Video: Barack Obama on Monday Night Football
posted at 9:52 am on December 12, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Apparently the Today crew was all aglow over this this morning. I like to picture the Clintons sitting together watching it, she with a look of annoyance, he trying to suppress a smile at the slickness of it all.
John Dickerson identifies Obama’s problem, such as it is:
[C]oolness doesn’t get you elected, and coolness wasn’t what had the New Hampshire audiences even more excited after they heard Obama speak. They were in love with the senator’s message, a call to political renewal and rebirth that eschews what he calls the “24-hour, slash-and-burn, negative-ad, bickering, small-minded politics.”…
If he decides to run, Obama faces the difficulty of any politician campaigning against politics as usual—he can’t act politically or he ruins his brand… If voters stay in such a deep state of affection, they may get disappointed some day when he doesn’t walk on water.
He has acted politically, though: according to the New York Post, he’s got a perfect rating from lefty lobbyists Americans for Democratic Action — five points to the left of Teddy Kennedy, in fact. On the other hand, he’s got absolutely no foreign policy experience. Howard Kurtz thinks that makes him unelectable; I think it’s just the opposite. Decades of Bakerite realism got us to 9/11; three years of Bush’s idealism got us to the brink of civil war in Iraq. Why not try an unknown quantity?
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Slicker then Willie ever!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 12, 2006 at 9:55 AM
And his middle name is “Hussein” …
matd on December 12, 2006 at 9:56 AM
And what has this guy ever done?
Kahuna on December 12, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Seriously, he and his family need to watch their back. The Clintons play dirty. Even Princess Diana wasn’t safe!
SouthernGent on December 12, 2006 at 10:04 AM
The guy reminds me of another empty suit – former senator John Edwards of NC.
Wuptdo on December 12, 2006 at 10:05 AM
He may be peaking too early…
he should be going to bahgdad and afghanistan, meeting with muslim,jewish and christian leaders and making strong policy decisions that will firm up his credentials. This, in addition to monday nite footbal and all teh PR stuff…
oh hope he doesnt read this.
DarianCounts on December 12, 2006 at 10:09 AM
First of all, this was a sick political stunt by ESPN/ABC.
Second. He is not qualified to lead this nation. He has NO foreign policy experience whatsoever. Being a good speech giver does not make you a leader. Only to idiots.
Third….Who gives a crap what his middle name is. He didn’t pick it, his parents did. He was born a muslim. What do people expect. A name means nothing, so lets just drop the silly middle name thing. Would you pick on someone if their middle name was Adolf, or Benito? We don’t pick our names. And I’m sure when he was born, his parents had no idea who Saddam Hussein was.
RobG on December 12, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Wrong. Bush II didn’t have any foreign policy experience either and he got elected. Good or bad, voters don’t care about that. I think they’ll vote for Obama because of his “coolness” factor, especially college kids and young adults. My prediction: if he isn’t the democratic nominee, then at least he’ll be on the ticket with Hillary as her running mate.
pullingmyhairout on December 12, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Meredith Vieira is sending him a box of cigars.
infidel4life on December 12, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Self-parodying his own hype–pretty smart. If Obama has proved one thing to me it’s that he is on the ball–he knows what people are saying about him and he knows how to respond effectively. Unlike George Allen or John Kerry who always seemed to be two weeks behind the country with their statements, Obama seems not only to know what to say, but when to say it. I’m sure that’s not enough to get him elected, but it certainly makes him look smart.
Really? That’s the best you’ve got? There are so many things you could attack Obama for and you pick his middle name…it’s so childish and insignificant. I’m sure he changed it when he was in his teens out of respect for the wonderful leader of Iraq.
JaHerer22 on December 12, 2006 at 10:15 AM
Good old ABC is right out there pushing the left forward. This is nothing more than a political stunt by this liberal network.
rplat on December 12, 2006 at 10:19 AM
He cured my leprosy.
Halley on December 12, 2006 at 10:19 AM
Funny you should mention that. I’m currently registering a patent for a Monica Lewinski ceramic figurine humidor.
natesnake on December 12, 2006 at 10:20 AM
This wasn’t a political stunt; it was a marketing ploy for MNF, plain and simple.
dalewalt on December 12, 2006 at 10:22 AM
I shouldn’t be speaking for anyone else, but I didn’t take that comment as a serious criticism of Obama, at least no more than Whoopi’s comment about Bush’s name.
