Is Obama too cool to win?

What was the problem with Obama's "bitter" comments? Isn't he right that many people are bitter about their economic circumstances? Isn't he right that some of those people turn to guns and religion?

Well, yes, he was right and that is what he did wrong.

Lots of people believe that Obama's big difficulty in the general election will come from his race. I think it will come from his famous detachment.

There are things that politicians can say and things that analysts can say, and they are not the same thing. Inevitably, for instance, his comments will be interpreted as a patronising slur on religious people, even though he is religious himself.

But Obama didn't respect that distinction. And I think his slightly lofty, stand-off manner is the reason.

He seems sometimes to be looking at the election from the outside. He sometimes seems to be standing back and marking his nation like an independent assessor. And, although this may seem to some like an odd comparison, there is a little bit of Michael Dukakis's emotion-free character lurking even in Obama's most rousing rhetoric

Republicans are concerned that McCain is too hot tempered. But Obama may prove to have an even bigger problem arising from something usually seen as an advantage. He is the cool candidate.

Could he be too cool to win?

Comments

[Amanda]

Perhaps Obama's comments may come across as being detached, but what is behind it is also one of his best traits--his savvyness. He can't be dripping with emotion all the time; he seems to strike an admirable balance between the heart and the head. In fact it seems that the very reason his speeches are so effective is because they rouse strong emotions while maintaining an eloquent reasoned stance.

[Michael]

People do not turn to God and guns because they are bitter. God and guns are part of the American character once you leave the coasts. What his comment has exposed is the disconnect between the coasts and the interior of the country.

Your lack of understanding of America should disqualify you from making vapid observations.

[e skelton]

Strangely, With his entirely non 'Afro-American' ancestry, is Obama just not black enough to pull it off?

[Marty Cordova]

Our American leaders just don't ever seem to get it, do they?

We ask for border security - they offer immigration reform.

We ask for Fair Trade - they offer Free Trade

We ask for affordable health care - they offer health insurance.

We ask for good paying American jobs - they talk to us about the Global Economy.

We ask for education reform - they talk to us about tax credits on college tuition (heck, the real problem is that over 35% of our kids don't graduate from High School).

I'm looking for a leader that will put America and Americans first. I want them to put America and Americans first in every bill they write, in every law they pass, and in every bill they sign.

Listen to the stupid dialogue going on between our supposed leaders. They want to talk about wheather or not Obama is too egalitarian or wheather McCain is too old.

Come on folks. If that is the best our leaders can do then we need a new bunch of leaders.

Marty Cordova
www.letsputamericafirst.com
letsputamericafirst.blogspot.com

[bobby taylor]

was JFK too handsome and charismatic to win?

this is a bubble gum kind of article.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States

[JP]

BS ... the president/PM that I want is one who will straight talk and not mince his words for fear of sounding like "this" and "that".

JUST SAY IT.

I'm pissed off with politicians skirting arounds issues because.

Either they represent an intelligent "elite" (isn't that why we elect them) or the whole democracy thing can kiss my hearse

[volov]

Too cool? An interesting thought, Daniel.

I've long subscribed to the Gore Vidal thesis that anyone who wants to be President is psychologically unsuited to the job. By this theory, presumably only Harry Truman and Gerry Ford pass muster as minimally acceptable.

But what of the candidate who's too reflective and Olympian? God forbid that America should have a leader who can actually think on a level that has nothing to do with immediate personal, political advantage and who is honest and reflective enough to do so from time to time!

So you may be right. But I hope you're wrong.

[Matt]

Al Gore and John Kerry were too uncool, and now Obama is too cool? How can the Democrats ever win?

[Andrew]

I don't see what's wrong with a potential President being able to dispassionately evaluate what's wrong with his country. I'd hope it makes him less likely act on whim and or get swept up in prevailing public sentiment.

I also agree entirely with Obama's 'bitter' comments; as you pointed out, it clearly wasn't a slur on all religious people. Hillary was quick to condemn Obama and talk about how religion is based on good-hearted faith. I found that a lot more off-putting, given how clearly it seemed she was just seizing an opportunity to ride the public sentiment at Obama's expense. And given that it worked, you may be right that Obama is too objective and rational for his own good.

[Lalita]

First, he wasn't "Black enough" (whatever the hairy heck that might be). Then, after the highly-spun comments of his pastor were played over and over in an endless 30 second loop, there was a fear that he was suddenly "too Black."

Now, you assert that he's "too cool."

I've seen him speak, as have several others I know who like me were decidedly on the fence between Senators Obama and Clinton and, sometimes McCain. We all left converted.

All of us...in several states.

