The Obama Delusion

It's about time someone pointed out the handwriting on the wall! Why are you just now stating what half of us already knew? The other half is so drunk on the Obama kool-aid the media helped provide that like all who are intoxicared, you can not reason with them! Like a drunk they just yell for more! They have proven in their drunkard state that they aren't racist by voting for a black man without the experience needed to address the problems we face. They also prove they are sexist by not voting for a woman who has the experience to address those problems! I am disgusted by the media as well as the people for once again (not once but twice with bush) drinking in whatever they are told is "new" "change"...same damn platform Bush ran on, "uniter" give me a break! No wonder America is in the mess she is, the people are self destuctive! God help us from ourselves!

While reading this I couldn't help but think about how cynical the author is and what fun it will be to look back on it a few years from now after Obama has had his first successful term in the White House. Sure, Clinton and McCain are known quantities--but, how much of an inspiration have they been to their fellow congressmen to get some serious work accomplished for their constituents? This congress is sadly, a big yawn. They need a young dynamic leader to shake up the country club and motivate them to look beyond their belly-button lint and do something positive that will make a difference in the lives of us everyday Americans. And thank God Obama is not out there droning on with comments like, "Spending for retirees???mainly Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid???is already nearly half the federal budget. Unless we curb these rising costs, we will crush our children with higher taxes. Reflecting longer life expectancies, we should gradually raise the eligibility ages for these programs and trim benefits for wealthier retirees. Both Democrats and Republicans are to blame for inaction. Waiting longer will only worsen the problem." When he is President, I expect to watch congress embroiled in a healthy debate regarding how to solve this issue on C-span, then come up with an inspired non-partisan solution.

Look, Obama isn't running on "I am the man with all the perfect solutions" he's running on "fixing all of this won't be easy, and I'll bring everyone together to work together and fix it" Do you really think he's going to come out and tell America the truth? That we probably need to tax gas another $1 or $2 and reinvest in real alternative energy (not the joke that is corn ethanol)? We've had our heads in the sand for decades, what makes you think we're suddenly ready to face reality? So yeah, he has to talk about some relatively typical things to stay in the race, since that???s what people are used to hearing.

I hope against hope that Obama DOES get elected and holds up his end of the bargain (actually working with everyone to fix these issues) and that we hold up OUR end of the bargain (pressuring our congress to work with the president and end all this partisan crap that gets NOTHING done). Worst case, we elect a very intelligent man who does the same stuff everybody else has been doing. Obama's "failure" would be status quo for anyone else. But maybe, if the stars align, he turns out to be awesome, and we as a nation get our rears in gear... just maybe, we can turn this ship around. McCain doesn't offer us that chance. Hillary doesn't offer us that chance. Obama offers us that chance.

It's not 100%, it's probably 1%, but damnit, I love this country and I'm willing to pull my share of the weight to make it happen. Are you?

Yes we can.

I guess you've run out of ideas for real stories so you decide to clean up after the horserace instead. Don't discount hope, inspiration, or unification just because there's no precise roadmap. Sometimes idealism and rhetoric is needed to mend what the Clinton's and Bushes have done to politics, policy and people. If HRC steals the nomination, she will do more damage to the Democratic Party and Process than anyone can imagine. Just think about another entire generation ruined for all things Politics/Government.

Seriously though, now that I've won an Oscar and the Nobel Prize, though it would be a huge step down, I will serve as President for Obama. Kind of like his training wheels, just until he's a big boy. Then Michelle can take over and finally be proud to be an American.

About time someone in the MSM said this. I sure didn't expect it to come from Newsweek, but I'm pleasantly surprised nonetheless.

BTW, be sure to check out http://obamamessiah.blogspot.com/ to get an idea of just how delusional some people are about their expectations for Obama.

Maybe Barack has the same boilerplate ideas as the author mentions. Maybe it is same as that of Hillary. So policy wise they are same. One major difference : authenticity, integrity, inspirational, new, non-insider, character and freshness. Barack will provide a reset to US foreign and domestic policy which is so much needed. Our country is at an all time low in terms of world opinion, domestic economy, morale of the citizens, draining resourses, colored states, fear, eroding personal liberties, etc, etc : We desperately need a fresh start, a reset. Hillary and McCain are no different from Bush : we know it based on their "inside washington experience and years of sound judgement". They will not provide the reset we need : nothing to excite me to a better future. With barack the future maybe unknown because he is untested. But can it get worse than what we are in today!

