You know, uh and other top tics for politicians

Caroline Kennedy is not the only politician to suffer from, you know, a verbal tic. Yes, she may have used the phrase some 144 times in a New York Times interview. But she can reassure herself that she's in pretty good company. Here are some other multiple offenders.

1) Barack Obama

The President-elect is widely regarded as one of today's great rhetoricians. But that doesn't prevent him from falling back on the odd 'uh' when the talking gets tough. And by odd, we mean some 30 times in this David Letterman clip. The nickname Obam-uh wasn't far behind.

2) John McCain

McCain may have lost the presidential race but he certainly didn't lose the repetition war. His obsession with the phrase 'My friends' won him ridicule in the campaign and this splendid article in Slate. Sadly for McCain, he just didn't have enough of them at the end of the day.

3) Tony Blair

Yes, he dropped his t's. And he used almost as many 'you knows' as Kennedy. But the tic that really defined Blair's speech? That would be 'Look,...' As in 'Look, you know you've heard it many, many times.'

4) Bill Clinton

Life was 'a big deal' for the former President. According to one report, he used the phrase to describe everything from the deer population in Arkansas to the latest bill against crime. Everything that is except for his own heart surgery. His description of that? Inevitably, it was 'no big deal.'

5) Bob Dole

The royal 'we' is one thing. But Bob Dole's constant references to himself in the third person were, well, just weird. And that was before he'd even begun to advertise Viagra. Kennedy will have to go a long way to compete.

Comments

[Ian Thorpe]

"The President-elect is widely regarded as one of today's great rhetoricians. But that doesn't prevent him from falling back on the odd 'uh' when the talking gets tough."

Like when he is more than a few feet from his autocue for example - face it, the man's an imbecile. It will take more to sort out the problems of the middle east than the look of sheer panic that appears on Obama's face whenever Palestine is mentioned.

[bob]

Ian, I'd think any relatively intelligent person would look panicked when faced with the Middle East situation.

And nearly everyone who regularly speaks in front of large groups uses a teleprompter. It's normal. And I'd rate Obama's ability to take impromptu questions from unscreened audiences pretty highly, based on his performance during the campaign.

[Hugh Allen]

Mr. Thorpe's casual abuse of Obama as 'an imbecile' is offensive (and ludicrously inaccurate). Writers should only write what they would be ready to say, face to face.

Obama's panic over Palestine may well be real, but, if true, would be highly rational. And he can hardly do worse than Bush

[Maven]

Dear Ian Thorpe: It may be time to get over your childish, ignorant, moronic anger over the fact that Obama won the election. The simple fact is that the majority of Americans are sick to death of hateful idiots like you.

[steve]

Don't know how you can call someone an imbecile who was able to produce the analysis of the race issue that Obama came up with when the 'God damn America' thing blew up? did you read that speech?

[John Cameron]

I like the Gordon Brown tic or jaw drop which has always preceded a little porky! We all noticed this at university and he has never changed.

[Luke]

I totally agree Ian, when he's off his leash and too far away from whoever is pulling his strings he shows his true colors, RED.

[Tony Francis]

Obama is apparently a chain smoker. When was the last time time (or first time) we saw a picture of him with a cigarette? Like, you know, never, maybe? Uhhhh. not a verbal tic, per se, but an oral one, you know, uhhhh, which in the US, like, you know, just isn't good. A mortal sin, uhhh, really, you know. Uhhhh, I guess it just didn't fit with the template, like you know, the press, uhhhh, wanted to paint of him, uhhhh, you know.

[Dr. Joe Pizzo, ScD]

So there's a post here by one Ian Thorpe...hate much Ian?

President-elect Obama does not have to and SHOULD NOT be weighing in on his plans for Palestine when there is a sitting (literally - probably reading "My Pet Goat" again) President who will go down in history as the worst ever. The current President should be handling a world crisis all on his own. Pres-Elect Obama does not use a teleprompter for interviews and "um" is seen as someone who pauses and measures their response before administering it. From your tone I can tell you were perfectly happy with the last eight years of complete buffoonery and pre-rehearsed talking points that were composed by the propaganda team in advance of GWB's opening his mouth (and quite poorly, I must add). Measured responses are a sign of intelligence. Get used to it for the next eight years.

[Vlad]

"Pulling his strings?" Would he have his strings pulled if he was white?

[Bowal]

Dear Ian, Luke and other Obama Haters,

If what it takes to organize the best campaign in America history is to be an imbecile, then I want to be one.