We're seeing the holes and gaps in our election process as, state by state, they play out their primaries and caucuses (caucusi?) like independent presentations of Swan Lake...done by four year olds. Cranky ones in need of a nap. Rules seem to change from state to state and the Pledged Delegates, Super Delegates, and (for lack of a better term) Uber Delegates (which have not been named) will find themselves camped in a smoke-filled room, deciding for whom the Democratic faithful get to vote for come November.

How about we stop with the endless parsing of personalities (that, by the way, isn't "too cool") and focus on message?

[Bill]

Mr. Finkelstein, if you believe that people in rural America "turn" to guns and religion only in times of economic crisis, then I'm afraid you're as misguided as Obama. Religion and hunting are *part of the culture* of the region, not some pathology that turns up only during times of distress. You also left out that Obama equated religious values with xenophobia and anti-trade sentiment. Do you think that is a flattering comparison?

[Jo]

It's not what we think but what the voters think? I think I agree: no one want to be talked "about", particularly if they have fallen on hard times. They want to know they are "in". Being talked "about" reminds them they are "out".

As I am rather taken by Obama, I would have two questions.

Can't the good people of the hinterland use this to their advantage and broker a deal to their advantage? And wouldn't figuring out that deal benefit us all?

[timbo121]

I suspect that anyone whose favourite TV character is Omar from The Wire is too cool to win.

[Mehul Kamdar]

So we have one more journalist member of the Barack Obama fan club in Daniel Finkelstein. To these people Obama is omniscient, his associations with wealthy special-interest groups promoting pet agendas does not matter, obviously because journalists these days do much the same thing. Whatever Obama says has to have the left wing lot among the journalistic community fall to their knees like teary-eyed schoolgirls in Tennessee some decades ago at an Elvis Presley concert, and a chorus of "yay, yay, yay!" following with hand-claps and stomping in unison.

So we have, on the one hand, the pamphleteers for Obama proclaiming that he is one among the people like every dictator in a personality cult fromHitler through Mao Zedong to Pol Pot, and on the other hand, something to admire in him because he is "aloof". Why am I even surprised that these comments come on the comments page and not on the fun and games ones along with the comic strips and the astrology columns? I guess this surprise is shared by newspaper managements when their circulations dip, as newspaper circulations have in the West for almost a decade now.

When a politician becomes something like a religious cult figure, the one thing that cult members like Finkelstein forget is that one man's religion is always another's belly laugh.

[R. Karim]

This man (Obama) can never be president. Why ?
1. He is Black
2. He is extremely intelligent
3. He has association with Muslims
4. He speaks the truth
5. He relates to the rest of the world.

America does not deserve him, they need another nut like George 'doubleya' Bush.

[David Gwilliam]

Being part of American culture does not make being religious or carrying a gun right. After all slavery was once part of southern culture. The country of Neil Armstrong and Carl Sagan ought to have moved beyond God and guns.

[Russell]

I certainly agree with this article I do not believe that the USA is ready for a Black (or mixed Blood) person to be President of the USA. Obama´s background continues to haunt him. He, in his own book, says he agrees with Islam and is not proud of his being part White.

[Robin Chase]

After I listened to Senator Obama on the ABC debate, I now have a better understanding of the much discussed reference to Pennsylvania voters and religion, guns and fear of outsiders.

Barack is motivating us to look beyond our personal selves and realize that it is our responsibility to take action to rescue the things we hold dear about the United States of America. We need to put aside our guns for a while, place our Bibles on the table, and start on a plan of action to support leaders like Senator Obama.

We can write letters, make phone calls, talk with our neighbors, and discuss the issues of race, immigration, poverty, injustice and peacemaking. We need to stop whining and start winning.

Obama has the strategies and the willpower to begin to solve the most pressing problems of our day. I can see him looking confidently into the eyes of Premier Putin or any other powerful figure in the world. With Obama as ou President we will gain again have the respect and gratitude of nations around the globe.

[Alan]

The problem with Obama is that he doesn't feel American but more a member of an international, intellectual, privileged superclass. To start with, he's not Afro-American at all, although a neat play of words by his team has managed to convince the real Afro-Americans that he is (and possibly the fact that he married one). So that's why he's detached. He looks at America from the outside and not as a real American. He could be president anywhere - Jamaica, Kenya, East Timor, South Africa or the UK. His US citizenship is purely technical. And he most certainly does not love his country.

[Anonymous]

GOOOO OBAMA!!

[elij]

Hosana Obama!

