OT - WSJ - "The Obama We Don't Know"

[StoneCold]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1212548 ... d_outlooks REVIEW & OUTLOOK

The Obama We Don't Know
June 4, 2008; Page A20

With Barack Obama clinching the Democratic Party nomination, it is worth noting what an extraordinary moment this is. Democrats are nominating a freshman Senator barely three years out of the Illinois legislature whom most of America still hardly knows. The polls say he is the odds-on favorite to become our next President.

Think about this in historical context. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were relatively unknown, but both had at least been prominent Governors. John Kerry, Walter Mondale, Al Gore and even George McGovern were all long-time Washington figures. Republican nominees tend to be even more familiar, for better or worse. In Mr. Obama, Democrats are taking a leap of faith that is daring even by their risky standards.
[The Obama We Don't Know]
AP

No doubt this is part of his enormous appeal. Amid public anger over politics as usual, the Illinois Senator is unhaunted by Beltway experience. His personal story – of mixed race, and up from nowhere through Harvard – resonates in an America where the two most popular cultural icons are Tiger Woods and Oprah. His political gifts are formidable, especially his ability to connect with audiences from the platform.

Above all, Mr. Obama has fashioned a message that fits the political moment and the public's desire for "change." At his best, he offers Americans tired of war and political rancor the promise of fresh national unity and purpose. Young people in particular are taken by it. But more than a few Republicans are also drawn to this "postpartisan" vision.

Mr. Obama has also shown great skill in running his campaign. No one – including us – gave him much chance of defeating the Clinton machine. No doubt he benefited from the desire of even many Democrats to impeach the polarizing Clinton era. But he also beat Hillary and Bill at their own game. He raised more money, and he outworked them in the small-state caucuses that provided him with his narrow delegate margin. Even now, he is far better organized in swing states than is John McCain's campaign. All of this speaks well of his preparation for November, and perhaps for his potential to govern.

Yet govern how and to what end? This is the Obama Americans don't know. For all of his inspiring rhetoric about bipartisanship, his voting record is among the most partisan in the Senate. His policy agenda is conventionally liberal across the board – more so than Hillary Clinton's, and more so than that of any Democratic nominee since 1968.

We can't find a single issue on which Mr. Obama has broken with his party's left-wing interest groups. Early on he gave a bow to merit pay for teachers, but that quickly sank beneath the waves of new money he wants to spend on the same broken public schools. He takes the Teamsters line against free trade, to the point of unilaterally rewriting Nafta. He wants to raise taxes even above the levels of the Clinton era, including a huge increase in the payroll tax. Perhaps now Mr. Obama will tack to the center, but somehow he will have to explain why the "change" he's proposing isn't merely more of the same, circa 1965.

There is also the matter of judgment, and the roots of his political character. We were among those inclined at first to downplay his association with the Trinity United Church. But Mr. Obama's handling of the episode has raised doubts about his candor and convictions. He has by stages moved from denying that his 20-year attendance was an issue at all; to denying he'd heard Rev. Jeremiah Wright's incendiary remarks; to criticizing certain of those remarks while praising Rev. Wright himself; to repudiating the words and the reverend; and finally this weekend to leaving the church.

Most disingenuously, he said on Saturday that the entire issue caught him by surprise. Yet he was aware enough of the political risk that he kept Rev. Wright off the stage during his announcement speech more than a year ago.

A 2004 Chicago Sun-Times interview with Mr. Obama mentioned three men as his religious guides. One was Rev. Wright. Another was Father Michael Pfleger, the Louis Farrakhan ally whose recent remarks caused Mr. Obama to resign from Trinity, but for whose Chicago church Mr. Obama channeled at least $225,000 in grants as a state senator. Until recently, the priest was connected to the campaign, which flew him to Iowa to host an interfaith forum. Father Pfleger's testimony for the candidate has since been scrubbed from Mr. Obama's campaign Web site. A third mentor was Illinois state Senator James Meeks, another Chicago pastor who has generated controversy for mixing pulpit and politics.

The point is not that Mr. Obama now shares the radical views of these men. The concern is that by the Senator's own admission they have been major moral influences, and their views are starkly at odds with the candidate's vision as a transracial peacemaker. Their patronage was also useful as Mr. Obama was making his way in Chicago politics. But only now, in the glare of a national campaign, is he distancing himself from them. The question is what in fact Mr. Obama does believe.

The young Senator has been a supernova exploding into our politics, more phenomenon than conventional candidate. His achievement in winning the Democratic nomination has been impressive. Now comes a harder audience. The presidency has to be earned, and Americans have a right to know much more about the gifted man who is the least tested and experienced major party nominee in modern times.

