The Obama Delusion

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  • Posted By: butcher_boy @ 02/20/2008 1:59:58 PM

    I don't like the idea people vote for Obama just because its their chance to elect a black president.
    I have seen people on exit polls stating the fact that "this is my only chance to elect a black president."
    so if I went on TV and said I voted for Edwards or Clinton because they are white... oh god could you imagine the backlash of that... we even have the two? black super delegates switching positions because they have to VOTE BLACK.
    Its always cracks me up that people think racism is a one way street. If you are white your racist. If your black its OK to be proud of your heritage. Enough said. yeah I am a racist. I am white.

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:43:17 PM

      Good post!

    • Posted By: kaestl @ 02/20/2008 3:20:52 PM

      so what are women who vote for hilary "because it's time for a woman?"Sexist?

  • Posted By: distressed123 @ 02/20/2008 5:42:46 PM

    Dear Mr. Samuelson,
    Like many other people in countries outside of the US, I have been watching this issue with keen interest. I have been wondering how long it would take for the American people to wake up from their star struck stupor and start thinking about the very points you raise. While I accede to the fact that Obama is charismatic and popular, I keep waiting to hear what the great "change" will be. Once Americans have elected a coloured white man (Obama) to be President, then what? Can this one act really heal the social and economic divisions that this race has made so apparent?
    Carol gentles.

  • Posted By: broncofan @ 02/20/2008 5:41:30 PM

    Thank you Robert! I'm glad to hear someone who has not been fooled by Obama's speeches. There is no way he can fulfill his promises. He is not talking about change, but the "same oh, same oh". He is just better at saying it, but it boils down to "no change".

  • Posted By: trixiemonks @ 02/20/2008 5:40:26 PM

    Because of these very reasons, I have decided that if Obama wins the nomination. I, as a longstanding proud democrat, will vote for McCain in the general election. I can not trust a man that is a puppet of stolen words and stolen policies. The President has to be able to make difficult decisions very quickly, he WILL fall short and the Democratic Party will catch all of the backlash.

  • Posted By: ChicagoSteve @ 02/20/2008 2:08:27 PM

    Finally, someone in the mainstream media points out the obvious. I'm from Illinois. So many people already had Obama as our next President before he was even elected to the Senate. He's done nothing but talk. I think it would be great to have a President who can speak in an articulate and engaging manner - which we haven't had in nearly 8 years - but there has to be some substance behind the speaker. As soon as Obama was elected to the Senate, he came out with a book. He was clearly focused on self-promotion for this Presidential campaign back then and not on the business of the people. Change for change's sake is not the answer. We need a plan. I'm not overly impressd by the other two candidates either, but I feel like you at least know what you're getting. I can't stop thinking of the section of the book, The Tipping Point, which discusses the Harding Presidency, one of the least successful in history, and how he was elected generally based on his looks. I hope we don't look back later and realize we elected Obama based only on his eloquence.

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:40:21 PM

      Good post!

  • Posted By: trixiemonks @ 02/20/2008 5:40:11 PM

    Because of these very reasons, I have decided that if Obama wins the nomination. I, as a longstanding proud democrat, will vote for McCain in the general election. I can not trust a man that is a puppet of stolen words and stolen policies. The President has to be able to make difficult decisions very quickly, he WILL fall short and the Democratic Party will catch all of the backlash.

  • Posted By: awlswll @ 02/20/2008 5:38:49 PM

    Finally...a report from the media that is spot-on, facutal, and is based on intelligent reserach regarding Barack Obama's substance. I've been following this election very closely and have read every major publication and article about this years election. This is the first article that truly states reality and doesn't fall prey to "fashionable" reporting of Obama's lofty rhetoric. Last night on MSNBC Chris Matthews asked a Texas senator (who is an Obama supporter) if he could name one or any accomplishment(s) Obama has as a senator, and the Texas politician could not even come up with an answer. He had no idea, no real knowledge regarding Barack Obama's senate record. I'll bet you could ask any of his supporter's the same question and you would net the same pathetic response. It was truly a brave question by Chris Matthews and an embarrassing response by this senator. It's very sad to see people in America (even elected officials) basing their vote on fancy oratory, and not on the real issues and substance these candidates bring to the table.

  • Posted By: hillforprez @ 02/20/2008 2:08:39 PM

    As far I am concern Americans are making a big mistake backing Obama, I for one will not vote for him if he is the Democratic Nominee, I never thought I would say this but I will vote Republican.

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:38:23 PM

      Bravo!

    • Posted By: LuLuBelle @ 02/20/2008 3:01:11 PM

      Me. too. I have never voted Republican in my life but I will this time if this faker Obama is the Democratic candidate. I don't understand how people can be so stupid. Oh, yeah, what am I saying? Stupid people put George Bush in the White House!

    • Posted By: joepishner @ 02/20/2008 2:15:03 PM

      Me too. Onward John McCain or any Republican.