If what it takes to take on political dynasties in America and beat them despite obvious obstacles is to be an imbecile, then I want to be one.

Call him whatever you want, hit your head against the wall, hate him or love him, IT DOES NOT REALLY MATTER! Obama has won the hearts of a massive majority, and in a few days will become the most powerful man in the world!!!

[peter robin]

I agree that the Brown jaw drop has to be the most interesting tic of our British politicians but have not associated with a deliberate untruth as I have yet to hear him tell the truth.

[Jo]

Actually, I thought Obama spoke rather well when he addressed a small work group here where I live. And honestly I don't remember seeing an autoque set up.

[Max]

The reason why he's in an imbecile is because Obama continues hiding behind the guise of "change". What change? I know he isn't in yet, but still how is he any different than any other corrupt politician!? All ObamUH has protecting him are ignorantly blind ideologue internet forum trolls pounding away in illogical rage. Logical persons are merely waiting to see why Obama's supposedly a "savior". I sincerely hope is --- but doubt it.

[Jared]

Obama is a great speaker when he is told what to say. So who will lead the country once he is inaugurated - President Obama or the people telling him what to say and do?

[John Skookum]

I totally agree with Ian. Obama is an affirmative-action mascot and has been since his days at the Punahou School. If he has the smarts that all his voluptuaries claim, why are all his school records sealed? He is unqualified to run a lemonade stand.

[GEC]

Obama is a talker of cliches, of silliness, of no substance. When will the public see that "The Emperor Has No Clothes?"

[Michael]

Steve, Obama certainly did NOT write that speech. All pols have speech writers. Ian, Obama is hardly an imbecile. Maven, "hateful idiots" are on both sides of the aisle, remember how the Dems reacted in '04?

[ian l]

"The President-elect is widely regarded as one of today's great rhetoricians."

yeah right- and Elena Ceauşescu was one of the greatest scientists of all time.

he's been elected- you can drop the soviet style propaganda now.

[Pat]

Gee Luke -- you mean red as in Red States? Red as in rednecks? Surprising you sound so disgruntled -- I'd have thought those were things you might relate to.

As for Ian -- a question: how many imbeciles do you know who have been able to ascend from a lower-middle class background, being raised by a single parent, to become President of the Harvard Law Review. Do you have any idea how hard it is even to get into Harvard? Never mind Harvard Law School? Never mind get on the Law Review there (to be selected for law review is a great honor at ANY law school, not just Harvard)? But to be chosen as President of the Law Review -- that takes phenomenal intelligence and skill.

Criticize his positions, politics, or opinions, but insulting his (unquestionably high) intelligence only makes YOU look like a moron. Especially since you are -- wait -- let me guess! A Bush voter, yes?

Talk about someone who rode into Yale and Harvard on his famous daddy's coattails and was admitted *despite* his lack of intelligence or ability.

[mike]

Hey Stevem,Obama didnt write that 'race speach'.

[Carole]

I'm with Ian. The man speaks with a forked tongue. Even with the teleprompter...Remember his remark about Israel, then his 'explanation' of that remark the following day? Remember no hand on the heart during the pledge? Then the flag pin gets inserted into his lapel. DUH?

[Britton]

Actually while i agree Obama is not an imbecile but he definetly relies on teleprompters too much. And yes he's decent at responses to questions he's prepaired for, c'mon u have to remember Joe the plumber. He put his foot in that glorious mouth of his with that, unfortunately McCain was too far behind by that point and too weak.

And please drop the liberal BS, anyone who has met Bush in person will tell you he is quite intelligent, just not an eloquant speaker.

[Phil]

To Maven: Why do you insist that someone is a "hateful idiot" just because they don't like Obama? I did not vote for Obama. And, I didn't vote for McCain. Does that make me a "hateful idiot"?

[Lynn]

The fact is Maven, that 48% of this country did NOT vote for Obama. Put that in your "uh" pipe and smoke it.

[Ed]

Hey Steve, it doesn't matter who amongst us read that speech. What matters is who wrote it, and I guarantee it wasn't the imbecile making the speech!

[Ron S.]

Caroline sounds like Cicero compared to that awful, uneducated Palin, n'est pas? Hahvahd makes such a difference.

[tc]

Maven, the most "hateful idiots" I have ever witnessed in this country were the vicious haters of Bush the last couple of years. And it was all based on bigoted group think with no regard for the facts. (that would be the liberal press)

[David Axelrod]

To Steve: You actually think Obama came up with that himself??? He doesn't write his own material. He just reads well.
"
Don't know how you can call someone an imbecile who was able to produce the analysis of the race issue that Obama came up with when the 'God damn America' thing blew up? did you read that speech?

