The Obama Delusion

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  • Posted By: treaders @ 02/21/2008 9:43:59 AM

    ...nor has he gotten to the actual election, he is only trying to win the nomination of the party. Are you saying McCain or Clinton have engaged the problems with their rhetoric any better? Give me the vague promise of change over the for sure promise of "same" that I feel from the other candidates any day...

  • Posted By: treaders @ 02/21/2008 9:43:44 AM

    ...nor has he gotten to the actual election, he is only trying to win the nomination of the party. Are you saying McCain or Clinton have engaged the problems with their rhetoric any better? Give me the vague promise of change over the for sure promise of "same" that I feel from the other candidates any day...

  • Posted By: pgrujic @ 02/21/2008 9:43:25 AM

    Hey Miamiman; I missed your response yesterday. You just don't get it?? Obama has just won another primary and will win it all. It hurts..doesn't it. To give you a credit; those plastic faces of Clintons and McCains remind me of Bob the builder show!


  • Posted By: lours78 @ 02/21/2008 9:40:49 AM

    Your solution seems to be another eight years of GWB. For at least 28 years the far right has had way too much power.It could be argued that since the Democrats at last embraced civil rights and they lost most of the dixiecrats,Nixons southern strategy planted the seeds that have born the bitter fruit we harvest today.The only delusion worth mentioning is that of the people who watch O"riely or listen to Limbaugh and think that thay have been informed rather than entertained.Obama represents the end of this sad era.Better late than never.

  • Posted By: daplane @ 02/21/2008 9:38:19 AM

    Pretty much like the author took four years to be disillusioned by Obama's oratorial skills and lack of substance, it will take the American public four years of Obama in the White House to wake up to reality.

  • Posted By: cnn357 @ 02/21/2008 9:27:03 AM

    I support this article for finally giving a different perspective on Obama. It is late though.
    But in defense of Obama, look at Bush- he had governing experience and look what he did in Iraq. If he would have just cracked open a text book he would have realized the dynamics of Iraq and what would happen if we went there. Look at Cheney, he was the first to say Iraq would be a quagmire.

    Experience is a good thing - Only if you learn from it

  • Posted By: neppy @ 02/21/2008 8:36:47 AM

    The "more of the same" is really lame and getting old. Mr Obama has high ideals but pretty ordinary plans for the change he suggests. Hillary has many exciting ideas and plans with some thought involved. Barack want to form all kinds or group think commitees to turn around and tell him what his policy will actually be. He currently has NO IDEA what he plans do do.
    It's very offessive and pretty dismissive to be told "check the website" for real answers-- as if I don't deserve to hear it from his own mouth. Maybe he doesn't mean what's on the website, has HE read it? My mother is close to retiring, she couldn't care less for being on the internet after spending all work day in frony of a computer. If anyone takes the time to listen to a speech they deserve some answers.
    He's a show pony.

    • Posted By: Dixiechick @ 02/21/2008 9:26:38 AM

      It only took Bush a year and a half to get us into a phony war.Look what happened in 4 years and now 8 years. Waiting 4 more to find out is too long. Hopes and dreams are not enough. It takes experience and fortitude and Hillary has both.

  • Posted By: bluedoguk @ 02/21/2008 9:25:41 AM

    The Clinton attack machine is calling in all thier favors from their sychophants in the media in a win at all cost effort. Robert Samuelson has exposed himself as a Clinton sychophant. Pathetic.

  • Posted By: sharpinohio @ 02/21/2008 9:21:51 AM

    While I don't disagree with many of Robert's comments, his statement that
    " They're so similar to many Clinton proposals that her campaign put out a news release accusing Obama of plagiarizing" leads you to believe that this comment was in regards to Obama plagiarizing her ideas when in fact it was in regards to Obama plagiarizing statements from some Governors speech (I'm sorry but I forget who it was). So it all boils down to there is SO much rhetoric out there today (including some of what is in this article) that each person must really wade through all the BS and do reality checks against what each candidate is saying

  • Posted By: pmcs @ 02/21/2008 9:13:25 AM

    <b>Did Robert J. Samuelson vote for George W. Bush in 2000 and in 2004???</b>

  • Posted By: Southern Bell @ 02/21/2008 9:07:23 AM

    I hope people read your comments, Robert (including your colleagues Howard Fineman and Jonathan Alter).

    However, this scrutiny of Obama is too little too late. Thanks to the media the man was never thoroughly examined and now we're stuck with him as the Democratic nominee.

    I never got the Reagan hysteria and I don't understand Obamamania. I do, however, love the Beatles.

  • Posted By: Esvee @ 02/20/2008 10:04:38 PM

    I agree with most of what the article says. But what exactly is the point he's trying to make?
    To my mind, actual details of policy proposals are a relatively insignificant part of the reason to vote for this candidate over the other.

    Why? Because you have to get those proposals passed for them to mean anything; And if nothing else, you would have to admit Obama is a master salesman, regardless of what else you might think of him. The "change" can simply come from the fact that he'll be able to push his agenda, where others would consider it a lost cause.

