Getting to Know Him

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  • Posted By: MCCSR @ 06/12/2008 5:30:11 PM

    Howard are you serious - "If they had thought about it for more than a minute, they would have realized that Johnson is the very embodiment of the world they had been running against"? Everything about Obama screams Washington Insider. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!

  • Posted By: MCCSR @ 06/12/2008 5:27:40 PM

    Are you serious " If they had thought about it for more than a minute, they would have realized that Johnson is the very embodiment of the world they had been running against". Everything about Obama reveals that he is just another Washington insider. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

  • Posted By: oam6000 @ 06/12/2008 5:15:21 PM

    Can anyone see just how much control this man has? The media, the DNC, he wants to finger print everyone and if you don't you get fined?? he wants to disarm america? if you question him or saying anything against him, your racist?

    everyone knows this stuff...it's just admitting to themselves that they voted for him. My conscience is clean.

    the more I see this guy the more McCain sounds good even if he is white. what of it, rise above right?

  • Posted By: oam6000 @ 06/12/2008 5:15:05 PM

    Can anyone see just how much control this man has? The media, the DNC, he wants to finger print everyone and if you don't you get fined?? he wants to disarm america? if you question him or saying anything against him, your racist?

    everyone knows this stuff...it's just admitting to themselves that they voted for him. My conscience is clean.

    the more I see this guy the more McCain sounds good even if he is white. what of it, rise above right?

  • Posted By: Thunderpuss @ 06/12/2008 5:14:40 PM

    Johnson supposedly resigned on his own free will. He actually took himself out for reasons that made him a distraction. I hardly see this as Obama throwing him under the bus. This is all much to do about nothing.

  • Posted By: jbjd @ 06/12/2008 4:43:23 PM

    If you are relying on information presented in this article written by an employee of Newsweek, the same rag that gave you a biography of Senator Obama referencing only the autobiography written by him; then, you remain clueless as to why the millions of us who will never vote for him actually fear what would happen if he - gasp - wins.

    • Posted By: OH-IO for Obama @ 06/12/2008 5:14:13 PM

      No, it's easy to see what your group is afraid of about him Barack being elected. It can't be because he's brilliant. He went to Harvard and graduated in the top percentile of his class and was the first Black person to ever be elected President of the Harvard Law Review. He didn't go to Harvard on a legacy scholarship, he went on his own merit, his intelligence. He could've been an elitist and gone on to serve on the Supreme Court or worked for some hot shot law firm and made millions of dollars. But he didn't, he did what we are all supposed to do, to give back. But you let these same people that tricked you into handing them yours and everybody's ass to them spin you about Barack to and trick you into believing you to "be afraid be very afraid". Get real, do you really still look under your bed at night for the boogie man? Be smart! Try using your head for something more than just a hat rack.

  • Posted By: Evax @ 06/12/2008 5:13:15 PM

    Americans cannot take the risk to elect a quasi-terminator who may be programmed to lie and licensed to kill. Obama is responsible to show that there is not a latent Wright virus tangled in his genome. To date, he has failed to do so. Those who are excited by a simple "CHANGE" slogan are simple-minded idiots.

  • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 4:41:44 PM

    The Jim Johnson affair is one of a disturbing number of examples of Obama's associations. Consider those who appear to be important: a racist pastor (Wright), a radical willing to resort to terror tactics (Ayers), a financier of questionable moral character (Rezko), a racist priest (Pfleger), and Johnson, a man who took undue advantage of the system. Additionally, Obama is tied to the Chicago political machine that practices "slash and burn" politics, and he has really accomplished nothing of significan policy nature, other than demonstrating that a social activist with the right ties can do quite well financially (i.e., a nice house that most of us would dream of ever owning). All, in all, quite a distrubing resume for a man who would aspire to be the president. Character counts, and he is found wanting.

    • Posted By: tired and old @ 06/12/2008 5:11:35 PM

      NEWS MEDIA HAVE BROUGHT UP AN INTERESTING POINT !

      WASHINGTON INSIDERS; WHO KNOW THE POLITICAL GAME CAN TEACH THE WINNER, HOW NOT TO BE A LOSER !

      FOOD FOR THOUGHT !

  • Posted By: wdlivingston44 @ 06/12/2008 3:46:26 PM

    How are going to get to kow Obama, if we don't know if he's a Kenyan, an Indonesian or perhaps even an American? Because he won't release his birth certicicate, we don't know even so basic a matter as his nationality. He very well may not be qualified constitutionaily to run for the presidency.. We just don't know if he is or isn't. How can aanyone reasonably vote for the guy, if he may not even be an American?

