Will Americans get sick of hearing "Barack Obama" cheerleading? Even if you like him — and I kind of like him — it's cloying. Too much candy.
There's a lilting cadence to CNN's pronunciation of the name: ba-ROCKO-ba-ma, with an arcing, hopeful inflection. It's most noticeable when they say "John McCain" soon after. The nonObama candidate's name is said in a leaden singsong, ending in a flat low note.
If I were at home, I'd imitate the way they say the two names, but as I said, I'm in an airport, and my little foray into YouTubing would be even more annoying than the relentless CNN feed.
UPDATE: "Barack Obama is still in Europe...." And Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
IN THE COMMENTS: The Drill SGT said:
I thought you had a crush on him?You know what it's like? To continue with the "rockstar" trope. If a rockstar you like gets too popular and everyone's squealing over him, including a lot of people who seem to be excited by the popularity itself, well, then, it's just not cool to like him anymore. He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
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134 comments:
Those TV monitors are a horrific waste of energy, regardless of the bilge they are spewing.
I guess I'm lucky not to watch TV. When I'm on the road and have a TV in the hotel I will watch HGTV, and there's little campaign info on that channel.
Oh, yeah, good point. All these TVs in airports are contributing to global warming.
Ann said...Will Americans get sick of hearing "Barack Obama" cheerleading? Even if you like him — and I kind of like him — it's cloying. Too much candy.
I thought you had a crush on him?
Or is all this Media talk of tingling legs and wet crotches finally beoming a bit too obvious and obscene?
I guess I have less tolerance for it, I started gagging when it was just: "We're the change we've been waiting for". I'm not a royalist when it comes to American poitics and the royl we doesn't go down well.
Have you ever eaten so much candy that you feel a tingling running up your legs?
BaROCKO Candy - It's the new KoolAid!
Just because candy is put in front of you, doesn't mean you have to eat it.
I assume CNN has an audience that likes it, and in particular does not tune away, which is the point.
It's housewife time.
See's Candy. The best stuff around. Bring some home. My wife brought back pounds this mornng from a lawyer trip to SF. Chocolate Butter Creams. yum...
I won't try to sell you on California Cheese made from all those happy and sophisticated cows with their own ad agency.
Get some good Mexican food in LA. and some fish. Dungeness Cabs are excellent. with of course some good CA Chardonnay. Russian River or Napa.
AA said: ...the endless enthusiasm over Barack Obama is appalling. There's no pretense of journalistic neutrality.
Yes. So much for an informed populace.
As much as I would like to think this campaign will seal the MSM's fate with the American public--it wont. They will go on. The important thing, I think is to look at the reader/viewership of these outlets and see how many people they are actually reaching. Perhaps its time to resurrect Sprio Agnew/Richard Nixon's silent majority.
Assuming such a thing exists, for all the fawning fellating coverage of the Obama campaign, McCain seems to holding his own--and considering McCain's media team appears totally incompetent, this is no mean achievement.
At some point Obama will face some tough questions, and his performance in dealing with those questions has been abysmal--the er's and hmms predominate.
Ultimately, however, I have enough faith in the American system that even if Obama ascends to the Presidency, the republic will survive.
"In the Ba-Rock Candy Mountains there's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes and you sleep out every night,
Where the boxcars are all empty and the sun shines every day,
Oh the birds and the bees and the nicorette trees,
Where the kool-aid springs where the bluebird sings
In the Ba-Rock Candy Mountains"
it makes you want to discover something new.
Sounds like the Corn Flakes ad: McCain...try him again for the first time.
Zsa Zsa Gabor is the world's most famous person. She's in no danger from the upstart.
Yes to See's Candy. It's also delightfully inexpensive. Well, compared to Godiva 'chocolate'.
From Obama's speech yesterday:
People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment. This is our time. I know my country has not perfected itself. (cheers) At times we struggle to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people, we've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions.
Translation: "The United States is broken, and we screw up all over the world, but you all knew that, and I'm going to fix it."
Ugh.
Ruth Anne Adams said...
"it makes you want to discover something new."
BIG MAC - It's where the beef is... because you deserve a break today.
Reporters and anchors are so emotionally invested in the guy that I doubt some would be able to contain their disappointment should Obama lose the election. I may start an office pool as to how many and who might have a breakdown on camera. Heh heh.
It's most noticeable when they say "John McCain" soon after.
I always imagine McCain going: "You can't do this to me! I'm John Sidney McCain!" Like in Citizen Kane, you know? To the press. Because they don't love him anymore.
If a rockstar you like gets too popular and everyone's squealing over him, including a lot of people who seem to be excited by the popularity itself, well, then, it's just not cool to like him anymore. He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
Exactly how I felt about The Beatles when they came to the US (when I was a young teenager) with all the screaming crying foolish girls who were hysterical over them. My thought at the time was "How can you hear them if you are screaming so loud. How do you know they are even good musicians".