[william wallace]

One not need look into the crystal ball, as in prediction to the next President of the USA,in the answer one need look into the hearts, the one whose account the greater, in (spiritual development) president. The situation for USA as Americans be dire, having taken the material to the extreme, thus, the spiritual development, left greatly wanting. It the one with greater spiritual accounting enabled to appeal to the Power of creation, for mercy as for forgivness...Such an task falling to young Hillary ..... Now looking into the (crystal ball) against the odds she will have limited success, as prove a worthy president...On a personal level, a percentage turn agin her, where through a misguided wrath they near costing her life.

[Dave]

If you do not wear a flag pin, you are a Commie! If you do not march in lockstep and salute MacBush, you are a Commie! If you do not dodge sniper fire or get shot down and taken as a POW, you are a commie! If you are not MacBush, you are a Commie. Vote MacBush '08!

[Bob Evans]

What pure, unadulterated rubbish coming from someone who has obviously not lived among the Yanks the way most ex-Pats have.

Among the Yanks, only the pampered puppies who have grown up feeling entitled to everything believe that nonsense. They are the ones wanting something for nothing from Nannies Obama and Clinton.

No, the Americans have a long history in their relationship to religion and God, Just about 400 years, to be exact.

Guns? They have been a lingering part of the American culture for equally as long, for guns were necessary for defense against the Indians, the French, the Spanish, and finally, unfortunately against the British.

For Obama to even suggest otherwise for purely political purposes is the big lie. For Mr. Finkelstein to ignorantly endorse it is pathetic.

"Isn't he right that many people are bitter about their economic circumstances? Isn't he right that some of those people turn to guns and religion? Well, yes, he was right and that is what he did wrong.

[cathy hansen]

Wrong AGAIN Finfelstein. According to Rasmussin (the most accurate polster in the U.S.) the demographic most likely to "CLING" to religion and attend church are the people who "feel good about their financial situation".
In fact, if Obama's S.F. Marxist ravings were to be taken seriously it would be congenitally "angry, bitter and frustrated" liberals who would be storming U.S. churches--not middle America.

By the way, Obama didn't say "some people" cling to religion, he said "they"--as in THOSE PEOPLE. What Obama was communicating to his Soros comrades in S.F was that mainstream Americans who "CLING" to the rule of law (U.S. Sovereignty), 1st. Amendment gun rights and religion equals: BIGOTRY and OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE. Moreover, Obama's elitist contempt for things religious indicate that his 20 year affiliation with Reverend Wright's rabid racist ministry had to do with condoning the politics and shoring up the Black vote--rather than a pathetic "clinging" to a God.

Question: If Obama is this Finkelstein "right" and this Finelstein "cool" (i.e. TOO bright for America) WHY--everytime he opens his trap--does he obsess on back peddling with rationales that add up to
1) Clueless.
2) Incompetent and irresponsible.
3)Highly dissembling & dishonest. (Try all three)
Obama's latest: Obama thinks the Reverend Wright's pychotic rants are rendered irrelevant because Wright demagogues more good things than bad. (This is the same Obama who demanded that Trent Lott and Imus be canned for a single racially charged remark because "words matter".)

What Obama and the people who champion his elitist culthood have most in common is a profound condescension contempt for America. Which is the REAL reson why clueless Obama will never be elected president.

[leo solomon]

The people Obama refers to are not bitter nor are they turning to anything.they are merely maintaning their culture of religion and rural pusuits.What was accomplished by Thacher and Reagan was maintained and perpetuated by Blair and Clinton which resulted in flourishing economies with low unemployment from which these people have benefited hugely.It is the people on the left who are embittered.They lost successive elections to,of all people,Bush and their philosiphy has now been almost universally abandoned by those countries that had formerly embraced it.

[Polarik]

How was Obama "right" in saying that in small town America, white people CLING to religion or CLING to guns or CLING to sentiments against illegal immigrants?

It is the CLING part of his talk that shows him to be condescending and demeaning.

People do not CLING to religion because they've "lost their jobs" or when they are "bitter." They turn to religion for hope, for comfort, for support, and for guidance all of the time.

Likewise, people do not CLING to guns because they've "lost their jobs" or when they are "bitter." People have the right to bear arms and to right to use them in self-defense or as part of a hobby.

Most of all, there are people throughout this country who are against giving citizenship rights to illegal immigrants, against paying $9,000 a year in taxes to support one illegal immigrant or $36,000 for a family of four illegal immigrants. It has nothing to do with "bitterness."

Obama's comments demonstrate just how far out of touch he is with mainstream America.

[JM Brodie]

Too cool.

OK, first he was not black unough, then he was too Black, too enthusiastic, not enthusiastic enough, too shallow, too deep, too loyal, too detached.

