Getting to Know Him

What Obama's selection—and termination—of Jim Johnson as a veep vetter tells us about the Democratic candidate

By Howard Fineman | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 11, 2008 | Updated: 5:31  p.m. ET Jun 11, 2008

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: HDavidson @ 06/24/2008 5:16:01 AM

    "Intelliphobia" - The fear of learning FACTS about any political issue from any other source but FOX NOISE and the FOXpublicans. You can tell an "intelliphobe" by their behavior patterns: repeating lies over and over at a higher volume each time; they believe that action makes their lies true. (a technique perfected by Bush). Also refusing to use reason or logic to respond, or they will, when confronted directly, simply not respond at all.
    The "intelliphobe" is a dying bread, first showing their faces in late 01 early 02, they were strong then, by the 04 election they had fallen off to about 51% of the population, they were how ever able to secure the 04 election, that alone has cost the US over 3000 more children, DEAD in Iraq, because of FEAR of Intelligence. It 06 we saw the first significant CHANGE when Democrats were given a SLIM majority in Congress. (note: this is not a veto proof majority, and prior to 06 Bush and NEVER used his veto pen, since over 100 times). The 51% has now died off to about 15% of Americans who suffer with this illness, and it is expected that between November 08 and Jan 09 they will be almost entirely extinct, with the exception of the FOX NOISE GROUP where it is believed this disease started, theirs will be a long process of "healing".
    So don't worry, use this information to help them, don't judge them, as they are a dying bread and it is their fear that makes them irrational, and say things they know to NOT be true. Just try to help them and eventually TOGETHER we will have a great country again ;).
    See also Joseph Goebbels - the actual inventor of this disease.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Goebbels

  • Posted By: Concerned Canadian @ 06/21/2008 9:00:34 AM

    Who in the hell wants to be the sidekick of this Muslim farce excuse for a President ?

    Nobody is putting their hand up for the job. They are protecting their career ambitions. These dumb Dems are just that....dumb !!

    • Posted By: HDavidson @ 06/24/2008 5:02:41 AM

      Awe what a good little sheep. you hit just about every one of the Sean Hannity/FOXpublican talking points that there has been, so cudos to you.
      UNFORTUNATELY, as usual you are FULL OF RACIST SH!T! Nobody cares about Rev Wright, unless you just want to again boost his numbers and make him stronger, like each time it came up in the primaries. Also Only about 13% of voters still think he's Muslim, 13% why does that sound familuar? Oh yeah that is the combined number of people from Wva And Kn who said they would not vote for him because he's BLACK, not Muslim, BLACK.
      You see I have figured out the whole "Muslim" joke. I refuse to believe that 43 million people can be that STUPID, when it is clear that he is NOT and NEVER has been a Muslim. He is however BLACK and always has been (at least half). It's not ok, or socially acceptable to hate himm for being "Black" you can't just come out and call him the "N" word, not anymore. BUT, you can hate him if you "believe" he's Muslim, right now that is acceptable socailly, now only by about 28% of the population, but it's easier to claim that's why YOU hate him and get away with it then to just say..."I hate that "N" word"...and it makes you angry that you can't just come out and say it, you think it should be your right, and it is, you're just a coward, so you say "Muslim" instead of "N" word. Shame on you RACIST.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 06/24/2008 12:01:05 AM

    We need to get out of Iraq and transfer responsibility and management of that country to the IRAQ's themselves. THEY SHOULD be backed by a multinational force led by Middle Eastern countries until they are able to fight extremist on their own.
    Our unilateral approach in the MIDDLE EAST has to come to an end. ECONOMICALLY, IRAQ IS KILLING the average tax payer and making a few private contractors and oil firms rich.

    We need Oil. WE NEED OIL. Therefore, getting rid of the Iranian regime is at the top of our agenda.
    The majority in Iran want change but not under and American led invasion. It has to be done from within. We lost the support of moderate Arabs and Muslims over the last six years. Hopefully, PRESIDENT OBAMA can empower this group and encourage them to meet with their counterparts.

    Inotherwords there should be an alliance between all moderates in the Middle East, JEWS, ARABs, MUSLIMS, ect... These forces must be self motivated by a common cause, Peace. IF this group can be strengthened they themselves will defeat or at least contain the force of extremism.
    WE must strengthen the forces behind peace and weaken those against peace on both sides.

    THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WE CAN ONLY STRENGHTEN AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

    IN THE SHORT RUN WE NEED MIDDLE EASTERN OIL. THIS COMPLICATES OUR ROLE OVER THERE.
    WE Should have had an ENERGY SUMMIT TEN YEARS AGO. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A TWENTY YEAR PLAN to RID OURSELVES of OIL DEPENDENCY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TWENTY YEARS WILL GO BY LIKE NOTHING. WE HAVE TO START NOW.

    THE most dangerous threats are the ones you do not see coming. LIKE CHINA, RUSSIA, EASTERN EUROPEAN organized crime. Monitoring these entities will be our great challenge.
    ARE WE READY FOR CYBER WAR. I DON't THINK SO.

    Hillary WHO?

  • Posted By: Thevail @ 06/21/2008 3:21:40 AM

    MCEE855

    Dude, you have a caps problem..I'm not kidding..