Posted by: steve | 3 Jan 2009 08:36:32 "

[Manley G]

Bob: Sorry, I'm a speech coach and FEW folks ever use a teleprompter. The President of the USA uses one at State of the Union because so much rides on the interpretation and he can't afford to "blow" that event.

In fact, the "electronic" device that has been the most common is "power point" and how to speak in rhythm with slides and visuals.

Candidate Barack Obama took a teleprompter at a RODEO in Grand Junction, Colorado. That usage did cause a great many chuckles. If anyone is not familiar with the notion of a rodeo, consider it on a par with any livestock or animal competition in your area and you will comprehend the ridiculousness of the usage. Imagine speaking from a teleprompter at a dog show, or at a livestock sale, or at a county fair!!!

[ALAN C]

You seem to have missed David Cameron's constant use of the word 'extraordinary', in response to every new government statement or policy.

[RFP]

I love it when people characterize the people on the 'losing' side of this election, as 'hateful' if they oppose the coming administration. I used to think that the negative onslaught against Clinton was staggering from the Right, but it paled in comparison to the tsunami of slander, vitriole, spit and venom that came from the Left regarding Bush. It almost struck me as psychotic... If you ask me, the average liberal is gonna have to get some thick skin for the upcoming administration because the Right have been beaten bloody for the last few years. The Left have set a new precedent for criticism and now it's very likely they will have to drink from the same bowl they've been pissing in for the last 4 years, at least...

[perspicio]

In a nutshell:

The Congress, especially the Senate, is woefully corrupt, and for decades it has increasingly abdicated its public governing authority, thrusting this instead upon the presidency, so that behind the scenes (yet more and more brazenly as time goes by), it can continue to ignore blatant conflicts of interest by increasingly wielding illicit power in collusion with elite financial, commercial and religious figures whose interests are at odds with those of the People.

And the People squabble amongst each other, rather than uniting to confront this massive evil.

Obama, at least, has thus far sided with the People when they have staged protests against the corrupt business practices of such institutions as the Bank of America. But if the People truly want a just and accountable system, and not merely to whine about how corrupt it is, then they must ACT.

However, this will not happen before they are made to suffer something more severe than a loss of their 401Ks and higher credit card rates.

Things must get worse before they can get better.

Welcome to 2009.

[Fluffy]

Imbeciles: there is no "Palestine."

Obama a dummy? Hardly.

Wow! 48% of America didn't vote for Obama? there's that educational divide-- THAT part of the divide is the lumpen proletariat...

[christopher]

Get over it, your worst fear has come true.

You all no why you hate Obama, not because he's a democratic or a raging liberal or because you don't like his policies, or because you think the press are giving him special treatment, or because you think he is being controlled by unseen hands or any of the other myriad of excuses you have managed to conjure up. The sooner you can just be true to yourselves and say it the better you will feel.

[Helen]

Obama is a great orator, remember his speech in Berlin and on the night he became president elect? I certainly didn't see any teleprompters anywhere. He's better than Kennedy and that's saying something. Give the man a chance. He is certainly not an imbecile, neither is his very clever wife and I can't wait to see what they do to restore the prestige of the USA which is, to put it mildly, nowhere, with the rest of the world, and there are more of us than there of you. As someone else said, if running the best planned campaign, ever, makes him an idiot, then let me join forces. It would be my pleasure.

[Dave N]

Let's not applaud Obam-Ah's inaction about Palestine so quickly. I see many posts here (with the requisite lib Bush-bashing comments) cheering on Obam-Ah's silence about palestine, yet none of the lib fanatics seem to mind Obama-Ah's constant stoking of the doom and gloom economy he so desperately needs. "There, ah, could be, ah, 10% unemployment in the ah, US if I , er we don't pass my open ended ah, multi trillion $ stimulus package." Until Obam-Ah releases his education records (which will never happen) I would hesitate labeling him an imbecile as Ian did, but I can call him what he is: a junior senator from the most corrupt political geography in the USA, with questionable ties to smarmy people, who miraculously raised $.75 Billion for his election, and is now faced with a dire global economic crisis, and a nuclear Iran, and he looks good shirtless for a 47 year old man on the beaches of Hawaii. God save us.

[ARC]

I remember the story when P-E.B.O brought the teleprompter to the rodeo. I thought it was comical that a man celebrated by the media as having such an elevated intellect required a teleprompter!