And again, it’s not my comment, so maybe it was serious criticism, but it’s very telling that you’re willing to jump all over someone over the comment right after drooling all over Obama.
So, we get it, you’d have the man’s children if you were able to do so. But if he runs, you need to develope some thick skin, because not everyone is going to lavish their praise on him.
Esthier on December 12, 2006 at 10:29 AM
JFK was a light weight, until he began to run and the MSM, Hollywood, intelligencia, etc., all fell in love with him. Not having experience can be an advantage, no real track record. They can create a storybook record. Young, looks hip, tough to debate a minority–one supposed slip and you are done. Don’t underesstimate the black factor, everyone is eager to show they have no biases. Very little negative will be said by anyone but his opponents. It handcuffs Hillary and the rest of the liberals.
right2bright on December 12, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Have to admit, that was pretty slick.
By the way, I think we should start referring to him publicly by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama.
CP on December 12, 2006 at 10:37 AM
You guys are missing the point:
GO BEARS !
moc23 on December 12, 2006 at 10:38 AM
Who wants to bet that this trust fund baby had to be coached to do the “da-da-da-daaaaaaaa” (actually he said “dun-dun-da-duuuuuuumb”, but whatever). Seriously, I think it’s more likely than not that he had to go over that tune a few times before he got it right, because he was likely unfamiliar. I’m not even the biggest football fan, but I’m just sick of this pandering crap. I’ll never forgive the world’s biggest Sox John Kerry for saying his favorite Red Sock was Manny Ortiz. Who the hell is Manny Ortiz? Of course there was the “Lambert Field” remark, etc. etc. The site “Football Fans For Truth” used to chronicle Kerry’s idiotic sports pandering.
Anyway, ahhh Barack, if only your prep schools could see you now.
RightWinged on December 12, 2006 at 10:38 AM
Talk about jumping all over someone. I’m not even an Obama supporter and all I said was he is smart and knows what to say and when to say it. I think that’s pretty obvious and certainly not drooling all over him.
My skin is plenty thick although that has nothing to do with Obama. I welcome criticism, I want to hear criticism, please talk trash about Obama. Just please make it valid, something he has control over, not his middle name. There is plenty to go after him with, if the best you’ve got is his name either you’re really lazy or he is the perfect candidate.
JaHerer22 on December 12, 2006 at 10:39 AM
Is this the same Barack who made the statement that he was NOT going to enter the 2008 presidential race when he hit the national scene about 6 months ago?
News2Use on December 12, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Politics aside, I give him credit for making fun of himself and a tense issue and just trying to have fun. If it were Billary I would think it very calculated. Though, I bet the Clinton’s feel like O got one over on them.
Good result all the way around.
No, it doesn’t make him any more qualified for POTUS.
dallas94 on December 12, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Really? Why?
Allahpundit on December 12, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Obama definitely has the cool, “boy wonder” factor working for him. (remember the young, relatively unknown William Jefferson Clinton in 92′?) Obama also has enough time betweeen now and the spring of 08′ to build some credibility and establish his bona fides.
On the other hand, it’s almost 2 years away and anything can happen. Skeleton in the closet, major slip-up, one misspoken word can have a disastrous impact.
There is also the primary season factor, where the mud will fly between the Dem candidates, and past legislative records will be put under the microscope. It will be interesting to see how he stands up to the kind of scrutiny he will be under from his opponents and the press.
If he gets the right team around him and gets his message out frequent and early, he could be a formidable opponent to Hillary.
BacaDog on December 12, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Why is the assumption that Hillary and Obama are on different sides?
JohnJ on December 12, 2006 at 10:46 AM
At least he was a combat veteran. That counts for something.
Barack’s got nothing. He’s the Democratic equivilent of John Roberts. We will have to look at his kindergarten drawings to try to figure out what he really stands for.
BohicaTwentyTwo on December 12, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Free politcal advertising courtesy of ABC. I guess since it was cosidered a parody that the equal time laws don’t apply. Slick.
vcferlita on December 12, 2006 at 10:47 AM
That’s ridiculous. The name means “handsome one” in Arabic. Are we supposed to judge a guy because his parents thought he was a cute baby?