  • Posted By: MCEE855 @ 06/20/2008 7:25:12 PM

    WILL TELL YOU ALL ONE THING IF HLLARY IS NOT THE VP CHOICE FOR BARRACK AND HE SNOBS HER.I COULDWAIT TILL 2012 AND SHE HER RUN AGAIN THIS TIME WITH SUCCES.THE
    MEDIA DISSED HILLARY CHOOSE BARRACK AS THEIR GOLDEN BOY.THEY KILLED HILLARY EVERY CHANCE THEY COULD.I HAVE BEEN A DEM FOR 26 YR NEVER VOTING OUTSIDE MY PARTY THIS YEAR AFTER WHAT AND HOW THE DNC TREAT THIS WOMAN WHO CAN BRING,AND THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO CAN BRING BACK THE GOOD YRS.BARRACK IS A LIAR AND HIS CHANGE HE PROMISE IS STARTING TO CHANGE FOR THE BAD EVEN AS WE SPEAK. MCCLAIN IS A MAVRICK BUT I DON'T AGREE ON ALL HIS
    POLICIES.

    MY PERFECT SOLOUTION IF BARRACK DISSES HILLARY AS HIS VP SHE SHE RUN ON A INDEPENDENT TICKET THOUGH SHE MAY AND PROBALLY WILL NOT WIN ITS A SURE THING BARRACK WON'T EITHER.LEAVING THE DOOR FOR A CLEAR SHOT IN 2012 IN WHICH SHE WILL BE THE PRESIDENT ELECTED IN 2012 SHE WAS ROBBED BY FLA AND MICH AND THE DNC KNOWS THIS.

    SO HERES WERE PEOPLE WHO THINK AND KNOW HILLARY IS BEST TO BE THE COMMANDER IN CHEIF FILL PETITIONS IF BARRACK DOES NOT OFF HER VP AND ASK HER TO RUN AS A INDEPENDENT I STILL THINK SHE'LL GET MORE VOTES THAT BARRACK PROVING 2 THINGS DNC REALLY CHOSE A LONG SHOT AND HILLARY WAS THE PEOPLES CHOICE NOT A TIME FOR CHANGE JUST LOOK AT WHAT BARRACK WANTS TO DO IF ELECTED. SAME OLD TALK CHANGE BUT THE CHANGE IS STARTING TO TAKE A DIFFERNT CHANGE THAT WHAT HE TALKED ABOUIT ON THE PRIMARY TRAILS. WHERES THE CHANGE????
    BARRACK YOU LIED AND CHEATED JUST LIKE U DID IN CHICAGO
    TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF BALLOTS BRING UP DIRT ON CANITDATES
    HILLARY IS A AND ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER AND WHAT
    SHE SAID WERE THE ISSUES WOULD BE AND WHAT SHE PROMISED SHE WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO SEE IT COME TO PASS BARRACK DID A COMPLETE FLIP FLOP

    SO I SAY HILLARY AS A INDEPENTDENT ON 2008 IF SHES SNUB FOR VP AND SHE BE OUR PRESIDENT IN 2012 HILLARY IS A VERY SMART LADY AND I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING SHE MAY BE THINKING OF I PRAY AND HOPE SO .


    YES WE CAN HILLARY DON'T LET THEM DICTATE TO YOU.
    YOU WHO WON THE MAJORITY OF ELECTORAL POPULAR VOTES BEATING BARRACK ON THE POPULAR VOTE.WE YOUR SOLIIDERS
    AND BEIEVE IN YOU NEED YOU TO CONSIDER THIS I LIVED 8 YRS WITH BUSH.I THINK 4 UNDER MCCLAIN WILL BE SOMEWHAT DIFFERNT MAYBE BETTER BUT BARRACK HOLDS THE KEYS TO HELL IN WHICH HE WILL UNLEASH IF ELECTED. WITHOUT OVERLOOKING HIS MOVES.DONT LET IT HAPPEN I BELIEVE 18 MILLION DID DONT LETS US DOWN PLEASE
    IN HIS LOVE
    REV.MIKE HUBBARD

  • Posted By: Lee Holmes @ 06/20/2008 4:46:57 PM

    Nonsense Fineman. We know him actually too well,thanks to yours and your pals maudlin pandering to the man. Indeed,NEWSWEAK is an unofficial Obama PAC,with each day bringing reams of stories authored by partisan misfits falling over themselves to deliver up the Obama They Want You To Get To Know[.Finemans ''elegantly Lincolnesque''was especially putrid].

  • Posted By: lamm01 @ 06/16/2008 4:44:02 PM

    The task of the media was to reveal this man from Illinois. Instead, you annointed him as the second coming and still to this day, the American public knows little or nothing about him. That is why in the end it will be the fear of the unknown which will result in a losing campaign by Obama.

  • Posted By: Tommypie @ 06/16/2008 12:33:25 AM

    I suggest that Obama begins to vet his vetters. So many of his friends, mentors. and acquaintances either are ranting racist, or crooks, One of them is en route to prison (Rezko). You know a person from the company they keep and this ain't good company. This is not a person I would want for president. This whole issue of Obama's race has come to the forefront. His policies should be in the forefront, not his race .

