The One: “I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions”; Update: GOP launches “Audacity Watch”
posted at 1:01 pm on July 30, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Spaketh He Who Is to a choir of Democrats, “[T]his is the moment, as Nancy [Pelosi] noted, that the world is waiting for.” But wait, says Jake Tapper, rushing to the rescue. He didn’t mean it the way it sounds. He’s not claiming to be the incarnation of America’s “best traditions;” he’s merely claiming to be a blank screen on which the Andrew Sullivans and Doug Kmiecs of the world can project their fondest hopes and dreams — which is true enough, as even Hillary once acknowledged.
Feel better now? All geared up for Commander-in-Chief Blank Screen?
“His entire point of that riff was that the campaign is NOT about him,” says a House Democratic staffer. The Post “left out the important first half of the sentence which was something along the lines of ‘it has become increasingly clear in my travel, the campaign, that the crowds, the enthusiasm, 200,000 people in Berlin, is not about me at all. Its about America. I have just become a symbol.’”
Other staffers with whom I spoke back that up, and a Democratic Congressman who isn’t a particular fan of Obama agrees, saying that Obama preceded that quote with something along the lines of, ‘Those people in Germany weren’t excited about me. They were excited by the prospect of America getting back to being all it could be.’”
I.e. Obamamania isn’t about policy, it’s about a feeling, something both sides already know full well even though the left occasionally likes to flatter its intellectual pretensions by lamenting the lack of Substance that comes with mouthing lowest-common-denominator platitudes to a crowd of third-way socialists in Berlin. Free advice for Obama: If even Olbermann’s regulars think it’s time for a hubris check, it’s time for a hubris check.
Update: For all your one-stop hubris shopping needs, it’s “Audacity Watch.” Belated exit question: We know, per Obama’s dumbest and most disingenuous defenders, that any accusation of ego is a racist smear. Does that mean Dana Milbank’s a racist too?
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Obamination.
tree hugging sister on July 30, 2008 at 1:05 PM
President Blank Screen, that’s priceless.
dean_acheson on July 30, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Those are statements from an insane cult leader that will bring us to a suicidal end.
Mazztek on July 30, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I forget. Is this election for a Priest-King or a President?
Cicero43 on July 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I KNEW he was the anti-christ!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
GoodBoy on July 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Etch-a-Sketch in Chief…………..Much better ring than Commander in Chief.
If you don’t like something he does just shake him till he draws up a new plan!
GOD help us all!
azcop on July 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I’m getting a tingle in my brain. Must be braincells being vaporized.
Just think, it’s only the end of July and the media hasn’t blown their entire load.
Obama only knows how bad it will get.
JammieWearingFool on July 30, 2008 at 1:08 PM
CLASSIC! ^5 Allah that one rocked!
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 1:08 PM
This guy scares the absolute bejesus out of me.
TheBigOlDog should have some more material for his list out of this one.
crazy_legs on July 30, 2008 at 1:08 PM
GoodBoy, you may not be far from the truth.
Folks it getting very scary of the fawning over him. The crodws and comparing him self to what is best in the world. I have said it before and I will say it again. If that conartist(and that is what he is) becomes president, Anerica will be a shadow of itself in four years.
ConservativePartyNow on July 30, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Can Obama create a rock so heavy that not even he can lift it?
If so, he should crawl under it.
NoDonkey on July 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM
This just reinforces the reality of Obama as a Front Man: a Tool of those who manage and manipulate him ( control ) would not be too strong a word )
By himself, as a person and novice politicial, he’s next to nothing, with no ideas or experience. But he is a VooDoo doll, a ju-ju man who can be used by several powerful persons and groups–and who contains the Accumulated Spite and Hate of millions of nutjobs ( who also see him as their Instrument )
He’s Nixon without the experience and intelligence–and Nixon never had a cult following
Janos Hunyadi on July 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Like, Notable endorsements – Dying criminal, Ludacris & Phil Spector! .
Anita on July 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM
The very personification of the word ‘cipher’–pardon the pun and the irony.
baldilocks on July 30, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Good grief…the fool believes his own press. How much longer can those ears hold that head together?
katieanne on July 30, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Not to worry. Bambi was kissed by Nancy Pelosi after the dems had their meeting and came out to speak before CNN cameras (during which the above photo was taken). Would you like to be kissed by Nancy Pelosi, too?
