The Obama Delusion

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  • Posted By: twjc134 @ 02/24/2008 9:57:31 AM

    About time someone took a closer look at this man. From the beginning I have had great reservations about someone who is so inexperienced gaining such ground with the American public. A great orator does not signify a great president. Both McCain and Clinton have the experience that Obama lacks. Unfortunately Americans are being pulled into a fairy tale by mass media, and it has been proven in quite a few studies that the media DOES have an affect on presidential elections. Obama only wants to be the first black president for the history books, and is not really for the American people. HIs rhetoric is nothing but hollow words. He reminds me of the idiot we have in office now.

  • Posted By: T. Mendez @ 02/24/2008 2:51:10 AM

    Why is this article so hard to locate on the Newsweek site? It seems like the editors are hiding it -- I'm sure that they'll include additional articles that glorify Obama to make up for this one.

  • Posted By: T. Mendez @ 02/24/2008 2:49:21 AM

    Finally the mainstream media is taking a closer look at Obama. He is all talk and no substance, and I can't fathom why it's taken the media so long to discover that.

  • Posted By: T. Mendez @ 02/24/2008 2:42:41 AM

    Finally the mainstream media is taking a closer look at Obama. He is all rhetoric and no substance.

  • Posted By: karenbarranco @ 02/24/2008 2:34:18 AM

    Although I share some of your general concerns for the Obama campaign in your article, I am taken aback by the less than objective and biased opinions that you air. Furthermore,it seems that your recent disillusionment from the Obama "craze" has clouded your ability to see the obvious reasons why the current voting population is so hypnotized by this man.
    The truth is people are sick of the ten point jargony promises made by candidates, and the political climate is ripe for big even radical change. We, and I include myself, are willing to take a chance and be comfortable with some of the unknowns that Obama as our new president will bring with him.
    No change happens without a risk being taken, and if there is some naivity in that "dream" I welcome it. Some of us are happy to take that chance, given we know what we will get otherwise, the same old stuff we have been getting for the last four terms!

  • Posted By: bemused08 @ 02/24/2008 2:23:17 AM

    I was entranced originally by Barack Obama -- his promises of change, his promises that he was a "different'" type of politician, his disdain of the politics of usual.

    Unfortunately, the more I watch his speeches, and look at how he runs his campaign, and how his supporters act and talk, the more convinced I am that he doesn't, and can't, walk the talk he talks.
    He offers to whichever audience he talks to what he thinks will get their vote - that is politics as usual. Anytime anyone criticizes him or questions his positions, he proclaims, as he did today, that they're part of the democratic Washington network. Guess he's forgotten that he's part of that network and was awfully grateful for the help that network gave him to get into the Senate.

    The mailers sent to voters in Ohio are pure and simple the old style attack politics -- nothing less. And what is worse, they aren't even original -- since the healthcare attack mailer copies the "Harry & Louise" ad of the early nineties which derailed universal health care.

    Of course, copying someone else's successful campaign strategy is something he's done before -- even if its not "plagirism", lifting, not one line, but Duval Patrick's entire campaign strategy (or should we say David Axelrod's) does prove one thing -- Obama is a copycat who excels at the political game.

  • Posted By: realtor4 @ 02/24/2008 1:15:35 AM

    Mr. Samuelson, thank you so much for this objective and unbiased commentary. It seems that the rest of the American media is enamored with this man. Since the beginning of the media's coverage of this campaign, I became concerned with the unbalanced coverage of the candidates, but an obvious preference for Obama .

    He has escaped the media's scrutiny, he has received extensive exposure, with anchors and the written press making him out out be flawless. Quite frankly at this juncture I am tired of his rhetoric, the media's bias and his ill informed followers.

    Arrogance, a lack luster legislative record, and a spouse who only recently felt pride for this country, are frailties that I do not wish on our next presiddent.

    I hope that other members of the media follow your lead and provide the American public with information that will asssist us in making responsible choices when we return to the polls in November. We depend on you to act as a means of checks and balances.

    Again thank you.

  • Posted By: Xtian @ 02/23/2008 4:20:18 PM

    People attacking people for attacking people who attack Obama..? Amazing!

