View Full Version : I'm convinced Barack Obama is a rockstar
QueenAdrock
03-03-2007, 05:16 PM
and not really a politician. Through the magic of youtube (and yes, facebook - SO WHAT, WE'RE FRIENDS, SCREW YOU) I've come to fully understand just how much support he has. It's early 2007, the election is a full year and a half away, primaries are in about a year, and already he has THOUSANDS of people lining up, waiting in the rain, and driving from many states away just to hear him speak. People have driven from Atlanta just to hear him speak in Cleveland. It reminds me of the Deaniacs, though I don't remember when his whole cult following happened, or if it was this early on.
I just remember how easy it was to meet John Kerry the day before Super Tuesday, when he had already won all the states in the caucuses/primaries beforehand. He was looking like he'd be our next presidential candidate, yet the gymnasium I was in wasn't as full as it could be. A few simple "excuse mes" got me close enough to take pictures like this. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/QueenAdrock1/other/Kerry2.jpg) I don't think I could ever do that at an Obama rally. People were excited at Kerry's rally, but it wasn't packed to the brim and people weren't gushing like they do with Obama. It's seriously amazing to me to think that someone with the amount of experience that he has is able to gather more support in a shorter amount of time.
I'm impressed.
DroppinScience
03-03-2007, 09:14 PM
Simply put, Obama has captured lightning in a bottle. (y)
cosmo105
03-03-2007, 09:31 PM
the man's got some serious JFK-ish charisma.
i haven't been following politics for about 2 years
in 100 words or less, what exactly is all the hullaboo about obama? i'd never even heard of him until he got elected for...whatever he is (i forget if it's senate or house). he's such a newcomer, why is he suddenly such a messianic presidential candidate?
basically what i'm asking is, apart from being adorable (and he is adorable), what's so great about him? why would he be a good president, instead of just an adorable president (to be fair, after bush, i'd settle for an adorable president)
DroppinScience
03-03-2007, 11:45 PM
Bob,
He is Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). Dude, you saw his speech at the DNC in '04, right? That's all you need.
Basically, he's molding himself in the Kennedy style: young, handsome, idealistic. His recent book, "The Audacity of Hope" outlines his agenda which is very, well... hopeful.
You've been under a rock if you haven't been hearing about Obama-mania.
i didn't see the speech
i have been under a rock
sell me on him
but quickly
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 12:20 AM
Well, I think the man's own words can sell himself better than I ever could:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCLomrqIN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56-m8wx1mwo
If anything was to be taken out of the DNC '04, it was Obama. At that very speech, lots thought "Shit, this guy could be President!"
Documad
03-04-2007, 12:40 AM
I can't stand JFK.
yeahwho
03-04-2007, 02:24 AM
I can't stand JFK.
I am a huge JFK fan and I could not stand Gerald Ford. You and me have some serious political differences Documad.
Barack Obama is a fantastic political sounding board, a good measuring stick for other candidates to measure their own staleness too. I do not take alot of stock in him for his experience...but I do think he has political smarts and enough savvy to make a difference in how we perceive ourselves in the USA.
I can't help but like him. Kucinich (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17348970/site/newsweek/)is my "Rockstar" though.
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 02:33 AM
I am a huge JFK fan and I could not stand Gerald Ford. You and me have some serious political differences Documad.
Barack Obama is a fantastic political sounding board, a good measuring stick for other candidates to measure their own staleness too. I do not take alot of stock in him for his experience...but I do think he has political smarts and enough savvy to make a difference in how we perceive ourselves in the USA.
I can't help but like him. Kucinich (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17348970/site/newsweek/)is my "Rockstar" though.
Well, I love JFK and I respect Gerald Ford, so can't we all just get along? :p
Anyways, as for Kucinich... man, if somebody like Obama becomes the President, I sure hope he'd be in the President's cabinet. Hell, if the Department of Peace (Kucinich's big idea) were formed, I couldn't think of a better person to appoint as the Secretary of Peace. (y)
QueenAdrock
03-04-2007, 02:44 AM
i didn't see the speech
i have been under a rock
sell me on him
but quickly
He gets the ladies and therefore is an awesome role model to any and all mens.
Oh and since he's half black he has a huge wang.
UM I'M DRUNK LOL
D_Raay
03-04-2007, 05:05 AM
i didn't see the speech
i have been under a rock
sell me on him
but quickly
Seriously, read his book. You can watch him speak if you like, but you really understand him alot better by reading.