The only thing I have yet to hear is that Obama is too uppity. Guess that will come next.

[truthseeker]

Bitter: 1.Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment. 2.Marked by resentment or cynicism. At minimum, I believe based on widely reported socio-economic indicators that there are individuals in the lower class and middle-class that experience bitterness if impacted by the worsening economic reality in the United States. The choice of that word is appropriate. For many, it is truly a matter of survival. It is time to change the dialog and actually begin the work of reinvesting America's resource (U.S. citizen tax dollars from U.S. citizen labor) directly back into American citizens. And if the goverment cannot get its act together to serve us, then lower our tax rates and let us keep the fruits of our labor. Continuing to parse words ... Cling : 1. To remain emotionally attached; hold on. Again, this word was appropriately used with no associated negative connotation. Lastly, "There are things that politicians can say and things that analysts can say". We, the public, do not benefit from this belief. (Maybe the media does). I value truth, candor and honesty from people. That expectation is equal for all. Humankind history is marked by individuals who spoke in the name of truth in the face of their own peril.

[nette60]

Obviously you all haven't seen or been to Obamas senate district in Chicago?

Nothing but slums. Didn't help his own.Why would he care about anyone else???Most importantly he is anti american!

[Denny Eagan]

Before wasting too much thought on any of the particular utterances of Mr. Obama, your readers should be made aware than a great many of us on the western shore of the Atlantic have realised that he is an empty suit, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

[Stephen from Sydney Australia]

The dichotomy of American society, the rednecks and the ‘liberals’, forces an awkward compromise. Add money, vested interests, and a fractious history, you end up with the three current candidates.

None inspire, none excite, none exude a sense of representing the totality of society.

If it were regional elections in Upper Chad, the final choice would not matter.

[dcgrabham]

B arack Hussein Obama can also add one more name to his title "FLOUNDER" i NEVER SEEN SOMEONE WHO USUALLY COMES ACROSS SO CONDIDENT WITH A BIG HORSY SMILE LOOK SO DIFFERENT IN CONFIDENCE AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND SCOWLING. AS MR OBAMA WAS DURING THE DEBATE WITH SENATOR CLINTON THIS PAST TUESDAY ON ABC NEWS NETWORK. HE COULDN'T SEEM TO GIVE HIS VIEWS ON THE SUBJECTS SO JUST FLOUNDERED AROUND ON WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO WHEN HE WOULD BECOME PRESIDENT. LOOKING ANGRY AND FLUSTERED. iS THIS WHAT WE WANT IN OUR PRESIDENT? WHEN HE WILL HAVE TO MATCH WITS WITH BEST OF THE OTHER NATIONS. DO AMERICA NEED ANOTHER FLOUNDERER?HEAVEN FORBID

[F.M. Zutano]

Nice try Finkelstein. Let's see what other excuses you dream up for Obama's unelectability before he is elected President.

[anacita]

the last time the people of this country elected a president that had nooooooo experience was bush 2 -twice- look at the mess we're in. will the people of this country elect another president that has noooooo experience and expect different results? i believe this is called insanity.

[RWB (Scotland]

Marty Cordova should leave America and look at it from the outside, to most of us it looks like your politicians already put the US first despite the damage it may cause to other peoples lives.

[Andrew O'Donnell]

Dear Polarik
You don't get it. Barack is always "right".Whatever he says; whatever he does. He is always right. Just as Hilary is always "wrong".Sorry but that is the way it is.Unless you are a discerner.

[Pieter]

It is not whether Obama has mixed blood, associated with Islamic beliefs, or any of that other nonsense.

Does the man have the intelligence, the energy, the ability and experience as well as the support to lead the USA in very difficult times to come. If yes ! then he deserves the vote.

This issue of political correctness of words and style is often just a decoy to assassinate his character.

If the man is honest and honorable and acts in the best interest of his fellow men, then THAT is what is the deciding factor.

Let him take on real issues, communicate in simple language and deploy practical solutions.

Why do we always overload what was said and what was meant with our own (often infactual) versions of the truth. Such complications and explanations helps no-one.