The Conservatives should use footage of the Pelosi kiss in upcoming ads.
Travis1 on July 30, 2008 at 1:15 PM
I wonder about two items.
1) How strong are his delegation skills. Is he a control-by-negation manager,
BHO seems to have very few skills that I see in successful managers and leaders.
BHO canceled a planned stop with wounded troops, something a more focused and astute leader would avoid.
2) How successful was BHO as a community organizer? DId his community get noticeably better? My take is that his friends got wealthy and the citizens got little of substance. Anyone know?
NaCly dog on July 30, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Obama is a pompous a$$.
In Other Top News:
“Its about Jim Beam, porn, and Camel Lights. I have just become a symbol.” said natesnake.
natesnake on July 30, 2008 at 1:20 PM
“Its about exercise, counting calories, and sodomy. I have just become a symbol.” said Richard Simons.
natesnake on July 30, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I’m convinced. Shave his head, and three 6’s are there. How long does it say the anti-Christ rules in Revelation? Probably the same time until the 2012 election….Still waiting for him to recover from a fatal head wound. He really is the “One”, the morning star………..
adamsmith on July 30, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Hubris? What ever gave you that idea?
* Speeches in stadiums filled with mesmerized, adoring audiences – Check
* An uninspiring background before meteoric rise – Check
* Creates his own new symbols of power – Check
* Associates with racists, hatemongers and violent radicals – Check
* A propaganda machine willing to show him only in the best possible light – Check
* Uses, “glorious leader” style Agitprop posters common in totalitarian nations – Check (see German campaign poster for example)
* Wants Secret Police force – Check
* Somebody powerful people think they can control – Check
* Often dismissed as a light-weight by his opponents – Check
* Seeks to replace God with the State – Check
* People adopting his name as their own – Check
* Inspires adoration art – Check
* Appropriates symbols of past German glory – Check
* Never plans on giving up power – Check (Obama to be president for the next “eight to 10 years”)
* A narcissistic megalomaniac – Check
* Brazenly Takes credit for other people’s accomplishments – Check
* Wants to build “youth” movement through Universal National State service – Check
* Acts as if in power before he is – Check
* Some followers believe him to be divine – Check
* Worshiped and aided greatly by the media – Check
TheBigOldDog on July 30, 2008 at 1:22 PM
If we’re only voting for a symbol let’s put this -> :) :( <- on the ticket as VP though, to deal with our adversaries like Iran, North Korea, and China. :( could also make the hard domestic policy decisions, except Obama isn’t big on making hard decisions. He wants everyone to be :) all the time.
Paul-Cincy on July 30, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Darn it. How do you get smileys to work on this site.
Paul-Cincy on July 30, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Commander-in-Chic
max1 on July 30, 2008 at 1:23 PM
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Light…”
Might as well just put it that way and get it over with.
catmman on July 30, 2008 at 1:24 PM
“Its about politics, cell phone worship, and bone shattering loneliness. I have just become a symbol.” said Allahpundit.
natesnake on July 30, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Oh NICE, I have never seen this list! Very well done. :)
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 1:24 PM
smileys? On here? Notta going to happen.
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Please don’t give Chris Matthews any ideas.
MB007 on July 30, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Obama is starting to remind me of an MTV or VH1 special were they get some rock band that’s been around just a couple of years to talk about their successes. The whole time I watch I’m thinking, “This band has been around for two years is it really necessary for an hour special reminiscing on how much albums they sold last year.”
terryannonline on July 30, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I know you’re out there. I can feel you now. I know that you’re afraid… you’re afraid of us. You’re afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn’t come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I’m going to hang up this phone, and then I’m going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I’m going to show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.
benrand on July 30, 2008 at 1:27 PM
After he’s inaugurated as prez and starts governing, there will be a chorus of “this isn’t the Obama I knew” from those who voted for him.
Paul-Cincy on July 30, 2008 at 1:28 PM
UUmm,I really hate to say this,and I apologize to
any Hot Air crew members this early in the day for
bringing up Hillary,
but remember when HilRod,at an event,and she said
the sky would open,and for Obama the whole world
would be pushing up daisys,and everything would be
perfect,and yada yada,but uh,I think she tried to
warn us on the upcoming Obama’s mystical bus tours!
canopfor on July 30, 2008 at 1:31 PM
fo shizzle.