[Arkansas]

I think that if John McCain wins, it'll probably be because most people feel compelled to NOT vote for Obama. I wish McCain would win outright, but it'll most likely be not a McCain win, but an Obama loss.


later~

[StoneCold]

I think that if John McCain wins, it'll probably be because most people feel compelled to NOT vote for Obama. I wish McCain would win outright, but it'll most likely be not a McCain win, but an Obama loss.


later~

Seems like the really smart people, the ones that could deal with the problems we face are smart enough not to run for office.

Instead we get to pick from Moe, Larry and Curly.

[Eric]

NOBAMA

[classicstyxfan]

Interesting perspective..... I would hope the American Public will know enough about him in the next 6 months to make an informed choice.......provided he is asked some tough questions between now and the General election. The debates, especially if they are of the non-traditional variety being proposed by McCain should be most helpful.

If Obama is being deceitful, because his shoulders arent all that broad, he could earn the nickname "cunning runt"...........

now if they'd only come up with a nickname for Hillary.........

[strangegrey]

This article was one of the first ones I read when I unfolded the Journal this morning. Well, fucking democrats had their chance to vet out these issues before they gave the nod to this fucking waste of breath.

Now, we've got two dorks running for the highest office of the land. One has one foot in the grave, the other has more hidden surprises than a Bill Clinton STD screening.

Too bad...Obama getting the dem nod, just sealed my vote with the fucking piece of shit on the Right. and I fucking hate the fact that I'm going to fucking vote repub this november.

[Rhiannon]

One has one foot in the grave, the other has more hidden surprises than a Bill Clinton STD screening.

"I'm sorry Mr. President, your test results are back... it appears you have... worms."

[Onestepper]

Interesting perspective..... I would hope the American Public will know enough about him in the next 6 months to make an informed choice.......provided he is asked some tough questions between now and the General election. The debates, especially if they are of the non-traditional variety being proposed by McCain should be most helpful.

If Obama is being deceitful, because his shoulders arent all that broad, he could earn the nickname "cunning runt"...........

now if they'd only come up with a nickname for Hillary.........

You give the American public way too much credit. It is STUNNING how much of a free pass the media has given this guy. When you push it aside, he is the most partisan, liberal Democrat to be nominated in over 40 years!!! And he’s only had 1 term to accomplish that feat. And no..I am not a Republican, far from it. I'm just amazed at how much is not reported when they become obsessed with the rock star status of a candidate. This election is a complete toss up at this point.

[Babyblue]

I think that if John McCain wins, it'll probably be because most people feel compelled to NOT vote for Obama. I wish McCain would win outright, but it'll most likely be not a McCain win, but an Obama loss.


later~

I don't care for Obama and i am voteing for McCain. And i know others that will be voteing for Mr McCain.

[classicstyxfan]

I always wonder if people who decide this early who they will vote for base their decision on personality of the candidates, or on their platform/stances on the issues ???

I can respect people who decide early if they have an issue or 2 where they wont vote for anyone who supports position "x" on issue "y"

I sense there are millions of people who make their decision based on the candidates looks or some other superficial criteria....people who if you asked them why they chose their candidate couldnt respond with an answer based on anything other than popularity, or with an answer fed to them straight from the media.

Just rambling.......

[JH'sTXfan]

NOBAMA

Good one! Can I use that?

Thanks.

[conversationpc]

Now, we've got two dorks running for the highest office of the land. One has one foot in the grave, the other has more hidden surprises than a Bill Clinton STD screening.

Too bad...Obama getting the dem nod, just sealed my vote with the fucking piece of shit on the Right. and I fucking hate the fact that I'm going to fucking vote repub this november.

[7 Wishes]

The new album rocks. I'm not touching this one.

And perhaps I'm in the minority, but I think America will be fine with either Obama or McCain as Commander-in-Chief. We need to get the fuck out of Iraq, but other than that, McCain makes a lot of sense and has a history of not toeing the party line...which I admire.

Anyway, the McClelland revelations are interesting. If you examine everything closely, there's really nothing new there. Just confirmation of some nefarious incidents by some pretty shady characters.

[San Diego Gary]

This article was one of the first ones I read when I unfolded the Journal this morning. Well, fucking democrats had their chance to vet out these issues before they gave the nod to this fucking waste of breath.

Now, we've got two dorks running for the highest office of the land. One has one foot in the grave, the other has more hidden surprises than a Bill Clinton STD screening.

Too bad...Obama getting the dem nod, just sealed my vote with the fucking piece of shit on the Right. and I fucking hate the fact that I'm going to fucking vote repub this november.

LOL! Bravo! SO true! Can't we just fast forward four years and start over?

[Centaure]

America has a meeting with history... don't miss that one...

