The Obama Delusion

I'm worried. Is the Newsweek editor OK? Is he sick, or is his child sick? Did he lose a family member? All I know is he must be out of the office for a good reason. There's no other explanation for this piece appearing on the web. This is the first article I've read on Newsweek (and I read it daily) that questions Obama's rhetoric.

Please tell me the editor's OK. Next thing you know I'll be reading an article about Hillary that doesn't question her integrity, motives or abilities. Mr. Editor. . .Please get well soon. I don't want to read a pro-Hillary piece here or anywhere else. I really don't think I could take it.

Seriously...I AM an Obama supporter. But I have to be honest; this magazine promotes Obama as shamelessly as Fox News promoted Rudy G. Despite the fact that I am in favor of your chosen candidate, I cannot condone your actions. The media didn't used to be like this. It used to be that newspapers, magazines and such, you know, REPORTED news. Why the switch? Is there some sort of manufacturer's tax exemption you're trying to qualify for?

Anyway. . .Good work Mr. Samuelson. You got one by the Newsweek spin doctors. I can only assume you have a a better job lined up already. If not, shame on you for risking your family's security on a piece that's a clear example of "too little too late".

as close to being the antichrist as it gets

With respect, I do not think you understand what Obama means when he uses the word, "change."

The problems in this country remain unsolved not for a lack of good ideas, but for a lack of implementation - for a number of reasons including partisanship, good-old-boys-club, laziness, and political pandering.

The change I think Obama is talking about is not some novel idea for how to deal with a particular problem, but rather the changing of the way the idea is mobilized and carried out. The change is that instead of being divisive (or even partisan, one step back from the brink on the sliding scale of political disagreements), he would seek to build coalitions and listen to alternate points of view.

Once you realize that this is the change he is speaking of, it becomes easy to note this sort of track record in Obama's legislative experience, too.

Start here;
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/1000AmericansforObama/CHjY

BRAVO!!
Finally someone is saying what needs to be said! First of all, he's screwing up this nation's chance of having a real problem solver in the White House, Ms. Hillary Clinton! Second, this bandwagon that's going on is really scary. Are the American people that dense? I know they elected George W. Bush twice, but that was against John Kerry. I'm quickly losing faith in the process.
If Obama gets the nomination then I'm not voting for him, and I'm a liberal!

Mr. Samuelson should be aware that many of us found it quite easy to be non-dazzled by Obama. And yes, where has the media been and what have they been doing? Well, we know the answer to that, don't we?
The very basis of Obama's campaign rhetoric is a delusion; and it is deceptive. Obama says, it is ill advised to put in the same set of characters doing the same things and expecting different results. He has now insulted 3/4 of Congress, democrats and republicans alike. Change a word here and there, and what he is giving us is the definition of insanity. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. We all know that. So what is he really saying?. If we vote for anyone other than he, the American people are redundant and insane? Yes, he is. And is he saying that all the other candidates, senators, governors and the like are has-beens, old, and also insane. Read between the lines.....He is saying vote for me not them, for the "new guy" Put your faith and trust in someone who is NOT tested and has the least qualifications to lead this country. His platform speaks to his own very weaknesses and inabilities, and admits to them. It is a negative message. Trust me not them; vote for me not them; yet he accepts their campaign contributions and public endorsements of these same old, has-beens, insane politicians. And he claims to be a uniter. How is a Obama going to go back to the entire senate, full of people who have been there again and again, and say, yes, I did say you were old, insane and has-beens, but here I am to bring us all together. And his message of HOPE? I don't need Obama telling the American people we need hope. We are a people of hopes. And right now my biggest hope is he will be the last person to occupy the White House; or excuse me, in Obama's own words, "my White House". A positive, up-lifting, dazzling message...no it is not. It is negative and replete with insults, accusations, pandering and deception.

OMG, finally some unbiased reporting. Obama, Bob the builder says you are plagarizing "Yes We Can". Hold on for a ride you Obama cheerleaders are not prepared for. One clue, it looks nothing like the utopian crap you have bought so far. I am embarrassed to be associated with this ..."change". Thankfully by association only, I might add. No, I am not a Republican, so be hatin on me!!!

If you're not informed about Obama's accomplishments and plans, it's not the same as Obama not having accomplishments and plans.

Robert Samuelson: well said! You've articulated many of the things I've been saying to others and thinking about Mr. Obama. I have a lot of concerns about him and am alarmed at so many people being "wowed" by his charisma. In general, our society votes too much based on emotion, rather than a fact-based analysis approach, which is why he's so appealing.
BTW readers, I'm on the fence; I haven't chosen a candidate as yet.

Another vote for McCain if Obama is nominated - he can't possibly change anything - who are all of you kidding

I'm 72 years old. I have been upset with George W Bush since he was Governor of Texas, and when he became president, not for his intelligence of ability to lead, but because of duplicity by his "handlers", I became depressed.

Barack Obama is the first person in a long while who I believe has the intelligence and charisma and character to united our fragmented country, and begin the climb back to respect in the world.

BRAVO!!!
Finally someone is saying it! Obama is just another windbag. I'm a true Democrat, but if Obama wins the primary then I'm going to vote for McCain. At least I know what I'm going to get with him.

Between articles like this and Howard Fineman's consistent mispronunciation of Obama's first name, it's enough to make one wonder about an editorial agenda at Newsweek. This is just the latest in a series of analyses in which the writer ascribes what he can't understand (Obama's appeal) to ignorance, trendiness or naivete. Anyone who has studied presidential leadership ought to be able to come up with an explanation for Obama's appeal that credits his supporters with some intelligence and thoughtfulness. Voters do not simply match their positions with candidates when choosing a president. They know that times and circumstances change, and so more general qualities (approach to leadership, to politics and policymaking, intelligence, judgment, temperament) count for just as much. Countless books on presidential decision-making (see Irving Janis' "Groupthink" or Barber's "Presidential Character", e.g.) offer good reasons for focusing on these, more general traits. To say nothing of the fact that many intelligent people prefer his portfolio of policy positions. I'm sick of all this denigration of Obama supporters as stupid or naive. It's intellectually lazy.

Robert, I agree with you. Your editorial is so much like my idea about the B. Hussien Obama thing that I could have written the same thing. You are exactly correct lin what you wrote here. I hope it wakes up the people in American to see the sham they are votilng for. Of course I would have John McCain and Newt Gingrich. Even Mit or Mike would be excellent Vice Presidents. Even Hillary wouldn't be as detrimental as an Obama win. Heaven Help Us. We are headed for trouble in good times. We need to continue the fight against radical muslim extremists and even get the moderate muslim peoples on our side. Obama appears to be better than Adolf or Benito in deceiving the masses. He thinks like Karl Marx.

Joe Pishner, Temple, TX.

Just a quick apology for the multiple posts ... my first time posting on a site with such a long delay between when it's posted and when it actually appears (with a VERY significant look at the IT department)

Most of the comments that I have read here, only confirm that we need a culture change. And Obama is the only candidate out there to do that. Our culture is just going down the tubes. No loyalty, no pride, just hate and self-righteousness. Hopefully someone with character, like Obama, can help us get back on the right track. If Obama doesn't get in, my second choice of the candidates running would be McCain.