What will be interesting to see is how the media and liberals in general report on/persecute those on the right who criticize Obama (as opposed to how the criticizers of President Bush are treated).

[mal]

I started reading these comments and wondered whether I was reading a UK paper or not! Anyway... seems to me to get to the top of anything means you aren't any more stupid than those supporting you. Applies to all US politicians, and politicians of other 'democracies'. My instinct about Mr Obama is 'Emperor's New Clothes', but I may be, and hope, I'm wrong. As for Mr Bush, it's all very well everyone looking down their noses at him but what and where are YOU? Seems to me it takes something to get to be the President of the US - money yes, (Obama had billions I understand), but votes too. So if you look down your nose at Bush you're looking down your nose at all your fellow citizens who voted for him/his party. Truth is, history will tell and we're just spouting hot air!!!

[Veronica]

If the Pres-Elec is an imbecile, how come you didn't get elected or succeed in anything that might make you less anonymous to the world than you are?

[Paul Giles]

'Obama' is normally pronounced with an unstressed schwa ('uh') for the last syllable. How can the normal pronunciation of his name serve as a nickname?

[Do the Right Thing]

The HATE on both sides of the political fence is childish. We'll never agree about anything will we? Even factual events of the past are up for debate. Was Clinton better than Bush for the country and the world? Clear answer in my mind, but I'm sure that there are plenty of people who will oppose my viewpoint with powerful arguments. So arguing about whether Obama is going to be good or bad for the country is pointless -- I'll argue my view you'll argue yours and even 50 years after we're all dead and buried there will still be no consensus. So what's the point folks? Do we have to argue to feel like we're doing our part to keep the "other" side in check? Do we have to launch baseless or purposefully skewed arguments that rely on out-of-context sound bites just so we can fend off the threat of the "other" side chances of "winning" -- whatever that means? It's seems a whole lot like war don't it? Two sides firing away, both forgetting or choosing not to care about what is truly important in life. The myopic focus on winning the argument/battle instead of focusing on resolving the underlying issues and coming together as one.

[Bill from Houston]

Barack Obama, the latter day Jimmy Carter. The single term curiosity.

I'll keep my head down until 2012.

[Marc]

Being a great speaker does not make you a great president! Think of Hitler! The only real benefit to this ability is in trying times when you need someone to calm the nation's emotions or to convince the american public that a certain cause is just.

Republicans: just admit your party blew it when a true conservative policy could have solidified the country 8 years ago and later on, this year, elected some electable people.

Democrats: You sound like republicans 8 years ago! You can stop drinking the cool-aid now!

[John]

1. "Obama has won the hearts of a massive majority"

-Untrue. About 125 million voted in the Presidential race. That is about 41% of the 300 million people in the United States. Of that 41%, Obama won 53%. Thus, 21% of people in the U.S. voted for Obama. 79% voted for someone else or didn't bother to vote. The 21% he represents is hardly a "massive majority." In fact, it isn't even close to a majority, but people who can't do math keep saying it is.

2. Yes, Obama is a great speaker. So was Hitler. Being a great speaker does not make you correct or noble or virtuous or fair.

Obama is an amateur. He went to good schools because of his race, not his grades. (In the U.S., minorities have lower standards for admissions into colleges, so that colleges can have more minorities in them.) He became a Senator only because his opponent dropped out of the race. He joined a church that preaches racial hatred and spreads crazy conspiracy theories. He considers that preacher his "mentor." He ran for office this time not expecting to win but only to spread his name to prepare to run in 2012 or 2016.

He is unprepared to lead and he is unqualified to lead.

But he's a great speaker and a handsome man, and to stupid people raised on too much TV, that's all that matters.

[Omidal]

Obama's "huh" is not a big concern. I think he uses it that much to gather his thought, especially when faces with complex issues that demand that one does not rush into answering. The "huh" is a pause. Obviously MR O. is a a deep thinker and does not want his answers misconstrued by the public and the media. There is always a way for your opponents to use language or snippet of a conversation to make it sound like something else. President Clinton got better in time by taking pause when he is answering. In time I think Obama will have less of the 'huh'and may become one of the best public speaker the US will ever have.