The Beatles could have stood on stage and farted and still received the 'rockstar' treatment. Same thing with Obama. Are his adoring fans really listening? or are they just in thrall to the idea of something new, like The Beatles?
I imagine if he does not become the next president, these folks will just assume it was stolen, an angle begun in 2000 and perfected in 2004. The press really didn't like Gore (2000 version) or Kerry all that much although they wanted them to win. But they heart Obama and no longer care to hide their biases.
Clicking around last night I believe I heard Anderson Cooper refer to him as President Obama before corecting himself.
Dust Bunny
Kinda OT, but
Went to Shea to see Billy Joel on Friday (last concert at Shea). Near the end McCartney came on to sing "I saw her standing there."
The crowd was....BERSERK.
The crowd, which had been very much enjoying the show up til then, was absolutely screaming. It was so loud for the first 30 seconds you could barely hear the music (which is MUCH louder than it was when the Beatles were there).
Um, ... I may have been screaming.
It was great.
Never saw anything quite like that, and I've been to hundreds of concerts. Even Paul, who's seen everything, looked a bit "amazed."
On Ann's point, I feel that way about tatoos. They were way cooler when few people had them and they were kinda dirty, nasty, edgy.
"it's just not cool to like him anymore. He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new."
Is this really the level at which you engage with politics? I won't say "you, a law professor," I'll say, "You, an adult!"
This is one of the more embarrassing things I've seen you write.
Speaking of embarrassing:
You know that uncomfortable feeling you get when someone does something embarrassing? You feel embarrassed just to witness it (or, at least, I do). That's what I feel when I watch this coverage. In fact, I can't watch it anymore. I am embarrassed for the press.
If you're an example of an adult, Trevor, I'm happy being a kid.
If a rockstar you like gets too popular and everyone's squealing over him, including a lot of people who seem to be excited by the popularity itself, well, then, it's just not cool to like him anymore. He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
So, I don’t get it. You liked them before they poplar, making you the cool one. And now they’re too popular, so now you’re not so cool anymore. You don’t want to be associated with those who seem to be excited by the popularity itself . Huh.
Sounds like it’s more about you than the rockstar.
The words you are looking for -- you! an adult! -- are sell out.
It's always been an interesting phrase to me. Such-and-such band has become a sell out. You hear it all the time. Taken literally, it means that they have started selling their product. Taken the way it means, it means that they are crappy now, that they lost the glow of intimacy and the novelty that you discovered them that compelled you to like them.
I just don't think Americans can stomach the level of adulation Obama has received until November.
DBQ,
Your image of the farting presidential candidate is definitely the unexpected find of the day!
gophermomeh,
"Sounds like it’s more about you than the rockstar."
Duh. Was there ever a rockstar where it was just about the rockstar?
Well I just hope that he doesn't start to wear a keffiyeh to cover up his vitiglio. I want him to stay as grounded as his brother Tito.
Sounds like it’s more about you than the rockstar.
Uh, yeah. Of course it is. Jesus. Is this deep sarcasm? Do you think people like rock stars because of the rock stars?
More to the point, the elections are most certainly about me. What do you base your vote on? Messianic zeal for a new world order, I guess.
He's killing the "new kind of politician" category too. It's like when U2 won the best alternative album grammy.
Yeah but that makes McCain the Jethro Tull of the Rock and Roll catergory.
To old to rock and roll and too young to die?
The Grammys are a perfect metaphor for this election. To wit, in 1979, some shallow bunch of nobodies hanging onto an old, dying era called Taste of Honey won "Best New Artist" over Elvis Costello (and Toto).
Here we have a shallow nobody hanging beloved by apparently everyone in an old, dying institution running against, well, someone who isn't all that great but who at least understands some of the realities of the cold, hard world.
I imagine if he does not become the next president, these folks will just assume it was stolen, an angle begun in 2000 and perfected in 2004.
It's going to be really, really ugly if Obama doesn't win--unless McCain wins in a landslide (yeah right). I honestly don't think any democrat can lose in the future without claims that there was fraud involved.
It's really odd. Just like the kids at Sarah Lawrence laugh at most Americans for liking Celine Dion instead of their favorite indie band of the moment, millions of Democrats truly believe that their candidates cannot possibly lose if the people vote legitimately. How could they? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS?
Seven, how could you not like Boogie Oogie Oogie. You think you're just too cool to boogie.
I should add that I don't like Celine Dion. My love for popular culture does have its limits.
..and isn't that metaphor bad anyway? Is Barack A Taste of Honey or is he Elvis Costello? It seems like the people holding on to the dying old era would be McCain supporters. They're not the latest shout that apparently Obama is.
Obama's rockstar-like popularity is yet another sad example of Americans' perpetual adolescence. Matthews' gushing adulation is really embarrassing and pathetic. Are all "journalists" eternally 16?