ToucanSpam
03-04-2007, 11:19 AM
I refuse to give in to Obama-mania. I want to read his book badly before deciding whether I like this guy, but I don't have the dolla to buy it...guess I'l use my birthday for that.
The Notorious LOL
03-04-2007, 02:06 PM
I think he is a likeable guy, but I think if you think he has a realistic shot at the White House, you are fantasizing.
ToucanSpam
03-04-2007, 02:10 PM
I think he is a likeable guy, but I think if you think he has a realistic shot at the White House, you are fantasizing.
Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking. Reality check is needed for the people in this thread and on this board who have a case of the BO.
The Notorious LOL
03-04-2007, 02:14 PM
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/02/13/D8N91QGG6.html
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 02:28 PM
I think he is a likeable guy, but I think if you think he has a realistic shot at the White House, you are fantasizing.
I like fantasy.
ToucanSpam
03-04-2007, 02:29 PM
You like fantasy.....hmmmm.
DS likes to LARP!
QueenAdrock
03-04-2007, 03:01 PM
I think he's got a better shot than Kerry, actually. I've heard quite a few Republicans say that they like him because they think he's a strong candidate. If he's put up against Giuliani or McCain it'll be hard but I don't think it's impossible. I did at one point, but then you gotta view who else is in the arena and what people think of them. I think Obama's got the most potential to reach over to the other side.
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 03:08 PM
One thing's for sure, Obama's got a far better chance than McCain. McCain is tryin' waaaaaaaay too hard to please everyone (the Christian right, the far right yet still appeal to moderates), but nobody is pleased. He's a sell-out for cozying up to the evangelicals, and the evangelicals themselves aren't buying his ruse either. So nobody's happy.
Kennedy and Lincoln were viewed as unlikely to be President in their day, and look what happened. So don't outright dismiss it just yet.
The Notorious LOL
03-04-2007, 03:12 PM
yeah okay, a black northern democrat that doesnt have much support of the black vote. He has less of a chance than John Edwards.
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 03:17 PM
yeah okay, a black northern democrat that doesnt have much support of the black vote. He has less of a chance than John Edwards.
It's almost a year-and-a-half away until it actually matters (i.e. the Democratic nod), so there's lots of time to convince people. The issue is moot anyways, because Gore will run in November, right? :p
The Notorious LOL
03-04-2007, 03:21 PM
the issue is pretty moot regardless of who runs, because it will essentially be the same old crap you see time in and time out. Its actually pretty amusing you're under this impression that Barack Obama or whoever the Democratic candidate will be would actually make a substansial impact on changing things if elected.
D_Raay
03-04-2007, 03:49 PM
the issue is pretty moot regardless of who runs, because it will essentially be the same old crap you see time in and time out. Its actually pretty amusing you're under this impression that Barack Obama or whoever the Democratic candidate will be would actually make a substansial impact on changing things if elected.
I would have to disagree with you. The word inside the beltway on this guy is starting to spread. He just happens to be black. He scares the hell out of the Clinton's, which is a good thing. Republicans actually like him,despite the obvious natural urge NOT to.
I wasn't sold on him either, but I am slowly coming around to him. It is about time someone came around that can transcend the polarization that has been built up by both of these parties we are stuck with.
The Notorious LOL
03-04-2007, 03:53 PM
yeah wont happen.
JobDDT
03-04-2007, 04:20 PM
Gore in '08.
QueenAdrock
03-04-2007, 05:21 PM
My boss is good friends with Gore and when I asked him if he'd support him as a candidate, he laughed and said "Nah, man. He's a great guy, but I don't think he'd make a good president. Plus, he's doing a lot more for the environment now than he could if he were elected." He didn't elaborate as to why he wouldn't support him, but he did say that he'd support Bill Richardson instead. He said he's the most underrated out of the candidates, no one knows how much of a diamond in the rough he is.
I don't know whether to trust his opinion, because he knows a good chunk of the candidates running personally, but he's Republican too. :p
Documad
03-04-2007, 06:05 PM
I've heard a lot about how Obama's not polling big among black americans. I would have to see what kind of questions the pollsters are asking. If it's Obama vs. another black with a more established record of activism, many blacks are not going to pick Obama. But some black woman pundit on public radio said it best: "Obama's an educated black man who had little black babies with an educated black woman from Chicago. He would have to kill his mama to lose the black vote."