;-)
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 1:32 PM
The GOP should set up a policy wiki.
http://www.usemod.com/
It would take a half an hour.
ninjapirate on July 30, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Yeah, listen — I realize demonization is part of the political game these days, but let’s drop this particular nuance of it before I have to ban anyone for stupidity. Good lord.
Allahpundit on July 30, 2008 at 1:34 PM
You know, I see this Messiah stuff and I can’t help but think that for the amount of time this bozo has been the junior Senator of my home state of Illinois, NOT ONE TIME before B.O. decided he wanted to be President and All Powerful Master of Time, Space, and Dimension did any of this Hope and Change stuff he’s been blathering about come up!
I mean, if you ever wanted a proving ground for administering Hope and Change, when it comes to the present political and economic situation landscape of the state, Illinois definitely fits the bill. And yet despite having this golden opportunity of using these great powers he now says he has to turn Illinois into a land flowing with milk and honey, during his tenure as Senator, he has done diddly squat!
So I have no idea where the hell people out there are getting the idea that the moment after he takes the Oath of Office, all this great Hope and Change he is promising is going to show up in a flash of glory or something. He hasn’t done anything for his own home state. What makes them think he’ll do differently with the rest of the country?
pilamaye on July 30, 2008 at 1:35 PM
It’s all about tight Levi’s and sweaty workout shirts.
MrScribbler on July 30, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Tony737 — That’s the second time I’ve had to delete one of your rap comments. Like I said in an earlier thread, I’m not going to put Michelle in a position of having to answer for someone else’s racial humor. Knock it off.
Allahpundit on July 30, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Okie dokie :-)
Tony737 on July 30, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Blank screen. Obama probably has nightmares about that happening to his uh, er, ah, um, teleprompter.
forest on July 30, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Funny thing. Business took me to Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday — between the White House and the Capitol — and I saw the police and the black SUVs temporarily shut down the street (only for about a minute).
I assumed it was POTUS. I was going to tell a tourist it was the President going out for pizza again. But I guess it wasn’t POTUS but BSOTUS, as in blank screen.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on July 30, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Does he really believe those craps? It is one thing to say something he needs to in a campaign, it is totally different if he actually believes he is larger than life.
Sir Napsalot on July 30, 2008 at 1:44 PM
“America returning to our best traditions” doesn’t sound progressive to me.
Gymkata on July 30, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Coming soon……the latest emanation from The One….symbol of American traditions……under the bus……
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 30, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Connie on July 30, 2008 at 1:46 PM
The Bar is being set Very Very High.
What happens when Obama can’t reach it?
PappaMac on July 30, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Tony737, I guess it’s true. You really can’t rap.
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Scary isn’t it? I for one don’t believe in the anti-Christ but if I did I don’t think I’d have to look much further. I know Bush, Hilter and assorted others have all been tagged as the AC but has any of them risen the way he has? He is a nothing that represents nothing and he will be the next CIC because his wacko cult followers around the world want him and at this point I don’t think anything can stop him.
jmarcure on July 30, 2008 at 1:48 PM
According to Thad McCotter, progressive = regressive
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 30, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Yeah, I bet it’s hopes and dreams sullivan wants to project onto barry.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I feel sorry for you that this bozo’s entire Senate campaign and career was merely a stepping stone for “Greater things.”
crazy_legs on July 30, 2008 at 1:49 PM
You know what else would be awesome? If you would also threaten some of the people here who are currently demonizing McCain.
wise_man on July 30, 2008 at 1:49 PM
He is not a manager of any kind, that’s one of the scary things about him. His statements about dealing with the world are delusional. He has no idea about human interaction. I would vote for a mcdonalds manager before I voted for this clueless psycho.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 1:51 PM
I am one to set you free
I am the messiah in your trinity
Your country to burn
Your country to burn
Try to look for something
In your country to burn, to burn
Am I as I seem?