[mahongony]

Blacks for Barack?? Progressives for Obama?
See things for what they are and not what you hope them to be.
Barack Obama NEVER lived the black life or culture. He only selected it when he chose to be a politician and a author. He then expounded in his novel of a black heritage he never experienced (which confused him as a youth to the point of drugs). He now is a millionaire due to the sales of this piece of fiction.
He and his machine are using our black population and our drastic need for change. Thinking people see right through this charade. Why do you think activists and thinking people the likes of of Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Carly Simon, Ohio's Gov. Strickland, Sen. John Murtha, Kerry Kennedy, and numerous other black politicians aren't buying into his illusion. When he did find his identity in manipulation through rhetoric, there was no substance than to turn to the likes of Rev. Wright in his anger. How could one sit in a pew listening every Sunday to the spewing of separatist rhetoric and not be profoundly influenced? O. Winfrey belongs to this church also. Look at Oprah in these past few years. Watch for the nuances of black separtist behavior....watch. Then watch where this country will go if Obama is elected. Extreme left wingers will have a field day.
Progressives who want to appear "with it" and the black community will be rethinking their choice as Bush supporters are now doing. Don't vote Obama....there's nothing REAL there.

Obama is the Tony Dungy of politics!

[Victoria Malcolm-Story]

Ron Paul 2008

[Forxa Barca]

I an neither Black nor White. I have a graduate degree, and I attend church regularly. I am hurt, moreover, by Obama's comments about poor Whites. The better I am learning of this man and his wife, the more I realize that he is a privileged liberal American who has no compassion for people of little economic or political say in America's vaunted democratic process especially if they are White. Bashing poor Whites is Hollywood's favorite past time but elevating illegal immigrants to a saintly status is their art form.
That is, privileged liberal Americans, typically, are keen to be politically correct and thorougly romanticize illegal immigrants rather than do an honest cost-benefit analysis of illegal immigration not only on poor Whites but on general American society, including my friends who are upper middle class. Obama's comments are not only bitter but also extremely condescending and bigoted.
Imagine the furor if a White politican made a similar observation about poor Southern blacks! Initially I was going to vote for him but no longer.

[Bill]

O'Bama's comments dismissed "small town American's" as shallow, thoughtless people. His audience obviosly shared both contempt and condisention for them. His comments, when taken in their obvious context meant exactly what he intended. Combined with the devilish Rev. Wright, Michelle O'Bama"s anti-American comments and his weak repudiation of other racists and terrorists he is being associated with and ensures that it is quite possible that the the most inept and destructive administration in recent U.S. history, i.e Jorge Bush, may continue through Juan McCain.

[vwcat]

Obama's cool manner is concidered a strength by many because it shows a level head.
He also has a very good sense of humor.
The latest media obsession of the trivial is the elitist tag they want to hang on him.
It won't stick, just like their previous tags of trying to say he was Howard Dean, John Kerry, blah blah blah.
What the media's problem is is that they are stuck back in the 90s and wanting Obama to act like Hillary.
The big news is that the people have long moved away from that and admire Obama for not being like the Clintons and their toxic brand of politics.
People are looking for a president who is cool, engaging, and has intellect. They don't want someone who can sling the mud better.
So, the media is still looking to the 90s to define Obama and the people know he is a totally different and new generation pol who is thankfully not a carry over of the 90s.

Rubbish. Anyone who can't see voting republican this time around will commit us to four more years of essential bushdom is blind. I voted R previously. This will be the first D election for me.

[Martin Bentley]

It always amuses me how the people who were so upset by the "Cling" remark seems to BITTER about it.

If he was really telling the truth about them then he'd have said something more along the lines of Bill Mayer in the US. If you think Obama will take away your Bible, you're an idiot; if you think he will take away your gun you're an armed idiot.

However if Obama had been really telling the truth anyone silly enough to have an imaginary friend as an adult (calling it God makes no difference it's still your imaginary friend you can't prove to people) and thinking a gun at home makes you safer generally means not only should we be worried about your voting habits but whether you should be allowed to vote at all (disqualified for being insane).

[Martin]

Just can't wait for Jimmy Carter to come back from his meetings with Hamas and endorse Obama. Like to hear how the MAN intends to embrace Jimmy but disavow his actions. Sort of like his embrace of Reverend Wright, Louis Farrakhan and Bill Ayres. Will it be another crazy uncle in the closet story? Brits, get over it - Obama is Michael Dukakis' clone. He can't win without white americans over 35 and those Americans in "fly over" country voting for him.

[Rene of Canada]

Exactly how I see Obama from the sidelines as too cool and too new.

If American, Obama would be my choice for President after Hilliary had her turn.

Are Americans sexists?

[Eakarach]

I truly hope people living in the midwest,small town and across america will reject him,reject his racial comment about white people and send him packing. Go Hillary 08!

[Janet]

I grew up in Minnesota, and not one of my dozens of relatives owned a gun. Since then I've lived in eight different states and have never known anyone who owned a gun. So I don't think gun ownership is as American as apple pie as some readers seem to imply.

