The Obama Delusion

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  • Posted By: BestforOurCountry @ 02/20/2008 12:01:39 PM

    While all the candidates engage in flattery of their base, it may be a disservice to single out Mr. Obama for being delusional.. When Mrs. Clinton was asked what she would do to address Social Security budgeting woes, on Meet the Press, her response was "I can't say, but we'll have a bipartisian commission take a look....". Mr. Obama has said both an increase in taxes, by raising the $97K payroll cap, and raising the benefit age are potential solutions. He is telling Americans who are now living 15-20 years longer, that they may also have to work a longer before receiving benifits. This is fair, if you don't want to leave your kids and grandkids in debt.

    All the candidates, give accolades to President Reagan and Tip O'Neil for setting down over a scotch, and working out a solution to Social Security in the 1980's. Notice, there was a President in the room, with a position, an agenda and a compromise. I considered, Mr Reagan, "delusional" for many policy reasons, but he did push for an agenda, and got things done. Mr. Obama will do just fine.

  • Posted By: AlteredEgo @ 02/20/2008 10:57:33 AM

    Obama is not delusional, nor are his proposals. What is delusional is to think that Clinton or McCain offers the kind of leadership needed in these times.

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 12:01:35 PM

      Obama offers mere words and never specifics, which I guess is smart since he doesn't have to run the risk of alienating the very people who like his talk about change and hope.

  • Posted By: Hoang @ 02/20/2008 11:56:05 AM

    You know, I'm a foreigner and I'm supporting Obama.
    In my opinion, you cannot try to find a PERFECT candidate in this campaign. What's great of Obama is that he admits that he's not perfect and is willing to fight for what he believes in. His message is very consistent to all American voters - this is different from other candidates in that others will try to approach different people in different ways, using different tactics...
    And moreover, I really agree with his message to unite the American people. If he becomes president of the United States of America, that will be good hope for the world at large. Think about it. PEOPLE ARE YEARNING for Change, not only in the US but all over the world.
    Go Americans! Go Obama!

    • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 12:01:19 PM

      Foreigners don't count.
      Shut up and go home.

    • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 12:00:54 PM

      Foreigners don't count.
      Shut up and go home.

  • Posted By: stren123 @ 02/20/2008 11:00:10 AM

    The author seems to have personal issues against Obama. remember that obama was brought up by white family. his point is that americans are losing out on internal development because they are divided. and a nation divided internally cannot effecitively stand up against its external opponents. America needs a unifying factor to strengthen its internal systems (economic, military, etc) so that it can stand up strong internally as well as externally. Obama is a LEADER, and America needs a true leader this time. Not people using the same old tactics (''experience''); dribling tactics.

    • Posted By: Obamaisagoodtalker @ 02/20/2008 11:59:11 AM

      True leaders also know when to stop talking, something Obama seems to be very good at. Unfortunately, he cannot TALK away the threat of terror nor TALK away domestic issues either. Someone once said TALK is cheap. Obama's words would rival a discount store; unfortunately, that old cliche about you getting what you pay for may come back to haunt everyone who like Obama's talk, talk, talk...Is he afraid to offer specifics for fear of losing/alienating the very people who think he is genuine.

  • Posted By: OBWan @ 02/20/2008 11:58:37 AM

    There are issues with whoever is elected the the office of President of the United States of America.
    In order to move this country forward that individual will need to unite country across party lines. It sad to say , but I do not see that in either Hillary or John McCain.
    At Kennedy's inauguration his words were "Today we celebrate the victory of a nation ...". We need to be reminded that while we maybe Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, Constitutional, or Independent we are all Americans. I still see the sun rising in the great seal of the United States.

  • Posted By: sb1981 @ 02/20/2008 11:58:05 AM

    We've already had a Clinton administration. We know what that's like. There needs to be room in this country's leadership arena for new arrivals, even if you're "comfortable" in the leaders you knew. Obama is not "all talk." Research some of his legislative action and you'll soon discover that.
    Simply because he hasn't been in the public eye for a decade doesn't mean he's an inexperienced windbag.

  • Posted By: Hoang @ 02/20/2008 11:57:21 AM

    You know, I'm a foreigner and I'm supporting Obama.
    In my opinion, you cannot try to find a PERFECT candidate in this campaign. What's great of Obama is that he admits that he's not perfect and is willing to fight for what he believes in. His message is very consistent to all American voters - this is different from other candidates in that others will try to approach different people in different ways, using different tactics...
    And moreover, I really agree with his message to unite the American people. If he becomes president of the United States of America, that will be good hope for the world at large. Think about it. PEOPLE ARE YEARNING for Change, not only in the US but all over the world.
    Go Americans! Go Obama!

  • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 11:47:35 AM

    Vote for the Mama, not Obama.

    • Posted By: ledzepgirl @ 02/20/2008 11:51:15 AM

      That's a great campaign slogan!!

      • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 11:57:15 AM

        thank you. plenty more where that came from

  • Posted By: jkbowman @ 02/20/2008 11:56:59 AM

    Hey - isn't that somebody elses title?

  • Posted By: mdenhof @ 02/20/2008 11:56:55 AM

    Your own claims, Mr. Samualson, are no better grounded than the one's you attack. I would suggest you take an intro course in the principles of effective argumentation. Or maybe you received a gift or money to intentionally write a distorted article. You're not going to get any awards for this one, buddy.

    Mike Denhof, PhD

  • Posted By: jkbowman @ 02/20/2008 11:56:01 AM

    Hey - isn't that somebody else's title?