I’m down
Down, so down
Time is right for my guiding light
Try to turn to reasons in your bitter life
Your country to burn
Your country to burn
Try to look for something
In your country to burn, to burn
See me, don’t you just want to
See me, I am the one
See me, don’t you just want to
See me
See me, don’t you just want to
See me, I am one
See me, don’t you just want to
See me, I am the one
- Obama Pumpkins
MB4 on July 30, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Fixed it.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Oh c’mon, it’s not really accurate to say he hasn’t done anything for Illinois. He’s brought home millions of dollars in earmarks — including a million for the hospital that employs wifey Michelle as a
diversity pimp. . . uh, minority outreach director.AZCoyote on July 30, 2008 at 1:54 PM
His head is so swelled I don’t know how he got thru the door of Congress! Balloon Head Obama.
becki51758 on July 30, 2008 at 1:54 PM
You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.
benrand on July 30, 2008 at 1:56 PM
The Audacity of Doh!
ronsfi on July 30, 2008 at 1:56 PM
They just smeared Crisco on those ears and gave him a shove.
Or are stupid bighead ear jokes off limits too??
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 1:57 PM
(emphasis added)
May it become a millstone.
Blaise on July 30, 2008 at 1:59 PM
I think they’ve already tipped their hand on that: Barry’s failures will be blamed on all the racists who would not allow him to implement his grand vision of “social justice.”
AZCoyote on July 30, 2008 at 1:59 PM
There you go again [Mussolini].
- Ronald Reagan
MB4 on July 30, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I think it’s traditional to wait until he becomes president to declare him the Anti-Jebus. Remember Ronald(6) Wilson(6) Reagan(6)? (Queue Twilight Zone Theme music.) The Polyclips has been imminent for 2K years.
ronsfi on July 30, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Biraq Hopenosisorgasms = A bad wet dream
byteshredder on July 30, 2008 at 2:08 PM
I hope not, because if he gets elected I already promised myself that I will only call him President Dumbo. If they can call our current president Chimp, Hitler etc., I think Dumbo is fair.
jewells45 on July 30, 2008 at 2:11 PM
I guess it’s true. You really can’t rap. – Jim
Haha yeah man. But the 2nd one was actually pretty good!
Tony737 on July 30, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Oooh oooh!
I got this hopey-changey tingle up my leg.
.
The prospect of not having to listen to the Empty One as egotist-in-chief for 4 years got me excited.
Right_of_Attila on July 30, 2008 at 2:17 PM
So, if Hillary was the nominee, they’d be just as excited? Give me a break.
Kafir on July 30, 2008 at 2:19 PM
I was just razzin’ ya, dude… although I doubt Eminem is sweatin’ it.
That could have been your ticket to stardom; the world may never know. I didn’t catch it.
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Fear not, he has Michelle Omarosa and the kids to help deflate “smelly Daddy”’s ego.
Alden Pyle on July 30, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Heil, Obama!
GarandFan on July 30, 2008 at 2:25 PM
I don’t want to tempt Allah with the anti-Messiah talk. But. Just to say. Evil is often appealing on the outside, with a devilish agenda on the inside. Obama, appealing on the outside, inside … what? I don’t think he’s got a Hitlerian Final Solution or a Stalinist five year plan or a Maoist Great Leap Forward or a Pol Pot new beginning at the year 0. Our system of govt wouldn’t allow that anyway. Is he a closet Commie or perhaps a Socialist? What would he do as Prez? That’s the great unknown. I suspect he’d work to weaken the country in every way possible, under the leftist theory that concentrations of power are bad. To me, that’s evil. Maybe not Evil, but close enough.
Paul-Cincy on July 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Stop, nate. You’re killing me here!
Oh, and all Obama Uber Alles!
NTWR on July 30, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Hey, I think I found the most perfectly audacious campaign song for Barry. It’s like the anti-anti-Ludacris.
This is the Moment.
Buy Danish on July 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM
“he’s merely claiming to be a blank screen”–
Jake Tapper got that much of it right.
Obama Dilletant Weltkaiser ‘08
Considering that BHO doesn’t appreciate our founding principles and has no true comprehension regarding our Constitution that he’s fraudulently presented as his legal specialty, and realizing that Obama is a Marxist, we see here that he can’t even tell a lie coherently.
Bill and Hillary must either be laughing or seething at Obama’s audacity to presume such ludicrous irrationalities. Obama is looking more and more like a black Hitler. And as far as the Germans are concerned, THEY WOULDN’T ELECT OBAMA FOR THEIR LEADER. Germans just want to sick Obama on America in order to get even for losing the world wars, and to bring America DOWN. The German press are ungrateful sick bastards pushing Obama on America.
