There will be a press backlash against media darling Barack Obama eventually, although it may not occur until six months after his inauguration. But here is a straw in the wind from Jake Tapper of ABC:
And Obama Wept
February 07, 2008 9:43 AM
Inspiration is nice. But some folks seem to be getting out of hand.
It's as if Tom Daschle descended from on high saying, "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of Chicago a Savior, who is Barack the Democrat."
Obama supporter Kathleen Geier writes that she's "getting increasingly weirded out by some of Obama's supporters. On listservs I'm on, some people who should know better – hard-bitten, not-so-young cynics, even – are gushing about Barack…
Describing various encounters with Obama supporters, she writes, "Excuse me, but this sounds more like a cult than a political campaign. The language used here is the language of evangelical Christianity – the Obama volunteers speak of 'coming to Obama' in the same way born-again Christians talk about 'coming to Jesus.'...So I say, we should all get a grip, stop all this unseemly mooning over Barack, see him and the political landscape he is a part of in a cooler, clearer, and more realistic light, and get to work."
Joe Klein, writing at Time, notes "something just a wee bit creepy about the mass messianism" he sees in Obama's Super Tuesday speech.
"We are the ones we've been waiting for," Obama said. "This time can be different because this campaign for the presidency of the United States of America is different. It's different not because of me. It's different because of you."
Says Klein: "That is not just maddeningly vague but also disingenuous: the campaign is entirely about Obama and his ability to inspire. Rather than focusing on any specific issue or cause — other than an amorphous desire for change — the message is becoming dangerously self-referential. The Obama campaign all too often is about how wonderful the Obama campaign is. “
A cult - oooh, scary! And we have seen a couple of stories flit by recently griping that Obama won't talk to the press. Therein lies Hillary's path to redemption, by the way - make herself accessible so the press can get busy with their stories of a reinvented Hillary as the Comeback Queen (I will be ready with a post titled "What Fresh Hill Is This?").
If the press pauses now to contemplate their Golden Child, Obama may be in for a bumpy month. He ought to head for the back of the press plane and schmooze, too. But how often do winners make mid-course adjustments?
Romney to quit?
Posted by: PeterUK | February 07, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
=========================
Posted by: kim | February 07, 2008 at 03:17 PM
My sister told me that her kindergarten-age son came home from school the other day and told her all the kids were chanting "Obama! Obama!" on the bus. Kindergarten!
But Obama'd better be ready for a battle at the convention, because right now it does not look as if he'll have it sewn up before then.
Posted by: Brainster | February 07, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Just read the Brits have agreed to extradite Abu Hamza to the US. Do you know they hired some guy whose sole job is to feed him and wipe his butt (he blew off his hands in a premature work accident)?
I hope we have different plans for him.
Posted by: clarice | February 07, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Has anyone looked to see where all the Obama campaign money is coming from?
Posted by: Red white 'n blue1 | February 07, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Check out Best of the Web (which also cites Tapper):
Obama, a Love Story
Sample:
Posted by: anduril | February 07, 2008 at 04:50 PM
TM! You know what MSNBC just played? Tape of Obama chatting up the press in the back of the plane a few minutes ago.
Posted by: MayBee | February 07, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Clarice,
I think they took his metal claws off him in prison,they gave him too much of an advantage in the showers.
Posted by: PeterUK | February 07, 2008 at 05:03 PM
then repeat the mantra "Yes, we can."
Did the lips match? Maybe it was just a rerun of a old Ceasar cahvez vid with an english dub over for the "SI se puede."
Posted by: GMax | February 07, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I saw that video the day before the primary - with others, some of whom were brought to tears. It was great marketing. But I think TM is onto something. This Messianic thing may backfire.
Posted by: Jane | February 07, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I love it; who's crazier, Obama or McCain?
========================
Posted by: kim | February 07, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Interesting question.
Posted by: anduril | February 07, 2008 at 05:58 PM
PUK--COme here, honey.....
THWACK!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: clarice | February 07, 2008 at 06:10 PM
OOoohh! Dat was Goood!
Posted by: PeterUK | February 07, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Is Obama the new Ron Paul?
And why is there no mention in the Main Stream Media regarding members of the Nation of Islam holdng prominent positions on Obama's staff?
Posted by: JEC | February 07, 2008 at 06:26 PM
The nation wants deliverance from Bush Derangement Syndrome. Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
=============================
Posted by: kim | February 07, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I found myself humming "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the end of O's oratory on Tuesday.