How this guy got this far in the first place is a mystery. It's certainly not because of his legislation, policies, or experience.
Clinton's theme was "Don't Stop Thinkin' About Tomorrow." Obama's will be "Cult Of Personality."
The analogy does break down in certain ways, yes.
I think that Obama is more likely to be Taste of Honey. A one-hit wonder. An empty suit. Elvis Costello had certain musical policies including, by the way, a touching love of country music.
About Bill Clinton. I knew what I was getting when he was elected: NAFTA, some kind of welfare reform, and some dastardly single-payer health care scheme. I know what I will get with McCain: winning in Iraq, lowish taxes, and (probably) some poorly-thought out legislation involving illegal aliens.
Please, Obamers: humor me. Name one policy you expect to have should the man become president.
Name one policy you expect to have should the man become president.
Well, I understand we're going to stop using fossil fuels completely and meet the world's energy needs with rainbow-farting ponies.
Seven--
I believe he said he will bomb Pakistan.
He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
Well put. I'm gonna start checking out some local garage bands on independent labels.
rdkraus: Sorry I missed Macca! I like Billy Joel, but I don't like him $200 and up.
I'm not a fan of the "don't like ____ because he/she/they is/are too popular" argument. The argument really collapses when you start talking about a band like The Beatles. Yeah, sure the screaming was over the top. But the Beatles were great, and eventually the screaming drove them away from live performances and into the studio. So I'm not sure what sense it would have made to stop liking The Beatles just because they were so popular.
Don't forget The Cars were in the group that lost to Taste of Honey. As if that could make it any more ridiculous.
My memory is a little hazy, but it seems like Obama's running a campaign similar to GWBush's first campaign. Substitute liberal phrases for compassionate conservative or no more nation-building. Why be specific? I complained to many people about how Bush got little scrutiny from the press compared to the microscope Gore worked under. It just made me sound like a whiner, according to Senator Gramm.
Past promises / performance is no guarantee of future results anyway. Do the phrases conservative or no nation building describe Bush's Presidency?
Madison -- Fine. Let's accept that criticism. Do we really need another president like Bush? With no mandate whatsoever for policy?
Honestly, where would Bush be and what would he possibly have done without the war? And I like Bush.
It has struck me that Obama's campaign is very similar to Jimmy Carters. Carter seemed fresh compared to the stolid Ford, especially in that god-awful post-Nixon era. Carter was young, had a big smile, wore blue jeans. It was easy to overlook his lack of competence and dour, nitpicking personality.
Likewise Obama. His campaign is about nothing but hope.
I forgot. Why is Obama so popular again? It reminds me of a stock that keeps going up for no reason. At some point, someone will decide to get out. Then everyone will.
McCain is banking on the racism of some lower income whites and the usual incompetence (and anti-American attitudes) of the Democrats.
Given the liberal Democrat track record (McGovern, Mondale, the Duke, Gore, and Kerry), McCain will play it safe while the DNC throws another election away.
I'm just waiting for the Obama in a tank picture.
McCain is banking on the racism of some lower income whites...
Heh. Thank goodness Obama isn't banking on the racism of any number of blacks. Or didn't spend 20 years in a racist church.
Why is Obama so popular again? It reminds me of a stock that keeps going up for no reason. At some point, someone will decide to get out. Then everyone will.
That's the Odd Lot Theory of investing.
"A technical analysis theory based on using odd-lot trading behavior as a contrary indicator, under the assumption that odd lots are traded primarily by small investors who are on average less experienced than institutional investors. The theory has declined in popularity as historical data has failed to support"
The "theory" is that the small investor is always wrong or at least late to the party.
Pundit Joe & Knox:
Remember the TV coverage of the 2004 votecount? One channel was running a panel deal with 3 or 4 media bigs, (Dan Rather types). When it came to the brink, they were all a) frantically scrabbling at the electoral vote map and using phrases like "mathematically possible" that Kerry could still win, and 2) I could clearly see the building shock on their faces. I'm talking blood draining white faces, slack jaws, the whole 9 yards.
One of the most disgusting spectacles I've ever seen on a "News" show.
If Obama looks like he's going to lose a close one, though, I expect the reaction to be ten times worse.
McCain is banking on the racism of some lower income whites and the usual incompetence (and anti-American attitudes) of the Democrats.
Hmm, I see it as Obama banking on racism and incompetence. Obama is assuming that a good amount of people will vote for him just because he is black regardless of what he says or stands for. Therefore, Obama is free to flip flop at his hearts content to snatch away the few undecideds who will decide the election.
WHY DEMOCRATS LOST
Carter. Reagan cut a secret deal to keep the hostages in Iran until after the election.
Mondale. Not sure. No one really has a good theory on this one.
Dukakis. Tank picture. Willie Horton.