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 10:54 AM
He is such an egomaniac. Get to Washington, unpack your carpet bags, somebody gives you two glances and suddenly you’re thinking you’re the next Messiah…PAAAaa-thetic.
seejanemom on December 12, 2006 at 10:56 AM
I welcome criticism, I want to hear criticism, please talk trash about Obama. Just please make it valid, something he has control over, not his middle name.
JaHerer22 on December 12, 2006 at 10:39 AM
He is a lightweight empty suit without any practical executive experience, a greenhorn politician pushed to the forefront by Chicago’s liberal media and corrupt political machine, a clever orator who thinks talking can solve any problem – the terrorist community will eat this guy up for lunch. He is Der Slickmeister Redeux.
Didn’t mention his middle name either.
fogw on December 12, 2006 at 10:58 AM
. I don’t like Denny Green or Da Bears. Too early for the Bears and Obama.
infidel on December 12, 2006 at 10:58 AM
I am assuming Hillary wants it all, and Obama is in her way. Not on opposing sides, just a major road block (or speed bump). If Hillary can’t beat the polling numbers, she won’t run.
right2bright on December 12, 2006 at 10:58 AM
Since when do qualifications matter?
He may be an empty suit, but it’s the package that sells. being a young, articulate, energetic, african-american, espousing fresh ideas gets him a lot of votes. Folks have been elected on a hell of a lot less than that.
Sequins over substance. In America, you can package a turd in a pretty box stamped with “new and improved” and someone will buy it.
BacaDog on December 12, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Personally, I’m referring to him as Candelabra Obama; first time I heard of him was when the Senator from Chappaquiddick butchered his name and Paul Shanklin did a parody song of it; ’sounds like candelabra’ was one of the lines from it. At any rate, as intellectually bereft as our country is becoming, I think this clown would be a perfectly symbolic President. We stand for nothing but expediency. What’s the cheapest most half a** way we can conduct the business of this country? He’ll look good striding the ruins of an American city with his sleeves rolled up. Hell, let’s just forget the electoral process. Just let the media anoint our next President.
austinnelly on December 12, 2006 at 11:00 AM
I was being facetious.
CP on December 12, 2006 at 11:01 AM
I love watching the moonbats get all smarmy for this guy… he’s another empty suite like “all” the Kennedys and Clinton. Liberals are such suckers for the “image thing”… they couldn’t care less what a scumbag he might be… oh he just says the nicest things…. gag! Only women and girly men will vote for either Hillary or the O-Bomb-a
Bob on December 12, 2006 at 11:03 AM
What, like Carter in ‘76? No thanks.
spmat on December 12, 2006 at 11:04 AM
The GOP should tap Fred Thompson for president.
He looks presidential.
He sounds presidential.
Fred Thompson has charisma.
People like Fred Thompson.
Barack Obama = charismatic empty suite
natesnake on December 12, 2006 at 11:08 AM
“Why not try an unknown quantity?”
He
may beis an empty suit, but he certainly shouldn’t be an unknown quantity. What part don’t you know?- His voting record already earns him rare distinction by leftist organizations.
- His Illinois House voting record was, if anything, even further left. (”Uh, Jim, this is Deke. Now, we’re gonna get you that report just as soon as we can put that together, all right?”)
- His great, big, shiny, coming-out, “here I am the new ‘black’ Senator from Chicago” John Roberts confirmation vote (*note: sorry to keep harping on this, boys and girls, but I truly believe that this his most telling failure to date: he is a Harvard Law Review editor (AA), a University of Chicago Law professor of constitutional law (AA) for 10 years, and yet he voted against a guy so obviously his intellectual superior, and so obviously qualified for the position that other Senate leftists were rendered impotent and speechless at his hearings).
- He shares his fellow Chicago Democrats affliction for corruption that occurs so effortlessly that it makes others blush — this real estate story isn’t going away, either, gang. If the Chicago Tribune thinks it’s worth writing about four times, then make no mistake: they want it on record right now that they did their job and reported it. Now they’ll try to ignore it for two years, but at least they investigated it and criticized it. (Take note, NYT).
(Hang on, let me get down off this box…)
There. Anywho, Obama is a fraud running for VP, whether he knows it or not; ho hum, what else is new?