[Supergirl]

TC and RFP,
People don't speak poorly of Bush because their politics differ; they speak poorly of him because his unprecedented job performance. He's tanked the world economy and taken warmongering, xenophobia, and fearmongering to a new low. If you think that the antipathy is confined to US Democrats, read newspapers produced outside the US. The rest of the world speaks scathingly of him as well. In fact, the Daily Mirror (UK) called him a "No Brainer" when he was re-elected, and asked the banner headline question, "How can 59,054,087 people be so dumb?" (http://www.scribd.com/doc/53461/Daily-Mirror-on-George-Bushs-Reelection). Contrast that with the jubilant world reaction to Obama's election (http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html).
Bush is the only President in my nearly 50-year lifetime who was so poorly thought of internationally that world leaders refused to shake hands with him (at the G20 Summit) and a non-US citizen threw shoes at him, called him a dog, and challenged him to get out of the country. Does that sound like a leader the world respects to you? Do you feel safe with a leader like that at the helm? I sure don't.
I'm sure Bush would be a great guy to drink beer and watch football with, but he's a terrible world leader. The poor man can't even speak properly, for heaven's sake. It's not a psychotic left wing conspiracy to beat Bush bloody; the world views his actions negatively and comments in kind because he's made serious mistakes with worldwide repercussions, done nothing to fix them, and the world is paying for his errors.

[Jim]

You Know Obama is an empty suit You Know Uh Um. Change We Can Believe In is an absolute joke as are the idiots who voted for him and thought his Change We Can Believe In was real. You got what you voted for and now live with this idiot for the next four years.

[Shreela]

Uh...!
Can you, Ian Thorpe and the like minded tell me who wrote the two books that Obama is supposed to have written?
Uh... I think not!

[Rumple Stiltskin]

Get the imposters out of the White House.

[Viv]

Oh dear. What a lot of nasty, small-minded comments there is on this forum. One minute Obama is being criticised for being too intellectual, the next he is an 'imbecile'. No matter which party you voted for in the elections, or your views on the use of teleprompters, a reading of either The Audacity of Hope or Dreams of My Father, will quickly assuage any fears that Obama is of sub-par intelligence. And no, he didn't have a ghost writer. Most of the content of his speeches, often word for word, can be found in these books, so although I'm sure that on occasion Obama uses speechwriters, the sentiment (and in large part the language) is clearly all his. Seems some people just can't stand the fact that after 8 long years of misery, we finally have a highly-intelligent, rational, pragmatic and empathetic man about to enter the White House. Bring on the inauguration!

[JJ]

Good try, John Cameron!

However, as everyone is free to observe, Gordon Brown's 'jaw-drop' is just what he does when he takes a breath. So it doesn't mean (as you claim) that he's about to tell a 'little porky'.

You aren't working for that other Cameron, are you?

[JFG]

If you do your research, you will find that Obama does write a lot of his own speeches. He does have a speechwriter, but he has been quoted as saying "most of the ideas come from Obama".
He has also written two exceptional books which certainly did not use a ghostwriter, one having been published before he even entered politics.
The man is more than capable of inspirational writing, and his eloquent deliverance of the speeches, whether he writes them or not, is due to his intelligence and understanding of the topics at hand.

[Nancy]

NOBODY IS RIGHT.

[Joe G]

Ron: Radcliff, not Harvard, then Columbia Law.

[DaveR]

Contrary to many of the comments above it is becomming very evident that PE Obama is not nearly as intelligent as the main street media has attempted to lead the nation to believe. In fact other than being the Editor of the Harvard Law Review no one knows a damn thing about what kind of grades he got during his college drug taking days. What was his GPA? What courses did he take? Anybody know? So far I would put George Bush's steadfast approach to Obama's left wing socialist approach to governing. God Help Us All.

[LJ]

Whomever wrote this: "The fact is Maven, that 48% of this country did NOT vote for Obama. Put that in your "uh" pipe and smoke it."

4%? That's hardly a landslide victory is it now? So he may have got the 50% majority, 52% is little over half. Maybe if he managed to get 60%, I would be impressed.
seriously, if massive amounts of Americans wanted him, he'd of had way more than 52%.
No, I'm not an Obama fan but nor am I a McCain fan or an American as a matter of fact.

[tommy]

So Barry has a verbal tic, what a surprise and the Kool aide drinkers are out in force to defend this idiot. Have any of these people watched him in a press conference? He doesn't know anything and he uhhhhs and ahhhhs and ignores/avoids the tough questions. How long will this play in the White House?

[Joanna g.]

and I suppose if one called Obama a chimp and a moron as Bush was called, it would not be ok, right?

[bj]

Ian i couldnt agree with you more. not about obama-i am willing to give him a chance, and thank god that mccain did not win. but the way obama is completely ignoring the gaza situation definitely demonstrates some cowardice.