    • Posted By: Heartlight3 @ 06/12/2008 5:10:15 PM

      I keep seeing posts that say he refuses to make his birth certificate public. I don't think that is true. He is planning to put a .pdf of his birth certificate on the fight the smears website. Why don't you watch for it instead of assuming that he is refusing. If he doesn't have a copy on hand, as many of us don't, It takes a couple of weeks to get a copy of your birth certificate from the vital records dept. in Honolulu.

    • Posted By: kmc023 @ 06/12/2008 4:02:54 PM

      Are you serious? We know he is Constitutionaly qualified because his mother is a US citizen which automatically qualifies him under Title 8 section 1402 of the US code. So you see it is irrelevant where he was born just like it is irrelevant that McCain was born in Panama. Learn your civics lessons for god sake.

  • Posted By: J.Richter @ 06/12/2008 11:26:54 AM

    So he is being criticized for taking the political process to the highest possible standards?
    His problem is that Washington has been corrupt for so long that it is nearly impossible to find someone for a task that is not already sullied.

    I keep reading this stuff that he has NO experience. After 20 years of elected pubic service? Remember his experience has seen him vote for a gas tax before in Illinois only to vote against it when it came for renewal noting the intention did not work. What we want is sufficient experience and not experience that has left you indentured to what is wrong in Washinton.

    Now the experience argument though false is at least a fair issue. There are totally wacko issues against this guy being addressed at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome where he factually and completely addresses the rumors of whiteygate, maddrassasgate, muslimgate, and book distortion with proofs (for those who choose to hold on to such stuff).

    • Posted By: misterharban @ 06/12/2008 12:39:53 PM

      In twenty years of elected public service what positions has Obama ever taken which (a) posed any political risk to him? (b) ran against the general will of his constituents? (c) ran against his party's line? or (d) amounted to a compromise with the other party for the purpose of getting something accomplished?
      These are essential ingredients to the leadership calling of a so-called uniter. Where's the beef?

      He appears to be totally indentured to the party line.

      • Posted By: J.Richter @ 06/12/2008 3:25:32 PM

        1. Spoke promptly against the gas tax. Democrats were friendly towards this a year ago.
        2. Proposed tax cuts for middle income folks (further cuts than the Bush cuts).
        3. Spoke against the Iraq war while up for election at a time in which it was popular nationwide and virtually every politician and yes democrats were not courageous enough to dissent or read the intelligence.

        • Posted By: misterharban @ 06/12/2008 5:09:10 PM

          1. Against the gas tax suspension -- wow! that's a risky position.
          2. Proposed middle income tax cuts (and balancing higher income increase) -- wow! Bolder yet!!!
          3. Spoke out against the Iraq war in one of the most liberal districts in the country.
          I'm sorry I questioned his boldness. This man truly is a one-of-a-kind risk taker.

    • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 12:37:38 PM

      Obama has only 11 years elected public service, and 8 of it was local. He won his first election by knocking off two other black democrats on a technicality, and buddying up with William AYers and Tony Rezko

      • Posted By: J.Richter @ 06/12/2008 3:28:06 PM

        Yes indeed. Ayres and Rezko can get anyone elected. Not even in inner city Chicago. Do not insult the folks there, there are enough qualified people that anyone trolling Rezko or Ayres on the trail would have lost. You see you are too emotional about this to discus objectively. You had to go to virtually ridiculous comments. At least the above poster does have a legitimate policy dissent not just name dropping of any negative acquaintances..

        • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 3:58:12 PM

          Thank you for your brilliant psychological analysis. For the record, Obama's first campaign was slimy

      • Posted By: J.Richter @ 06/12/2008 3:31:29 PM

        Point made!
        Is there any profession in the world in which you have done anything nationally for 11 years (even neurosurgery requires 10 years of residency) and add 8 years locally and be considered innexperienced. Even take away the local years to feel good (and imagine all local senators simply sit around and got no experience).

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 4:51:29 PM

    This GIVE real Insight of John MCaian,If I said he's NOT BRIGHT what his HIGHEST QUALIFICATION can be know as Facts

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

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 4:57:14 PM

      His highest qualifications exceed anything Obama brings to the table. We need a leader with real-life experience, not a sophist who will lull us to sleep while he connives to take away our freedoms.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 4:56:46 PM

    McCain had conflicts with higher-ups, and he was disinclined to obey every rule, which contributed to a low class rank (894/899) that he did not aim to improve.[11][12][13][14] McCain did well in academic subjects that interested him, such as literature and history, but studied only enough to pass subjects he didn't like, such as math.[4] McCain graduated in 1958.[12]

    YOU GOT RIGHT This time ? Join Military as HIGH SCHOOL graduate is FACT others.......cause of his Father.....Even Abraham Lincoln was Law Graduate before Prisedent 1861..Remember this during Dark age.