Jaibones on December 12, 2006 at 11:16 AM
What’s wrong with pointing out this guy has a muslim background and a muslim name? With the world at war with muslims and 99.9999% of muslims refusing to condemn the actions of terrorists, I think it only prudent to point it out.
darwin on December 12, 2006 at 11:18 AM
Because guilt by association is nothing but a fancy ad hominem argument.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 11:19 AM
I was surprised they didn’t have him in the booth so they could fawn over him.
JammieWearingFool on December 12, 2006 at 11:21 AM
The Brittany Spears of politics. Same inst-a-bake recipe.
dhimwit on December 12, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Nice, thank you. All valid criticisms…now can he get past them? I guess that’s why we actually hold elections instead of letting the press decide the President two years in advance.
This is pure speculation, but I would say he had no intention of running for President in ‘08 when he said this but the media attention and public support he has recieved caused him to reconsider. I bet he always thought he might make a run in 2012 or 2016 but those plans got moved up because of his current “rockstar” status.
JaHerer22 on December 12, 2006 at 11:27 AM
No one said anyone was guilty of anything. You’re saying it should be swept under the rug? In this day and age it’s revelant.
darwin on December 12, 2006 at 11:32 AM
Been saying that for a while…Fred Thompson should be the GOP nominee.
As for Obama, most here are correct…Hillary and the Clinton “sphere of influence” are not to be underestimated. She simply does not want to appear right now as being hostile to another Democrat who is very popular at the moment.
As God is my witness, Hillary will be the nominee for the Dem’s…
JetBoy on December 12, 2006 at 11:36 AM
I’m not saying it should be swept under the rug, but I am saying that using it as a way to somehow cast aspersions on the guy is silly, lazy and wrongheaded.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Not allowing that Democrats can pull something off makes us sound like the crazy DU’ers.
It was slick by Obama and it came across very well. The more conservatives attack him for silly stuff like this, the more his stock will rise. There are plenty of things to go after Obama for and this isn’t one of them.
If this were a conservative, we would be praising them for their performance. Don’t be like the liberals who can’t admit anything positive about our side. That was a good bit and Obama did a good job. He still has a liberal record, no experience and shouldn’t be president, but he got this one right.
wardrobedoor on December 12, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Plus, saying it should not be “cast under the rug” somehow implies that there’s something wrong with the guy’s middle name. As I said above, it means “handsome one” and it was given to him by his parents.
He’s got nothing to be ashamed of, or hide. It’s just his name.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 11:40 AM
I think your missing the point Jaherer22.
He doesn’t have to get past them. The press ignores any negatives associated with Obama. They don’t point out his inexperience, they hold it up as a virtue.
For people like you who think there is no biased media, all you have to do is take a look at how they are handling Obama. He is their love child, their rock star and all they do is drool all over this empty suit. The press will continue to tear apart any republican candidate and give the democrats, including Obama, a free pass.
The press is “deciding” for many now, it will be deciding in the future and it just decided in the past election. I do not include myself in that “for many” category. I think for myself and don’t allow my opinions to be formulated by the MSM.
fogw on December 12, 2006 at 11:42 AM
I pretty much agree with you, wardrobedoor. My only problem with the bit is from an “equal time” standpoint. Not so much for Republicans, but for other Democrats.
Look, the primary season will be heating up in a year and this skit certainly pushed Obamania up a few percentage points.
12thman on December 12, 2006 at 11:45 AM
In what way is it relevant? Please do spell out your logic as to why a guy with the name “Hussein” is, by that very fact, suspect.
How did we ever defeat Germany with a guy named Eisenhower in charge, anyway?
Allahpundit on December 12, 2006 at 11:45 AM
He’s very likable. This will be interesting to watch.
mikeyboss on December 12, 2006 at 11:46 AM
OK, it was funny, admit it.
Anyways, the media can do anything but the people will decide (See Howard Dean, 2004’s love child).
One huge point to bring up though which is disrespectful though in the video….
The American Flag which is shown on his left SHOULD be on his right (Flag Etiquette 101). VERY disrespectful for those that know (and for those that didn’t catch it)
But…I guess that’s some of the inexperience that everybody’s worried about, isn’t it.
HarryStar on December 12, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Doesn’t he lack Gravitas….Oh No that’s only used for Republicans.
