The Obama Delusion

So what are Samuelson's standards for Hillary/McCain...? "I feel I'm dealing with known quantities"..? Well, considering that lofty monolith of journalistic ideal, then one can understand the premise of the article. The question is -- whose delusion? Millions of voters over a wide range of states and demographics who are tired of the corrupt, lobbyist-owned, attack-oriented, machine politics of old, who crave real change, and finally see it in Obama? Or a jaded Washington D.C. based columnist who benefits from this style of politics?

Is is wrong to be inspired? Is it a mistake, as you say, to be invigorated by intelligent passion? This country needs visionary leadership, not a continuation of de facto dynasties that only serve to foster the divisions within our crumbling society. It is sad that even our independent journalists hesitate to believe that a change of course is possible. We need leadership that inspires citizens to re-engage in their government.

Obama is a fabulous speaker - but he is just not ready to be President YET. IF the Democrats nominate Obama, we will end up with four more years of a Republican White House.

Upon reflection, you might see that his policies are as polished as either of his opponents, and in fact moreso than Mr. McCain's. As well, the Clinton campaign accused him of plagiarism not because his plans mirrored Mrs. Clinton's, but because he used a portion of a speech given by Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, who was "neither surprised nor concerned" with it. And unless I have completely misread Mrs. Clinton's policies--which are sound--I seem to believe that they are, as well, formatted as "ten-point" or "twelve-point" or "seventy five-point" plans.

What's more, when you take a look at www.thomas.loc.gov, you'll find Mr. Obama's complete Senate record. During his first three years, he authored volumes of bills and helped pass at least 5 substantive pieces of legislation into law. Mrs. Clinton, during her first six years in the Senate, passed 6 pieces of good legislation, and fourteen more bills with a nature similar to the following: "Name Courthouse After Thurgood Marshall," "Congratulate Syracuse Men's LaCrosse Team on Winning the Championship," "Name Post Office After John O'Shea," etc. The nature of the bills are instructive, and Obama has sponsored numerous bills like the ones listed above. But the argument is about how we haven't figured out where he stands on things, that he hasn't enough experience, and that his plans are simply rough-cuts of Mrs. Clinton's. But look at his Senate record. He authored the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (law), The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (passed Senate), the 2007 Government Ethics Bill, and two others during his first year, while either sponsoring or cosponsoring and championing over 800 other pieces of legislation, including 233 on health care reform, 125 on poverty and public assistance, 112 on crime, 97 economic bills, 60 on civil rights and anti-discrimination, 21 ethics reform bills, 15 on gun control, 6 on veterans affairs and various other pieces of legislation which--and I'm only guessing here--provide a relatively accurate reflection on "where he stands."

Dear Mr. Samuelson,
Based on your article, I am left with no choice but an hypothesis that you are without a doubt you are a one track minded, narrow visioned individual who apparently convicts before seeing the evidence. But that's ok, thanks to amendment 1 of the constitution that allows you to utter every gibberish, nonsense and an iota of sense, as in your case. That amendment is AKA freedom of speech, so for that reason alone I???d let you slide on this one.
However, the American people are a lot smarter than you give them credit for. How dare you try to insult our intelligence? We the people are on a mission to secure and reshape our future, the future of the younger generation, education, employment, failed and crippled foreign policies, to mention a few. Is this all you can come up with? Some fragile, lack of substance article with micro economics of a piece of Obama's plans. Where were you when Bush took this nation on a downward spiral beyond comprehensible return with an open check book to fund a senseless war that may or may have not left our young men and women stranded in dangerous terrains? Where were you when Bush???s cronies were been awarded no bid contacts in Iraq? Change isn???t easy; however it is easy to eliminate those who aren't ready for change.
If you want to remain with the status quo and continue with the current failed policies, and essential a third term for Bush, then John McCain is you man. If you want a divisive government with nothing achieved in the next four years then vote Hillary, however, if you strongly believe that there is an alternative to the current mess, then not only do you have to start thinking anew, you have to make that shift away from the pessimist mind frame and engage yourself in becoming part of a process that will no doubt define the future of this nation.