Gore. Claim to have invented Internet. Various Bush dirty tricks.
Kerry. Swiftboating.
There is fundamentally no way that a real or ostensible conservative could ever win based on policy. Americans do not want low taxes, less government, abortion restrictions, Second Amendment protections, enforcement of immigration laws, and a muscular foreign policy. I laugh and scoff writing those things.
Okay, people. Read this carefully. It's by someone called angellight and from the comments on Ross Douthat's blog. Is it real or brilliant satire?
Barack’s speech is such a different message and vision than the one we have had for the last 8 years built on greed, fear, war and rumors of war. It is the complete opposite. It was a message for the 21st Century ; a message to the Soul of Humanity and for the survival of the Planet — of Earth. A world where we celebrate each other based on the fact that we are all on this planet together. And that as a species of planet earth, we will not survivie if we continue to war with each other, especially with the atomic and nuclear weapons available to us today!
Barack’s message and vision (for without a vision, a man/nation/world perishes) is based on the oneness of Humanity and our shared and common goals — that we are, all of earth’s people, in this together and that we live in a Global Society. And, it was based on the dynamic and healing energy of love and goodwill toward each other; that we are not alone and without hope for a better world in this country and around the world. And, it was based on the premise that there should be a freedom from fear and want everywhere in the world and that only united and an understanding of one another can we build a better world for all.
What a great vision for us as a people to aspire too, especially for the young teenagers and adults and the children around the world — It Gives them something to look forward to other than endless years of war and hate based on geological differences, color or religious affiliation — because no matter what the outward differences of color, inwardly, the blood of each of us is all One Color, red!
The large crowd in Germany and the other large crowds that Barack generates attests to the fact that people hunger for truth and for a message of hope and inspiration, for inspirational leaders! Again Barack shows that he is indeed inspirational, a great healer/teacher/leader! Is it not great that we are talking about peace and unity for a change? Our common humanity? That speaks a lot in itself.
It is unintelligent to think that we are not interdependent and that what goes on in one part of the world does not effects us All! It does. Some think of the Internet ase the outward symbol of humanity’s “global brain”. Certainly, Barack generated a lot of powerful and healing energy throughout the world as he spoke to the heart and Soul of the World. The place where love and peace dwells. We must not loose it, because critics say he is not yet President. However, as a man of God and a servant of the world he ceased the Moment, and because he loves America and Peace, these things had to be said Now, to stimulate the vision — that we can have peace here, right here on earth!
Seven:
that is hearbreaking, scary and hilarious at the same time.
I think we are witnessing some kind of fin de siecle cultural nervous breakdown, it just happened 8 years late and it's only happening to a portion of the culture.
I blame the Boomers. But then, I always blame the Boomers (with all due respect, Ann. Love you. Can't stand your generational cohort).
I'm sort of leaning toward sublime sarcasm. God, I hope so. If not, and I mean this sincerely, we'll be very lucky to get through four years with merely the disillusionment of the naive and stupid.
Psst, Seven.
The reaction from the right to Obama's popularity is kind of amazing to me. It's as if Bush never put on a flight suit, or promised that peace and prosperity would blossom as a result of a war, or talked about how he was on a mission from God. Saps on the right (and in the media!) lapped it all up.
Is there irrational exuberance from the left for Obama? Sure. Dangle a glass of water in front of someone who's been in the desert for days. See how excited they get.
Trevor -- Next time, I'll ask you if what I am doing is cool. What's your email?
It's certainly a unique piece of writing. You should actually, you know, read it. I really do think it's sublime comedy gold.
Anyway, in the future, I'll try to be cool. You try not to be an absolute dick. 'Kay? Oh, and get back to me on how that thing with Adam Nagourney is getting flacked out. Dying to know...
So, you didn't have a larger point then in reproducing one person's comment except to make fun of that one person?
I thought you had a point about how we'd be lucky to get through four years." Carry on playing with your shiny toy, hypocrite.
In fairness, if you had to name a rockstar you WOULD choose Barack Obama over John McCain.
The latter sounds like a fist-pounding, hard-living rocker.
The second sounds like a gung-ho military commander's name.
Clearly, the United States would be better served by someone who Keith Richards would hang out with.
Cheers,
Victoria
At least it wasn't CNN International. I had to put up with that last year while living in Germany.
Also, the airport TV's make me want to carry one of those universal remote TV zappers so I can turn them off.
At least they don't force Airport CNN down your throat if you go into one the the airline lounges
Trevor: please pay attention. I will only say this once more. I found it incredibly interesting because it's either brilliant sarcasm or utter delusion.
If it's sarcasm, kudos! If it's truly delusion and Obama wins, I fear that huge disappointment will be the least of our problems. The clear implication there is that political and economic problems will be huge.
The fact that you have no reading comprehension skills makes you an idiot, not me.