  • Posted By: USNA83 @ 06/12/2008 4:44:22 PM

    Jack999, it is hard to follow your point but it seems you are saying John McCain doesn't have a college degree. Just to clarify, all graduates of the Naval Academy are awarded degrees. By his own admission, he wasn't the best student at Annapolis but he did graduate and was awarded a bachelor's degree as well as his commission as a naval officer.

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 4:54:18 PM

      By Jack999's criteria, only those with a Ph.D., or a advanced degree are worthy of leading us. Rather elitist at best, and naive at worst. Some of our best presidents did not have lots of academic "training", yet they were effective leaders. We've already seen where a Rhodes scholar (i.e., Clinton) got us. Character is all important, as is real-life experience. Those who come from the ivory towers offer little but theories.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 4:38:02 PM

    Experienced military not impressed,a traitor,Why dont people check John MCain Qualification? His only High School graduated,his highest qualification his Alma mater (Annapolis Academyy) As an Officer all must be commissioned maybe perharps his father is Admiral has alot influence about his admission as officer(now all officer must be Graduated at least with a degree before admission as military officer)

    • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 06/12/2008 4:48:56 PM

      Trying to minimize a man who has at least done something? Mr. McCain is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 06/12/2008 4:40:15 PM

    Such figures don't come much more "top" in either political party than retired four-star General Wes Clark, the former Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO during the Kosovo War

    What Wesley Clark said about John McCain

    "I know he's trying to get traction by seeking to play to what he thinks is his strong suit of national security," Clark said of McCain while speaking from his office in Little Rock, Arkansas. "The truth is that, in national security terms, he's largely untested and untried. He's never been responsible for policy formulation. He's never had leadership in a crisis, or in anything larger than his own element on an aircraft carrier or [in managing] his own congressional staff. it's not clear that this is going to be the strong suit that he thinks it is."

    Resume aside, though, Clark also took issue with the Arizona Republican's instincts on national security. "McCain's weakness is that he's always been for the use of force, force and more force. In my experience, the only time to use force is as a last resort. ... When he talks about throwing Russia out of the G8 and makes ditties about bombing Iran, he betrays a disrespect for the office of the presidency"If wes clark comments going to make John McTemper angry and Mad as he's famous for throwing tantrum,McTemper is just the right guy going to have his hand on the red nuclear button...then we all Americans waits under our table pray hard that the Russian dont return the counter-back at us.






  • Posted By: Pica @ 06/12/2008 4:35:34 PM

    I think this was an attempt at wittily putting down Obama as a skinny little kid who learns fast how to harden his heart and grows up to be the best mobster in town. To KNOW him is to HATE him. I've purposely not looked up this writer's bio, but his style smacks of Fox-only-Smarter. Very little substantiated but lotsa insinuations. So far, it tells me far more about the writer than his subject. Think I'll pass on future readings.

  • Posted By: Duque @ 06/11/2008 11:34:49 PM

    This is one more exemle of Obamas lack of judgment . Journalists who are honests to theyr readers and make theyr homework know that this Johnson has his well known dirty past . This is another exemple of missleading editorial done with not still clear interest. American people arnt naive, there are so many issues on Obamas campaing that if Media still try to cover his several flaws up, the credibility of these informative companies will be dramatically affected .

    • Posted By: Iamnotamused @ 06/12/2008 8:59:49 AM

      *ROFL* I'm sorry did you say "honest journalist" in the same sentence? That's like saying (outside of Obama because he's told the truth more times than all of DC put together) honest politician in the same sentence...with a straight face!

      I'd venture to say that Mr. Obama has better judgment than you do

      • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 9:48:11 AM

        would expect a presidential candidate to have much better judgement than a private citizen. I'm not sure Obama does

        • Posted By: Iamnotamused @ 06/12/2008 4:33:54 PM

          He was a private citizen before he became a candidate and he made decisions then so why would it all of sudden change because he ran for public office. It's the ones that think the way you do that are making him into some kind of demi-god. I've never seen this man put on clothes, but I'd venture to say that he puts them on one leg at a time just like you and I do and guess what? He's human just like we are (gasp) and humans make mistakes and people like Barack and I like to see the "good" in people and have to learn about the bad in them. Humans are not inherently bad though..well at least not all of us.