These are his goals. ..and they are good goals to have. His issues and talent have more to do with who can get the most done rather than who can shorten their goals list to fit the ones that you find comfortable.

You have got it so right! When will the Obama movement wake up to the fact that he is a great speaker but not YET ready to be President. If the Democrats nominate Obama, we will have four more years of a Republican in the White House.

Dallas Texas

Posted By: dmpenny @ 02/20/2008 1:28:36 PM
Comment: OBAMA RECORDS
What has Obama done in the 3 years he's been in the Senate?
During the first eight months of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced 233 regarding healthcare reform, 125 on poverty and public assistance, 112 crime fighting bills, 97 economic bills, 60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills, 21 ethics reform bills, 15 gun control, 6 veterans affairs and many others. His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law), **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law), **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law), **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.
In all since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record. . . .


CLINTON RECORDS
Senator Clinton, who has served one full term (6yrs.) has managed to author and pass into law 20 twenty pieces of legislation. These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress (www.thomas.loc.gov), but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for you: 1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site. 2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month. 3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. 4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall. 5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson. 6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea. 7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day. 8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day. 9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death. 10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship. 11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship. 12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program. 13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda. 14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death. 15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11. 17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18. Assist landmine victims in other countries. 19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care. 20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

You seem to be holding some, nay one, candidate to a different standard.

Obama, like the other candidates, isn't running for every position in the administration. He's running to be the leader of the administration. If you think he can lead, if he can move people, if he would be a strong yet diplomatic presence to other countries, if he can build support for improving our health-care or education, if he has a sound mind and grounded judgment, then that's why you should vote for him. That's the job he's running for.

If you think Clinton would be the best at these things, then vote for her.

Whoever wins the general election will have staff, experts, and all that to help them hammer out the details. And they will fight a mostly uphill battle of convincing the other side to go along. That's a known entity. To criticize one particular candidate for not giving specifics in his speeches when none of the candidates are giving specifics in his speeches is highly suspect.

Like him or not, at least play fair.

You seem to be holding some, nay one, candidate to a different standard.

Obama, like the other candidates, isn't running for every position in the administration. He's running to be the leader of the administration. If you think he can lead, if he can move people, if he would be a strong yet diplomatic presence to other countries, if he can build support for improving our health-care or education, if he has a sound mind and grounded judgment, then that's why you should vote for him. That's the job he's running for.

If you think Clinton would be the best at these things, then vote for her.

Whoever wins the general election will have staff, experts, and all that to help them hammer out the details. And they will fight a mostly uphill battle of convincing the other side to go along. That's a known entity. To criticize one particular candidate for not giving specifics in his speeches when none of the candidates are giving specifics in his speeches is highly suspect.

Like him or not, at least play fair.

Change of the process through which we achieve these goals. That is what "change" means in the terms of Obama's campaign. He obviously has some very progressive ideas, but he is willing to work with others, not be condescending and demanding as in the past. (Bush/McCain/Clinton = more of the same/my way or the highway, Obama = let's work together in the open)

Your view is that of a person who has a lot of security in his life and can't see how the average person who earns less than $50,000.00 a year with his wife views the points your making. Boilrplate or not, someone needs to stands up for us.

During president Bush's campaign did he tell americans that he would declare war on Iraq? Politicians don't usually state their honest opinions, they usually tell voters what they want to hear. Clinton and McCain have the answers you think? Your article is biased. Cut Obama some slack, please!

paulchamy

I agree. Why don't we talk about the number of bills that have been proposed by either of the two Democratic candidates. Provide us with those stats. Hillary is a known entity for having done little or nothing in the Senate at leasta from the records I've seen. What's different about Barack is that he atleast tries to do something instead of sitting around talking about how impossible it is to get anything done. That is what the current establishment is about and there is where we need change. His whole campaign is a testimony to how he takes an existing idea to a higher level. He has energized the Democartic party with his innovative style. Even if the ideas sound similar they don't mean a thing with the Obama swing.... doo-op, doo-op.

@ AbominablKangaru
"Good leaders bring out the best in us Obama can do that"

I see you love surprises.