Video: Obama dumps on Bush policies, promises to defeat terrorists
posted at 4:30 pm on January 20, 2009 by Allahpundit
This’ll be fun to revisit, especially the bit at the start about the “false … choice between our safety and our ideals,” if/when he adopts that classified loophole for enhanced interrogations. Ed is right that the speech was pedestrian, but Obama’s speeches always are; for all the lip service paid to his talent as a stylist, it’s the performance, not the platitudinous prose, that rescues them from feeling prosaic. He strains for lyricism but never quite manages liftoff, which is why no one remembers anything he’s said afterwards. Good luck getting the media to draw that comparison with Lincoln.
His best moment comes at the very end. Let’s hope he means it. Exit quotation as the market tanks this afternoon: “They didn’t hear something new.”
Blowback
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Stay classy, BHO.
jgapinoy on January 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM
No. He meant we’re ready to appease once more.
WC on January 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Failure to launch.
BigD on January 20, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Errr . . . we’ve been leading. That’s why we’re so unpopular in the world. What Obama means is that we’re ready to join the milling, aimless herd once more.
aero on January 20, 2009 at 4:35 PM
That whole middle part about defeating tyranny and promoting freedom and liberty around the world was right out of Bush’s repertoire. And the crowds ate it up like it was something groundbreaking.
Bush has been saying it for 8 years. And was ridiculed by these same people.
Abby Adams on January 20, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Hmm, let me see if I got this right. The reason no one can remember anything he says is that he never says anything. That about it?
Oldnuke on January 20, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Why do you need to hear something new? This is Change you can Believe in. If a truckload of empty rhetoric ain’t going to cut it, someone should have informed the electorate before today.
Karl on January 20, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect today will mark the stock market high of this administration…
AUINSC on January 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Well Wall St. is so happy that Barry O is president now the Dow Jones Industrials decided to celebrate with a loss of 300 plus points and the average now below 8000. YAY!!!!
Lance Murdock on January 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Bingo. Liberals look at foreign policy like a poularity contest, not what makes us safer as a nation.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
The speech was arrogant, self-righteous, and self-centered.
Kenrod on January 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
But he’s black! And articulate! And clean!
Who cares if he’s a chi-town political machine corrupt politician with racist and terrorist ties! He black! and articulate! And clean!
VolMagic on January 20, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Peter what-his-name, the Ron Paul financial advisor that HA posted videos of predicting everything our economy is suffering now, says you’re not wrong–the stock market will end up at 4000 or 5000.
jgapinoy on January 20, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Obarfa seemed so…so…so…warlike. What is it with all these dems and their talk of defeating enemies, what are they hoping to do, conquer the world?
And why did he throw in the “warming planet” line amidst talking about nuclear weapons and terrorism? WTF does that have to do with it?
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Is that the same charter that he once said….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Because liberals believe thats more dangerous than terrorism.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
………….. I truly do hope that at the end of his Presidency, this is what will be written in stone.
Seven Percent Solution on January 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
It’ll be more fun when he embraces so-called realism in foreign policy and deals with thug regimes that oppress their people. Because we simply cannot promote that neocon fantasy of democracy. It’s just too unrealistic and destabilizing.
We must, say the realists, deal with the world the way it is – including dealing with murderous thugs like Ahmadinejad (no conditions before talking remember) – because that’s just the way it is.
Perhaps we do need to return to realism. But the proponents – like Obama – need to put away the nonsense of not abandoning our ideals when we are confronting a dangerous world.
SteveMG on January 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Barry was against warrantless wiretapping up till the point he voted it into law.
What a pantload this guy is.
Chuck Schick on January 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
B Hussein Obama is 1/16 African. And to the leftist media that is enough to let him get away with practically murder.
TheMightyQuinn on January 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Because liberals believe thats more dangerous than terrorism.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
So our soldiers get to be trained in environmental consciousness as well as urban combat techniques? Well I’ll be drammed, real life eco-warriors.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I really hope you’re wrong.
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Maybe they will start using green bullets, and put little windmills on the backs of M1A1′s. And they could go back to gliders and blimps.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 4:46 PM
feel the unity
rob verdi on January 20, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I hear he’s going to form a special counter terrorist unit headed up by Bill Ayers to go after soft targets like social gatherings and banks. The only trick is to make sure Ayers thinks he’s killing American servicemen, instead of terrorists.