Glory glory Hallelujah!
Posted by: Seafarious | February 07, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Watching the Obama supporters reminds me of that old movie from the 1950's with Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes in "A Face in the Crowd." And the content of Obama's speeches is on about the same level - a lot of platitudes and no content. I just hope we luck out and he doesn't get elected.
Posted by: dick | February 07, 2008 at 06:47 PM
GMax -- "Yes We Can!" -- it is not from Caesar Chavez but Bob the Builder!
As for the rest, frankly, I am weirded out by the messianic overtones of the Obama campaign. Then again, I was not planning on voting for him anyway. I want a president who is a nice, dull, Cincinatus. Even Reagan fit that bill I think. He was persuasive, but no one was acting as though he could cure disease by just one touch.
Posted by: Anthony | February 07, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Does it take an African village and a frenetic tribal band of tomtoms to make a US president these days?
The lack of cool analysis of this poseur and empty suit is breathtaking and scary even half a world away.
Will the US electorate wake up in time? Reassure me someone. Is America rushing lemming-like to Obama just because it is even more scared of a Billary Revivival. Is this the revenge you richly deserve for not successfully indicting Bubba Bill in 1999?
Posted by: Barrie in Australia | February 07, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Ommmm
Ommmm
Ommmmbama
Posted by: BlogDog | February 07, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Definite similarity to the Deval Patrick campaign for governor in MA. The campaign was mostly about what a wonderful man Deval was, and that you could be wonderful too by voting for him! No getting bogged down in details, budgets, plans, just happy talk about "Yes We Can!"
Sort of a Chauncey Gardener thing, Patrick could be whoever you wanted him to be, he didn't really have to stand for much of anything. The Obama craze looks the same to me.
Posted by: miss kelly | February 07, 2008 at 06:59 PM
"Is this the revenge you richly deserve for not successfully indicting Bubba Bill in 1999?"
Bubba was successfully indicted (impeached), he just wasn't convicted. Five Republican Senators voted Not Guilty - Chafee, Collins, Jeffords, Snowe and Specter. Chaffee and Jeffords have reaped their reward. The others are still waiting.
McCain voted guilty.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | February 07, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I can always tell when Glenn has linked JOM.
Posted by: Jane | February 07, 2008 at 07:04 PM
The general election is nine months from this past Monday. Obama probably won't make it past the convention. If he does McCain will simply eviscerate him on the stump. I can't wait to see the cheap suit unravel.
Remember how the press fawned over Clinton? He still only managed 40% of the popular vote going up against a clueless incumbent in the wake of a recession.
Speaking of the video a friend who is an Ivy League grad and whom one would think would know better sent me the link on Tuesday accompanying her weepy accolades. Not only did I find it creepy; I found it utterly vacuous.
Posted by: Bill | February 07, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Hope
Audacity
Change
Obaloney
Posted by: Cris | February 07, 2008 at 07:17 PM
miss kelly, you are spot on with the comparison to Deval Patrick, who used the exact same campaign theme (Change--of some sort!) and could be heard leading chants of "Yes We Can" among enthralled crowds of oh-so-earnest supporters throughout the campaign. Since he's been in office, he has proven himself to be--what do you know--just another (somewhat inept) politician, and our problems have not been miraculously solved.
If people nationwide saw some clips from the Patrick campaign, they would realize how stale and unoriginal (dare I say plagarized?) Obama's campaign is.
Posted by: b | February 07, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Obama has become the "Bob Roberts" of the left. Remember the blank eyed follower played by Jack Black? Remember the tag line for the movie - Vote Now; Ask Questions Later. I wonder if Tim Robbins is an Obama supporter.
Posted by: David | February 07, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I'll tell you this, if he breaks out the purple kool-aid, I'm running the other way.
Posted by: Steve-o | February 07, 2008 at 07:44 PM
The coveted Tim Robbins endorsement was going to Edwards at one point; I suppose he might swing over to Obama now.
Posted by: Porchlight | February 07, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Chris Matthews opined that McCain's turnout would be enhanced with Hillary as the opponent.
So Matthews asked his on-air shills how McCain ensures she is the Dem candidate? Well obviously by releasing opposition research on Obama, ('cause we all know Hillary wouldn't stoop that low.)
Posted by: capitano | February 07, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Obama seems like a fairly normal and very bright guy who is comfortable in his skin and not an overtly a power-mad huckster.