But, really, Trevor, don't be so angry. After all, the light workers are on their way. And that whole Adam Nagourney thing is all sorted out. Just read the Obama press release.
He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
I noted this yesterday... once your parents like someone, they're just not cool anymore.
Who's angry or calling you an "idiot"? Your condescension and inability to avoid name-calling is amusing.
I understood you just fine. You're saying that this commenter is either parodic of or represents a "delusion" that can be found among too many of Obama's supporters. That delusion, once popped, spells unnamed disaster in your view.
MY point, if you'd bother to address it, is that that same delusional belief in a leader's ability to turn water into wine was just as easily found among Bush's supporters. Your doomsday scenarios (again, based on one comment) seem just as irrational as the hope expressed by your friend Angellight.
I'm calling you an idiot, Trevor.
Incidentally, I do not recall rock star adulation over George W. Bush, even in the pages of National Review. Maybe you could show us one solitary instance, unless "evidence" is uncool, or beneath you, or both.
Finally, huge problems are not the same as doomsday. I don't think it's cool to continually use slippery slopes as a debating device. Of course, you are the arbiter of such things.
I do not recall rock star adulation over George W. Bush
I don't recall that either, Trevor.
I don't recall that either, Trevor.
Maybe he means the time Bush sang like a canary about Valerie Plame?
/smoking gun!!
"Today in Berlin, thousands of cheering Germans listened enthusiastically as the charismatic orator promised to sweep away the old order..."
Really, what the hell was Obama thinking? Oh, I forgot, his elite education went as light on history as on American civics...
It's so true. I am sick and tired of Obama. I started out as supporter of him but now I want him to lose. I am what would you call of a middle of the roader first time voter. But this Obama worship from the MSM has slowly turning me into an anti-Obama. It's not even Obama's doing. I still like him but as of today I am inclined vote against Obama just to teach MSM a lesson. I want to see some Talking heads drop dead on live TV on election night. I want to induce some heart attacks. I know it's harsh, but I am just sick of this bullshit. I hope Obama people wise up and clamp down on this nonsense. If they don't/can't, I am certain of it, "Obama is toast."
I'm a little surprised people keep thinking of the Beatles as a metaphor for Obama.
Brittany Spears is more appropriate. Looks good, learned a couple of good moves but really not much talent and no experience at all. Once her audience got one inch beyond her being the IT girl, she became a pathetic joke.
The tragedy for America is that we may get to that moment about 3 months after he's sworn in.
Oh my god. Did I say amusing? I meant boring. Do you really think the right didn't engage in cult of personality type writing on Bush's behalf?
Here you go.
"It must be very strange to be President Bush. A man of extraordinary vision and brilliance approaching to genius, he can't get anyone to notice. He is like a great painter or musician who is ahead of his time, and who unveils one masterpiece after another to a reception that, when not bored, is hostile."
If you're "macho" enough to follow a link to Media Matters, take a spin through the rockstar treatment he got the day he landed on the flight deck.
"Today in Berlin, thousands of cheering Germans listened enthusiastically as the charismatic orator promised to sweep away the old order..."
Berlin. Cheering Germans. Charismatic orator. Sweep away the old order.
OK. Now I'm getting frightened.
I know it's harsh, but I am just sick of this bullshit.
Madman, you just described the mindset of a lot of Americans in 2004.
I had many reasons to vote for President Bush over Senator Kerry, but a very minor reason was that it was intended as an F-U to Hollywood and the Fahrenheit-9/11 of Michael Moore.
Hey! Michael Moore is a good rockstar name. Ahh, the interconnectivity of life.
Cheers,
Victoria
Weak stuff, Trevor, compared to 200,000 cheering Germans.
Seven: I am leaning toward delusional (I think a really good satirist wouldnt have misused "ceased" for "seized").
I , for one, do not recall the level of adulation expressed for George Bush that is being expressed for Barack Obama--I dont think people swooned when Bush put on the flight suit. But I certainly could be wrong. I mean even Andrew Sullivan in his early days as a war blogger never gushed over President Bush.
As bad as being forced to watch CNN in the airport might be, I can think of worse... Working here at Microsoft, in some of the lobbies there are TVs that are tequired to be tuned to MSNBC at all times. I feel sorry for the poor receptionists who have to deal with that.
Seven Machos - I have seen that passage cut and pasted on a couple of other sites which were negative in their coverage of the Berlin speech. Obamabots strike again.
I am glad I am not the only one who loathes those blaring TVs! It is almost a physical relief when the announcements break in. The noise level reaches the truly obnoxious when you add the constant cellphone conversations. The fact that the TVs are locked on CNN just makes it that much worse. The last time I was at the airport, I was jealous of the smokers because they had a walled-off TV-free area.
I detest them as well. Is there anybody who does like those TVs? I'm guessing not, and they're only there for revenue (CNN pays the airports?).