Yes, it’s a cheap shot, but it’s fun because it’s true.
austinnelly on January 20, 2009 at 4:47 PM
So, I didn’t miss anything by not watching any of this.
I’m betting that’s when he left.
moonsbreath on January 20, 2009 at 4:47 PM
“false … choice between our safety and our ideals,”
Bullshiite. If it were his daughters under the knife, you can bet your socks he would whistle up a few M1A2′s to knock down the walls and smash the terrorists to jelly without a second thought.
Our kids? Like Israeli children, they are members of the greater “need for understanding and compromise” group when dealing with the savages.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Schiff. Peter Schiff … for Senate!
Rae on January 20, 2009 at 4:48 PM
How very alliterative of you. I haven’t had a chance to watch the speech yet, but I suspect that clause outstripped it.
Tanya on January 20, 2009 at 4:49 PM
I’m been feeling loved ever since that racist rant that passed as Obama brand religion.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
drjohn on January 20, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Not a very good speech. I’ve never thought he was all that great a speaker. Unless you know the MSM edits them for him.
roux on January 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Complete ignorant BS. This guy is the real “Hot Air”.
saiga on January 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Funny cause I was listening to NPR on the way into work and not one of thier field reporters when asked, could come up with a quotable quote from his speech.
The Ugly American on January 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Maybe they will start using green bullets, and put little windmills on the backs of M1A1’s. And they could go back to gliders and blimps.
MDWNJ on January 20, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Environmentally friendly high explosive, degrades to compost after use.
Aircraft carriers? Solar powered.
Tanks and APC’s? Hydrogen fuel cells, which will really make things interesting in arid desert environments.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I just had a “heh” moment.
I wonder how Jonah Goldberg feels about his claims that conservatives should feel good about the prospects for Obama being a truly “post racial” president after the remarks of Reverend Lowery today.
BigD on January 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Long ago I wrote that the bellwethers for Obama would be FISA and the Patriot Act. Let’s see him alter these in any manner whatsoever if he is to remain true to his words. If not we ought to
shove them up his assremind him of them now and then.drjohn on January 20, 2009 at 4:53 PM
I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect today will mark the stock market high of this administration…
AUINSC on January 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I really hope you’re wrong.
I think that is right on target. I thought it would be lower when the ONE took over. I don’t see it going anywhere but South. Most corporations don’t have hope & change fever. Just wait until the BHO supporters who work for these evil capitalistic monoliths get canned. BHO will rail on about how capitalism is broken and a new order must emerge.
izoneguy on January 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Why is the text of that link in Latin (or whatever that language is)?
jgapinoy on January 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Makes me glad I didn’t waste my time listening to his drivel.
PA Cat on January 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
…the Senate link, that is.
jgapinoy on January 20, 2009 at 4:55 PM
The sheep get slaughtered, and the wolves do the slaughtering.
Obama wants us to be sheep, and show our vitals.
He will be no Ronald Reaga. My only hope for him is he might be able to help clean up the Black community and it’s counterproductive culture.
saiga on January 20, 2009 at 4:56 PM
His speechwriters (or him if the rumors are true that filthy bastard wrote it himself) tried to hard to make the speech “historic and meaningful.” That’s not an approach that is going to work. What he should have done is stick with a broad brush theme and left it to the media to translate. All Obama did today was tell us that America sucks but he’s going to help. This following a racist pastor NOT Jeremiah Wright telling us that whites are unwelcome in Obama’s America and, of course, a “poet” who thought she was Robert Frost (ala JFK’s inaugural) but fell flat.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Oh, and that’s pretty lowbrow to be bashing your predecessor in your inaugural speech, just as it is pretty lowbrow of your supporters to “neener neener neener” him on his way out, just as it’s pretty lowbrow to have a minister race-baiting during the inaugural benediction.
Gotta love that whole “post-partisan, post-racial” era Obama’s ushering in.
It’s gonna be a long four years.
Rae on January 20, 2009 at 4:56 PM
That speech was a klunker.
CarolynM on January 20, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Lotsa luck with that. Obama will cement the black culture of government dependence even more than it already is. The black community may look to him as a role model but that won’t provide the inspiration to start acting like part of this society.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM
BHO will rail on about how capitalism is broken and a new order must emerge.
izoneguy on January 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
If that new order begins to appear, make room in your basement for me; I’ll be on my way down, family, guns and dog packed into the truck.
