Althouse: "The Messiah is in town tonight."

February 13, 2008

"The Messiah is in town tonight."

Uncle Jimbo goes to the big Barack Obama show in Madison, Wisconsin:

30 comments:

Peter V. Bella said...: Barak gives a hell of a speech. He hits all the right buttons and inspires people.

Unlike the fairytale in Hillaryland who keeps harping(NYT description) about her false claims of being tested, having experience, and universal death care for all!

His is a bright and shining life compared to her bright and shining lie.; 2/13/08, 9:37 AM
MadisonMan said...: I like the visual in the video of the guy carrying the huge N into the Kohl Center. Why?

From the comments at Uncle Jimbo's: P.S. Dean Barnett has a piece out (Weekly Standard) on seeing Obama speak w/o a teleprompter -- very illuminating.. I immediately thought of Reagan.

Obama's speech is about inclusiveness. After 16 years (or more?) of divisive politics in Washington, that's very refreshing.; 2/13/08, 9:40 AM
George M. Spencer said...: I like the guy at the end who says, "Get into Afghanistan. Get bin Laden. Finish it up."

But the same person wants more-or-less to leave Iraq.; 2/13/08, 9:58 AM
MadisonMan said...: You cannot expect Joe Public in Madison Wisconsin to give a cogent response about what to do in Iraq when no political leader in this country can either.; 2/13/08, 10:02 AM
rhhardin said...: You people are crazy.

He hits all the car salesman buttons.; 2/13/08, 10:03 AM
Fen said...: Obama's speech is about inclusiveness. After 16 years (or more?) of divisive politics in Washington, that's very refreshing.

Yes, I admit it is. But do you really buy into MM? I trust your judgement, despite our political differences. It just seems to me that this will be a repeat of the last election: Democrats promising to end the war by any means necessary if elected, but then reverting to business as usual once you get them in the door.

I would be less cynical if Obama had a history of being a uniter. Even Bush, love him or hate him, had Texas Dems speak on his behalf about his ability to unite both sides of the aisle in Austin. I don't see any evidence or history of this from Obama.

Sidenote: I'm in Maryland. Got a robo-call from Mrs Obama last night. Of all four candidates, her camp was the only one to reach out on primary day. Must admit her "message" was very positive and uplifting. No slams against other candidates or ditry tricks. Well done.; 2/13/08, 10:07 AM
Fen said...: I like the guy at the end who says, "Get into Afghanistan. Get bin Laden. Finish it up." But the same person wants more-or-less to leave Iraq.

And bin Laden is in Pakistan, not Afganistan. Oh well.

My wife and I did some "man on the street" interviews last night, mostly self-proclaimed independents. #1 issue was Health Care...; 2/13/08, 10:09 AM
Original Mike said...: MM said: I like the visual in the video of the guy carrying the huge N into the Kohl Center. Why?

It's the N for that north, south, east, west thing he does.; 2/13/08, 10:19 AM
Original Mike said...: "Health care should be like the fire department"

Nice sentiment. Disastrous policy.; 2/13/08, 10:21 AM
SGT Ted said...: We are *in* Afghanistan.

Obama appeals to the airhead constituency that doesn't examine things too deeply. When focus group individuals who just *lurrrve* Obama are asked what of his specific accomplishments they admire, they give blank looks and say he gives great speeches, or is a Senator or even that he is black.

C'mon, you sane lefties here. Is this what you want in a President?

As far as his appeals to "inclusiveness" go; maybe inclusive of left to far left, but I don't hear much about lowering any other issues beyond enacting a socialist welfare state.; 2/13/08, 10:25 AM
AllenS said...: People who want our troops to leave Iraq and be sent to Afghanistan, have absolutely no idea of how hard it would be to supply them. There is no port that ships can sail into, and unload large amounts of cargo. Everything has to be flown in over Pakistan.; 2/13/08, 10:37 AM
Peter V. Bella said...: rhhardin said...
You people are crazy.

He hits all the car salesman buttons.

Compared to Hillary who hits all the used car salesman buttons.

Whether he is a great person, politician, or elected official is to be determined. He does give a great speech. Too bad the Republicans do not have such a speaker. It would inspire people, especially the fence sitters or those jumoing ship.; 2/13/08, 10:40 AM
radar said...: Obama's speech is about inclusiveness. After 16 years (or more?) of divisive politics in Washington, that's very refreshing.

It also somewhat vacuous. What exactly is meant by 'inclusiveness'? Really, what does it *mean*? What exactly is going to change? How does this 'inclusiveness' work?

I'm not suggesting that the workings of government should be a street brawl but the nature of our deliberative form of government is that there are lots of hearings, papers, discussion, debate, and then a decision is made. No consensus is required and so ultimately somebody is going to be unhappy about those decisions. Inclusiveness, whatever that means, isn't going to change that.; 2/13/08, 10:43 AM
MadisonMan said...: But do you really buy into MM?

Not really, I'm too much a cynic. BHO sorta reminds me of George W. Bush -- a nice set of ideas (Compassionate Conservative) that contrast starkly to the tone in DC. The delivery now is much smoother though in 2000 with W. If BHO is the nominee, John McCain will have to tread very carefully so as not to appear to be an Angry Old Man. My opinion is that voters don't elect Angry Old Men (see: Neumann, Mark).

Some of BHO's ideas are, frankly, ridiculous. Universal Health Care? Not likely (and watching a sibling in Europe go through hoops to get vital surgery -- yikes! It was a full-time job to get the surgery, so I'll pass on UHC). I laughed at the 'like the fire department' thinking Yeah, but 1000x the price. So I take comfort in knowing that nonsense things he has on his platform won't fly.