    Reality check? Sure, Obama's not the second coming and in many ways is deeply flawed, but I have little doubt he's the smartest guy left standing. That makes him a solid choice in my book.

    Achievement? Anybody who can come from almost complete obscurity, humiliate the mighty Clinton machine, attract this much money and inspire this much enthusiasm among his followers is going to make a hell of a president.




    • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 02/20/2008 10:29:17 PM

      I have to agree with you on yoru points. That isn't enough of a reason to vote for Obama.
      We will have see how it pans out. If McCain wins.. then we will have the what if till we all die. If Obama wins and he can do what he says he can do and we all come out 8 years later with everyone happy and content... then I'll be more than happy to say I was wrong about Obama and tell everyone how much of a fool I was for doubting the man. But, there is always a but clause, what if Obama is elected and can't push his agenda? What if he can't unify the Congress and Senate to end partisan infighting? What if Obama is elected and we are in a worse situation than we are now? (How can that possibly be I don't want to imagine) What will all the Obama supporters say then? That the rest of the country was so closed minded that we couldn't rise above the political fray or we didn't have enough hope? Probably. Easy to blame everyone else that to accept the resonsibility that maybe all his selling of change and hope are exactly that... selling... just like a car salesman... a good salesman will say anything to sell his product... in this case Obama is selling Obama... that can't be desputed... hope and change are part and parcel to Obama since he raps himself in the banner of hope and change already.
      Obama really put me off when he said that Hillary's supporters would support him but his supporters wouldn't support Hillary... the audacity! I know I'm not alone and that will hurt Obama's chances... to all the Obama supporters that are saying that you can't support Hillary... well than you can't complain or say anything about that statement cause its the same as yours... or are you gong to admit you made a mistake?
      That is why I'm voting for Hillary first and McCain second!

      • Posted By: lyingbigot @ 02/21/2008 9:06:36 AM

        Dear Zombiehero, i dont know how old you are, but i bet you are too set in your ways like samuelson that its virtually impossible to help you make a transition of pessimism to optism. l suspect by your postings that you are an ardent and fanatic hillary support. And trust me l have no problem with that.

        But reading your postings tells me that you've been so damaged by past experiences that your take on life is one of gloom and apocalyptic armaggadon. All you can say is "what if" albeit in a negative doomsday way. But thank God, the statement "WHAT IF" can be used both ways.

        WHAT IF - Obama becomes the best President America ever had
        WHAT IF - Obama unites Americans to change America
        WHAT IF - Americans of all political persuasions unite to move America Forward

        See Russia or the then USSR was the first country to put a man into space but they like you and samulesom were of the nothing good can come out of this school of thought. They were so scared of aliens attacking whomever they put on the moon. They had all this negative scenario's playing on their mind therefore clogging their best judgement that they ended up orbiting from a safe distance.

        Inspite of the scary "WHAT IF's" we still went ahead and put amstrong on the moon and rightly so.
        Today we can successfully shoot down a wayward satellite. We didnt have to scramble our airforce to shoot it down all because we dared to face our fears.

        Supporters of Obama are not delusional or high on some kindof hallucinatory drug
        we've decided to stop fearing but rather confront our fears with hope and an attitude of yes we can
        but not with fear and trepidation.

        Like our National name AMERICAN = AME+I+CAN . Yes We Can (AME= ALL +MY+ ENEMIES)
        Our enemies think we can't but we say we can.
        Vote Obama !! and the hope which keeps us up working to make a better future for our loved ones will see us through. There are millions of people training to be Doctors,Nurses, Surgeons, Policemen,Firemen, Businessmen, Journalists and Farmers so they could make a difference in someone's life. Hope is the Key. Hope is What has brought this Nation this far, otherwise there wouldn't be anything called the American Dream, This is the only country in the World where everything is possible. Yes We Can

      • Posted By: Jrmapu @ 02/20/2008 11:56:56 PM

        Anyone can beat McCain at this point but I cannot bring myself to vote for Obama although it looks like he will get the nomination. Unless Hillary can debate and prove how inexperience he really is. She need to take the gloves off and push her agenda on healthcare, the economy, unemployment, foreign relations, NAFTA, women's rights, and the most crucial one, the vote on the attack on terrorism. She is the realist with the solutions. Obama can't even find his own words, yet he's an eloquent speaker. Pretty good when you follow a script and continuously repeat yourself.

  • Posted By: Petra Politics @ 02/21/2008 9:02:22 AM

    Finally!! I SO appreciate your article, and hope a lot of folks read it; especially in states not having voted yet! Stick to your guns, you who support Hillary - and has done so for a long time; stand tall & march - proud Latinos, black men, white men, black women, white women, young and old - for something that has substance and proof. Obama will have his time - but it`s not now.
    Pictures of him on his web page; looking into the clouds, bright white light shining from the conquered states....all powerful, seducing images of someone that is portraying himself as the Saviour/Superman, who is on a mission to rescue you. Teenagers love a Hero, young men seek will be drawn to the "image of success" (nice story, nice suits, great words, admiration), blacks to pride. Be not fooled. Hillary has made her case, working for citizens for years. Vote wisely.