The retaking will have to start somewhere, Texas would be the obvious choice.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 5:01 PM
To be absolutely fair to the filthy bastard, these inagural speeches are hardly ever quoteworthy. What Obama’s speech today lacked any sort of optimism or sense that he was going to fulfill the campaign promises of bipartisanship, inclusion and ethical transparency. Instead we found out that whites are unwelcome in Obama’s world and America sucks.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
His speech was lackluster, the crowds were about right for the historic note of this election, the jeering of Pres. Bush was disgusting but not shocking to those of us who have watched him get slaughtered over 8 years but the worst part about this day was the gross and distorted media coverage. I can’t even begin to imagine what cable and network news would have been like if there was an R behind this new President’s name. I can’t wait to see which news or cable anchor loses their job this year. My bet is Katie Couric goes first.
sherry on January 20, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Lorem ipsum isn’t a real language. It’s just placeholder text used on websites that aren’t live yet.
Tanya on January 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Hey Buddy, where did your playmate go? Did she run out of bitterness? Baldilocks was taking her to task on the Rev. Lowry thread.
“Smart Power” is now our National Defense Strategy. May God protect America.
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
And another thing, the media hyped this speech up with enough adjectives to bring down an elephant but now after it’s over and they realize it wasn’t all that – they are calling it somber. Will they stop at nothing to protect their lord and savior?
sherry on January 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Of course not.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Our founding fathers faced issues we can’t imagine? I don’t know about that you idiot racist……nuclear war seems to be pretty far advanced from musket balls.
Obama, you are the most ignorant black person I have ever been exposed to.
csdeven on January 20, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Who cares that there was no substance? It was His Lordship, President-for-Life Osama Obama speaking those immortal phrases none will be able to remember.
His “brave words” in the middle sounded awfully hollow to me. It’ll be interesting to see if he can back them up when he has to (as General Buck Turgidson said in Doctor Strangelove) “go toe-to-toe with the Rooskies.”
I’m betting that, beneath the bombast, he’s a wimp.
MrScribbler on January 20, 2009 at 5:14 PM
You’ve used that term a couple of times now and to be absolutely fair I must point out that his parents were actually married and Joe Biden has already pointed out that he’s “Clean”.
Oldnuke on January 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Oh, he is going to bring liberty to the world is he? Sound like imperialism to me.
Bush said If America does not lead the cause of freedom, that cause will not be lead.
Hypocrites.
I mean really. Look at the Iraqi Liberation Act. It was not the Let’s give Iraq to a new Dictator Act. There is no talk of a post regime change plan in there and yet the Senate overwhelmingly supported, including all the Democrats.
Now it is as if we could just have ignored the wmd programs, the 550 metric tons of enriched uranium, Zarqawi and his terrorist organization, the likelihood of invasion by Turkey and or Iran if the country imploded not to mention who would control the oil. And yet I am supposed to believe that these people believe in Realpolitick. Yeah, right. Leaving Afghanistan to Osama and the Taliban was Realpolitick and look how that worked out.
I think that Obama will get in there and find out that making real decisions is a lot different than just jeering at people.
Terrye on January 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Why it and not just random wingdings or something?
Esthier on January 20, 2009 at 5:19 PM
The MSM showed how far they’d prostitute themselves to sell their man to the public. Be interesting to see how many “non-stories” there are in the next 4 years.
GarandFan on January 20, 2009 at 5:19 PM
kingsjester on January 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I just visited the DoD/Afghanistan Command blog and it seems there was an explosion at a nondescript house in Kabul.
Noneya may have had another work-related accident.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Filthy bastard is just my shorthand for corrupt (i.e. filthy) Chicago political politician. It has nothing to do with his bathing habits.
But in the spirit of giving the Obama family a reception worthy of their racist clergy and booing….. How do we know that those kids are Obamas? The first “ho” could have been spreading something other than the word when campaigning for Obama. I know it’s a low class accusation but so is the first family and I’m looking to four years of spreading the same kind of crap that they gave the Bush family.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
As a matter of fact one of the issues our Founding Fathers was slavery…and they did not deal with it. They hoped it would become an anachronism and fade away. To deal with it would have made ratification of the Constitution difficult if not impossible.
