<p>I don’t understand these comments like the previous one that constantly reference Obama being the sweetheart of the wealthy.</p>
<p>His roots are much more modest than Clinton’s. Wouldn’t one assume the opposite about his followers?</p>
<p>Love Jerry and Cherry Garcia!</p>
<p>simba - funny related story: a couple of summers ago we were in Texas for a family reunion, and while getting to the facility where it was being held, my husband kind of slowed down as turns approached us, since we weren’t familiar with the area. People were getting impatient with him and honking/driving erratically around him. My older daughter (20 at the time) told him, “Dad, just honk back at them.” We both screamed at her, “Don’t ever do anything to tick off (we used another word) another driver in Texas… they carry guns in their cars.” I think she thought it was just a myth or overblown stereotype… until we got to the reunion place and she saw the shotgun racks on my cousins’ trucks.</p>
<p>The cult of Obama, huh? Seems to me a lot of this is extremely partisan, whether people care to admit it or not, and perhaps more than a tinge racial too. </p>
<p>No one here have any memory about President Reagen? He made people swoon. So inspirational! So polished! A true leader! Well, for many he was all that and a bag of chips too. For me he was just a stupid right-wing actor who managed to fool a lot of voters and spent eight years dissing the poor, the black, the unionized, and anyone else who didn’t believe that the 1950s were over. But it was perfectly alright to be caught up in his charisma, his charm, and voters fell for it. </p>
<p>So now we have another charismatic, inspirational presidential candidate, this time on the left–and black–and the sniping about his lack of substance and the creepiness of his dumb, naive, easily-led followers starts growing as the possibility grows that he may really be president. Puhleeze. </p>
<p>Skepticism is one thing. But all I hear is cynicism in this type of comment, and that is precisely what we Obama supporters are tired of. Leadership and inspiration are good. And they are as good for black as for white, for left as for right (well, theoretically at least!), for Democrat as for Republican. Leadership is crucial to achieveing one’s agenda and the ability to lead and inspire is a good thing–depending I guess on whose ox is being gored. </p>
<p>I can’t shake the suspicion that those who denigrate Obama’s drawing power are using it as a cover, consiously or not, for their discomfort with the possibility of a black president. He has no positions? No policies? Nonsense. Obama has as many as any other politician who ran this cycle, and more than many. What he would do about Iraq, health care, education, and other issues is there for anybody to find. There is substance there. Popularity, even of rock-star voltage, shouldn’t disqualify someone for serious consideration of the presidency. It hasn’t before, and if it does now all I can do is strongly suspect other motives.</p>
<p>Go BigAppleDaddy!</p>
<p>I hated no politician in my lifetime more than RR, except maybe NR.</p>
<p>YES WE CAN!!!</p>
<p>I’m watching Obama on TV right now from Texas, and you know? He’s really not much of an orator. He actually comes across as a complete wonk. I mean, if Urkel grew up, he’d be Obama. I think a lot of the basis for the response people give to Obama is that he represents a change of heart for America. How many of us ever thought we’d see a major party candidate for president who was not white? I think the “cult-like” response to Obama is based less on how he comes across as an inspirational speaker than about how his so-far successful political run makes us feel about the possibilities for us as a nation.</p>
<p>“YES WE CAN!!!”</p>
<p>Do what?</p>
<p>Baloney, Kluge. He just gave a great speech. If what you say is true, he wouldn’t be where he is today. People aren’t that stupid.</p>
<p>I think Kluge makes a good point there. I also think there is an element of timing that comes into play because Senator Obama’s democratic opponent is crippled by her baggage. Obviously, I don’t support Senator Obama, but I think that he’s clearly a very bright man and if elected would likely have a mandate that would mean something. He wouldn’t come into the White HOuse with a significant percentage of the population hating his guts, so perhaps he could get a lot done. Not sure I’d WANT him to get things done, but that’s another story!</p>
<p>Felix, I don’t mean to denigrate Obama - just the opposite. Those who subtly characterize him as an empty orator/rabble rouser are way off base from where I sit. If anything, he’s more substance than image - personally. But the fact that so many Americans are ready to look past the prejudices, assumptions, and unspoken beliefs about people based on their superficial characteristics that we all have - even in the privacy or the voting booth - that I find inspirational.</p>
<p>Well, of course, Kluge - telepathy!</p>
<p>And who remembers that wonderful faux pas the spouse of the TRULY WEALTHY made ten years ago regarding Janet Reno and a young woman?</p>
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</p>
<p>Case in point: I certainly don’t remember. I don’t even know what you’re talking about:confused:</p>
<p>Bill Clinton will not take the loss well. He will undermine Obama in order to say “I told you so” when Obama loses to McCain. All Obama that has to fear is not fear itself but rather Bill Clinton.</p>
<p>“Case in point: I certainly don’t remember. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”</p>
<p>Poetsheart, I will be delighted to refresh your memory.</p>
<p>Our potential president, who usually tries to pass as a kind and gentle man, who endured years of torture, at a fund raising dinner in 1998, commented that Bill Clinton’s then 18 year old daughter looked like the offspring of Janet Reno.</p>
<p>VERY CLASSY, VERY PRESIDENTIAL, VERY DIPLOMATIC, SO KIND AND COMPASSIONATE.</p>
<p>WHAT KIND OF MAN, WHO NEEDS TO DEMEAN AN 18 YEAR OLD GIRL, WILL A PRESIDENT MAKE?</p>
<p>WHAT KIND OF DIPLOMAT, THE MOST NECESSARY PRESIDENTIAL SKILL NEEDED TO- DAY, WILL SUCH A MAN MAKE?</p>
<p>GOOGLE THIS INCIDENT OR READ IT IN THE NYT THIS PAST WEEKEND IF YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER OR TOO OLD. </p>
<p>And don’t forget those who speak about pimping out this POOR WOMAN STILL TODAY.</p>
<p>Razorsharp, Obama has nothing to fear! Bill Clinton is the past, Obama is the future!</p>
<p>Some pills, a trip to Europe, a spa, just like the Gore’s when Bush twice stole the election from them, may produce the solution to global warming.</p>
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</p>
<p>Oh, I think alot of people are;)</p>
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</p>
<p>HUH??? What do pills, trips and spa visits have to do with global warming?</p>
<p>In today’s paper another journalist backs off from Obama:</p>
<p>[RealClearPolitics</a> - Articles - The Obama Delusion](<a href=“http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/02/the_obama_delusion.html]RealClearPolitics”>RealClearPolitics - Articles - The Obama Delusion)</p>
<p>Sorry ags, after Gore had his win stolen, the family went to Europe to live and make his documentary about global warming. I assumed a few pills and spas may have been
part of the creative process.</p>
<p>Mercymom, it is interesting that a week or two ago Obama had no plans. Now he has too many, all in concrete. Bush only had killing Hussein. </p>
<p>I make many plans and ideas I don’t complete.</p>
<p>His best plan is the rebuilding of the US infrastructure, like the highway plan. If only Haliburton hasn’t bought him yet.</p>
<p>"Go BigAppleDaddy!</p>
<p>I hated no politician in my lifetime more than RR, except maybe NR.</p>
<p>YES WE CAN!!!"</p>
<p>I agree absolutely. I will never understand the cult of Ronald Reagan.</p>
<p>YES WE CAN!</p>
<p>“Mercymom, it is interesting that a week or two ago Obama had no plans.”</p>
<p>He has had HUGE numbers of plans, very detailed, for more than six months. Way too many. All you had to do was read 'em.</p>