Because politics is the definition of cynicism, he is attracting a core group of folks (mostly dems, with significant cross-over appeal) who want to believe in the tooth fairy. If he wins, there will be a demographic called Obama democrats.
His tip of the cap to Nixon and Reagan shows he is seriously after the job.
It will be interesting how he reacts once the press turns up the heat.
Most of the comments from posters with male names sound like females. Lay off the soy boys!
Posted by: Horst Graben | February 07, 2008 at 08:57 PM
capitano, neither McCain nor Hillary want to be the one to bell this cat. If Hillary makes public various quotes from his autobiography, his membership in Jeremiah Wright's hate-filled "church", and so forth then she'll get called a racist.
(Disclosure: with McCain the nominee for the Republicans, I am now a Hillary supporter; and I have cousins in Israel, and support its right to exist and to ensure its own safety.)
JEC, Obama's staff was indeed infested wih NOIers, although Obama seems to have purged the worst of them. More worrisome is Obama's ties to Edward Said. Said stood alongside Sontag, Fisk, and Chomsky in the aftermath of 9/11. Said did incalculable damage to Middle Eastern studies in this nation, basically making it impossible for patriotic Americans to get anywhere in that field. And, of course, Said hated Jews.
Hillary has had problems with individual Jews herself, and she should have stayed far away from the Arafats. But at least she didn't say "f*** 'em [all Jews], they didn't vote for us" as did Baker and Bush Sr. Also in the last 7 years she's done Israel okay, particularly compared to certain scum in the House (Moran, McKinney, Hillard, etc).
If Obama wins, we'd better ship a lot of oars to Israel because he's going to sell the whole place down the river.
Posted by: David Ross | February 07, 2008 at 09:01 PM
I'm not yet a big fan of McCain. However, I must say, even though he's shorter than Obama, he'd make Prince Charming look about three feet tall on any debate stage.
Indeed, as a lead-off, all McCain would have to do is tick off a list of his House and Senate accomplishments (for better or worse), then turn to Obama and ask, "Soooo....I've shown you mine: now show me YOURS." Obama is counting on getting kid-gloves treatment due to his race: I think he'll be sorely disappointed if he faces McCain, who could crush him on the issues alone.
I know McCain won't do it, but he could also start his responses with such comments as, "Y'know I first began to think about this issue during my extended vacation in Hanoi some years ago."
(Note: Barack Obama was only 12 years old when McCain was released from his 5 1/2 year captivity.)
One final point: Obamamania is runnin' wild, but, if the Barackster does manage to ooze into the White House I, for one, have every reason to believe that mania would rapidly evaporate the moment...
a) Prince Precious actually had to deliver tangible proposals to Congress that could reviewed...and picked apart.
and
b) the moment Barack Fitzgerald Obamedy suffered any major legislative defeat. If the Obamanauts think that tough old pols like Steny Hoyer and John Murtha are going roll their eyes and swoon as Obama whispers sweet nothings into their ears, they're setting themselves up for a very rude awakening.
Posted by: MarkJ | February 07, 2008 at 09:48 PM
alongside Sontag, Fisk, and Chomsky
David Ross
Hey David, I don't know about those others but don't try knocking that home run in 75.
A Fan
Posted by: r m flanagan | February 07, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Official Theme Song of the Obamaniacs:
You Made Me Love You
(Apologies to Al Jolson)
You made me love you
I didn't wanna do it
I didn't wanna do it
You made me want you
And all the time you knew it
I guess you always knew it
You made me happy sometimes
You made me glad
But there were times
You made me feel so bad
You made me cry for
I didn't wanna tell you
I didn't wanna tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do
Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses
That I'd die for
You know you made me love you
{Instrumental Interlude}
You made me cry for
I didn't wanna tell you
I didn't wanna tell you
I want some love that's true
Yes, I do, 'deed I do
You know I do
Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie what I cry for
You know you've got the brand of kisses
That I'd die for
You know you made me love you
In this clip, change the dialog for "Clark Gable" to "Barack Obama," if it ain't creepy I don't know what is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FloYqohi6Xk
Posted by: MarkJ | February 07, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Has anyone looked to see where all the Obama campaign money is coming from?
I'd like the answer to that, too.
Posted by: Pofarmer | February 07, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I saw that video the day before the primary - with others, some of whom were brought to tears.