    Alright, kids. Uncle Tex is gonna let you in on a few grownup secrets:

    1) There is no such person as Santa Claus.
    2) God may or may not exist.
    3) There are no blue or red states. (it's an abstract idea)
    4) There is no "black" or "white" America (another abstract concept)
    5) Politics and religion are kissing cousins
    6) Politicians nor preachers can save us.
    7) If we are to be saved, we must save ourselves.

    Question: Do we save ourselves by putting this person or that person in the white house?

    Answer: No. We save ourselves by having faith in our country, our constitution, the democratic process and being decent human beings. And if we're feeling ballsy, we could step outside our personal comfort zones now and then -- get involved in our communities and do our parts to help make America what She promises to be -- no matter WHO is in the White House.

    Period.

    -41-year-old redneck Texas REPUBLICAN

    p.s. Obama in '08.

  • Posted By: CormacMcArt @ 02/21/2008 8:41:14 PM

    JMcCarthy

    Interesting article. I pretty much agree with it. But, I considered Bill Clinton to be cut from the same cloth. Bill was a great politician and everyone pretty much heard what they wanted to when he spoke. It appears that a lot of democrats are projecting their hopes and dreams on to Mr. Obama. They forget that we are a representative republic and we are electing a president; not an emperor. He can set an agenda and horsetrade and armtwist; but it is Congress that makes policy. And, our system of government is not meant to facilitate rapid change. Thankfully, it is designed to maintain stability and protect against tyrants and mobs. Change only occurs when there is truly a national consensus. Much of the change that Mr. Obama would promote I am simply against. As such, I hope he does not get elected. If he does. We survived the Clintons and Bush. A little worse for wear maybe; but, I am sure we will survive Mr. Obama. I will do my part as a citizen with my vote, time and money to foil any part of his agenda that I think is bad for the country. As I should. Some things may be good ideas; such as, weaning us from imported energy. Those things I will support. Let the great democratic experiment continue.

    • Posted By: SharonToji @ 02/23/2008 11:39:33 AM

      We "survived" the Clintons? Pretty good survival when we ended up with a surplus, reduced the deficit, increased jobs, generally improved the economy, got some good regulations in place dealing with things like clean water, cleaned up agencies like HUD and "won" the only war we supported, with no casualties (Bosnia). I could "survive" that again, thank you very much!

  • Posted By: nikkik @ 02/22/2008 2:35:00 AM

    Imagine, Obama as president, with the organization he has developed as an ongoing grassroots lobby who will support him and lobby our reps and senators, instead of delegating that to pro politicians and lobbyists and spacing out. Obama is offering us an antidote to Washington insiderism empowered by the ignorance of narcicisstic or apathetic "citizens." Citizenship under Obama is what will change Washington! We are the rightful lobby.

    • Posted By: SharonToji @ 02/23/2008 11:22:46 AM

      If this really happens, if all those who so vocally support Obama as president will really continue as active citizens, calling congress, writing congress, emailing congress, visiting the local offices of their legislators to support the legislation that an Obama presidency brings forward (and hopefully he will change many of his programs to be more like Hillary's!), then I'll agree that his charisma trumps Hillary's solid experience in the day to day administration of the presidency. But guess what? I don't believe it! I think most of the young people who have been captivated will be on to the next rock concert experience. I wish I did not feel this way. I was engaged as a young person, and I never stopped, but being an engaged citizen is hard work, many times boring, and takes time from other, perhaps more enjoyable pursuits.

  • Posted By: Xnazzzi @ 02/22/2008 2:31:06 PM

    Obama is a Godsend! If you're too dumb to figure that out, there's no point in bothering with you!!!

    • Posted By: SharonToji @ 02/23/2008 11:00:17 AM

      That's one of the problems with the Obama followers. They think electing a president is a religious experience. Seriously, though, as a Democrat, both candidates are a "godsend" but in different ways. My point is that the way Hillary is so blessed is that she had 8 years of day to day experience of what comes across the presidential desk, and the nuts and bolts of how it must be handled. I actuaqlly do think her progreams are better as well, but the real point is that you can only bring about change if you actually know the steps. Discount her as "just the first lady if you will, but she was there, and have no doubt, she was part of making it all happen. We have a mess to cleean up. She does have the experience and knowledge to do that.

  • Posted By: Xnazzzi @ 02/22/2008 3:13:39 PM

    Drew, you folks in California would have Mexicans decide who'll be the next president of out great nation!!! It's a fact Hillary would not have won in California without the Mexcican vote.