It’s an international media scandal that deserves its own independent documentary flick. Those of you into that, get it going.
maverick muse on July 30, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Actually, it is BIG DICK Durbin who has brought in the vast majority of the earmarks. But that’s because BIG DICK is a product of the Chicago-Political-Machine-That-They-Tell-You-Doesn’t-It, and he mainly gets his marching orders from the OTHER BIG DICK aka the Mayor of Chicago.
pilamaye on July 30, 2008 at 2:42 PM
And what/how much more exactly does America have to do/give in order for it to ‘be all it could be’??? And what/how does Barry intend to deliver? That’s what I’d like to know.
4shoes on July 30, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Speak for youself, senator. Complete Vapidness is not ‘our best traditions’.
Sir Napsalot on July 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM
That Dana Milbank article = SCATHING..
TBA
TBA
TBA
Press Backlash.
saus on July 30, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Baroque Barack supposedly re: Germans
actually: “The Germans were excited by the prospect of America getting back behind Germany and giving way to Germany all that Germany asks.”
“Ich bin kein Berliner. Ich bin ein Fuhrer!” Baroque Obamarx
Send BHO back COD to Berlin and leave him there with his adoring fans. See just how popular he really is amongst the teutons when familiarity breeds contempt. They won’t have him.
maverick muse on July 30, 2008 at 2:50 PM
heh!
Energy Policy – TBA
War on Terror Policy – TBA
Economic Policy – TBA
Tax Policy – TBA
Iran Policy – TBA
Military Policy – TBA
Shut Up and Hope!
ronsfi on July 30, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Sorry for the anti-christ joke. I was only kidding of course. Feel free to delete it. I would not want to be the one who gets Michelle in trouble.
GoodBoy on July 30, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Never has a man who has accomplished so little thought so highly of himself.
phronesis on July 30, 2008 at 2:56 PM
I will bite.
Per Senator Obama – what are the best traditions of America and when did they last occur?
JDice on July 30, 2008 at 2:57 PM
AllahPagan, you people are not allowed to use the word “Lord”, especially in vain
There are plenty of Greek and Roman gods you can use
I suggest Juno…..
Janos Hunyadi on July 30, 2008 at 2:57 PM
I don’t believe he toured the Dark Continent, reports might have been different. Lets see if he can produce loaves of bread here in Zimbabwea. The Currency is being devalued and the store shelves are empty people can’t afford a loaf of bread. Mugabe’s dream is everyone else’s nightmare.
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/World/Zimbabwe;_ylt=AuaQatczECAl.lpg.L76cesV6w8F
Dr Evil on July 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Oddly Obama claims to be a symbol having nothing to show for himself beyond the hollow “O” symbol. Regardless of his infamous celebrity status, BHO is no star. And despite any claims he may postulate, BHO has never suffered deprivation of opportunity; so he is no martyr of any cause beyond SELF.
maverick muse on July 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Is there any foreign candidate (or leader) for whom we can imagine 200,000 Chicagoans showing up to see speak for 20 minutes?
MayBee on July 30, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Obama’s vision for America in the world is that we don’t act above other nations. We compromise. We get along with others and don’t hold meetings with our President out to be a prize.
Is this what all these people are cheering?
Or is it a world that wants to purge itself of the guilt of racism, through us, through Obama? A world (Europe) that wants to feel cool, like it likes rap music and fist bumping and youth, and is racially undivided (although let’s not look in their parliaments).
MayBee on July 30, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Let’s go back to those days before the tea getting dumped and that nasty Constitution. The days when an egomaniac is chosen by God to rule over his subjects. A ruler not by experience or intelligence or ability, but chosen by the Supreme Ruler in order to shepherd his subjects.
Hail Obama, hail thee well.
Hening on July 30, 2008 at 3:36 PM
I was just razzin’ ya, dude – Jim
I know bro, it’s cool. :-)
That could have been your ticket to stardom; the world may never know. I didn’t catch it.
I didn’t know that typing in rhyme was considered ‘racist’, But A.P. has a point, it could be twisted around used against Michelle, even if it wasn’t even racist.
Tony737 on July 30, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Somebody needs a cluebat upside the head.
misterpeasea on July 30, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Translation:
All I have to offer is hope.
fogw on July 30, 2008 at 3:49 PM
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