You're turning on him because...he's too popular
Good reason!
Trevor, I'm not sure those Media Matters quotes really establish your point since the foundation of them was Bush actually doing something significant -- as opposed to, say, running a political campaign.
He really was C-in-C. He really oversaw a successful military campaign. He really does connect with the troops. He really did look good in military gear because he really was a fighter pilot. He earned the right to swagger a little. And it's not unusual for Americans to be a little giddy over significant military victories which advance our national -- not just personal or partisan -- interests.
Those quotes were also noticeably short on claims that Bush was going to transform or transcend politics, change the world, lift humanity to a higher level of existence, have new books of the Bible written about him, or become the standard for historical time.
So what's the connection to the near-divine honors accorded to a man who's so far done nothing beyond make speeches?
Seven Machos said...
I'm calling you an idiot, Trevor.
Incidentally, I do not recall rock star adulation over George W. Bush, even in the pages of National Review. Maybe you could show us one solitary instance, unless "evidence" is uncool, or beneath you, or both
try googling "glimmer of sunny nobility" or find a transcript of chris matthews et al drooling over his flightsuit for the "mission accomplished speech"
you
And I do think Pastor Jeff's observation is on point: At this point Senator Obama has no accomplishments that I can see; the adulation appears to be entirely charisma driven.
I'm not sure we want to put all that much stock in German public opinion -- the last time they got this excited about something, they invaded Poland.
And we all know how THAT turned out for everybody...
Pastor Jeff, I understand your point (though clearly we were all celebrating way too early) but don't you think--regardless of your support for him or his policies--that Obama has done something significant?
He's the first African American candidate for president of the United States. A country that less than fifty years ago wouldn't have even allowed him to vote. Or sit in the front of a crosstown bus or at a lunch counter.
I think the unique nature of his candidacy, coupled with a strong desire both here and abroad to see a change in leadership and direction, fuels a lot of the excitement. Are all the people turning out to see him likely to be in rapturous love with his politics? Doubtful. He's a curiosity, at the very least.
He's the first African American candidate for president of the United States. A country that less than fifty years ago wouldn't have even allowed him to vote. Or sit in the front of a crosstown bus or at a lunch counter.
WTF - you imply that the entire country in 1950 was Jim Crow south. What about the rest of the country? There were no separate but equal laws in Minnesota or Wisconsin at the time?
don't you think--regardless of your support for him or his policies--that Obama has done something significant?
I think his candidacy is indeed significant and a positive thing -- but you've already alluded that it has nothing to do with Obama per se, but with his skin color. The same thing would be true about any black man as a Presidential candidate.
Are all the people turning out to see him likely to be in rapturous love with his politics? Doubtful. He's a curiosity, at the very least.
There we agree. At least I hope you're right, that people may yet snap out of it and start treating him like any candidate for political office.
The curiosity factor doesn't explain why people take him seriously when he talks about healing the planet, how he gets away with such ridiculous howlers in his speeches, and why his followers speak of him in messianic terms.
It's true, Trevor, about Minnesota.
I take back the stuff about idiot. Too weak.
You aren't seriously arguing that Obama won't heal the planet.
He's the first African American candidate for president of the United States.
No, he's not.
Doesn't it all come back to Chris Matthews?
By the way, I googled "glimmer of sunny nobility," as per your suggestion, Exalted.
Three results. Three, one of which is from Democratic Underground.
If I were you, I would be embarrassed for failing so spectacularly.
Shine on, Obamers!
The curiosity factor doesn't explain why people take him seriously when he talks about healing the planet
I wouldn't say he is being "taken seriously". It would be more accurate to say that his followers are enthusiastically swallowing his words without thinking too much about them; standard cult of personality stuff.
That people are simply excited to have a black man running for President is not only not true (as Fen points out, he's not the first black candidate), it's also deeply disrespectful of Obama himself, bordering on racist. It's making the man's candidacy a symbol. It's saying, "We're proud of ourselves for having a black nominee."
If his candidacy really were significant in bridging racial divides, he would receive the same scrutiny and coverage as any candidate. That he doesn't suggests a number of problems with the press and the American electorate.
Of course he's playing off dissatisfaction with Bush. But that doesn't explain the adolescent weak-in-the-knees response he generates among many supposedly adult commentators. That he's willing to accept such cult-like adulation suggests a few problems with Obama himself.
Lot of whining going on here.
Think Mittens could help even the score? Thoughts?
CNN- where euphoria is a journalistic virtue!
So what's the connection to the near-divine honors accorded to a man who's so far done nothing beyond make speeches?
Hey now! He wrote a book about himself.
Garage, you're right.
“What Barack Obama has accomplished is the single most extraordinary event that has occurred in the 232 years of the nation’s political history. ... The event itself is so extraordinary that another chapter could be added to the Bible to chronicle its significance.”