[bsd]

Obama's calm and cool demeaner is what I like about him! Contrast that with McCain's temper and inconsistent demeaner or Clinton's exagerated and acusatory demeaner. I really think Obama is refreshing and we will have a chance in history to change the world.

[Sarah]

Believe it or not, but the United States has moved on past a racial divide. What divides us now is class. Race and class are not the same thing here.

Senator Obama insulted the working poor of this country without hesitation. He is not fit to be President.

[Sharon]

I think if Obama does not win he will blame it on Race. That would not be the real reason. But we Obama, he loves to blame, blame, blame.

He is a speech, take the speech away you have nothing.

Count up all his lies on His own family, His best friends, is another reason.

Talking down to and about citizens, would be another.

Trying to divide the nation will be another one. He is done a good job at that.

He is uncool, unfit and should never be President.

[An American]

I find it amusing to read comments asserting that the US isn't 'ready' for a 'mixed blood' 'Muslim-associated' commander-in-chief.

This coming from The English--arguably the most xenophobic people on Earth.

We (in the US) need nothing more than a breath of fresh air.

The problem with Obama isn't his ethnicity, it's that he doesn't distinguish himself enough from the Republican ethos.

Polarik: Give up on the NIMBY immigrant bullshit. If you're going to complain about people coming to this country to seek a better life, then start swimming out to the Statue of Liberty with your hammer; this country was founded principally on immigration. As long as those who land on our shores intend to work hard and participate as citizens, we could (and should) want nothing more than their presence. Also, if you're going to mince words, at least be fair--take a year off work and start to munch on some of the horrendous statements that have left Bush's lips.

Furthermore, can anyone cite their sources on this notion that Obama is a Muslim? On one hand, you aren't satisfied with the Christian church he attends and now he's a Muslim. Make up your mind already.

[Heather]

Personally, I may be slightly offended by his relation of bitterness to seeking religion, but as a voting American, that's not my biggest concern with Obama. My biggest concern is how this single statement plays into a bigger picture, illustrating who Obama is, how he thinks, how he sees the world, and how he speaks to others.

Suffice it to say, I think he has a fantastic speech writer. Every time he delivers a prepared statement, it's eloquent. But it's vapid, empty, and there are no specific details about how he's going to accomplish the grand changes he keeps talking about. There's all this "Yes we can!" but no, "This is how we're going to do it..."

But even that isn't the worst part. The worst part is, once he's speaking for himself, once he no longer has the words of a speech writer to fall back on, we see exactly who Obama is. This is just one of many, many statements that are either really biased or too aloof to really relate to the voters themselves. Both are just downright unacceptable. No one likes being talked down to like a child, and when Obama speaks for himself, he's oozing patronizing ivory-tower rhetoric. That, or prejudice.

What bothers me most of all out of all the things he's said when speaking for himself, is the 'typical white woman' statement. If Hillary had said 'typical Black man', or if McCain had said, 'typical Muslim woman', how do you think the world would have responded?
I'm so tired of seeing journalists bend over backwards to explain away Obama's uncomfortable commentary. That's not your job - your job as a journalist is to report, not explain away someone else's mistakes. I want to hear from Obama, himself, no speech writers or political analysts, why he referred to his own grandmother in such a racist way.
Racism goes both ways, people, and that statement was inexcusable. If it had been said about a 'typical black man', or a 'typical Muslim woman', or a 'typical Jewish man', we'd all be up in arms right now. But because it was about a white woman, it's okay?
Sorry, in my book, that's just as bad. Racism is racism, no matter who's saying it or to whom it is addressed.

[Dan Xuereb]

Think how frustrating it must be for Obama. He tries to make a sensible comment pointing out the ways in which America might improve by not clinging to guns and religion, and immediately the Americans come storming over the hill waving their flags and crosses, firing guns in the air and talking about "the right to bear arms" because they had a war a few hundred years ago.

Too cool for this idiot nation? No. Too intelligent, yes. The American public (in the main) want a candidate who will stand in front of them shouting "USA, USA" and talk about sentiment, religion, and rights, rather than one who will address the reasons why America is despised outside its own borders. They'll get the brainless, flag-waving, false-grinning candidate who tells them everything they want to hear and becomes another icon of American ignorance. They'll get Hillary Clinton. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it's exactly what they deserve.

[Cheryl]

I would love to see one week... just one week where the candidates and media made a pledge to stick to questions that ONLY pertained to the economy, the environment, education, the war, international relations, infrastructure.... Let’s not discuss Cindy McCain's drug abuse, John McCain's anger, Hillary Clinton's Bosnia, Bill Clinton's sexual exploits, Michelle Obama's patriotism or Barack Obama's bitterness or coolness.... We can always get back to that later.. Can't we.