Fandango on December 12, 2006 at 11:53 AM
I liked it. The intro was smart on Obama’s part and on MNF’s part. RE: him getting elected. Like someone said above, he’s peeking too early. Even this much momentum won’t buffer him from the Clintonistas and RNC.
p0s3r on December 12, 2006 at 11:53 AM
It’s interesting that Obama was born a Muslim. If he was born Muslim, and is now a Christian, doesn’t that officially make him an apostate in the eyes of Islam? According to the Koran that’s a death sentence (assuming he doesn’t repent and convert back when given one chance). If he were to become president, I wonder how that would affect the Islamic world’s attitude towards him (including the “friendly” states, like Saudi Arabia). And while I’ve no doubt Islamists would love to murder any US president, would his status as an apostate paint an especially big target on him?
Blacklake on December 12, 2006 at 12:01 PM
What’s wrong with this (for your side) is that it’s self-defeating and it can be turned upside to make Obama look even better. He has a Muslim name because he has Muslim father. However when he grew up he rejected Islam and became a Christian. How many Christians here were raised by a Muslim father and then later in life chose to accept Christianity? Probably not many.
JaHerer22 on December 12, 2006 at 12:03 PM
Re. the middle name thing:
I’m with Allah. Don’t be dense, people. Reminds me of the idiots who make a huge deal out of my maiden name, Maglalang:
Remember?
By the way, my middle name is Perez.
Gasp!!!!
Michelle on December 12, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Lack of foreign policy experience didn’t stop Bill Clinton. Leno’s gag line was that Clinton’s experience was “impressive — he’s frequently been to the International House of Pancakes.”
Tom Blumer on December 12, 2006 at 12:08 PM
In this case, however, this was good blocking, as it accurately depicted him as being to the left of the flag. Perhaps the distance between them should have been greater, though.
Blacklake on December 12, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Why isn’t it relevant? If Bushs faith can be questioned and challenged as a reason for his actions, then a man who has a muslim background certainly can. Is there some reason you wouldn’t want to know someone who is perhaps running for the highest office in the land has a muslim background? I think it quite relevant in this day and age to be prudent.
You act like this is a witchhunt. Muslims are killing people everyday and want the world to scrap their knees in worship to allah or die and you’re questioning my curiosity about a guy who has a muslim background who wants to run for president?
If it’s no big deal then let’s throw it out in the open. Better safe than sorry.
darwin on December 12, 2006 at 12:11 PM
Running against Hillary [TM] paints an even bigger target, with even bigger guns.
SicSemperTyrannus on December 12, 2006 at 12:14 PM
Has Obama ever claimed to be a Muslim?
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 12:17 PM
By the way, I should admit. My middle name is Michael, which is of Hebrew origin.
Guess that makes me a Zionist.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Well, as Sisu pointed out here, my belief that the Democrat new school is the same as their old school has now been reinforced. All that’s left is two years for Barak Obama let that shine through and he’ll be just another one of the dwarves of 2008.
As for implying this “not so undecided” is a racist, well, if this guy, whose middle name is Hussein, can’t even get my inspiration right, then to hell with him.
Dusty on December 12, 2006 at 12:33 PM
My money says this is our next vice-president. How much worse could he be than the current fella?
;^)
honora on December 12, 2006 at 12:37 PM
The only question I have is whether the 2008 Democratic ticket will be Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama.
irishsquid on December 12, 2006 at 12:38 PM
The current fella is competent.
spmat on December 12, 2006 at 12:43 PM
‘08 White House run analysis already in…image is everything. Substance will not factor into ‘08, and Obama has the image the MSM wants. Kiss the WH goodbye, Republicans.
windbag on December 12, 2006 at 12:43 PM
The reason Obama is all over the country these days is he is on a book signing tour. Which is fine, he is a public figure and the media is covering his appearances. Except I don’t think I have seen a report where they mention that the reason he is out in public is to flog his book. I don’t know if that is important, but the media seems to be avoiding saying that, so it appears that he is just doing some test campaigning.
He’s smart; if he didn’t have a book to sell, he wouldn’t have a reason to be in the public eye. Now he is milking it for all it is worth.
Mallard T. Drake on December 12, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Okay. If it’s all about being black and “The Look”, let’s just raise the ol’ bar a few notches.
What sounds more macho and assertive and cool and will make all the Euro weenies quiver?
