The Obama Delusion

Thank goodness that someone is finally saying what I've noticed for months now! I cannot believe that so many Americans are not "reading between the lines" - I am an educator and reputable national unions endorse Clinton for her 100% supportive voting record on education. Obama has such little political experience, what makes people think that he has what it takes to "change" this country. The other fundamental flaw of change is: before you vote for change, make sure you know what you are voting for - or the kind of change you get might have a very bitter taste afterwards. How can Americans be so naive as to think that this person can actually bring about bipartisan change ... Just look at how his campaign handled the florida defeat: Because there were no delegates at stake, floridians don't count - until he needs our electoral votes in November. Then we are worth his time. Then he'll bother to court us - No thanks, Obama.

Right now Obama is all things to all people.But as he gets more specific he just seems like a warmed over John Edwards.It would certaainly be a vision change but one that has already been rejected by the voters.And to top it off his own campaign managers ares stuck for an answer to the basic question - what has Obama accomplished? Five years in the senate and no evidence at all that he means what he says .He was a very passive senator.McCain is also a very good orator.He has also carefully cultivated a television style by repeatedly appearing on Letterman,Leno and Conan.Letterman loves McCain.And McCain has a very keen sense of humor.But above all he has the "gravitas" thing.In the debates he will speak in grand themes and demonstarate his far superior grasp of international affairs.Obama looks great against Hillary.But running against McCain will be much tougher.

Samuelson, and your point is? First, Obama includes me in finding the soluttion to our problems, unlike Hilary Clinton and McCain, who both assert their capabilities to single-handedly fight all and everything that threatens us. Second, Obama;s willingness to seek out America's diverse talents and pool together to solve our national impasses, is refreshing enough in contrasts to the lone gun slingers who continue the premise that ordinary people do not matter. If you do not see the the depth of this premise, you are not to blame, because you are steeped in the morasse of the past you take it for normalcy because you are afraid of the unfamiliar ways of doing things that may soon come to Washington----a coalition of ordinary Americans woriking together to advance their collective causes and the common good. Your article is so biased, it says a lot about how you have refused to indulge in introspective and objective thought. Let us meet here November 5th 2008 and compare notes.

Biira, Rykjavyk, Iceland

When you talk about his lofty speeches it seems that somehow you have missed his central point. His goal is to set a new tone in Washington that will allow for compromise. Compromise will lead to passing some of the policy ideas that have been recommended by many politicians for two decades. He also talks about sacrifice and service. He expects that his supporters will get involved to make a difference. It is a recurring theme, and my sense is that he will create a way of encouraging them to follow thorugh. He seems to show some success with this in his campaign.

Obama is not selling some kind of "Silver Bullet" solution that everyone else has overlooked. He is saying that we can solve many of our problems by compromising, getting involved and making some sacrifices. Check the record, it is all in his speeches.

So don't look for incredible differences between his policy ideas and everyone elses. When it comes to the number, yep someone's going to have to pay for this and he is expecting it to be taxpayers... mostly the upper end of the range.

Many people seem ready to do it if they have a Leader they believe can deliver.

After reading "The Obama Delusion" I must applaud the insight and honesty that Robert Samuelson brings to the public. I couldn't agree with him more and I fear for the very reasons he has given why I am anti Obama. I for one am not dazzled by his rhetoric. I see a man who thinks he can fool all of the people all of the time. Not so. I just hope America and the American people wake up and smell the coffee before it is too late and not make him the next president.

This article misses the point. The author himself admitted that he was won over by Obama's talk and rhetoric. The whole point of this cadidacy is what Barack Obama insists is a bottom-up, rather than a top-down approach. If Obama manages to pass half of his "boilerplate" progressive agenda, he will enact enormous and lasting change in our society. Bill Clinton attempted to change health care in 92 and failed because the Clintons could not work with others, and because there was not a demand for heath care from the American people. If Obama succeeds it will be because he is capable of moving people to go out and do somethine -- attend a rally, call their friends, vote or caucus, donate money to a cause. I've never participated in politics to this extent in my life, but I found myself attending a rally, emailing friends, going to caucus and even donating my own money to a political campaign. If this kind of motivation carries beyond this election, and the American people see a president who inspires them to action, then Obama will be the most transformative president since Reagan, and in the same category as Kennedy and Roosevelt.

Hey,Hey no call for comparing O-Bama-lama to Hitler! Somebody here else compared him to Castro.
That's out of bounds.O-Bama-lama may be just be a overly telegenic stuffed suit motivational speaker but he ain't no mass murderer!
Oprah should give him a show.
We've had enough of Dr. Phil.

I am glad Obama has less "political experience", at least that will probably mean he isn't as corrupt, dishonest, partisan, or out of touch as the rest. I also think it is great that he is full of hope, promise, and enthusiastic about becoming president. Is he supposed to be just as insincere, lame, boring, and unenthused as Clinton and McCain? Have we all become that apathetic? Whatever happened to people in this country feeling good and hopeful about who they are voting for? I don't remember the last time I've even felt good about a candidate no matter how great their supposed plans and proposals were, if they don't actually believe in what they are saying, you can sense it. I am just like most Americans who have heard and seen Obama. He is inspiring, honest, and a welcomed change!

Its very funny and hilarious when you see the word "Change" scaring the crap out of people like Samuelson and his cohorts. best entertainment i've had in years!!.
The downside to all these is they are supposed to be educated and a bit knowledgeable than your average Joe. He has proven that he is a simple-mind indeed!!. Their simple idiom is; the devil you know is better than the angel you dont know, what utter rubbish!. You lived under George Bush for 8 years for or crying out loud. You lying bigots can scream on the highest moutain but Change is still coming to America because this time we own the movement!!. For once "Mr average Joe nobody" holds the power to the politics of America and we are saying No to the politics of fear!! No to the politics of hopelessness!! . Thanks to all the people who say that barack is just empty rhetoric - and that he is an unknown quantity you've actually confirmed to me that barack is worth voting for because he's not mutated yet!! unlike senators Clinton and McCain who have sacrificed their humanity for political and financial expediency!! Thanks Samuelson you gave me the boost that l needed to actually Vote Obama