[squirt1]

Very good stonecold ! There is also a guy who hung with terrorists and one just indicted in Chicago for lots of reasons, but one sold valuable property to Obama at a huge,huge discount. Chicago politics has to be considered when it is so corrupt up there. I always told my kids- who you hang with is what you are. So this guy has the poor decision making processes not to have figured them out over 20 yrs. HE is scary and so are the voter airheads that think he is qualified, even for the Senate.

[San Diego Gary]

Very good stonecold ! There is also a guy who hung with terrorists and one just indicted in Chicago for lots of reasons, but one sold valuable property to Obama at a huge,huge discount. Chicago politics has to be considered when it is so corrupt up there. I always told my kids- who you hang with is what you are. So this guy has the poor decision making processes not to have figured them out over 20 yrs. HE is scary and so are the voter airheads that think he is qualified, even for the Senate.

As one person said, if he's going to change our country and make it great, we can use the miracles he produced on the southside of Chicago, which he represented ALL those couple-three years, as an example, right?

[squirt1]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

[San Diego Gary]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

You're right. In 2006 Pelosi said the Democrats had a plan to reduce gas prices. Where have the prices gone since they took over Congress? Must be Bush's fault! Yeah, right.

[SteveForever]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

with very little light rails in this country we are totally screwed if our gas gets that high!

[conversationpc]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

with very little light rails in this country we are totally screwed if our gas gets that high!

That's a major problem in the Indianapolis area. 12th largest city in the country and only buses for mass transit and even those aren't really all that accessible. No subways. No light rail. Nothing.

[San Diego Gary]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

If we're so worried about the global impact, wouldn't you rather have us drill and refine than some Arab nation?

[7 Wishes]

Come on, guys. In order to enact any legislation, you have to have at least 60 votes, not 51. The oil companies have most Republican politicians in their collective back pockets. Don't even try to pawn this one over to the other side.

[conversationpc]

Come on, guys. In order to enact any legislation, you have to have at least 60 votes, not 51. The oil companies have most Republican politicians in their collective back pockets. Don't even try to pawn this one over to the other side.

Democrats have staunchly stood against drilling of our coasts (when foreign countries can drill a few miles further out and engage in horizontal drilling basically taking our oil away from us) and Anwar, against drilling into the oil shale, and against building additional refineries. All of these things and others would really be helping us achieve energy independence right now when we need it the most. Republicans don't get off the hook, either. They are just as much to blame for coddling countries whose governments should basically be considered our enemies.

[San Diego Gary]

Come on, guys. In order to enact any legislation, you have to have at least 60 votes, not 51. The oil companies have most Republican politicians in their collective back pockets. Don't even try to pawn this one over to the other side.

Democrats have staunchly stood against drilling of our coasts (when foreign countries can drill a few miles further out and engage in horizontal drilling basically taking our oil away from us) and Anwar, against drilling into the oil shale, and against building additional refineries. All of these things and others would really be helping us achieve energy independence right now when we need it the most. Republicans don't get off the hook, either. They are just as much to blame for coddling countries whose governments should basically be considered our enemies.

You mean like the way China, Cuba, and Venezuela are drilling 50 miles off the coast of Florida?

[7 Wishes]

International waters, dude.

[conversationpc]

Come on, guys. In order to enact any legislation, you have to have at least 60 votes, not 51. The oil companies have most Republican politicians in their collective back pockets. Don't even try to pawn this one over to the other side.

Democrats have staunchly stood against drilling of our coasts (when foreign countries can drill a few miles further out and engage in horizontal drilling basically taking our oil away from us) and Anwar, against drilling into the oil shale, and against building additional refineries. All of these things and others would really be helping us achieve energy independence right now when we need it the most. Republicans don't get off the hook, either. They are just as much to blame for coddling countries whose governments should basically be considered our enemies.

You mean like the way China, Cuba, and Venezuela are drilling 50 miles off the coast of Florida?

[conversationpc]

International waters, dude.

I know. That wasn't the point.

[San Diego Gary]

Congress has most the power to change the country. Those clowns only worry about their pet projects to get votes. Why don't we drill for own oil oil. Thankfully ,a new refinery is being build in the Dakotas that the people voted for. I think the country will lynch the politocos when gas /deisel reaches $ 8-9.00 as in Europe.

with very little light rails in this country we are totally screwed if our gas gets that high!

That's a major problem in the Indianapolis area. 12th largest city in the country and only buses for mass transit and even those aren't really all that accessible. No subways. No light rail. Nothing.

I assume your area is like Southern California, and UNLIKE the crush of the eastern seaboard, where the population and destinations are CONCENTRATED. HUGE difference.

[conversationpc]

I assume your area is like Southern California, and UNLIKE the crush of the eastern seaboard, where the population and destinations are CONCENTRATED. HUGE difference.

Yeah, Indianapolis is pretty well spread out.