    We're not angry. We're just tired folks like you and your the quasi-intellectual bull.

    My thoughts: How about we keep California and you go live in Mexico.

    • Posted By: SharonToji @ 02/23/2008 10:49:18 AM

      As far as I know, "Mexicans" don't vote in US elections, even in California, where I live and voted for Hillary Clinton. And guess what, California used to be part of Mexico. I won't go into all the history about how it ended up in the US. But back to my vote: I agree with the article, although I won't be staying home or voting for McCain if Obama gets the nomination, as I'm pretty sure he will. I do think the presidency of someone with his ethnic background would be positive, but right now, I'm more interested in having a more experienced president, and yes, having a woman president.

    • Posted By: Drew in Cali @ 02/22/2008 3:33:39 PM

      Thanks for proving my point. That didn't take long at all.

  • Posted By: solvera @ 02/23/2008 10:47:58 AM

    Thank you Mr. Samuelson for at least raising the questions. It's been alarming me..the ferocity with which some Obama supporters have attacked those that question him. I've heard things like "you disagree with him? You must not have researched his record very closely" or "I guess you just can't stand change" or "How much is Hillary paying you to say that" or "you must be one of the uneducated people voting for Hillary".

    People please, Its possible to question a candidate or (gasp) disagree with that candidate without deserving the knee-jerk "must attack you" sentiment Ive seen so much of. I agree Obama is far better at playing a crowd, better at conveying emotions, and better at appearing likable than Hillary. I also agree that its wonderful he's inspired so many more people to care about the election than most politicians have in the past. However, these things aren't as important to me at what the person is actually going to do for my country once they're elected, and thus far I think Hillary has done a better job outlining in detail exactly what she's going to do, and how, and yes she comes off as boring and pushy when she does that. I can live with that. Based on everything Ive seen she really does care about the middle class and knows what do to help our economy and our country. Oh, before someone attacks me and says "why dont you say exactly how" there's not enough room in this response to outline it. Read her website and go to "Issues". I agree with the things she says and how she wants to get them done. My biggest complaint about her is she shouldnt have used the whole plagiarism argument. Its not the end of the world, I just thought it was a dumb move.

    The other thing that scares me is how difficult its bcome to dig through the muck that is biased media to find actual facts. Putting aside past records for now, I've read every word on Hillary's website and Obama's website. good for him for updating his to put more detail on there. If he's our candidate, I sure as heck want to know the details of what hes doing and planning.

    In case anyone cares, I'm a 30 year old, educated Caucasian female working full time in human services. I don't make tons of money but I make enough to get by.

  • Posted By: solvera @ 02/23/2008 10:47:55 AM

    Thank you Mr. Samuelson for at least raising the questions. It's been alarming me..the ferocity with which some Obama supporters have attacked those that question him. I've heard things like "you disagree with him? You must not have researched his record very closely" or "I guess you just can't stand change" or "How much is Hillary paying you to say that" or "you must be one of the uneducated people voting for Hillary".

    People please, Its possible to question a candidate or (gasp) disagree with that candidate without deserving the knee-jerk "must attack you" sentiment Ive seen so much of. I agree Obama is far better at playing a crowd, better at conveying emotions, and better at appearing likable than Hillary. I also agree that its wonderful he's inspired so many more people to care about the election than most politicians have in the past. However, these things aren't as important to me at what the person is actually going to do for my country once they're elected, and thus far I think Hillary has done a better job outlining in detail exactly what she's going to do, and how, and yes she comes off as boring and pushy when she does that. I can live with that. Based on everything Ive seen she really does care about the middle class and knows what do to help our economy and our country. Oh, before someone attacks me and says "why dont you say exactly how" there's not enough room in this response to outline it. Read her website and go to "Issues". I agree with the things she says and how she wants to get them done. My biggest complaint about her is she shouldnt have used the whole plagiarism argument. Its not the end of the world, I just thought it was a dumb move.

    The other thing that scares me is how difficult its bcome to dig through the muck that is biased media to find actual facts. Putting aside past records for now, I've read every word on Hillary's website and Obama's website. good for him for updating his to put more detail on there. If he's our candidate, I sure as heck want to know the details of what hes doing and planning.