You're turning on him because...he's too popular
Good reason!
As Yogi Berra said about a club, "No goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
"his speeches give an aura of immortality that belies the fact that he's a living breathing human. ..."
I repent.
"Barack’s appeal is actually messianic, it’s something about his aura, his spirit, his soul, that exudes enlightenment in the making."
Obama, I'm sorry I doubted you. Forgive me!
"What if God decided to incarnate as men preaching “hope and change.” And what if we didn’t recognize them, because we are so dull, and let them slip away, not availing ourselves of the opportunity to be led by God!"
Open my eyes, Obama. Help me to see you.
"'He's no ordinary man,' said Sparrow, who calls Obama a man of resplendent vision with the wisdom of Solomon, the biblical king of Israel."
Lead on, O King eternal.
"Obama, to me, must be not just an ordinary human being but indeed an Advanced Soul, come to lead America out of this mess."
Save us, Obama, and lead us into the life everlasting.
madman = madisonman's evil alter ego ????
"he has tapped into a force greater than what we have ever faced, he speaks directly to our hearts, bypassing our conscience and connecting with the root of our psyche."
Heal our wayward, souls, Obama, and forgive my doubts and fears.
"Barack Obama is inspiring us like a desert lover, a Washington Valentino."
Ravish my soul, and bind my wandering heart to thee, Obama.
"My musician friends and I are writing songs to inspire people and couples all over America are making love again and shouting "yes we can" as they climax!"
(Not going there.)
"Obama has this almost irrational following and I myself can't sometimes explain why I'm supporting him," Noah Norman, 25, recently told the Washington Post.
"He's all things to all men. At least that's how I put it."
Obama, you are the way, the truth and the life.
Just like Trevor said, Pastor Jeff. Exactly like the adulation Bush got in 2000.
The two things that are most turning me off from Obama is the realization that he's a phony who doesn't represent a new kind of politics at all, but instead employs all the oldest political tricks in the book, and the sickeningly sycophantic cheerleading produced by the MSM.
That they are so unashamedly and unabashedly in the tank for Obama while villifying and denying fair treatment to Hillary and McCain, sickens and disgusts me. I think such a total lack of objectivity and such a concerted and dishonest effort to haul Obama bodily over the finish line ought to be rejected and repudiated at the voting booth. The religiously tinged cult of personality that has sprung up around Obama, attempting to coronate him as our savior who cannot be held to the same standards as normal candidates also doesn't sit well with me.
When one candidates followers have an attitude of unquestioning adoration and worshipful awe, and are caught up in 'being part of the moment' and 'making history by remaking society', then it's seriously time to worry. We already know what lies down that path. It's much better to view ones candidate with sober cynicism and trust only reluctantly granted.
It is fortunate for the GOP that it is so easy to vote against McCain's opponents, as it would be terribly difficult to vote for McCain.
He's a curiosity, at the very least.
So is a dancing bear.
Seriously? It would be more significant if
1. He were actually qualified to be President
2. If he wasn't such a giant self absorbed elitist dick
3. If his followers, and I do mean followers in terms of a cult, weren't such also self absorbed ninnies who haven't the ability to find their asses with both hands.
4. If his candidacy was base in reality instead of being a biased propoganda campaign powered by the combined strength of the television and print media.
So yeah. I guess there is some significnce here. Significant doesn't always mean good.
"As the guy drew back his hand I asked him, "You shook his hand didn't you?" Happily the guy said "Yes." I then said, "give me some of that" and the guy shook my hand with the same hand he had just clasped with Barack's. A woman friend of mine who was standing next to me saw me shake hands with the guy. I turned to her and said "He [the guy] just shook hands with Barack," to which she responded..."Hey, give it up." We then shook hands. She then turned to the person next to her and shook hands. This chain of hand shakes went on for about five or six more persons.
I did not know the tall guy in front of me; he is white, I am black. But at the moment we shook hands, I felt some solidarity with this stranger, consummated by a handshake and signifying some unspoken agreement presumably about Barack Obama and his core message of UNITY!"
We are one in the spirit, we are one in Obama.
"This is not a campaign for president of the United States, this is a movement to change the world"
Everyone sing along!
"I'll do whatever he says to do," actress Halle Berry said to the Philadelphia Daily News. "I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear."
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
What if he asks you to ... no, nevermind.
"Barack Obama is the ONLY person in this who understands that. That before we can work on the problems, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation."
My soul in broken and humble before you, Obama.
"I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear."
Isn't that what we hire grounds keepers for? And I want to know who is throwing all those paper cups away? Shouldn't they be recycling for the good of Mother Earth and the Gods of Global Warmings.??
"He is in fact an agent of transformation. He is not operating on the same plane as ordinary politicians"
(That was Gary Hart. I'll resist the cheap joke.)
