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January 17, 2007
Obamamania!
Huh. A first-term senator from Illinois wants to be president. I can see why the guy looks like an attractive candidate - he's articulate, telegenic and just seems like an overall decent guy.
I have yet to be impressed. In part, it's because I hate it when a public figure allows himself to be the subject of fawning media overexposure. Mostly, though, it's because I think deep down, Senator Obama is just disingenuous.
In his online announcement, Obama said
...it’s not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most. It’s the smallness of our politics. America’s faced big problems before. But today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, common sense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can’t tackle the big problems that demand solutions.Sounds great, until one researches his voting record, press releases and speeches. More often than not, Obama is a perfect example of partisanship. A good example is the nomination of John Roberts for the Supreme Court. Obama said Roberts was a qualified candidate, then offered some unconvincing pablum about why he was voting against his nomination.
Also, for a guy who wants to improve the tone, Obama seems to revel in the sort of rhetoric that polarizes:
I've had enough of our kids going to schools where the rats outnumber the computers. I've had enough of Katrina survivors living out of their cars and begging FEMA for trailers. And I've had enough of being told that all we can do about this is sit and wait and hope that the good fortune of a few trickles on down to everyone else in this country.What a healer, huh?You know, we all remember that George Bush said in 2000 campaign that he was against nation-building. We just didn't know he was talking about this one.
Now, let me say this - I don't think that George Bush is a bad man. I think he loves his country. I don't think this administration is full of stupid people - I think there are a lot of smart folks in there. The problem isn't that their philosophy isn't working the way it's supposed to - it's that it is. It's that it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
I'm willing to hear the guy out, but am unimpressed thus far. If Obama really wants to change the tone and improve our politics, he should set an example and practice himself what he seems so willing to preach to others.
Posted by slublog at January 17, 2007 12:00 AM
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Comments
He believes in his MSM extreme overhype, and he's used to being handled with kid gloves so far. It won't be like that in primaries, and it certainly won't hold up in the main campaign. In all likelyhood he's angling for the VP nod. I doubt he will get it.
Posted by: Enas Yorl at January 17, 2007 12:14 AM
I feel sorry for the guy - the more popular he gets, the sharper Hillary's knives will be during the primary.
Posted by: Slublog at January 17, 2007 01:35 PM