[Dave Reynolds]

I've heard of Mr. Barack Obama of course, but who on earth is Ian Thorpe?

[Robert F]

A "voluptuary" is a person whose chief interests are luxury and the gratification of sensual appetites. Who are Obama's "voluptuaries"? What is John Skokum trying to suggest? I think we should be told...

[Angela]

Why does it even matter if Obama doesn't write his own speeches, uses a teleprompter, or whatever? Nobody can be president without help. Whoever did write those speeches is intelligent, and has ideas that the majority of voters like, and those same people are still going to be there when he is president, helping him to make decisions and speeches that those voters will like. It doesn't matter how much is really Obama and how much isn't.

The only problem would be if he gets drunk with power and ignores his advisors once he's in.

[Roger]

Yes, John Cameron, Brown's jaw-drop drives me nuts! But he seems to do it all the time - does this mean that everything he says is a porky?

[Mike]

What about John Major's use of 'wunt' instead of 'want'?

I'll let you fill in your own puerile joke about it being the behaviour of a...

[Dave]

Barack Obama is obviously a man of real intelligence: few if any of us could or will manage what he has. It is rather foolish to deny this. He would not have been able to perform as well on interviews or debates were this not so. School test scores hardly seem relevant to the man at 47.

He uses a teleprompter more than most, but in this youtube age each speech could get (inter)national coverage. An excess of caution is no bad thing therefore, and is hardly the marker of the stupid.

How he fares as President remains to be seen. Intelligence is only one atribute needed, and not the most important. We should all hope and pray he performs well.

[Robey Jenkins]

Gordon Brown's jaw-drop is not a verbal tic (as is being discussed in the article above), but a physical one: an involuntary motion largely unconnected to his state of mind. It occurs with more frequency when he is nervous - just as a stammer worsens under stress - but that doesn't indicate lying; simply the normal pressure of public speaking.

Contrary to common opinion, he doesn't have a glass eye but is blind in his left eye.

Back on topic, I think that verbal "tics" aren't so much tics as coping mechanisms. Public speakers often develop a phrase or expression to insert instead of "er" or "um" to buy that vital thinking time. Caroline Kennedy's use of "y'know" is probably influenced by popular culture, whereas John McCain's "my friends" is likely a studied adoption.

By contrast, given that Barrack Obama is an experienced public speaker, the fact that he has no such cover-up and falls back on "er" and "um" is indicative of his general confidence, but his specific lack of confidence when these tics appear.

[Daniel Barker]

I think Brown's mouth thing might have something to do with his browkn jaw, but I'm no expert.

I assume that anyone commenting on Obama's intellect has read his books; to offer an analysis without even looking at the man's published work would be the height of idiocy.

[rob]

Britton: bush speaks like you spell

[Hol]

I would much rather Obama over-relied on a teleprompter and managed to say it right than put up with another "is our children learning" style orator along the lines of Bush making the US Presidency a matter of ridicule.

Dubya by all accounts isn't as moronic as many make him out to be and in person is a warm, affable man, but he was a poor leader and speaker. His poor policies and presentation of himself have caused a number of crises that are now coming home to roost and have maimed America's international reputation. He was elected first through a voting farce that should have come out in his opponent's favour, and then re-elected through fear mongering after 9/11. McCain was put in an awkward position with a divided party - he couldn't lean too far left for fear of hardcore Republicans trashing him, couldn't go too far right because of the many disillusioned moderate Republicans and undecided voters. What he was left with was an incoherent mess that killed his election.

Obama's by far a better option. His campaign was astounding, he was a rank outsider who beat the woman who was previously thought a dead cert for the nomination. His organisation and tone was exactly on point. He's mobilised a whole new batch of voters and got them involved in the process. You can roundly disagree with his policies, but an imbecile he's not. You don't do what he's done by being an idiot.

[ruskee]

I think it's funny that there are people like Ian and Luke who harbour such an irrational hatred for Obama: in their petulant ineloquent rants all they do is show themselves to be both intellectually wanting and emtionally insecure. Presumably they identify more strongly with President Bush.

[Dan Durkin]

It amazes me how quick people are to criticize Bush. The problem is most of the anti-Bush types are looking for a celebrity who can recite their lines perfectly and they look good on camera. It's a generation of people who got their education from watching American Idol. Bush is the first President we've had in years who has had any balls. Our country was viciously attacked and more than 3000 innocent civilians were murdered. Everyone seems to forget that. Bush went on the offensive to defend us and he's succeeded brilliantly. He has done this at the risk of his reputation and disregard for what the all mighty media thinks of him. He also doesn't care what the people of France, Germany or any other country think of him. His priority was to protect the citizens of the US and he's done a great job. The people who hate Bush wanted an mouthpiece in the White House that makes them feel good and that's what they got. God help us all.