  • Posted By: Petra Politics @ 02/21/2008 9:00:55 AM

    Finally!! I SO appreciate your article, and hope a lot of folks read it; especially in states not having voted yet! Stick to your guns, you who support Hillary - and has done so for a long time; stand tall & march - proud Latinos, black men, white men, black women, white women, young and old - for something that has substance and proof. Obama will have his time - but it`s not now.
    Pictures of him on his web page; looking into the clouds, bright white light shining from the conquered states....all powerful, seducing images of someone that is portraying himself as the Saviour/Superman, who is on a mission to rescue you. Teenagers love a Hero, young men seek will be drawn to the "image of success" (nice story, nice suits, great words, admiration), blacks to pride. Be not fooled. Hillary has made her case, working for citizens for years. Vote wisely.

  • Posted By: Karenn1 @ 02/21/2008 8:58:59 AM

    I rather take my chance with Obama,than the OLD senator who got a history of corruption ,but who now says he has repent.Hillary bless her soul ran at the wrong time.

  • Posted By: blogetry @ 02/21/2008 8:41:53 AM

    All politicians over-promise and under-deliver. It's like most relationships: guy sweeps gal off her feet with sweet nothings, Godiva chocolate and a daily dose of smoochy phone calls and roses; then they get married and he has to be reminded to get her a card on Valentine's day.

    Perhaps Obama is the guy who doesn't need to be reminded and will deliver on his promises to the American people. If he doesn't, we'll simply file for divorce in four years and find a new man or woman with even grander promises and dreams...

  • Posted By: blogetry @ 02/21/2008 8:39:26 AM

    All politicians over-promise and under-deliver. It's like most relationships: guy sweeps gal off her feet with sweet nothings, Godiva chocolate and a daily dose of smoochy phone calls and roses; then they get married and he has to be reminded to get her a card on Valentine's day.

    Perhaps Obama is the guy who doesn't need to be reminded and will deliver on his promises to the American people. If he doesn't, we'll simply file for divorce in four years and find a new man or woman with even grander promises and dreams...

  • Posted By: lmcchesn @ 02/21/2008 7:31:10 AM

    WOW - thank you. Someone other than me feels this way. This article should be on the cover before its too late. This is exactly what barack is about. Great speechs that are truly hollow on plans. We really have to vote Hillary. America needs to get back on track and she can get us there. Barack will never. He is only inspiring, we can go to church for that.

    • Posted By: Dixiechick @ 02/21/2008 8:38:36 AM

      Well said. It seems I have heard Obama say he would UNITE the country. I remember hearing that same thing from another guy--G.W Bush in 2000.Look what we got ??? Obama is on alot of peoples wish list---Be careful what you wish for.After almost 8 years of Bush,Rove,Rice,Wolfowitz,and alot of others in the Bush regime you wouldn't think people would be so gullible as to fall for the same line he gave again no matter who said.:Quote,I am a Uniter not a Divider" .Alot of people fell for it not once but twice.
      By the way I am not a Republican--I'm a democrat.I never did or never will I vote republican.

    • Posted By: mbrull @ 02/21/2008 8:16:00 AM

      I also agree. Obama is hot air. No substance. Listen to him debate. He has NO concrete plans, can't back them up with facts. He avoids questions and likes to use "phrases." His thoughts are borrowed.................from others speeches and even others thoughts. Bill Clinton was the first person I ever heard suggest that people with student loans should be allowed to do community service to work them off. Now OBAMA is calling that HIS plan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: cnn357 @ 02/21/2008 8:33:36 AM

    I find it odd that it took this long for a negative piece on Obama. This isnt exactly news. This could have been written anytime in the past year. If your goal was to inform the people about Obama then you have failed by waiting so long. The media has way too much influence on the political process for you to be so irresponsible.

  • Posted By: KMNJ @ 02/21/2008 8:30:06 AM

    THANK GOD SOMEONE SEES THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS DISGUISED AS GOOD RHETORIC!!! PLEASE GET THIS AS A COVER STORY ASAP. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST OBAMA BUT HIS INEXPERIENCE. NO
    ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF HIM TILL THE '04 CONVENTION NOW HE MIGHT BE PRESIDENT? I'M TERRIFIED! HE DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA, CHINA , OR THE REMAKING OF CUBA!!! HE'D BE GREAT IN 8 MORE YEARS OF SENATE EXPERIENCE. RIGHT NOW HE'S A FANTASTIC SPEAKER REMINDING US OF CAMELOT, AND MARTIN'S DREAM. PRETTY WORDS DON'T HELP US HANDLE A NUECLEAR IRAN OR CHINA DELUGING US WITH TOXIC GOODS.--K.M IN NEW JERSEY.

    WITH

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