Holy crap Jane. What kind of weak minded idiots are you hanging around with?
Posted by: Pofarmer | February 07, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Will the US electorate wake up in time? Reassure me someone.
Well, this American would like to be assured as well.
Posted by: Pofarmer | February 07, 2008 at 11:28 PM
"Y'know I first began to think about this issue during my extended vacation in Hanoi some years ago."
That is the last thing I want him to do. Another campaign about Vietnam is not where we need to go. Everyone knows John McCain was a war hero. He doesn't need to remind us.
Posted by: Sue | February 07, 2008 at 11:30 PM
If you folks want to read opposition research from Hillary on Obama, just check out Taylor Marsh's blog. She doesn't even retype it, just copies and pastes.
Posted by: Brainster | February 08, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Retard post of the day.
Any "Project Runway" fans out there?
Embarrassingly, I've been hooked on Bravo's "Make me a Supermodel" where america votes ... well this one sweet, NORMAL girl has been up for being voted off 3 times and now again she's up for the vote again....Katy - #3.
The thing is, this episode they focused on how FAT at 125 pounds Katy is and how she's not quite making the insane people in Fashion, that think a 5 9" and 100 pounds is healthy, think she's working hard enough.
Can real people go vote and spit in NY fashion's insane, insulting beliefs on what people want to look at and vote for Katy and protest stick figure as what we WANT to look at?
The Judges really, really, really want her gone and I think it would be a spit in their face if a regular gal won.
I feel like the judges are snotty NYT's out of touch with fly over country - AKA the NYT's
Let's stick it to NYT's snobs. VOTE FOR KATY!
Posted by: Topsecretk9 | February 08, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Again, I know that my last post was lame, but I just think it's lame fashionistas get away with calling 125 pounds FAT!
GMAX called for a vote.
Now, I am.
Vote for normal people to be in fashion - spit in their NYT's snotty face - we want to see normal people, not 96 pound stick figures
Vote for Katy
Posted by: Topsecretk9 | February 08, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Tops- I love the bravo shows. I saw that tonight. Poor Katy.
Posted by: MayBee | February 08, 2008 at 01:15 AM
Maybee
It made sick to my stomach that they shaped the show around her eating and not being skinny enough, If anyone wanted to vilify the modeling industry? Watch that episode, They did no favors - STARVE yourself into dying mode if you want to be a model!
-----
Top lawyer faces money-laundering charges
Ben Kuehne, a widely respected Miami lawyer whose clients have included former Vice President Al Gore and other major politicians, surrendered Thursday on federal criminal charges for his behind-the-scenes role in a complex international drug-trafficking case.
Big time more to this BIG time more
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/409964.html
Posted by: Topsecretk9 | February 08, 2008 at 01:23 AM
Six degrees right?
People For the American Way - Events
Valerie Plame Wilson & Joe Wilson, Jodi Evans & Arianna Huffington ... The receiver of the Defender of Democracy award, Ben Kuehne, has been recognized ...
www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default. aspx?oid=12369&print=yes&units=all - 245k - Cached - Similar pages
Posted by: Topsecretk9 | February 08, 2008 at 01:32 AM
My mother was 5'9" and 105 lbs when she married at 28. She had to take up her s-i-l's wedding dress 6 inches in the waist (my parents had a 3 week engagement and a 29 year marriage). She'd been working for the CIA in Austria in 54-55 and gotten ill, so she was a little thinner than usual, but she didn't look like the bags of bones on the runways.
Posted by: Ralph L | February 08, 2008 at 01:32 AM
but she didn't look like the bags of bones on the runways.
Thank you...vote for Katy. The judges don't want you to vote for Katy - screw them. I am sick of their beliefs.
Posted by: Topsecretk9 | February 08, 2008 at 01:49 AM
Ralph L- your comment reads like the opening of a clever little book. You should write it.
Posted by: MayBee | February 08, 2008 at 01:57 AM
Ralph L:
Your mother may not have looked like a bag of bones in a picture, but I can guarantee you that she felt like a bag of bones.
In explaining how to use a Body Mass Index number, you'll see that the CDC just happens to use 5'9" as an example (scroll about half way down the page). The minimum end of the healthy range at that height is 125 lbs. If you do the actual calculation and plug in 124 lbs., the CDC will tell you to go see your doctor. If you look at a site that uses tables, like the NHLBI, the healthy weight chart doesn't even start till 128 lbs.