Terrye on January 20, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Hey Barry, sometimes being a leader and being the most-liked are two different things.
patriette on January 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM
highopes:
I would not vote for Obama if you put a gun to my head, but I think that maybe you are being just a tad over the top here. Even offensive.
Terrye on January 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Spot on, where was the optimistic rhetoric to at least try and instill some “hope” that things will get better through hard work, working together, bridging the gaps between us, etc.
Yes it would be a lot of yada, but it would sound good and people, including me were waiting for a bit of that. But no, Obarf had to have the racist preacher, the chanting fools in the audience, the empty slogans that are just rehashed campaign spots.
The market tanked because of, I’ll tell you why, the chants of “Obama!” instead of “USA!”; business sees a celebrity in Obarfy, not a leader.
Bishop on January 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Or GWB could have been taking care of OBL on the way out. Remember that the left claims the US has had him since before the 2004 elections.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM
The look on Bush’s face was priceless.
“Obama, you are one ignorant fool”
You can tell he knows how idiotic Obama’s statements are…….there was never a choice made between security and ideals. Neither was there a push to damage alliances. The French, Germans, and Russians were violating the UN sanctions by purchasing oil from Saddam for cash. That is why they opposed the war and that is why we didn’t cave to the traitorous dems insistence that Bush damaged our alliances. They damaged our alliance when they violated UN sanctions.
csdeven on January 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I think the predictions of a blow-out speech were accurate – the words may be chiseled in marble. Just not all on one piece of stone.
At least the media didn’t say “and a bag of chips”. Now that would have been over the top.
Peri Winkle on January 20, 2009 at 5:26 PM
It’s generated to have the same average spacing as English (I don’t know if foreign websites use a different version).
You could use anything — I used to use text from Alice In Wonderland — but I think lorem ipsum has just become the standard because it looks smart. And you always know when you’re looking at a site that’s still in progress (don’t report broken links, etc).
Tanya on January 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
And that’s the scary part. America has always been a place where the position of position was respected if not the incumbent. Obama brings a personality cult to the job and that is disturbing and leaves him little prepared for the challenges ahead.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
At the rate you’re going, highhopes, I suspect you are going to need another venue pretty soon. I am not the board monitor, but you are tempting fate.
BigD on January 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
So what Lincoln did at the start of the Civil War count as keeping our safety and did not clash with our ideals?
Vorian on January 20, 2009 at 5:29 PM
somebody please send him a pair of kneepads, he will need them for his forign policy agenda.God knows shillary wouldn’t preform, so he will have to do it himself.
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on January 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Just more of the same from the petty, vulgar, small-minded man who gave Hillary the finger.
And if Obama has to make a call to Bush for info or advice, Bush will graciously help him out.
Wethal on January 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Probably but, then again, I’m bitter today and don’t feel any need to be “nice” when it comes to the filthy bastard that is now the President. He used his swearing in to bash the outgoing administration, spew racist hatred, and otherwise represented everything that America should be standing against. I fully intend to treat the filthy bastard with all the respect that he and his party treated the Bush administration including over-the-top speculation about the filthy bastard’s family life.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Obama and those he has surrounded himself with are too arrogant to be making that kind of call in the first place. These aren’t nice people- they couldn’t even get through the swearing in without bashing the outgoing President and making racial insults.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Ah. Thanks.
Esthier on January 20, 2009 at 5:33 PM
For some reason I have this feeling, deep down in my gut (and it’s not gas pains) that we are screwed……and by we I mean the United States of America.
Old Hippie Vet on January 20, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Holy Molely, do you realize who Dick Cheney really is?
Mr. Joe on January 20, 2009 at 5:34 PM
That is a fair statement. So far, all of his speeches have instilled doom and gloom, and have failed to find anything positive. He is obviously a half-glass empty suit.
ICBM on January 20, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Sorry. I mourn for America today and don’t have the energy to give the benefit of the doubt to the bastard sworn in this afternoon. He doesn’t represent anything I believe in. He worships a racist God. He wants to destroy this nation.