    • Posted By: summer1216 @ 06/16/2008 3:09:31 PM

      It is difficult to be in politics these days and not at least know or have served on a board with someone who is discovered to be sleazy. McCain has the same problem, and so would anyone else running for high office these days. This is true even of people who are completely above-board themselves.

  • Posted By: Ganpat @ 06/16/2008 11:04:15 AM

    I am a lifelong Democrat, and can't wait to see the Obama gang smoked out and wiped out in November.

  • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/16/2008 9:31:58 AM

    White House Pictures
    Presents
    SECOND MILLENNIUM MAN

    THE UNITED STATES AN ECONOMY BARELY ALIVE, GENTLEMEN WE CAN REBUILD IT
    WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE MAN
    WILL JOHN McCAIN or BARACK OBAMA BE THAT MAN TO MAKE IT BETTER THAN IT WAS BEFORE
    BETTER, STRONGER, FASTER

    DON'T MISS THE FINAL EPISODE OF
    SECOND MILLENNIUM MAN
    COMING IN NOVEMBER

  • Posted By: yooper73 @ 06/13/2008 7:01:23 AM

    Obama is liar a cheat and a fraud. he is a rhetorican, great on speeches, but little on substances. charismatic speaker, history had another great speaker, adolf hitler, little on substance, lot on speeches, A person will know you by the friends you keep, Tony rezko, William Ayers, Father Pfelger, Dr. Rev Jeremy Wright, Oprah Winfrey, and Rick Warren. Look at his friends, every single on is involved in a controversial issue in todays society, some have even been in the legal system Tony Rezko, legal battle in the courts now, William Ayers convicted terrorist, that Obam served on a committee with, Father Pfelger radical Catholic priest whom has been suspended by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Jeremy Wright, an idit pastor whom is still living in the 60's. Oprah Winfrey new age adherent, Rick Warren UN Global Peace Plan. keep in mind his friends have a motive. research the candidate, Obama was part of the New Party, Social Democracy adherent - similar to Great Britian, Canada, Sweden.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 10:28:58 AM

      How can you put Oprah with those other people? She may be a left wing liberal but I think most people would agree she is a good and decent person.

      • Posted By: sharenews @ 06/13/2008 9:33:21 PM

        I think she was thrown in there cuz she attended Obamas former church for a short while way back, but knew enough to leave that church and didnt wait 20 yrs to do and she didnt do it for political reasons like Obama did. That is the only reason he left TUCC..

        • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 11:53:34 PM

          Sen. Obama owes no apology to anyone for attending Rev. Wright's church in Chicago. Rev. Wright is highly educated and nationally respected black pastor who justifiably and honestly criticized America's systemic racism You act as though no such racism exists. Get a brain.

          • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/14/2008 3:21:19 PM

            Wright perpetuates racism he has become a racist. I am not denying racism exists but you can never defeat racism by being a racist. Obama is effectively attacking racism through his actions he is reaching out to all people and not dwelling on the negative. I obviously am a MCCain supporter from my other posts but I still admire Obama for his approach to this issue.

            • Posted By: LMAO @ 06/15/2008 11:31:18 AM

              I do not knoiw what there is to admire. I would think someone who purports to be for unity of all races would have told that psator where to get off a long time ago. And since he did not it could only mean he embrace those views wholeheartedly. Try listening to hateful talk for 1 hour? I bet you cannot last the hour long. So to imbibe that discourse for 20 years says quite a lot. The man is a hyprocrite through & through. And I personally will seek out the RNC and help them. I am black by the way ...

        • Posted By: WhenStarsTurnBlue @ 06/14/2008 12:28:02 AM

          Oprah saw the signs of how it could hurt her career very quickly. For Obama, who's been preparing to run for the presidency forever, it never seemed to dawn on him that the church's views could be a problem until he was practically beaten over the head with the obvious. He just wanted to go there to have a black community experience.

          • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/14/2008 3:16:45 PM

            I don't think Oprah left the church for polical or career reasons. I think she left the church because she could see the hatred and it didn't gel with her view of the world or christianity.

    • Posted By: hotstuff @ 06/13/2008 4:41:16 PM

      yooper, You´re too dumb to even slightly understand what you´re talking about!!!
      Just lumping names together doesn´t cut it!
      It didn´t work for Hillary.
      It won´t work for McCain either!
      So, quit it!

  • Posted By: mistermcfrugal @ 06/14/2008 5:09:51 PM

    What a racist editorial! Everyone should know by now that criticizing Obama is racist! It makes no difference how valid the points are, you are a racist if you criticize, or heaven forbid!, fail to vote for him in November. This country would rue the day it failed to elect Obama. There would be only one explanation acceptable to the political left- Racism! and that is with that capital "R."

  • Posted By: kleart21 @ 06/12/2008 5:43:27 PM

    Can you please tell me are you people so afraid of a Black man becoming president that you will use any excuse? You would rather see gas prices rise to $6.00 a gallon continue a war that continue to take the lives of the people that we love.

    I really just don't understand, you say that McCain has so much experience and he does GWB experience and please tell me where did it get us.

    I'm sorry the man is too old and he plans to continue to give tax breaks to the wealthy while the average person continues to struggle. I'm not interested in just getting by for another 4 years, I would like to be able to continue to add to my savings and do it comfortably not wonder if I'm going to have to choose to do something else with my money.

    • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 5:48:38 PM

      It would be exciting to have a qualified, experienced black man as president, but not Obama

      • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 5:55:38 PM

        I agree-- an African American, or any other minority for that matter. Qualifications/character are the key, not one's skin color, etc.

        • Posted By: OH-IO for Obama @ 06/12/2008 6:12:53 PM

          Here's why I believe some of us are left to deduce your real motives for being so anti Obama. Almost every blogger on here that is against him has nothing of merit to back up their negative feelings except a vague statement like "I just don't trust him" or "be afraid" or "it scares me to think he'll be president". My question as others have asked is, what "scares" you so much? Because most of us are more afraid of continuing on the path that we've been on under Bush than just some vague feeling of distrust with no reasonable logic for backing up that fear. I would also note that if you are feeling so afraid, then I suggest you pray, there's probably a devil or demon whispering in your ear since "God did not give us the spirit of fear". I'm not afraid of Barack. Someone down the posts said something like, 'I never even bothered to read anything about his bio because I will never vote for him'. Then when we question, what you are so afraid of, you defensively respond with something to the tune of "if you disagree with Obama than you are a racist". See, we've all heard this before from people like you. What I haven't heard is ONE, just ONE factual position or policy that Barack has put forward that you hate so much or that makes you so afraid. That's why we all conclude that you refuse to admit to yourself what it is plain as day for everyone else to see; ignorance begets fear...before you attempt to defend yourself, just think about what I've said and try to be reasonable in your response please. Thank you; Change = UNITY - We are the UNITED States of America

          • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 6:35:55 PM

            Okay-- here are some. .1. On healthcare, his policies would move toward nationalized healthcare. Anyone who has seen socialized medicine in other countries sees a mess. In those cases, the ones who can go elsewhere for better care. That is not to say that efforts don't need to be made to control healthcare costs, or to help those without healthcare. But, the government does a lousy job. Don't destroy a generally good system, and don't use the problems to merely amass power to the government. 2. On education, Obama does not give any credence to the value that privatized education can offer-- especially in those places with the direst situations, the inner cities. 3. On taxation, he merely repeats the mantra that the "rich" are not taxed enough. In fact, it is through those with money that job creation occurs. (I have never gotten a job from a welfare recipient.) Let's fix the tax system by moving to a flat tax, not continuing the mess we have now. Also, let's end the death tax, that really hurts those in the middle. Rich people, like the Kennedys or Bushes don't have a problem, their children will get an inheritance. But, those in the middle and at the bottom should also be able to pass along something to their heirs. 4. On national defense-- hopefully we can agree that it is important to be prepared to defend ourselves. Hopefully we can also agree that some leaders are less trustworthy than others. If we negotiate or meet with world leaders, it should be from a standpoint of national purpose and goals. Also, when it comes to the sacrifices of our soldiers, we should not flippantly say lets set an arbitary timetable-- that only gives strength to our enemies, and we do have enemies in the world. I could go on. But, these are some legitimate concerns and disagreements. They are not based on racial background, etc. If the candidate were from Mars and held the views Obama has, many thoughtful Americans would oppose that candidate too. It is dangerous to denigrate one's political opponents as somehow "evil" or "racist" if they will vote against you. In an honest debate, we will disagree, and in the America I know, it is okay to disagree, and to vote for the other candidate if you disagree. Only one-party states, and authoritarian governments use that type of stigma to tar and feather their opponents.

            • Posted By: OH-IO for Obama @ 06/12/2008 7:20:14 PM

              Thank you Dennis, I appreciate YOU finally elaborating on your truly misguided beliefs about Barack's positions on all of the aforementioned policies.
              But, even if you knew exactly where Barack stands on Universal Healthcare (meaning people have a company that will offer them insurance even if they have a pre-existing condition like cancer or asthma, the same company like an Aetna can buy into the gov't incentive to reduce their costs and offer these kinds of policies to EVERY citizen, the gov't would then pay the benefit through taxation, rather than we the people paying 70% of our healthcare bills for paper processing fees - take out the middle man) that means, if you have your own insurance, keep it, if you don't you can buy it even if you only make $15K a year and it is set to fit your means, the gov't subsidizes the rest and incentivizes companies to offer these policies. But your costs will go down b/c of the competition, b/c those companies will be able to negotiate for cheaper drugs etc his plan is very 21st century and it is NOT socialized medicine. That is only a catchall bumper sticker catchphrase that those that you support have brainwashed you to accept as truth. Equating Universal Healthcare with socialized medicine is ridiculous. this is why I don't trust any person who only speaks in labels - tax and spend liberals and right wing conservatives. That's what I hear when you throw terms like that out.

              But we just agree to disagree, you buy the neocon schpiel, I don't. I wonder why you're not blogging with fellow republicans. Oh well...maybe you just like confrontation. If you want to know exactly where Barack stands instead of relying on faux news to "sum it up" for you, it's all there for you to see:
              www.barackobama.com

              Thanks for the back and forth - at least you do have the guts to defend your positions regardless of whether others agree or not or even if they are based on actual facts...

              • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 3:39:56 PM

                Its very dangerous to put healthcare in the hands of Government. Then Government can effectivly determine what gets treated and what is too expensive to treat. Centralization of Health care also leads to a stoppage of innovation. When the government determines a cost effective treatment and then applies it to the entire nation how long do you think it would take for an improved treatment to get past the beauracracy? I have seen first hand a person declared Terminal in Britain because that is what the chart said come to America and be cured. This isn't some fantasy story its real life. The disease was a cancer that had a low survival rate even in the US but the bottom line is the doctors here didn't give up they beat it. one just has to look at the fraud in Medicare to know what a disaster Nationalized healthcare would be in this country. Imagine the People at the DMV running your healthcare thats what we would be looking at. Take a number.

                • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 10:35:13 PM

                  American healthcare is rife with fraud. What else is it when American hospitals charge $10+ for an aspirin?. It's obvious that you know little about 'socialized' healthcare. According to you, anyone with cancer in a 'socialized' healthcare country won't be treated by an oncologist, won't get chemotherapy, radiation or surgery and won't survive cancer. Nonsense.

                  • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/14/2008 3:40:45 PM

                    10 dollar asprin isn't fraud its how hospitals make money they are a business. They have to make up for a lot of non paying customers. I didn't say people don't get treated in socialized medicine I just said the Government decides who gets treated and the form of treatment that is acceptable. Socialized medicine works great for simple procedures but it is slow to evolve with medicine and it tends to kill off innovation. My paragraph was pointing out one example that I know of from my life. I am not generalizing I am demonstrating an actual case. If you want to know how effective socialized medicine is study the survival rates of similar diagnosis in this country vs socialized countries. then check the survival rates of America's top hospitals The Mayo Clinic, the cleveland clinic, the cancer treatment centers for America and you will be astounded by the differences. You can say its not fair to compare elite hospitals to regular hospitals in Europe but thats all you get is regular hospitals in Europe!1 atleast in the USA you have the opportunity to recieve a high level of care. If you don't have the money for it you are free to raise funds, make a payment plan, hold a car wash. The fact is even the poorest child can recieve kind loving treatment in a shriner hospital.

                • Posted By: loriw @ 06/14/2008 1:33:20 AM

                  by Onepokery "Imagine the people at the DMV running your healthcare"
                  Ooohh that is one scary thought.... and a pretty accurate analogy.

            • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/12/2008 11:57:40 PM

              Canada is justifiably proud of its 'socialized' healthcare because no one in Canada loses their home or life savings for healthcare. Even a heart transplant is done at no cost to the patient. 'Socialized' healthcare is better than 'socialized' warfare and much cheaper, too. Countries that care about their people value healthcare and especially for those who cannot afford it on their own.

              Americans cannot fairly judge other countries' 'socialized' medicine.

              The war in Iraq has sucked billions of taxpayer dollars from America. Iraq can spend its oil billions on Iraqis and America can spend its billions on Americans. John McCain prefers not to 'surrender' when after more than six years he cannot answer one basic question: Where is bin Laden?

        • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 11:57:11 PM

          If it doesn't matter, try to resist mentioning skin color, okay?

        • Posted By: loriw @ 06/13/2008 1:19:43 AM

          exactly.

      • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 12:20:28 AM

        Sen. Obama is every bit as qualified if not more qualified than Sen. McCain. Sen. Obama's judgment and vision is for an America that lives in the world without threatening to bomb its adversaries into oblivion.
        Confuscius say, "Dig a grave for your enemy, dig two." Nothing that I've heard said against Sen. Obama has reliably discredited his good character.. He'll be a terrific president.

    • Posted By: davidat @ 06/12/2008 8:03:56 PM

      I thought several posts here were specific enough in their descriptions of Obama's flawed character. Why would any Obama supported complain now about how much good the loopey Reverend and his far left church does when Obama himself disowned them. If Wright and his church were truly doing the lord's work, why disown them? Obama's flawed character allowed him to pretend to be religious for political reasons, had him protesting loudly when the good Reverend's disgusting diatribes proved embarrassing, and permitted him to renounce the church he attended for twenty years when it became political necessary and expedient. Soem character!

      I'm a firm believer in a certain kind of redemption but his newly found indignation was simply transparent and not genuine. So it's understandable that you want the focus in the presidential campaign to be somewhere other than on his character, given what appears to be a complete absence of it in his candidacy. I agree that the big issues that confront our country should be debated but then people also have a right to question the virtues ot lack thereof of the candidate for change, of the man who claims to be different but alas when all is added up reveals someone who apparently never understood why character matters.

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 5:49:58 PM

      It has nothing to do with one's race or ethnicity. It has everything to do with whether voters agree/disagree with political philosophy and agenda. To make a vote for/against Obama or any other candidate because of their heritage as a potentially "racist" action is indeed a dangerous leap. That in many ways is no different than what happens in 1-party governments where you are expected to vote-- but for the "official" candidate. Indeed, it is dangerous to label anyone who disagrees with Obama as "racist".