I've said it a million times, but my problem with Obama is that he has no national experience. It's a lot harder to run for president than he realizes and he's bound to mess up. He just can't be perfect. It's not possible.
Documad
03-04-2007, 06:06 PM
I am a huge JFK fan and I could not stand Gerald Ford. You and me have some serious political differences Documad.
Barack Obama is a fantastic political sounding board, a good measuring stick for other candidates to measure their own staleness too. I do not take alot of stock in him for his experience...but I do think he has political smarts and enough savvy to make a difference in how we perceive ourselves in the USA.
I can't help but like him. Kucinich (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17348970/site/newsweek/)is my "Rockstar" though.
I believe that you are living in the right place. :p
The Kucinich backers I've met are all lovely people. I love idealists. And after what I've been going through lately, I'd like to find some idealism in myself because I'm sick of the pragmatic.
I'm not a fan of charisma in politicians. I prefer my politicians to have no charisma. I don't trust charisma.
DroppinScience
03-04-2007, 06:52 PM
I just saw on Stephanopolous' ABC This Week program that Obama is actually slowly getting more popular with black voters. Again, there's plenty of time to get to know these candidates.
SobaViolence
03-05-2007, 12:21 PM
i didn't see the speech
i have been under a rock
sell me on him
but quickly
first black US president.
clarence thomas could run on that platform but i wouldn't vote for him
The Notorious LOL
03-05-2007, 05:59 PM
honestly are most of you that sheltered that you really think a black candidate with a muslim sounding name has a snowballs chance in hell of being elected president in this country?
I like Obama, I think hes a good guy, but I do not think he realistically stands any sort of chance of winning the election.
honestly are most of you that sheltered that you really think a black candidate with a muslim sounding name has a snowballs chance in hell of being elected president in this country?
I like Obama, I think hes a good guy, but I do not think he realistically stands any sort of chance of winning the election.
i'm still not cynical enough to think that that's the main reason he's unelectable (B. HUSSEIN (http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/obama-watch-launch.php) obama). but maybe it is, who knows, voters are dumb
i guess i'm just cynical about candidates where the first things people like about them are how charismatic they are. i don't trust being spellbound
he's probably got good substance too, i dunno, i still haven't really looked into it (i'll do it before the election, i promise, i'm busy lay off me), but it just seems to me that people dig him because he's so charming and i guess that annoys me
maybe there's more to it than that, i'm lazy
yeahwho
03-05-2007, 10:49 PM
maybe there's more to it than that, i'm lazy
So am I. Thats why I made up this song (loosely sung to "The Name Game") so I can remember stuff about him.
fama jama bo bama
he likes to wear his pajama
comes from a multi-racial fama
has good looks on the cama
that's Barack Obama
fama jama bo bama
he run against Rodhama
he required insurance to pay for mammograma
his audio book won the 2006 gramma
that's Barack Obama
fama jama bo bama
he comes from the same state as Abrahama
he's young and has lots of stamina
he's never been known to ride a llama
that's Barack Obama
DroppinScience
03-06-2007, 01:22 AM
honestly are most of you that sheltered that you really think a black candidate with a muslim sounding name has a snowballs chance in hell of being elected president in this country?
I like Obama, I think hes a good guy, but I do not think he realistically stands any sort of chance of winning the election.
Wait and see is all we can do for now. If you are proven wrong, mark my words I'm quoting this naysaying so you can eat crow. It's only fair.
I've heard a lot about how Obama's not polling big among black americans. I would have to see what kind of questions the pollsters are asking. If it's Obama vs. another black with a more established record of activism, many blacks are not going to pick Obama. But some black woman pundit on public radio said it best: "Obama's an educated black man who had little black babies with an educated black woman from Chicago. He would have to kill his mama to lose the black vote."
I've said it a million times, but my problem with Obama is that he has no national experience. It's a lot harder to run for president than he realizes and he's bound to mess up. He just can't be perfect. It's not possible.
actually obama's numbers have risen significantly among black democratic voters, and he's getting a lot of that support from blacks who were previously supporting hillary. and it's kind of patronizing for all of us to presume that all black democratic voters will immediately support obama, when they have yet to get to know him.
well, i've said this before: abraham lincoln had no national experience whatsoever as well when he ran for president. no one is saying he's perfect, but rather a politician who isn't a typical bullshitting politician.
Documad
03-08-2007, 10:12 PM
and it's kind of patronizing for all of us to presume that all black democratic voters will immediately support obama, when they have yet to get to know him.