[Daphne Kenward]

I have heard & read the negatives, and this is why America ended up with G W Bush, too stupid to see pass the Bull S...! and deal with what GOVERNING is about, and decision making, at this rate McCain will have All American's serving in the WAR in IRAQ, Wake up get over what Hillary is saying she is DESPERATE she is BEHIND and to catch up she is using DIRTY TRICKS, she has managed to fool you all, OBAMA & Hillary off the Campaign TRAIL are all FRIENDS togeather, they are both senators. This is about Politricks, get over it. The idea it to get your votes, by PROSTITUTIUNG them selves to you, you don't think any of this BUll S..! is true, if it was OBAMA COULD NOT RUN FOR PRISIDENT, it is called electioneering.

[Beth]

I believe Obama to be one of the more eloquent politicians in the country. So it is difficult to believe a man so "cool" would make a statement so out of touch as a mistake. Church members are at peace with the world, not bitter. We seek out God, for his peace and love. It took until I was 25 years old to understand that peace, & I will not stand idly by & let anyone say that it could be sought in bitterness. I feel inspired by my faith in some of my darkest moment & how dare anyone speak ill of anyone else seeking religion in a time of need. As Obama spoke for Kerry in '04 I knew I would be voting for him to become president one day. Now I cannot be so sure.

[NoTimeToTrainAPresident]

To answer the questions on Obama's Campaign monies. Well, he states, he takes "no money" from the big Oil Companies(The same companies killing our pockets!) But, he did take money from "the employees" that work for the Oil Companies (There is a full list on the net, and its been on tv, look it up).
He receieved money from "Every" person (they are rich) he associates with.
Also, don't you think a "big church" such as the one Rev Wright preached "his famous & discusting speech from", they also are donating?
Amazing........Millions of money wasted on "TV Adds", "god forbid he backed off the adds, and gave some to the "true Poor Black Americans", or Any Poor American!
Hillary, like it or not.......Has more Presidential Experience then McCain or Obama. And thats just the way it is. Those who dont feel "a Women" can run this Country, walk with Blinders on.
If anything, it takes a women "Everytime, no matter what it is", to clean up a mess made by a Male !
I trust you have also taking into thought about all Obama has "been caught lying in, the people he keeps company with, The staging and paying acts when he or Michelle are on TV", Yes, they do, and is on Video.
Michelle demanded to have "more white people" behind her Podem before her last speech. Well, Why? Hope she paid them to sit there, cause many have been spoke to, and they are "not" voting for Obama.
You better make sure you know all about this man. He "Still" hides the women who raised him. His white blood Grandmother...No shes not sick.
He knows she will speak her mind, and is afraid to be seen with her infront of the Black Community !
Major mistake for a white man who is half black, to "shun" his biological grandmother, who happens to be white. This is the family he grew up in, a white family, he is a white man who is half black, and thats just the way it is.
He uses the tint of his skin to fool, smooth talk, and make false promises to the very poor black americans.
Sadly, they actually are so desprete, they really think "he's going to life them up from the shambles they are in, and give them a good life". HA!
Sorry, there is a "Major Job" to be done, and the Poor, whether Black or white, we have to "wait", until the War, Healthcare, Economy, Oil prices, food prices, housing market, and much more, are handled, they are "FIRST PRIORITIES" the new President must handle.
As well as all the enemies Bush & Company has made, the new President, needs to "make peace" with them as well, or those Nuks they have amied at the sky could land in someones back yard here in the Usa !
THINK PEOPLE....It took Bush & Dick, less than 8 years to do a dance number on this Country, and whom ever wins...The changes will not show immediately, there is alot to be done!
Here is a full list, of Obamas "Po-Fa's"....READ, LEARN, AND STAY AWAY FROM THE TV NEWS MEDIA, You need true facts before Polls open!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1996...
"We have no time to Train a President"...We already have someone trained, and ready to start, period.

[Christine]

Obama said that people in small towns cling to guns and religion, etc. in terms of their POLITICAL votes (for conservative issues). He was not talking about the generational practice of attending church or hunting. He was also referring to a specific segment of the population called "Reagan Democrats." His statement has been taken out of context and misunderstood.

[slig]

It's sad how Obama can be victimised for laying reality out in plain view, but not unsurprising given the religious leanings of the country. Americans deserve whoever, and whatever, they get.

[mediahack]

The reporter is right. Let the sociologists, political scientists, and media "experts" make social commentary about the behaviour of a particular group of people.
Politicans ought to be talking about solving problems.
One other note : Obama did not expect his comments to be aired publicly. He was only sharing his thoughts to a group of wealthy San Francisco supporters about why some working class Americans are not yet supporting him.