        • Posted By: sedonakaren @ 06/12/2008 11:15:18 AM

          Well, for starters, he knew better than to get us into this stupid, useless, costly war! This war has helped cause our current economic devastation....high cost of oil, excruciatingly high debt that our children and GRANDCHILDREN will still be paying. Over 4,000 dead, and Tens of thousands of young Americans are maimed or suicidal. Broken families, broken people...he knew what the cost of the war would be. WHY DIDN'T BUSH AND CHENEY? Cheney had TONS of "experience." If that's important to you, Dick's your man. He knew just enough to get us into this mess and make millions of dollars in war profiteering at the
          same time.

          Have you EVER stopped to think where this country would be if Barack Obama had been listened to,and we never entered th is war? Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

          • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 12:47:42 PM

            Obama didn't have any authority or responsibility regarding the Iraq war. He was a state legislator. He admitted, had he been in the US senate at the time of the 2002 vote, he doesn;t know how he would have voted. My mail man didn't support the war in 2002, but I wouldn't vote for him for president

            • Posted By: hotstuff @ 06/12/2008 2:23:13 PM

              So, that would mean your mail man is as good as SENATOR Obama!
              Well, you must have an uber-qualified mail man, who´s not aware of his talents!
              Stupid racist, give it up!

              • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 3:53:09 PM

                Another Obama supporter accusing others of being racist, what a novelty

            • Posted By: Carlmn @ 06/12/2008 1:36:28 PM

              maybe you should vote for your mailman. he shows great wisdom. being content with stupid is not good for your or my families.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 06/12/2008 3:34:11 PM

      Duque, the word is "their" as to own. Not "theyr"-means nothing

  • Posted By: kkhan @ 06/12/2008 10:33:07 AM

    Obama is the manufactured candidate - this is true beyond the shadow of any reasonable doubt. The fabrication began through the fusion of his eloquence & his charismatic nature - these traits made him likeable, thus making him electable.This a sad & fatal, it's like going to the tailor for an haircut, simply because he could use a scissors.

    • Posted By: I_hear_the_voices @ 06/12/2008 4:31:09 PM

      Uh-huh....And if your cut-n-paste wingnut talking points description of Obama is so, how then is McCain not also a fabricated/manufactured candidate as well , only diff in that regard being McCain's total lack of eloquence and charisma? McCain has flip-flopped more than a fish out of water. Come November 5th, you WILL acknowledge Barack Obama as your president-elect, like it or not. Kkhan, did you vote for Dubya in 2000 and/or 2004? If so, what was your criteria? Were you a loyal Bushie then, and if so, are you still a 28% dead ender? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you have no standing to judge the qualifications of any presidential candidate, IMHO.

    • Posted By: hotstuff @ 06/12/2008 1:26:21 PM

      kkhan & rocketman are either
      1) quoting from the same HANDBOOK for SLANDERERS
      or
      2) they are one and the same person.

      Which is which?
      (Notice the similarity in vocabulary!)

  • Posted By: just jerry @ 06/12/2008 4:13:08 PM

    Obama's problem is that he has set a new standard and complained about the failure of others to meet that standard and so we need to change the way business is being done in Washington only to find out he operates just as everyone else does in Washington. We should have suspected this in his campaign of character assassination against "the Clinton's" when it became clear that was the only way he could defeat her in the primaries. Reverend Wright was right, Obama is a politician, says what a politician says and acts like a politician. Nothing new except the package it was put in promised something different and now he has to be judged against the standard he himself has created. Reality is he isn't different than any other politician in the way he acts toward opponents, how he fits in in Washington DC and the beltway. He isn't an outsider, but an insider pretending to be an outsider.

    • Posted By: kmc023 @ 06/12/2008 4:21:32 PM

      You must have him confused with McCain

    • Posted By: News and Notes @ 06/12/2008 4:17:42 PM

      Amen

  • Posted By: herzliebster @ 06/12/2008 4:17:09 PM

    We "know" McCain? Which McCain? I personally can't keep track of all the different McCains from the last ten years. But I hear he's always very nice to reporters, so I guess you feel like you know him.

    And I guess "knowing" Obama means playing GOTCHA politics and not much more. I don't understand this theme that keeps getting repeated that "we don't know anything about Obama." The guy has written (himself! not a ghostwriter!!!) two full-length memoirs. All of his positions on the issues (which have been remarkably consistent) are fully laid out on his web site and are presented in his speeches. We know his wife's life history, his brother-in-law's life history, his Kenyan and Kansan and Hawaiian relatives' life histories; his wife's SENIOR THESIS at Princeton is available on the Internet; we know EVERYTHING about his former church in Chicago; what the hell do you mean "we don't KNOW him"? This sounds to me suspiciously like a subtle implanting of the idea that he is somehow "foreign," or "alien," or "unAmerican," or at least "weird and different," and in my view it needs to STOP.

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