won't even take the time to question and challenge the stuff coming from the left. And guess what most Americans have health care. No one in this country is denied emergency service at a hospital either. And for all of you who think the government should run health care, Canada's wonderful government run health care program rations health care big time.
Apr 17 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
James,
What part of my statement did you not understand?
"Now, I can understand people who will not vote for Obama because of his political positions. People should vote their conscience regardless of race and gender."
The reason I brought up the race issue is because of the underlying opinion that Obama is somehow being given preferetial treatment because no one wants to mention the 'B' (black) word. The man IS black and having been raised in America as such, he has had extra challenges to surmount. Therefore, treating him as 'the emperor with no clothes' is insulting. Kenny's article smacked of condescension. Judge Obama on his policies where, by the way, he shines, and not on personal opinion.
If anyone is dividing the Democratic Party, it's Hillary Clinton, who behaves as if the country owes her, and whose husband qualified Obama's candidacy as a fairy tale, and who, by the way, is still behind in pledged delegates.
Apr 17 2008 at 11:07 p.m.
And I quote: "In politics, the clearer a statement is, the more certain it is to be followed by a 'clarification.' Obama and his supporters were still busy 'clarifying' Jeremiah Wright's very plain statements when it suddenly became necessary to 'clarify' Senator Obama's own statements in San Francisco. However inconsistent Obama's words, his behavior has been remarkably consistent over the years. He has sought out and joined with the radical, anti-Western left, whether Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers of the terrorist Weatherman underground or pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli Rashid Khalidi. Obama is also part of a long tradition on the left of being for the working class in the abstract, or as people potentially useful for the purposes of the left, but having disdain or contempt for them as human beings" -- Thomas Sowell, a scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, writing at RealClearPolitics.com.
Well said. Thank you Mr. Sowell
May 07 2008 at 8:44 p.m.
Excellent writing, Mr. Kenny!
As a conservative, I agree with another poster that Obama makes Clinton look appealing, and I can't believe I'm saying that. If I lived in a state that had yet to vote in the primaries, I would certainly go cast my ballot for Clinton, as Obama scares the dickens out of me! I am confused as to why some people believe he is "moderate" or can "reach across the aisle" when he is clearly EXTREMELY liberal. In the worst sense of the word.
The only change he would bring is BAD change.