[leo solomon]

Obama sashays onto his platform utters the word change and his besotted fans swoon and cheer and wet themselves with joy.His snake oil makes them feel so good and the unpleasant truths about him do not emerge because the media remains silent and it wouln't matter anyway because they love his style.Joe Kennedy bought Jack the White House and he turned it into a house of ill repute and nearly blundered us into World War Three but it didn't matter because he was handsome and witty and he had style which seems to trumps substance even when substance, as it does now ,really matters.

[Louis Pascal de Geer]

Not trustworthy and no convincing vision on what is necessary to be done in the USA and in their relation to the world are in my opinion the main problems with Hillary R. Clinton. The hope and will to change are the backbone of the Obama approach. The choice seems so easy once you have been vaccinated against the flu of fear which is being spread by guru Karl Rove with Clinton is his footsteps.

[Dominik]

He committed to pulling out of Iraq in 16 months in the last debate.

McCain will CRUSH him like that. If we just pull out of Iraq without accessing the situation first:

1) we'll probably be responcible for one of the biggest, bloodiest cases of genocidal/religious warfare this world has seen in ... well ever.

2) if that destabilizes the entire Middle East b/c different powers will want to step in to "protect their borders" via "buffer zones" (in reality they want control over oil fields), then just what do you all think will be the per gallon price of GAS?

You all think $4 bucks is a lot, try at least doubling that number and then think about how your food gets to your grocery store, how you get to work, how your kids get to school... this is a very distinct possibility if Obama keeps the promise he made to pull out of Iraq in 16 months.

Think people, food just doesn't auto-magically appear because we got an "intelligent" President that's a smooth talker.

[Thomas]

Obama was right: people in Pennsylvania and many other parts of the U.S. are bitter: about an economy that's in tatters, a war that we entered into on a pack of lies (and are, most of us know, losing) and a vicious, vacant (and anything but 'liberal') mass media that refuses to peer down the rabbit hole to see election fraud and a boatload of evidence pointing to 9/11 as an 'inside' job.

And Obama is right about people here clinging to our guns out of insecurity and bitterness. But then we're on the edge of dictatorship; the last thing we need now is to part with our weapons.

[Oladele Ogunba]

I live in Africa but am widely travelled and have 2 university degress and have been following american politics for over 15 years. In the current debate over clinton and obama, what is most striking is that the democratic party has been most critical of GW Bush and his incompetency and they have wondered aloud about how the republicans nominated him and a lot of americans including some republicans agree (even if not as loudly) but they are about to make exactly the same mikstake as the republicans did. My biggest concern with obama (i don't see it as a problem) is his lack of preparation. It definitely takes more than speech making and personal charisma to lead, how much more to lead the worlds strongest nation. While his personal capability or is not in doubt, as anyone who has ever led people will tell you, its takes more than being capable to be a capable leader that is why most of the greatest leaders the world has known had their personal failings, but still maintained the knack to score well on the critical issues, an area where bush has scored so low, Yes he has removed saddam but he also removed America from the moral presidency of the world that it held for so long. Compare this with Reagan and Clinton. Leaders are both born and made, obama may be a born leader but where was he made? A leader's period of preparation, which will include his failures and successes, ultimately prepare him for the next stage of leadership.
I actually think that Obama will make a better president if he failed in this attempt.

Also it may be disastrous to pitch obama against Mccain, the contrast will be too clear for the public to ignore and for the republican machine not to exploit, i can just imagine them painting the war veteran vs the speech maker, action vs talk. Clinton has been in the public eye for quite a while and am sure the worst dirt about her is already out, but i wonder what may still be yet unknown about obama. I really feel that he is the best hope for a black president in america but i sort of feel, not yet and if he does win, i wonder if he is prepared to make the tough right decisions and it may not be well known, but minorities tend to be more racist than whites, its a kind of reaction to all the years of bigotry they endured, it tends to rub off on their thinking, such that i foresee an obama presidency were simple appointments will now be affected by race rather than competence alone. A case in point his Obama's response to Clinton's comments about the role johnson and other whites played in the emancipation of blacks in america.

Finally, the democrats should learn from the labour party and Gordon Brown that you must be careful how you treat a former leader who led you and the country for long and has a knack for making blunders, be careful how you chuck him out, it can backfire on you, people are infinitely kind to leaders they gnuinely like such as clinton and blair, despite their flaws, tread carefully.
I love America and so do a lot of us despite the Iraq war and we cant imagine a world without her.