[Barney Crush]

On why Obummer is the "savior" to so many: He is anti-American; as are most ignorant peoples of the world.

[Dan Durkin]

"If what it takes to organize the best campaign in America history is to be an imbecile, then I want to be one." POSTED BY BOWAL.

Hey BOWAL, if you voted for Obama, then you got your wish, you're an imbecile! Obama's not the idiot here. He's very smart and he used the system to get elected despite not having any substantial experience and no record to speak of! The imbecile's are the millions of people who bought his B.S. hook line and sinker and voted for him. The only thing he has extensive experience with is being associated with dangerous, hateful and sometimes criminal characters. Sorry folks, the jokes on us.

[Catherine]

Hey Phil, the fact you didn't vote for either doesn't make you a hateful idiot, it just makes you an idiot for not voting(assuming you were eligible to of course)! I'm not American therefore, I suppose, my comment is fairly irrelevant, but I feel enormous relief that the obviously intelligent Obama, who takes time to consider his responses rather than blunder gaily inot a malapropism a la his predecessor, is to deal with the sagging, broken mess that is America at present, rather that a cancer stricken, impulsive, shifty old man.

[bob f.]

john skookum

obama's editorship of the harvard law review, a position usually held by a highly talented student in a class of fairly bright people, doesn't suggest he lacks for academic talent.

your post is a bunch of skookum if you ask me.

[fred t]

For Pat:

Obama (blessed be his name) was NOT from a lower middle class background and he was not raised by his single mother. He was raised by his grandparents and lived in a hi-rise in Honolulu (the Admiral Thomas) where 2 bedrooms cost $1million. He attended one of the elite prep schools in America (Punahou School).

And yes, he is an imbecile ( or to be kind - a typical leftist).

[Mebratu]

This is 2009 and there are still those that let fear and ignorance guide them. Maybe one day the world will be void of such hatered due to race, creed and the color of ones skin. We all live on the same planet. There are enough resources to go around yet many go without food, clothes, clean drinking water, healthcare, housing and other necessities taken for granted. Question, "would a global enema cure them of their childlike racial constipation"? This World was made for all MANKIND!!!

[lynn]

Pat- Obama's father went to Harvard. He is just as much legacy as Bush. Obama was not lower middle class- 2 PhD parents and a bank VP grandparent does not make low middle class. He was raised by his mother & step father or his grandparents for the majority of his life- not a "single-mother." I voted against Bush 2x, but I sought out enough information in this election to not buy into the propaganda. Obama is a politician, and he is more like Bush than he is you or I.

[Miss America]

Who regards Obama as a great rhetorician?...nobody who has heard him off script..

[Khalid Manzoor]

Few days ago I finished reading Obama's both books and found him a modern prophet, yes really. Few small quotes:
" My identity might begin with the fact of my race,but it didn't,couldn't end there"
Golden rule about faith:
"the need to battle cruelty in all its forms,the value of love and charity,humility and grace"
He is a genius and beautiful because
beauty is the splendour of truth.Forget his tics and read his thoughts and see hia ctions.

[Richard Prior]

World opinion on many key issues has become more polarised in the last 2-3 years than at any other moment in my lifetime.

I would suggest that the extreme opposing views held across the globe will pull us into the next world war before Obama has been re-elected.

Will Mr O be able to prevent this disaster

[Warrwim]

When has the left deigned to give one iota of deference to the sitting President except now as the implacable grief of the Middle East launches missiles into the illusion on a new "Camelot?"

[Hal]

yes - dislike of Obama has to do with emtional(sic) security.

right on Ruskee.

[Mike McHugh]

ian you're a great swimmer and a delightful igniter of reasoned comment.

i doubt that obama's an imbecile, but then i doubt bush is, which might make me one!
but they sure make easy targets, like you here.

anyway, verbal tics, bertie ahern here in ireland had a way of stammering when necessary to give him time to think and make any questioner seem overly aggressive.
the teflon taoiseach!

[Daniel Martin]

I've had the pleasure of hearing Obama speak in person on a few occasions, dating back to 2002. He is indeed a gifted orator and judging from his performance in the context of television interviews, performs fairly well in circumstances that require an extemporaneous response. It's fairly obvious that in criticizing Obama's intellect or his speaking ability, much more is being said about the irrational fear of the critic than anything else.