When you fall 10% below normal weight, you are considered to be at risk. At 15% off, as your mother was, your body may have already begun to feed on its own bone and muscle tissue in order to sustain vital functions.
Looks can be deceiving. They can also be deadly.
Posted by: JM Hanes | February 08, 2008 at 03:09 AM
Great point, MayBee. It reminds me of Graham Greene.
I haven't seen the most recent episodes of Supermodel, but I agree with Tops that the editing on that show is disturbingly heavy-handed. However, I believe any editing that precipitates Frankie's departure is good editing.
Is the "Real Housewives of New York" going to be worth watching? It looks more entertaining than the OC version, but that judgment is derived solely from viewing previews.
Posted by: Elliott | February 08, 2008 at 03:10 AM
Ralph L:
I'm afraid I misread your last sentence slightly, so my reply may seem overly tart.....which is not to say tarted up.....which is.....why I should probably call it a night....
Posted by: JM Hanes | February 08, 2008 at 03:17 AM
If Hillary makes public various quotes from his autobiography, his membership in Jeremiah Wright's hate-filled "church", and so forth then she'll get called a racist.
Begs the question: if Americans criticize a President Obama, will they be tagged as racists? We've seen the routine played out again and again, in every venue.
Should we elect someone who will hide behind his race everytime he's called out?
Posted by: Fen | February 08, 2008 at 03:33 AM
Those BMI things don't take frame size into account. In college, I was 6'2" and 130 lbs (125 on my first driver's license, but I lied, I was only 120). At 47, I'm finally up to 155, but that's only because I'm lifting weights, yet I'm not fat-free around the middle.
I wish we'd heard more stories of my mother's early life. She told us about sneaking into the Russian sector of Vienna, just because they weren't supposed to, and she did make or pick up some dead drops for her boss. Her family thought she worked for the Army. She and 4 women rented a diplomat's house in the old part of Georgetown in 52-3 when she met my dad at a dance. They took a trip to Newport and got caught in the crowds at JFK's wedding.
Posted by: Ralph L | February 08, 2008 at 04:25 AM
European men are going crazy over Obama. There is a strip tease with an Obama lookalike singing in French that is popular there. No accounting for taste.
Posted by: Horton Flechner | February 08, 2008 at 06:32 AM
I wonder if guys like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are secretly praying Obama doesn't win the general. How ever would they cope with a president no one's allowed to make fun of?
Posted by: Mars vs Hollywood | February 08, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Comedians are coming up roses. McCain and Obama are eminently ridiculous. Clinton femme and Romney aren't. I mean really 'oily marmot'?
=============
Posted by: kim | February 08, 2008 at 09:50 AM
The "Obama girl" did not vote in the primary (via Brit Hume). That's one of his big problems. The youth swoon but don't show up. Happens election after election.
His snarky comment about Romney yesterday shows that his facade will slip soon. Don't know what that will do to the "dream".
Posted by: bio mom | February 08, 2008 at 11:26 AM
McCain is going to get soundly whipped by either obama or hillary.
his support for the war is out of step with the electorate.
and have you seen him in front of the press.
he pales in comparison to hillary or obama.
certainly he will do nothing to counteract the public's preference for dems over repub on EVERY issue. check out greenwald's recent round up.
Every single issue.
bush has destroyed your party.
Posted by: Garth | February 08, 2008 at 06:21 PM
You know, Garth, it's a rare partisan who's willing to take time out of his busy schedule to give unvarnished, straight from the heart campaign tips to his opposition. Thanks.
Posted by: clarice | February 08, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Democrats worried about cultish campaigns? Oh puleeeeeeeze! While struggling with the dilemma of whether black skin makes a better president than a vagina, Democrats are liable to say ANYTHING. Maybe one day they'll focus on issues, world history, and facts. Until then, vague notions of change and values will be as meaningless as Obamaphobia.
Posted by: Clark Baker | February 08, 2008 at 09:35 PM
he pales in comparison to hillary or obama.
Well, he certainly is pale compared to Obama (not sure about Hillary). Kinda jowly, too. But it's hard to imagine we're touting the qualifications of the junior senator from _____.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | February 08, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I made the mistake of bashing Obama to a couple of relitives who live in Chicago and OH MY GOD you would of thought said there was no Jesus. They were so offended and then kept trying to make a Obama believer out of me that it was scary and creepy. Just the fact that he has this power over people reminds me of Hitler or Manson.
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