Hard to be nice and polite with such a dirty politician about to launch the first series of attacks on this nation. Let’s see how nice you are in a couple weeks.
highhopes on January 20, 2009 at 5:36 PM
No they weren’t. Obama, Sr., already had a pregnant wife (and young child) back in Kenya when he met and impregnated the 17-year old student who became Jr.’s mother. Obama, Sr., and his teenage lover reportedly had a wedding ceremony of some type, but even Jr. admitted in one of his books that he has never found any marriage certificate or other evidence that his parents were ever legally married.
AZCoyote on January 20, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Defeat Terrorism? Sure, no problem. Just redefine terrorism to mean what Israel does to defend itself, and what the United States does to defend itself, then all you have to change is Israel and the United States. You don’t have to change the world.
Voila; terrorism defeated. Simple really.
Skandia Recluse on January 20, 2009 at 5:43 PM
I wonder what Bush thought during the slam on not ever choosing security over our ideals. It’s so refreshing to hear the President say that and mean it. Change!
DeathToMediaHacks on January 20, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Hang in there. I absolutely agree that it is a time to try one’s soul. But it’s gonna play out.
BigD on January 20, 2009 at 5:46 PM
He needs to hire Sarkozy’s trainer…just stayin’ classy…
kirkill on January 20, 2009 at 5:47 PM
And when your ideals morph to include Sharia Law?
Yep, it’s change alright, right back to the most corrupt, wasteful, lying policies of Billy C. Look at the retreads in his cabinet! hahaha, change indeed.
kirkill on January 20, 2009 at 5:50 PM
So Brave Sir Robin of the Holy Grail, he of the retreat and defeat, Run Away, Run Away is going to defeat terrorism? BWAHAHAHA, that is too good. This metro Euroweenie socialist scares no one, least of all the madmen of Tehran.
james23 on January 20, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Mindless blather. “We are ready to lead once more”?
His legendary arrogance has been grossly understated.
His alleged oratorical skill has been grossly overrated.
This is what I was hearing this morning. I never hear Republicans cheering for their candidate, but always for America. This is the perfect symbol of Obama and the Democrats – it’s not about America; it’s about him.
Jaibones on January 20, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Cliche much?
If Obama really means anything he said there, he wouldn’t still be considering “enhanced interrogation techniques.” Your naivete is sweet but hardly useful.
Esthier on January 20, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Snopes says they were married, don’t know what kind of ceremony. I read one account that indicated the Ann Durham didn’t know of Obama’s other wife until after they were married. The marriage could possibly be considered illegal but it was never annulled. BHO may be a lot of things but illegitimate ain’t one of ‘em.
Oldnuke on January 20, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Sarkozy is correct. Obama an empty suit. He cannot be trusted.
sinsing on January 20, 2009 at 5:58 PM
He was probably laughing his ass off on the inside, since Obama has reserved his options on interrogation techniques (i.e., “torture”), kept his military leadership in Iraq (Petraeus), his policy in Iraq (we’ll leave when it’s safe to leave), and adopted Bush’s plan for a major push in Afghanistan (30,000 more troops – oops!), and his National Security pick (James Jones).
DeathtoBrains, you must be puking blood just thinking of Obama waterboarding Afghani Talibanis and sending 30,000 troops to Kabul. Poor, stupid fool. If these are your ideals I have great news – you’re a conservative!
Jaibones on January 20, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Oh, Ann Durham and Barack Sr. also got a divorce which sort of indicates that they were indeed married somehow.
Oldnuke on January 20, 2009 at 5:59 PM
You beat me again. Mwa.
Jaibones on January 20, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Im sure he was smiling. After all, Obama:
-Now supports warrantless wiretapping
-Is not going to withdraw from Iraq in 16 months
-Kept Sec Def Gates
-Kept the 2 Directors in the CIA who were in charge of interrogation and detention
-Will keep the “torture” option classified and on the table
-Won’t be closing Gitmo any time soon
If there’s change in there, Im not seeing it.
Chuck Schick on January 20, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Yahoo. Happy days are here again. A tax cheat at Treasury, the Tuzla Trickster at State, an anti-Semite at the UN, a clown as VP and to top it off “let’s concede Iraq to Qaeda and Iran” as CIC.
Sleep well my dear friends.
Basilsbest on January 20, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Doesn’t hurt to have it drummed in.
Esthier on January 20, 2009 at 6:05 PM
If those exact words came out of Bush’s mouth, would they still cheer?
Tzetzes on January 20, 2009 at 6:07 PM
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