I'm curious about whether you're an American, and whether you know any black democrats. I'm not being a smart ass, it's just that my personal experience is so strong, I can't set it aside. So I wonder what your personal experience is. I don't believe that black democrats will automatically support Obama, but I believe that if he's the only black viable candidate at the time of the primaries, he's going to get the vast majority of the black vote. Hillary won't have the same degree of advantage re the female vote. It's a gross oversimplification or whatever, but black people tend to support other black people more than women tend to support other women.
I strongly believe in equality and justice and all of that, but I refuse to ignore real differences in groups of people. I'm not talking about individuals--individuals are apt to do anything. But certain groups of people who share a characteristic can have observable things in common.
I have no idea how people behave in other parts of my country, but I've worked on democrats' campaigns, for black candidates and white candidates, in black neighborhoods and white ones. There are huge differences in how people view candidates. Those differences sometimes break down by race, sometimes by wealth, sometimes by urban/suburban, sometimes by gender, sometimes by sexual orientation, etc. And when I'm door knocking for a black democratic candidate, I can usually tell how well I'm going to be received based upon a lot of things I observe about the house, car, and neighborhood, even before I see the occupant of the house. (The groups I'm talking about have many things in common too. Everyone wants better schools and safer streets for instance.)
I've worked for many politicians over the years so I'm pretty jaded. Obama looks exactly like a politician to me. :p In fact, he looks like a highly skilled politician. But that's a good thing, because if he didn't look like a politician, he would have absolutely no chance of being on the democratic ticket. People say that they like politician who don't bullshit, but successful politicians who want a big political job are going to have to do a lot of bullshitting. Maybe it won't be obvious when he's on Oprah, but if you see that guy working the donors, you'll see some world class bullshit. The reality of national politics in 2007 is that candidates have to raise more money than ever. I don't think there's anything wrong with picking a politician to do a political job by the way. Being a US Senator or President is a very difficult job that calls for a lot of political skill. I'd never hire an amateur lawyer or doctor or accountant or real estate agent. I sure don't want an amateur president.
well, the above sentiment you quoted was a statement made by eugene robinson of the washington post, which i tend to agree with. i've been an american politics addict since my university days. the coverage it receives is unreal, and very good. i believe at that this point, obama is the best, and strongest candidate the democrats have, although who knows what will happen with republican-lite hillary, or if gore will decide to eventually throw his hat into the ring (which i believe he will). regardless, i think that the majority of black democratic voters will eventually move over to obama, as will most of the democratic voters, and registered members. hillary is just another incredibly conventional, manufactured politician, who along with bill and terry mcauliffe, are barely democrats. what i meant in regards to obama not being a typical bullshitting politician, is that obama isn't like the clintons, or like a lot of other politicians: total liars. obama is the extremely rare sort of individual who will tell it as it is. and you may not care for 'amateur' presidents, however one of your greatest presidents was one.
Schmeltz
03-09-2007, 06:55 PM
although who knows what will happen with republican-lite hillary
My money's on Hillary for exactly that reason - the Democrats are nothing but a Republican-lite party, and Republican-lite, I'm guessing, is as progressive as the American electorate gets.
yeahwho
03-09-2007, 07:27 PM
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain, both Republicans, lead Democratic Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a new poll gauging 2008 presidential preferences. (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uspoll0310,0,6037652.story?coll=ny-top-headlines) I site the newsday article, but check it out, all the polls say the same, same.
So as much as I am enamored with Barack and believe Hilliary is a "burn card" for the democrats, either one are generating any sort of sizzle against one very good 'ol boy republican senator or a mayor from NYC.
Back to Obama & Hilliary, I see Obama chipping away quite a bit everyday on Hilliary. He is a very formidable foe, when they are in pictures together, he is the one who captures the camera, as in Selma this past month.
Name recognition means something, google obama 19,147 hits (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&tab=wn&q=obama&btnG=Search+News), google hilliary, 16 hits? (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&tab=wn&q=hilliary&btnG=Search+News), very unscientific, very spur of the moment, yet very real.
If you go down the specifics in that google column you can see the type of attention Obama has garnered. I've said it for over an year now and maybe I'll have to eat crow, Hilliary is a democratic burn card in the big "Hold 'Em" game of presidential politics. It may not be fair, but I believe it to be true.
Neither one of these candidates are getting my vote. Not yet. It will take more than a walk through Selma and cashflow to change our path in America.
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