Get a cheap 1-2 gigabyte MP3 player for about $30 and carry podcasts or music. These players are about the size of a pack of gum, run all day on one AAA battery. As a life-long news junkie I've changed my habit from constant news input to deeper news input. Rather than 24 hours of the same headlines repeated endlessly, I listen to podcasts on a wide range of subjects which give you depth on subjects. "A mile wide and an inch deep" becomes "a mile wide and a mile deep."
Well, the worship has been inspiring this afternoon, but I have to go finish preparing for Sunday. I've certainly picked up some great thoughts to share with the congregation.
Thanks for getting me back on the straight path, Garage. Sorry about that whining earlier.
"Onward Obama's soldiers, marching as to war;
With Obama's logo going on before!
Barack, enlightened master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see his banners go!"
(slow fade...)
DBQ said:
So is a Dancing Bear (a curiosity).
LOL
"Oh, to live on Obama Mountain
With the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Obama Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon.
It's so noisy at the fair
But all your friends are there
And the candy floss you had
And your mother and your dad.
Now you're underneath the stairs
And you're givin' back some glares
To the people who you met
And it's your first cigarette.
Oh, to live on Obama Mountain
with the barkers and the colored balloons,
You can't be twenty on Obama Mountain
Though you're thinking that
you're leaving there too soon,
You're leaving there too soon."
Too much candy.
Candy with free checking.
I know you guys love a "tu quoque" but you're hallucinating if you think think the adulation Obama is receiving is anywhere in the same league with Bush 8 years ago.
That doesn't even pass the laugh test.
Clinton got a lotta love, especially from the press, but I don't think it rose anywhere to this level.
You'd probably have to go back to Washington. And he had something of a track record.
Re press conferences or the lack thereof.
The Philly Inquirer kisses Governor Rendell's butt almost everyday. They print as news every single bullshit press release the governor sends them.
I don'think he ever has a press conference where he answers questions on any topic.
But I could be wrong.
You know, maybe our lefties are right. Maybe those major league assholes in the press were ga-ga for Bush in 2000, and have been for the last eight years. Especially Dan Rather.
Did you catch this from Amanpour?
To be sure, there were spikes during the speech which drew large cheers and applause, at least from the crowds immediately around him.
Also the ones closest to the crowd noise microphones. I think I can interpret that, even if she can't.
Seven Machos wrote:
Maybe those major league assholes in the press were ga-ga for Bush in 2000, and have been for the last eight years.
Remember that those on the Left tend to confuse country with candidate. To support America during the Bush Administration, means you support HIM personally.
That is untenable.
To give him the slightest praise for anything, means you're "carrying his water". His attempts at making allies transforms them into his "poodles". His defence of his country, with a geopolitical vision ahead of his time, is lies and more lies to line his and Cheney'ss pockets and nothing else.
So condemnation, scepticism, constant vigilance against any favourable press is vital to preserve their journalistic neutrality.
The Press Corps genuinely felt embarrassed that they couldn't buck the national sentiment post 9/11, so they feel they "took it easy" for a while.
This haunts them, and those on the Left constantly point it out to them.
Obama is their out. They can redeem themselves now.
They are finally covering The Good Candidate; the Civil Right's Second Act; the Man Who Was Waited For.
Cheers,
Victoria
I heard Dan Rather is one of the rich Americans who has been hiding his millions illegally in Switzerland and Cayman Islands.
I heard that from Bill Burkett who claims he has the evidence. It's a RCA Victrola recording of a CB conversation (Breaker 19 Breaker 19 Rather uses the handle "What is the Frequency Kenneth").
If true, Rather's comeback is toast IMO. What a shame.
You know what it's like? To continue with the "rockstar" trope. If a rockstar you like gets too popular and everyone's squealing over him, including a lot of people who seem to be excited by the popularity itself, well, then, it's just not cool to like him anymore. He's now popular for his popularity, and it makes you want to discover something new.
Yeah, I had the same feeling after Billy Joel hit it big with Piano Man.
"Pastor Jeff, I understand your point (though clearly we were all celebrating way too early) but don't you think--regardless of your support for him or his policies--that Obama has done something significant?
He's the first African American candidate for president of the United States. A country that less than fifty years ago wouldn't have even allowed him to vote. Or sit in the front of a crosstown bus or at a lunch counter."
Passive voice means that nobody's doing anything. He IS the first AA candidate for POTUS. Great. What has he DONE? Certainly not win an election; he got his spot in the state legislature because all his opponents were disqualified on a technicality, and his Senate run was against Alan Keyes, of all people.
Oh, and you mention his "policies". Public service, out of Iraq, and what else?
The nonObama candidate's name is said in a leaden singsong, ending in a flat low note.
In other words, just like the candidate himself?
Ron -- Clearly, the media should cover the candidates precisely as much as they find the candidates exciting.
That your theory?
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