President Obama
or President STEELE
ahhh. He’s taller, too.
naliaka on December 12, 2006 at 12:44 PM
If he voted against John Roberts, relevant. His links to corruption, relevant. His voting records, relevant.
“Decades of Bakerite realism got us to 9/11; three years of Bush’s idealism got us to the brink of civil war in Iraq. Why not try an unknown quantity? ” Irrelevant and Facetious I hope. Chance favors the prepared.
ABC/ESPN having him on….is politics even if it includes other elements.
As to his name; I personally care little one way or the other. Some individuals “William Jefferson Clinton” choose to campaign with their middle name as they perceive political advantage from using it, so why do you take exception if some believe pointing out his middle name is “Hussein” will cause his some political disadvantage. Nor is it any different than attractive charming individuals using their appearance etc to political advantage. So in that sense, yes it is relevant. There is a difference between what should be and what is.
MarkB on December 12, 2006 at 12:44 PM
My daughter’s fiance’s middle name is Jesus. Does that mean……YIKES!!!!
honora on December 12, 2006 at 12:50 PM
Dick Cheney is well above competent.
The question should not be “Has he ever claimed to be Muslim?” It should be does he denounce the terrorist and the religion of violence from which they come. The burden is on him to define his position. If he can’t he has no business being commander in chief.
MarkB on December 12, 2006 at 12:53 PM
I take exception to those who believe that using a middle name as a political football is a legitimate criticism of Sen. Obama.
Focusing on the fact that the guy inherited his family name (both his grandmother and father had the middle name Hussein) is a sideshow that will be more harmful to Republicans who attempt to make political hay of it than helpful during a campaign.
Let’s focus on what the guy says, how he’s voted and what his plans for the country are.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 12:53 PM
What’s so sickening about all this is that Obama is a media creation. He hasn’t done anything. He didn’t even win a difficult election to the Senate.
He’s a pretty face, vacuous and scarily content with that fact.
spmat on December 12, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Re: the middle name thing;
I think we should use his full name in jest, just like we use Hillary Rodham-Clinton and John Effing Kerry. It just makes his glorious name sound all that much more important…
Seriously though, something to grab onto is his smoking habit-we all know that Algore has attributed Global Warming to smokers and their increased CO2 output…
NTWR on December 12, 2006 at 12:59 PM
*slowly stands up and starts backing up towards the door*
*whispers*
“Nobody told me there might be Joooos around here.”
natesnake on December 12, 2006 at 1:02 PM
natesnake on December 12, 2006 at 1:05 PM
Also, I have it on good authority that Allahpundit’s middle name is “Yoko.”
Just sayin’.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 1:06 PM
Hear Hear!! Agreed. All the other stuff.. name, flag position (protocol officers usually deal with this – bet he has it in correct position next time) are petty.
As for his skin color, he has a black father and white mother and was raised in Hawaii, the one state where the melting pot concept is probably more advanced than any other.
There are many people who have parents of different races who will be looking closely to see how he represents himself. Will he follow the Tiger Woods model “Accept me for who I am and don’t ask me to define myself by which race I am”? If he does that he will gain many more supporters in the moderate category than if he goes too long on the African-American theme.
Heck if he can make that leap he gets it about what being American means more than many of the other candidates.
Those who choose to harp on his color will cause much bitterness towards themself … deservedly so.
Bradky on December 12, 2006 at 1:07 PM
He’s my Senator (unfortunately) and I can’t figure out what he has done to deserve such acclaim.
He was a slick orator as keynote speaker at the Democratic convention a couple of years ago. A regular JFK. Then again, Hitler wow’d them at Nuremburg didn’t he?
irishsquid on December 12, 2006 at 1:08 PM
To a certain extent. When I lived there, I got my butt kicked quite often for being a “haole.”
But it’s definately a state where interracial couples are common.
Slublog on December 12, 2006 at 1:09 PM
MarkB, to continue with your apt theme …….
When it comes to developing sound strategy, Democrats jump to the head of the class when framing their name as a candidate for office, but when they are put to the test of recommending a strategy for solving the world’s problems they come up a day late and a dollar short. Kind of gives you an idea of what matters to them ….. them!
Remember when Hillary ran for the NY senate seat back in 2000? It was not by coincidence that her supporters waved banner after banner with the words “Hillary for Senate” inscribed on them. The Clinton name was damaged goods thanks to her unfaithful husband, and was purposely left on the campaign headquarters floor.