BHO also strikes me as pragmatic. So does McCain, but McCain's twitchy anger unnerves me, so I lean BHO in an election. (I've already written off Hillary! Good riddance).; 2/13/08, 10:50 AM
Fen said...: (I've already written off Hillary! Good riddance).

On that we agree. I'll count this election as a "win", whether its McCain or Obama, if Hillary's POTUS ambitions are dashed.

Wouldn't it be cool if Obama & McCain did the train debate together? Stopping at every town and hosting a civil town hall meeting?

McCain/Obama? ;); 2/13/08, 11:03 AM
Anonymous said...: If he campaigns in California, I would advise him to skip the "yes, we can" refrain. To us, it means he's in favor of open borders. It's one thing to dance around "comprehensive" reform, it's quite another to adopt the rhetoric of Mecha & Co.; 2/13/08, 11:16 AM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/13/08, 11:34 AM
Anonymous said...: Keep at it Jimbo. It's all about persistence. How many filaments did Edison test before he found the right one for the light bulb?

You didn't get that one person saying something so stupid that it could be used to damage Barack's campaign, but keep at it, you're bound to find someone saying something stupid sooner or later.

Heck, 17000 people, there had to be one who could say something crazy enough to go viral in the right-wing blogosphere! Just keep looking for that needle in the haystack.; 2/13/08, 11:35 AM
Fen said...: Huh? Who are you responding to Verso? I don't see a Jimbo in the comments.; 2/13/08, 11:44 AM
Fen said...: Ah, BlackFive.

Here is his post:

I have now basked in the glow of the biggest political rockstar of our times and I was much less-impressed than the rest of the crowd at the Kohl Center. Obama did his thing and it was good, let there be no doubt, but he really does seem more style than substance at this point. And when he does get specific about any policies I can be fairly certain I will disagree with him. But that's not the point, Obama is a rockstar and there are a whole lot of people who just want a fresh face, who sounds good and makes them feel good. That is Obama to a T. There is no way Hillary or John McCain generates the love that was in that place. People were ear to ear and just watch the 18,000 eyes raised to the big screen when the Will.i.am "Yes we can" video plays. That is a powerful force people and it transcends facts.

So please edit my question from "who" to "what" are you responding to? Where do you get that he's looking for a "gotcha" quote from some stupid supporter?; 2/13/08, 11:48 AM
MadisonMan said...: fen, if you watch the entire video, verso's comment will be clearer.; 2/13/08, 12:07 PM
Fen said...: Rgr that.; 2/13/08, 12:23 PM
Smilin' Jack said...: Obama's speech is about inclusiveness. After 16 years (or more?) of divisive politics in Washington, that's very refreshing.

"I'm a uniter, not a divider. I refuse to play the politics of putting people into groups and pitting one group against another."--W.

See the refreshing difference? See the inspiring change? No wonder people swoon for Obama.; 2/13/08, 12:34 PM
Palladian said...: "There is no way Hillary or John McCain generates the love that was in that place. People were ear to ear and just watch the 18,000 eyes raised to the big screen when the Will.i.am "Yes we can" video plays."

In high school I thought I was a lefty, because I thought righties were "followers" and I hated followers. Now, with the wisdom of a little age, I realize that, of course, leftys are "followers" too and that the left is no haven from the mediocrities I derided when I perceived them on the "right". Humanity is full of followers, looking for a leader and salvation. I am looking for neither.

The President of the United States is a manager, not a messiah nor a "rock star". Spare me your glassy-eyed, self-indulgent messages of "hope" and your emotionally manipulative propaganda videos. Tell me why you should be the country's manager. If your resume looks good, maybe I'll vote to give you the job.

At this point, it seems that your management plan is to take more of my money, more of my freedom, and screw up our foreign policy and defense. In other words, a continuation of the last eight years, except worse.

Great.

Keep hoping people.; 2/13/08, 12:37 PM
Jim Hanson said...: Actually I do have a long history of filming our left here in Madison saying silly things google Moonbat Memorial Day for a classic. I played it pretty straight last night and was just unimpressed. But I'm obviously not his audience and his appeal is genuine and huge.

Cordially,

Uncle J; 2/13/08, 1:01 PM
Tibore said...: "Obama is a rockstar and there are a whole lot of people who just want a fresh face, who sounds good and makes them feel good. That is Obama to a T."

"No wonder people swoon for Obama."

Roger L. Simon blogged about this phenomenon here: "The President as Celebrity".

"Count me as one of those who finds the President as celebrity a creepy phenomenon. I get that feeling when I read about "women falling for Obama..."

I don't know about you, but my observation in life has been that when you fall in love your judgment is, shall we say, skewed.".; 2/13/08, 1:46 PM
Original Mike said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2/13/08, 2:28 PM
Original Mike said...: MM said: Some of BHO's ideas are, frankly, ridiculous. Universal Health Care? Not likely ... I take comfort in knowing that nonsense things he has on his platform won't fly.

With a democrat Congress, I wouldn't be so sure. I hope you're right, but I fear you're wrong.; 2/13/08, 2:30 PM
blake said...: MadMan,

For how many decades did the Dems beat up the Reps over the latter not wanting an income tax. "Party of the rich," they said. "Can't share the wealth," they said. (Some things never change.)

Eventually the Reps will get tired of it--and since it all aggrandizes the government's power, why not, right?--and will cave on health care.; 2/13/08, 4:19 PM
Bill said...: Enough of the Ogamagasms, I will vote for Lord Vetinari. the Patrician of Ankh-Morpork.; 2/13/08, 5:02 PM