[Frank]

The blindingly obvious fact about Obama is that his greatest asset was and is Bush. That is why he could not fail.

[J Darke]

For me, it's "basically".

Basically, people whose every other word is "basically" drive me insane.

Basically.

[Morag]

I am astonished by how much hatred there still is about the election result. Regardless of public speaking, I find it hard (as a UK citizen) to understand how anyone can not think that Bush's "balls" has landed America in so much doodah. But if you want to be laughed at by the rest of the world, fair play to you.

I think Obama has HUGE balls to take on the presidency of a country with such a dire legacy. I can't believe how calmly he's taking this step. I've even considered whether the Republicans deliberately lost the 2008 race, to give them a chance to hand over the mess, but I can't see them being bright enough to think of this.

No-one can comment on Obama's books until they have read them. If they were written by a ghost, he or she is extraordinarily gifted at concealment. The only other person I could imagine who could write them would be - uh - Michelle Obama.

[Finnster]

Why does every article that mentions Obama descend to vitriol from both sides so quickly. Isn't it time to start acting like adults instead of bigots.

Shame that so little space is left for discussing other "tics" - GB's jaw drop is there for me.

[Reader]

Is this article trying to say that Caroline Kennedy isn't that bad. The things mentioned in the list are not nearly as bad as her incoherent ramblings. Even the Boston Herald writer that had endorsed her withdrew that endorsement! I really hope that she doesn't become a senator.

[Chris]

We can all appreciate Mr. President-Elect's intelligence, speaking ability, and overall charisma. While I am a staunch supporter of his, I challenge ANYONE to show me that his admission to Harvard was not based on race. Mr. Obama, given his background, was accepted to Harvard due to affirmative action, and Harvard lucked out by producing a(nother) President. His educational transcripts have never been released, and I doubt we will ever see them. High school and Columbia are a mystery, yet Harvard was 'magna cum laude'. Kudos to him, but please, just admit that Harvard admission was AA based. Obama would have become President if he went to Hawai'i Pacific, Kansas State, or Malcom X College. Harvard providing a jumping pad from which he launched his career and made all of those important political contacts.

[bob]

we have ourselves another pea-nut farmer

[achillois]

Haven't had time to read all the comments, so perhaps this is repetitious, but what about John McCain's inability to control facial gestures. The photo of him and Obama exiting the stage following a debate should have been a definitive moment for anyone who was still undecided. His total lack of decorum and consciousness, together with the fact that he was hoping to become the most powerful leader in the world made his grotesque gesture all the more unacceptable. Indeed, there are cultures in which the showing of one's tongue is considered highly offensive.

[Ramm]

Obamuh is Carter/Clinton II without the tasty peanuts. And the blue dresses.

We got the guv that we deserve. Now how about HRM? Since we are pointing fingers across the pond-when does that crew have to go out and get a real job and quit milking the public teat?

[Jen]

"He [Obama] doesn't know anything and he uhhhhs and ahhhhs and ignores/avoids the tough questions. How long will this play in the White House?"

No need to wonder Tommy - it played for the full 8 years with the last one!

[Mazari]

Obama an imbecile? I suppose it is all merely a matter of opinion.

For many, those who elected GW Bush as President (thereby unleashing a serial incompetent on to the world stage), are the true imbeciles.

[jonny]

does obama get a piece of the profits on all those plates that use his picture?

[Max]

Looking at how Israel has behaved over the last few days, and the awful facts of human loss that have come to light, I hope Obama shows a little tough love and advises Israel to destroy the settlements they've built on Palestinian land and encourage (rather than block!) the UN to patrol the border preventing Hamas from firing any insignificant rockets into southern Israel.
Although considering the number of young Palestinians who probably want revenge for the death of their loved ones, Israel has just made Obamas job a lot more difficult. Guess that was also the plan all along, as well as getting votes in the upcoming Israeli election of course.

[David]

I think the article said 'widely regarded' when speaking about Obama's ability as a rhetoricians the fact that some of you don't agree merely confirms that he is not 'universally regarded' as one of today's great rhetoricians.

I for one care more about the poor standard of many posts rather than whether Obama does or does not say 'uh' a lot. I know several very intelligent people who are extremely shy and care barely string 2 words together in front of a group of people. This means that they are not good at public speaking but does not make them imbeciles. Far too many people commenting upon articles on this site appear to be strangers to illect and reason...