Names do matter, sometimes.
fogw on December 12, 2006 at 1:17 PM
Bradky
My mention on the flags not being properly displayed was just a little fun. “I” thought the intro was great!!!!
I can’t believe that people are atually writing about his name, etc, etc. I don’t care at all about the color of his skin. He’s definitely charasmatic as well.
I wouldn’t be voting for him now just because I don’t know anything about him (Neither does anybody else really).
Hopefully people vote on the message (i.e. beliefs) rather than just focus on the messenger. (OK, a bit naive so to speak).
Funny thing though about the media. I believe that 99.9% of the U.S. are ready for ANY president regardless of race, color or sex. Primarily it’s the media that brings up the “He/She’s the first Woman/Black/Asian/etc to hold the position of xxxxxxxx”.
Look around at the other countries (without our MSM) and they’ve all filled the “quota” prior to the United States. (Margaret Thatcher, Ghandi, etc.).
I look forward to the upcoming election to hear the Conservative message. (Not the Pseudo message Rudy, etc, etc)
HarryStar on December 12, 2006 at 1:18 PM
It should surprise no one that Obama is a Dick Butkus fan. Before this is over, he’ll be kissing Hillary’s, and she has a mighty big one (not to mention that VAST amount of money that she already possesses to run her presidential campaign).
CyberCipher on December 12, 2006 at 1:23 PM
This guy is so scary.
Camera is pretty bad in this spot though. Maybe that will stop him.
Maybe his campaign will be plagued by bad camerawork and editing.
Alex K on December 12, 2006 at 1:25 PM
Until your post, the discussion on this thread was focused on a man’s name, not the color of his skin.
What’s your hangup?
fogw on December 12, 2006 at 1:25 PM
From the Illinois Review
But please, Senator Obama, save your comments about racism for the party of slavery, Jim Crow laws, the KKK, poll taxes, and segregation, the Democrat party.
The party of emancipating slaves, electing the first blacks to serve in Congress, giving blacks the right to vote, outlawing slavery, giving us full citizenship, starting the historically black colleges and universities, choosing the first black secretary of education, first black national security advisor, first black secretary of state, implementing real affirmative action, passing of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act — the Republican Party — has a better civil rights track record than your party.
I humbly suggest you concentrate on raising your party’s bigotry of low expectations more than criticizing the GOP’s reliance on the content of one’s character.
BobK on December 12, 2006 at 1:27 PM
umm, Hitler never made it to the trial, Irishsquid.
BacaDog on December 12, 2006 at 1:28 PM
Heh, BacaDog…Nuremburg was used for other things too…
Alex K on December 12, 2006 at 1:33 PM
Well Fogw I guess my hangup is that I take the time to read all the posts before hitting the send key. Note the times in the following relative to my posts…
Bradky on December 12, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Jesus H Christ. Can we make an effort to let go of the Hitler/Nazi comparisons? Someone doesn’t align with your POV and bingo, they’re right up there with the Fuhrer. It’s just stupid. (irishsquid: you are just the last straw, nothing personal. I’m in an especially foul mood today and have a lower than usual tolerance for nonsense)
honora on December 12, 2006 at 1:37 PM
As I said there is a difference between what should be and what is. If you choose to ignore what is, you do so at your own peril.
Your argument runs hollow until you start condemning Obama and those supporting him running based for the most part on him being a charming, slick, black politician as you do to someone pointing out his name may have some negative political consequences.
I don’t pick individuals I choose to support based on name, skin color, gender etc…but that is irrelevant to the conversation we are having. The question is whether there is any relevance to pointing out his middle name is Hussein. Nor was the question should it be irrelevant. Lots of things should be irrelevant but they are not. Thus his middle name has some politcial relevance, and this is politics is it not.
MarkB on December 12, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Sheesh, instead of discussing this guys qualifications, or lack thereof, it seems like more energy is being spent on his name/skin color/flag position/etc. AP/MM, maybe you could make a special thread where people can go to harp on someone’s name.
Just sayin’.
dalewalt on December 12, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Umm, BacaDog – did you forget that Nuremburg was where Hitler made a bunch of speeches before the trials?
psrch on December 12, 2006 at 1:41 PM
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