    In case anyone cares, I'm a 30 year old, educated Caucasian female working full time in human services. I don't make tons of money but I make enough to get by.

  • Posted By: solvera @ 02/23/2008 10:46:48 AM

    Thank you Mr. Samuelson for at least raising the questions. It's been alarming me..the ferocity with which some Obama supporters have attacked those that question him. I've heard things like "you disagree with him? You must not have researched his record very closely" or "I guess you just can't stand change" or "How much is Hillary paying you to say that" or "you must be one of the uneducated people voting for Hillary".

    People please, Its possible to question a candidate or (gasp) disagree with that candidate without deserving the knee-jerk "must attack you" sentiment Ive seen so much of. I agree Obama is far better at playing a crowd, better at conveying emotions, and better at appearing likable than Hillary. I also agree that its wonderful he's inspired so many more people to care about the election than most politicians have in the past. However, these things aren't as important to me at what the person is actually going to do for my country once they're elected, and thus far I think Hillary has done a better job outlining in detail exactly what she's going to do, and how, and yes she comes off as boring and pushy when she does that. I can live with that. Based on everything Ive seen she really does care about the middle class and knows what do to help our economy and our country. Oh, before someone attacks me and says "why dont you say exactly how" there's not enough room in this response to outline it. Read her website and go to "Issues". I agree with the things she says and how she wants to get them done. My biggest complaint about her is she shouldnt have used the whole plagiarism argument. Its not the end of the world, I just thought it was a dumb move.

    The other thing that scares me is how difficult its bcome to dig through the muck that is biased media to find actual facts. Putting aside past records for now, I've read every word on Hillary's website and Obama's website. good for him for updating his to put more detail on there. If he's our candidate, I sure as heck want to know the details of what hes doing and planning.

    In case anyone cares, I'm a 30 year old, educated Caucasian female working full time in human services. I don't make tons of money but I make enough to get by.

  • Posted By: solvera @ 02/23/2008 10:46:47 AM

    Thank you Mr. Samuelson for at least raising the questions. It's been alarming me..the ferocity with which some Obama supporters have attacked those that question him. I've heard things like "you disagree with him? You must not have researched his record very closely" or "I guess you just can't stand change" or "How much is Hillary paying you to say that" or "you must be one of the uneducated people voting for Hillary".

    People please, Its possible to question a candidate or (gasp) disagree with that candidate without deserving the knee-jerk "must attack you" sentiment Ive seen so much of. I agree Obama is far better at playing a crowd, better at conveying emotions, and better at appearing likable than Hillary. I also agree that its wonderful he's inspired so many more people to care about the election than most politicians have in the past. However, these things aren't as important to me at what the person is actually going to do for my country once they're elected, and thus far I think Hillary has done a better job outlining in detail exactly what she's going to do, and how, and yes she comes off as boring and pushy when she does that. I can live with that. Based on everything Ive seen she really does care about the middle class and knows what do to help our economy and our country. Oh, before someone attacks me and says "why dont you say exactly how" there's not enough room in this response to outline it. Read her website and go to "Issues". I agree with the things she says and how she wants to get them done. My biggest complaint about her is she shouldnt have used the whole plagiarism argument. Its not the end of the world, I just thought it was a dumb move.

    The other thing that scares me is how difficult its bcome to dig through the muck that is biased media to find actual facts. Putting aside past records for now, I've read every word on Hillary's website and Obama's website. good for him for updating his to put more detail on there. If he's our candidate, I sure as heck want to know the details of what hes doing and planning.

    In case anyone cares, I'm a 30 year old, educated Caucasian female working full time in human services. I don't make tons of money but I make enough to get by.

  • Posted By: Obama Not Solution @ 02/23/2008 10:26:21 AM

    If we want to put a minority in the White House to affect equal opportunity in a very diverse nation, then let us place someone who has a track record of doing so. If you tell me you are from the Cleveland, Bronx, Brooklyn, Phili, or any other economically depressed region of our country, and you rose to attend a great university where you further this opportunity for others like you, you have my respect. If after college and graduate work, you continue in public service for those less fortunate, who cannot better their own substandard living, you have my respect. If you raised funds and supported programs for Job Corps and grants for minorities to attend college, you have my admiration. Obama is not this person. He is not US worthy. We are better off electing the CEO of Merrill Lynch than Obama!

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