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 5:51:04 PM

    Im really TIRED of people with Knowledge Smear tactic from Fact.Obma is the Authored of this ETHIC reform Of LOBBYIST.......wake up your idea on LOBIBIST matters,those without proper eductions NEED lobbyist to steer the Country Economy,Im glad Obama has started his WEBSIT :www.fightthesmear.com

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 6:01:15 PM

      This is no accomplishment. Obama has done nothing significant during his time in office. He is long on words, and short on accomplishment. As to his complaints about lobbyists, Obama has plenty of ties. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

      • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/12/2008 8:22:37 PM

        What had McCain done by the age of 46?

        • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 3:27:08 PM

          26 bombing missions 5 1/2 years in captivity 3+ years of physical rehabilitation, Congressional liason from the Navy.. Ran for congress won a tough seat. Developed aspirations of becoming a senator which he would fulfill later. Yea Mccain hadn't done much. He should of been a community organizer and passed out punch at the ymca.

          • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 10:25:22 PM

            onepoker: Again: "should HAVE been" Got it? Sad to say but John McCain being a prisoner of war does not qualify him to be president. Sen. Obama has moved beyond the usual American 'macho' image that no longer impresses the world. Sen. Obama's innate intelligence and sound judgment will make him an excellent president.

            • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/14/2008 3:26:23 PM

              The 5 years in captivity wasn't an accomplishment I was just pointing out he was behind most adult politicians by 5 1/2y ears of captivity and a significant amount of rehabilitation due to his circumstances. As for the (have) thing your right but I had already posted this when you corrected my other one. :)

        • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/13/2008 1:56:27 AM

          Flirting around and doing polygamy......

  • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/13/2008 9:20:08 AM

    How - fine, the media critized Senator Barack Obama for taking so long to get rid of Rev. Wright.... now just look at what the media is saying about J J, Is'nt contradicting?

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 10:26:37 AM

      there is no contradicition here. The media is saying that he is getting better at seperating himself from people that harm his image and his campaign. I think the real question is how he constantly hooks up with these bad apples in the first place?

      • Posted By: Micky Marsh @ 06/13/2008 11:16:08 AM

        He certainly did'nt harm the primaries.

        • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 1:49:29 PM

          you must not of being watching very close. Obama went from destroying Hillary to just squeeking by.

          • Posted By: hotstuff @ 06/13/2008 4:35:34 PM

            onepoker, "you must not of being watching very close".
            What do you mean by that?
            Is that English?
            You guys help to confirm the cliché about anti-Obama folks!
            How about getting some education?
            Before you can intelligently participate in these serious discussions!?
            This is NOT a child´s game!

            • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 4:50:01 PM

              The sentence should of read (you must not of been watching very close) Im sorry for the typo. I am not a great speller or even a decent typist so I apologize if my sentences are difficult to read. I think if you applied that superior intellect of yours you probably could of figured out what I meant.

              • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 9:39:11 PM

                onepoker: The sentence should HAVE read: "You must not HAVE been watching very CLOSELY."
                Typos aren't a biggie but the use of "OF" instead of 'HAVE" - what's up with that?

                • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/14/2008 3:14:11 PM

                  sorry I am not a good of a writer. I do appreciate you pointing out the mistake instead of just calling me an idiot. I will try to do better next time.

      • Posted By: sharenews @ 06/13/2008 8:05:06 PM

        I think there is barely room for one more body to throw under that bus. It is pretty crowded and we have 5mos. more to go. : )

  • Posted By: nyleharris @ 06/12/2008 6:01:30 PM

    Excellent point Howard. The man who is on the committee to help select the vice president to Obama, got a sweet deal on his home loan 7 years ago. Suddenly, Johnson, the committee, Obama, and his two daughters look like frauds to me. I'll bet their all terrorists.

    Is this the kind of "news" we can expect between now and the first debate? Because i dont give a d*mn about Johnson, Rev. Wright, Ferraro, Penn, or anybody else of this media filler. I wouldn't care if either candidate drank raw sheep blood and wore diapers. I don't need my president to be the perfect human. I need my president to give my healthcare. To keep this economy out of recession. To help its citizens when a natural disaster comes. And to bring my cousins home from war. You guys make it seem as if Washington is just full of the best citizens. Stop nitpicking.

    • Posted By: jdin2003 @ 06/12/2008 6:29:10 PM

      No one expects candidates to be perfect. Afterall, they are politicians. The problem with Obama is that he claims to be a different kind of politician. The fact that he is not makes him a complete fraud. Now you apparently don't think that's important, but there are a great number of people who do. These are the people who will decide who becomes President. I also gather that you don't think it's important that the candidate you vote for shares your core values or worldview. You are in the minority. There are only a few explanations for Obama associating with Wright and Trinity for over 20 years. He agreed with the racially divisive "theology" preached there, he did not disagree with it to the great degree that he has insisted, or he didn't have the courage to walk out many years ago. Few Americans would have remained associated with a church at which a theology was preached with which they totally disagreed. This is why so many Americans have serious doubts as to what Obama's core beliefs really are. Again, I understand that you are not concerned about that, but it is of tremendous concern to a significant number of the folks who will vote in November.