  • Posted By: DATONE @ 02/20/2008 11:30:31 AM

    COME ON AMERICANS, WE BETTER GET INTO TO THIS NIGHTMARE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. WE NEED A REAL LEADER NOT A MUSLAM TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY. AMERICA IS FALLING AND WITH OBAMA'S HELP WE WILL BE DONE FOR!!! WE AS AMERICANS NO LONGER STAND WITH PRIDE, MORALS, OR RESPECT FOR ANYTHING BUT ONE'S SELF. THERE ARE 2 OTHER CHOICES OUT THERE, I MAY BE WRONG BUT I THINK HILL, AT LEAST STANDS FOR AMERICA AND WILL TRY TO GET US BACK ON TRACK. BILL MAY HAVE BEEN A ROUNDER, BUT HE IS NOT THE ONLY PRESIDENT THAT HAS DONE ANY OF THOSE THINGS...HE JUST HAPPEN TO BE THE ONE WHO GOT CAUGHT....BUSH IS ON HIS WAY TO BANKRUPTING THE US AND WE NEED SOMEONE TO COME IN AND GET AMERICA BACK WHERE WE USE TO BE....IN GOOD STANDING!!!

    • Posted By: robsmimi @ 02/20/2008 11:55:59 AM

      You mentioned Bush is bankrupting the country. Study Obama's policies; study the reports showing that in the first year alone his budget has a $200 billion deficit and that's on top of the trillions we already owe. If Bush is pushing us toward bankruptcy, Obama will be the one filing the bankruptcy papers.

  • Posted By: sb1981 @ 02/20/2008 11:55:58 AM

    We've already had a Clinton administration. We know what that's like. There needs to be room in this country's leadership arena for new arrivals, even if you're "comfortable" in the leaders you knew. Obama is not "all talk." Research some of his legislative action and you'll soon discover that.
    Simply because he hasn't been in the public eye for a decade doesn't mean he's an inexperienced windbag.

  • Posted By: Critical Thinker @ 02/20/2008 11:49:06 AM

    There is indeed a gap between your title and your content. It is nice you have what appears to be a good job with benefits and security. This is something to commend for you and also something that the average person should be able to expect but it will take a new vision and new energy and now is the time for change. Obama specifies his plans continuously. Have you read them? Then again, as Eisenhower said, "Plans mean nothing...planning is everything." It is safer to see how Obama is mre fluid where McCain and Clinton are very static, which is precisely for the tiring lameness of the Congress. Obama, like all great presidents before him, will speak brilliantly at home and abroad and never bound by convolution embedded in McCain and Clinton...a distinct result of being in Washington a long time and doing much ado about nothing.

  • Posted By: ledzepgirl @ 02/20/2008 11:41:56 AM

    I've voted Republican for several terms now even though I was raised a die hard democrat. At this stage, I'm declaring my politics as Democratic so I can vote for Hillary. She's already ran the country for 2 terms, ask Bill. Anyway, they're all the same. All President's have difficulty getting anything passed through Congress. It's such a big game and it's all at the expense of the disappearing middle class. The only reason I'm voting is so that I have the right to complain.

    • Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/20/2008 11:54:08 AM

      Well, if either Obama or the Mama is elected, you will have a lot to complain about!

  • Posted By: reggiemay @ 02/20/2008 11:31:18 AM

    Not liking any of the candidates, here's my take on Obama. As a resident of Illinois, I called his office to express my position on proposed legislation. His office not very politely told me that , in essence, it doesn't matter what I think because Senator Obama votes his consience. So much for government by the people, . . .

    • Posted By: robsmimi @ 02/20/2008 11:54:02 AM

      When Obama refuses to answer, that is very telling. IF he becomes President and is questioned, it will be like hearing your mother say "because I said so."

  • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 11:53:03 AM

    ledzepgirl ROCKS! and Obama doesn't.

  • Posted By: TomKennedy @ 02/20/2008 11:47:15 AM

    Admitted insider Robert Samuelson admits he is more comfortable with either insider candidate Clinton or McCain, due to a reality gap regarding the rhetoric of Obama. A majority of the rest of us in the country have been experiencing a decades-long reality gap between the combined rhetoric of our talking-head-insider-leaders and the reality that we experience in the world. Hillary & McCain will lose in '08!

    • Posted By: albertgorejr @ 02/20/2008 11:52:28 AM

      Another Kennedy for Obama? I thought you guys are catholic, not muslim.

  • Posted By: lawade01 @ 02/20/2008 11:50:54 AM

    It would be fine if he was doing it on sound responses on issues not using Dr Martin Luther King, rap stars and TV Personalities. They are not running for president he is! Your article is right on track. Thank god someone finally had the courage to say it out loud

  • Posted By: jlared @ 02/20/2008 11:36:24 AM

    I, too, am seriously concerned with the apparent "cult of personality" worshippers that are Obama's followers. For a stark - but hilarious - example of the emptiness of Obama's work resume, see Chris Matthews' grilling of Texas Senator Kirk Watson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGeu_4Ekx-o

    • Posted By: robsmimi @ 02/20/2008 11:50:00 AM

      The confrontation with Watson was astonishing. The SENATOR , who the Obama campaign approved to be on TV, and who is promoting Obama couldn't think of one legislative accomplishment "off the top of his head." All the Senator wanted to say was how Obama "inspires" people. Ask any Obama supporter the same thing. And, please, don't google it and come back and give me the list. It may be too late, but I hope some of you start asking the hard questions.

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