I am an independent not affiliated to any party.

I think you should go work over at FOX News, there seemed to be majorissues wit your facts sir, Clinton accused Obama of plagerism for a speech that he gave when he didn't credit his campaign co-chair Deval Patrick, not because his policies are so similar t the Clinton campaign. Also he said ten points plans that DON'T get accomplished when the person is elected into office. I'm glad YOU are comfortable with "known quantities" it sounds like you are so comfortable that you have closed your mind to to anythingnew, I bet you voted for Bush because he was a "known" too, and I also assume that someone like you still ddefends that vote. I didn't reaalize this was an opinion article, it's not listed that way, and it seems very unprofessional for a "journalist" to write an article blatently stating falsifications, misrepresentations, and his own biased opinion and pretend to be a professional, shame on you and shame on Newsweek for allowing this article outside of an opinion section! You hould tick to econimics, those articles that you wrote were well written, seemingly unbiased, and highyinformative.

Your complaint Mr Samuelson is just as stale and at this point moot as HRC's negative banter that was ineffective against Obama in the Wisconsin primary. While you bring up the subject of plagiarism, your editorial sounds straight from the HRC rhetoric "playbook".
If the way HRC's campaign has been managed thus far were any indication of how our country would be run under her administration, then I'd rather sign up for four more years of GWB if it were possible. You and the HRC campaign need to open your minds to some fresh vision (and hence fresh rhetoric) to see your way beyond the "35 years" of whatever experience she touting in order to win this primary and lead this country in the right direction if she does win. The bottom line is that HRC has no vision beyond the past 35 years, while Obama at least communicates that he is pressing on toward the future and can impute a vision of hope into the minds of the people. We can't continue to approach the problems of this country by doing to same things we've done over the past 35 years of HRC's experience and expect to get new results. That???s why the whining rhetoric in your editorial that sounds plagiarized from the failing HRC campaign is a delusion.

Let's see, b/c you don't know enough about him and his past due to your own ignorance, you will write him off.

Wow, that is some sound judgement on your part.

It amazes me how people will dream with you and say how proud they are to have the first African American hopeful as President, but when the dream starts to make its descent into reality the cynicism of old makes a strong comeback! I find it interesting that Samuelson found Sen. Obama intelligent, forceful and bipartisan in 2004, but now with the prospect of him becoming the leader of the free world all the compliments and admiration for this man's character becomes a dream.

Humm You have also included Clinton and McCain as well I hope .. And in your view Clinton and McCain can do better . Or will they follow in the footsteps of our Present President and continue on the road to being completely in the poor house .. You talk a great game about Obama and forget whats happening now in our country .. Who did you vote for four years ago and if so has it gotten better in your opinion . I'm sure you listen to the rhetoric at that time .. and look where we are now .. Isn't all politics rhetoric at one point and time You look back at all of the years that brought this country to where it is now .. They all can and are able to deliver a good speech. So don't just pounce on Obama .. Look into your history before casting stones and in your case ROCKS

This may be an interesting article if it took into consideration the whole picture. The American people don't follow Senator Obama because of his "rhetoric." Barack has changed so many peoples ideas of what politics is because he is talking about changing how politics is run. He talks about not using divisivness and working with the Congress to get things done. Do we honestly believe that Barack is going to save us from the multitude of issues this country has in four years? No. He has been very forthcoming about the fact that none of this change is going to be easy, but we have to move people back into the idea of social responsibility. And the most resounding fact of his campaign is that he has not taken campaign contributions from PAC's or Lobbyist groups. This fact is the most important and significant fact of this whole election. How clear do we need to make it? We don't want a President because she thinks she's entitled to it and has the right connections. We want someone who we can hold personally responsible and that is what Barack Obama has made himself!! By the way, take a look at what he did in the Illinios State Senate. He did work with the republicans and he did have great accomplishments in a state where the Daly machine is still alive and well.