      • Posted By: OH-IO for Obama @ 06/12/2008 6:37:42 PM

        And pray tell, outside of the 30 seconds worth of soundbites from your fixed news organization played over the airwaves for 2 weeks, what else do you know about Obama's former church and the things that they preach? Because you must know that they publish ALL of their sermons on DVD, CD and cassette, you can also listen online. My guess is that you'll start hearing a lot of Bible stuff and Jesus stuff...not interesting enough - YOU want to hear some cussin' and that sums up all 30 years for you - 10 seconds per decade? And that gives you the authority to write Barack Obama off as a human being? The things he's done in his 20 year career are more than I am SURE you will ever achieve in your entire life. If you disagree with him, disagree over his stance on the war, or the economy or on racial profiling or what the hell else, but let it be something for real, please!

        • Posted By: jdin2003 @ 06/12/2008 7:05:33 PM

          Go to the Trinity website. You will find that its "theology" is based on the racially divisive writings of James Cone. Wright's most famous ravings are the natural extension of that divisiveness. The point is that Obama cannot claim to transcend the racial divisiveness of the past when he sat for 20 years listening to the preaching of a theology that is stubbornly stuck in that past. I'm not writing Obama off as a human being. I simply have doubts as to what his core beliefs are. Whether you think so or not, a great deal of what people come to believe about each of us is the company we keep. Aside from that, his claim of being a different kind of politician is not believable, just like his insistence that he was unaware of Wright's comments from the pulpit (depending on which version of his various statements you choose to believe). It's sort of like the guy whose wife found out that he was frequenting a strip club and he tries to tell her that he had no idea what was going on in there.

          • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/14/2008 12:01:56 PM

            As if Rev. Wright and blacks advocate racism in the USA and cause enormous suffering to whites.
            Rev. Wright is a highly educated black pastor and is well respected in theological circles. He knows a thing or two about systemic racism in America. Who are we to criticize him for railing against it?

            Sen. Obama owes no apology for attending Trinity, just as Catholics owe no apology for attending Catholic Mass, or Rev. Hagee's evangelicals owe no apology for attending his church. The purpose of a church sermon is to provoke thought.

            Race is very much in the present in America. Constant references to Sen. Obama as "black", his "black father and white mother". his "skin color", FOX calling Michelle Obama Sen. Obama's "baby mama" are ample evidence of how far Americans need to progress.

            Sen.Obama is extremely intelligent. He's a decent man who loves his America. He is devoted to his family. He worked for his degrees from two top-rated American universities. He's been an Illinois senator and a US senator for almost twelve years in total. Sen. Obama is respected and endorsed by high-ranking Democrats. But YOU have doubts about his core beliefs because he attended Trinity..

            How many Americans died in Iraq in the last 24 hours? How many more will needlessly die if Sen. McCain is president? And you're fretting about Trinity's 'theology'. .

          • Posted By: OH-IO for Obama @ 06/12/2008 8:09:21 PM

            jdin2003, I have been on the Trinity website, I've seen Rev. Wright speak in person. I grew up with a pastor that looked almost white that said worse things than that about other preachers in the area. I've been to churches as a guest in KY where they still referred to blacks as "nigroes" etc, and talked about race mixing as a sin, so please don't act like controversial pastors are restricted to the black church. I've also seen rod parsley preach too and trust me I would never go to World Harvest Church again - why don't you look up that church since John McCain went out and sought his endorsement. That man is horrid and he is fooling poor people out of money to fund his "Bible" school. I can totally believe that Barack # 1 was not there when these sermons were preached. He's a politician that's been working in DC. I doubt he makes it EVERY sunday, most folks don't. Those were 3 sermons out of hundreds of thousands. I know what the theory of black liberation is, but you don't if you think it's about black racism? You really need to quit reading people's interpretation of it and find out the history of oppression of blacks around the globe. Then maybe you'll understand that it includes those from other nations of brown and black people. But I know more of American history than is taught in school, so...

      • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/12/2008 11:29:10 PM

        It makes sense that millions of churchgoers who do not agree with everything that they hear in church will still continue to attend their church. Pastor Hagee's congregation may cringe when they hear his disgusting views but they return to his services. Catholics continue to attend Catholic Mass even though they're outraged about priests sexually abusing children.

        Sean Hannity has pounded Sen. Obama and Rev. Wright for more than a year to no avail because thinking, fair-minded Americans understand that a highly educated black pastor is justifiably angry about systemic racism in America. Sen. Obama need make no apology for understanding Rev. Wright and all blacks who are angry.

        Church pastors serve a different constituency than Washington DC politicians We need to respect the doctrine: Separation of Church and State. Keep it real, America.

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 6:07:51 PM

      Character matters. To say otherwise misses the point.

  • Posted By: vakosh @ 06/12/2008 2:26:07 PM

    It means Barrack Obama is the idiot we all thought he was. If he can't even pick a VP without creating a team, we are all in trouble. Maybe he should try Monster.com?

    • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/14/2008 12:09:20 AM

      vakosh: Or it could also mean that Obama welcomes advice unlike know-it-all McCain.

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 2:11:23 PM

      maybe if Hillary posts her Resume Obama will choose her-

      Hillary's resume for Vice President

      Experience
      Senator from New York-
      My husband was a great President -See James Carvil for reference
      My husband was Governor of Arkansa- See paula Jones oh wait no see um well check newspapers.
      I have experience in Trading Cattle futures
      I worked at the Rose Law firm where I earned the distinction as the only partner not to go to jail.
      I was a GoldWater girl.