      • Posted By: ademeyer @ 02/20/2008 2:53:03 PM

        yuck. You treat voting as if it were a sporting event, "my team lost so I am going to vote against the team that beat them." Voting has consequences beyond whose ugly face you have to look at the next four years. If you are a Democrat ,vote Democratic . When a Democratic President wins then Jim Webb, Mark Warner, John Kerry, Tom Allen, Hillary Clinton, et al, have more power to enact Democratic policies.

      • Posted By: montacque @ 02/20/2008 2:49:47 PM

        Let me see if I understand this. The two candidates both admit that they are not that far apart on the issues. They support the basic tenets of the Democratic party. And two will vote for a Republican who wants to keep us in Iraq for 100 years, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, and do anything to prove that he's a conservative. That makes a lot of sense. If Hillary wins the nomination (I bak Barack), I will vote for her because my country is too important to me. Sorry you don't feel that way.

    • Posted By: number40one @ 02/20/2008 2:51:01 PM

      As a (presumed) Democrat, which of John McCain's policies appeal to you?

      Or are you just sour about the idea that "Hill" mightn't win the nomination?

  • Posted By: awlswll @ 02/20/2008 5:37:31 PM

    Finally...a report from the media that is spot-on, facutal, and is based on intelligent reserach regarding Barack Obama's substance. I've been following this election very closely and have read every major publication and article about this years election. This is the first article that truly states reality and doesn't fall prey to "fashionable" reporting of Obama's lofty rhetoric. Last night on MSNBC, Chris Matthews asked a Texas senator (who is an Obama supporter) if he could name one or any accomplishment(s) Obama has as a senator, and the Texas politician could not even come up with an answer. He had no idea, no real knowledge regarding Barack Obama's senate record. I'll bet you could ask any of his supporter's the same question and you would net the same pathetic response. It was truly a brave question by Chris Matthews and an embarrassing response by this senator. It's very sad to see people in America (even elected officials) basing their vote on fancy oratory, and not on the real issues and substance these candidates bring to the table.

  • Posted By: cyel @ 02/20/2008 4:25:20 PM

    Obama is a nice guy but the Washington establishment is going to devour him - just as it did Jimmy Carter.

    • Posted By: wizardwii @ 02/20/2008 4:43:42 PM

      Jimmy Carter didn't deal with Illinois politics! Obama has!

      • Posted By: mfgillia @ 02/20/2008 4:56:09 PM

        and what exactly did he accomplished in Illinois? Which of his many campaign promises did he achieve?

        • Posted By: wizardwii @ 02/20/2008 5:36:37 PM

          I answered the comment that washington will eat him up - well, after dealing with the corrupt politics in Illinois - you can never underestimate any poitician. Illinois saw something with 70% voting for.

  • Posted By: BillHawkins @ 02/20/2008 5:36:08 PM

    I too was initially impressed with Obama. It would be great to have a moderate third way problem solver who happened to be an African American. Sadly, Barak's back room deals are now coming to light and whate we learn is that he promised everything to every special interest group of the Democrat party. What is astonishing is that he has been able to fool so many for so long. His speech is essentially the same with key words written by Theodore Sorensen. I am still waiting to here an original idea or even a passing comment admitting that a lot of our problems have been at least partially created by Democrats. For example, the cost of health care is expensive in part due to frivolous law suits.

    What is especially disconcerting is that Obama does not seem to understand that taxing the rich beyond a certain point can lead to unintended consequences. Apparently he does not realize how higher taxes lead to avoidance schemes which include the option of moving assets off shore. Given the precarious debt position we are in, proposing a trillion dollars in new benefits is obscene.

    Finally, I blame Bush for the rise of Obama. It is the revulsion against his policies that are causing otherwise sensible voters to go from one extreme to the other.

    Bill Hawkins
    Silver Bullet Project
    Tampa Bay, Florida

  • Posted By: jessi818 @ 02/20/2008 4:39:02 PM

    Clinton and McCain have had numerous chances to improve our country and have failed to enact any real change. Obama truly believes he can change our country for the better and believes it to be a "serious idea" and I'm all for giving it a chance. The status of healthcare and the economy in our country has only worsened in the past 8 years. The deficit is the largest it's been since G.W. Bush has been in office.

    • Posted By: robsmimi @ 02/20/2008 5:32:26 PM

      You say Mcain and Clinton have had chances to make change. So has Obama! So why didn't he do it while in the Senate the last two years. Oh, excuse me. Make that one year since he hasn't been there the last year.

  • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 2:11:59 PM

    Obama's ears are too big.

    • Posted By: LynnP @ 02/20/2008 2:59:19 PM

      Ears are too big, but, let's face it; that NAME!!! How are we going to live with a President who's middle name is Hussein and last name is Obama? I thought "Huckleberry" would be bad (although that won't happen now) but, Barack Hussein Obama???????? What are we thinking??????

      • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:32:18 PM

        Barry who?

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:31:19 PM

      Wish they were big enough to listen more rather than talk, talk, talk, talk...Obama is a good talker though

  • Posted By: wizardwii @ 02/20/2008 2:57:11 PM

    Dear lillea - Bush did what Al-Qaida wanted - he sent American troops to the middle east. As a result, our defenses are now down - we no longer have an effective military. Our economy is shot as a result. If China chose to occupy our shores - we don't have enough soldiers left in the US to stave off an attack of a million chinese soldiers. Make no mistake - Bush walked into what Al-Qaida wanted us to do and they are destroying us from within!

    • Posted By: wizardwii @ 02/20/2008 3:22:06 PM

      Talk about naive. Did you understand the reasons why? The who? - You have taken the bait - that we fight them there and not here. Did you realize that Saddam kept Al-Qaida out of Iraq? Again, we have only walked into their trap. If we can fight this war technically - then, why are our troops on the ground being blown up? Try again...

      • Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/20/2008 3:35:04 PM

        Are you aware that Hussien payed bin laden 25 million dollars (which he got from the UN oil for food sham). al quida had no reason to go into Iraq - they support dictatorships! The reason al quida is in Iraq now is because they oppose democracy.

        • Posted By: wizardwii @ 02/20/2008 5:31:58 PM

          Please. They only oppose democracy for the original reasons they attacked; in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00, and 01...go back to the Ayatollah - this is the reason. bin Laden said it was the reason... Our presence in the middle east, supporting Israel - Afterall, Israel are the original terrorists in the Middle East! Look at history - that is the way they got rid of the French. Also - the Sykes-Pico treaty that drew the boundaries to Irag - even then, both Elliot and Bell knew it was a mistake...We allow nuclear arms for Israel but not for other middle eastern countries? Why do you think bin Laden hasn't been captured? Why did Bush leave it up to Musharrif? Same reason, we rushed his family out of the US after 911, same reason Bush is seen helping and kissing the hand of the saudi royals...NO President should ever stoop to help another RULER cross a puddle or kiss their hand. The attackers were mostly Saudi - HELLO? Saddam had nothing to do with 911 nor did he care for Bin Laden - so the money you speak was not out of friendship. What about the Saudi donations?

    • Posted By: lillea @ 02/20/2008 3:24:43 PM

      http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=34&idsub=184&id=12158&t=19+terrorist+attacks+stopped+against+US+since+9%2F11

    • Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/20/2008 3:11:46 PM

      Then why hasn't al quida attacked us more sine 9/11?

      • Posted By: lillea @ 02/20/2008 3:24:22 PM

        http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=34&idsub=184&id=12158&t=19+terrorist+attacks+stopped+against+US+since+9%2F11

    • Posted By: lillea @ 02/20/2008 3:04:23 PM

      Let's see, UK has had car bombings, France has had car bombings, Spain has had car bombings, Israel has had car bombings, Pakistan has had car bombings, Turkey has had car bombings, ....So our offensive stance hasn't worked???? I don't know where you have been the last few years, but military technology has boomed and it doesn't take a soldier to pysically fight to protect these borders. We even have lasors installed on certain air craft to shoot down missles. The last major attack of a terrorists camp in Pakistan was done with a drone.

  • Posted By: bps422 @ 02/20/2008 5:31:56 PM

    You are right on spot. The best indicator of how Mr. Obama will do, as president is to look at the performance Gov. Patrick of Mass., Mr. Obama's thought inspirer. He has been mediocre. You can inspire people, but you cannot deliver hard work and results by inspiration. The superb oratory makes Mr. Obama a great public speaker, however, when it comes to delivering results for us, we will be rudely shocked. Buyers Remorse now, before it is general election Great speaker does not equal to great leader who can deliver. One needs to look at what he has promised in the past and how much of that promise he has delivered.

  • Posted By: aridlehoover @ 02/20/2008 5:30:26 PM

    The Clinton campaign accussed Senator Obama of plagairizing language from his good friend Massachusettes Governor Deval Patrick. Your article makes it sound like the Clinton campaign accussed Senator Obama was stealing policy ideas from Senator Clinton. Talk about obsuring the truth!

  • Posted By: nddad2000 @ 02/20/2008 2:13:10 PM

    Assuming that Obama becomes the nominee of our party, then it will be my first vote for a Republican for President! Your column outlines my thoughts exactly! His handlers are now threatening us with riots in the street if the super delegates play a role in the outcome. Hopefully sanity will prevail!!

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 5:29:36 PM

      Excellent post!

  • Posted By: pattyg1105 @ 02/20/2008 5:29:24 PM

    www.whitehouse.com

  • Posted By: clikdawg @ 02/20/2008 5:28:04 PM

    Feel better now, Bobby? Had a nice cry? Paid off that marker Hillary called in?

    Good!

    God, I love the smell of fear in the morning ...

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