      Goals -I want to be the most powerful woman in the world because If I was the most powerful woman in the world all other women would be powerful also. I know what is best for everyone and really should of been president but I had a bad campaign manager.

      Accomplishments- As first lady I was the first first lady to ever be more than just a first lady I was co-president.
      I survived sniper fire in Bosnia.

      Skills related to employement- I am the smartest woman in the world. Money Management- I learned alot about money running my campaign I was so good at it I loaned myself more money so I could keep doing it.

      Best Qaulity- I am fiercly loyal. My Husband humiliated me infront of the whole world but I stood by him.

      Personal References- Well most of my friends are now working for Obama so they didn't have time to a write a reference.


      Why should we hire you- Because if you don't I will take my army of angry white women and vote for Mccain.



    • Posted By: Iamnotamused @ 06/12/2008 4:16:10 PM

      Oh this must mean that ALL the presidental candidates that there ever were are all idiots because they have all appointed someone to VEST out a potential running mate. You are the idiot here.

      • Posted By: HistoryProf97 @ 06/12/2008 6:03:19 PM

        No, it doesn't mean ALL presidential candidates that there ever were all idiots because before the 12th Amendment, Presidential candidates did not chooses V.P. candidates. Whoever received the most electoral votes became the President, the 2nd most became the V.P. Please know your history before making remarks.

    • Posted By: J.Richter @ 06/12/2008 3:18:02 PM

      Since McCain has a team does that make him an equal idiot or there is no equal treatment under this thinking?

  • Posted By: yuraliberal @ 06/12/2008 5:40:45 PM

    what this veep-vetting shows about obama is that he is nothing new. not only did he pick a moneyy-bags for 1 out of 3 spots, but he picked caroline kennedy for the other. kennedy is also nothing more than a fund-raiser, which is what she has long done for a living. she was picked as a thank-you to ted kennedy for his support. so, we got a richie rich and a rickie rich ignoramus. keevan d. morgan, chicago

    • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 5:45:33 PM

      actually his third "vetter" was the one who advised Clinton to pardon Rich just before he left office.

      • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 12:00:20 AM

        Weren't you hoping Sen. Clinton would win the Democratic nomination?

        • Posted By: loriw @ 06/13/2008 1:23:09 AM

          since you asked......absolutely NOT!

          • Posted By: elizabethpaige @ 06/13/2008 10:36:35 PM

            My comment was directed to News and Notes.

  • Posted By: PierreLeLoup @ 06/13/2008 5:03:20 AM


    Obamism is a swindle
    Obamism is not a doctrine nor a strategy but a soundbite.
    Hundreds of millions of dollars just to find an attractive formula and sell it to the media.

    So why do you beleive Obama has fired Johnson? What is the "reason"?

    • Posted By: sharenews @ 06/13/2008 9:52:18 PM

      Let me fill you in as some Obama supporters 'get uncontrollably irate in their response' if you ask a straight forward question that they dont want to hear or address.

      Answer to your question is: Conflicts of interest. Here is one conflict; there are more::

      Johnson soon became a source of controversy when it was reported that he had received loans ($7 million in loans in the past decade) directly from Angelo Mozilo, the CEO of Countrywide Financial, a company implicated in the U.S. sub-prime mortgage lending crisis.

      Obama has publicly expressed his admonition about Countrywide Financial and its role in the whole mortgage crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G0qesvVD1Q

    • Posted By: hotstuff @ 06/13/2008 4:48:25 PM

      It´s just too exasperating, having to deal with imbeciles like PierreLe Loup, yooper, onepoker & Co.
      They are some of the major reasons America is in such a bad shape!
      They provide the fertile ground on which the Bushes and the McCains thrive!
      Tragic!

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/13/2008 8:20:36 AM

    Obama supporters should ask Pentagon to Probe and setup Commission Committee about discrepancy Entry of John McCain into Annapolis Academy as Naval Officer Pilot,he's only HIGH SCHOOL graduate,yet being Commissioned as Naval Officer let alone as Pilot,Does this have anything to do his Father position as Admiral?should he be only Qualified to be Private or Cpl with his HIGH SCHOOL qualification?As a Pilot he was shoot -down twice,This shouldn't be a surprise to many,as his IQ level is Low to be Qualified as Pilot.?

    Check his TRUE education level,when he entered Miliatary arms with HIGH SCHOOL certificate.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain#Formative_years_and_education

    • Posted By: sharenews @ 06/13/2008 9:17:26 PM

      Wikipedia can be bias and has inconsistencies; and has a policy of favoring consensus over credentials in its editorial process. Wikipedia's reliability and accuracy are also an issue. Other criticisms are centered on its susceptibility to vandalism and the addition of spurious or unverified information. In other words, do you have more reputable source?

    • Posted By: SPORTLOCK09 @ 06/13/2008 3:47:55 PM

      Ummmm, is that the 3rd or 4th message board you posted the exact same thing. EVeryone proves you wrong and you move to the next message board. Apparently you are stuck on stupid

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 06/13/2008 9:02:48 AM

      maybe you don't understand he educational system here in the USA but you graduate from highschool and then go to College or a university. Annapolis is a university. Most people who attend annapolis don't go to college first.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse