The Obama phenomenon

[Roxanne Appleby]

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/spitfiregriffin/obamacartoon.jpg​

I've been accused of extreme cynicism when it comes to politics and government, and I suppose that's one way of describing the realism that comes from half a century of very close observation from a libertarian, limited government point of view.

A well-known pundit said this about the thing that's driving the Obama campaign:

"There's no better path to success than getting people to buy a free commodity. And now a silver-tongued freshman senator has found a way to sell hope. To get it, you need only give him your vote. . . . This kind of sale is hardly new. Organized religion has been offering a similar commodity -- salvation -- for millennia. Which is why the Obama campaign has the feel of a religious revival with, as writer James Wolcott observed, a 'salvational fervor' and 'idealistic zeal divorced from any particular policy or cause and chariot-driven by pure euphoria.'"

Unrelated to anything political, I admire the young people who comprise the Millennial generation - their inclusiveness, creativity, desire to be virtuous in their own lives, etc.

So here's what I'll be be watching: Anyone who puts their faith and hope in politics and government is cruisin' for a bruisin' disappointment. All the good intentions in the world can't overcome the intrinsic limitatons of those institutions. Between the realities of scarcity, competing demands and conflicting agendas what politics and government produce is always highly compromised and never "transformational," especially in the American system, which is explicitly designed to block such potentially dangerous outcomes for the tyranny that often accompanies them.

IOW, win or lose, those bright young people who are high on the drug of Obama hope will be disappointed. What will that do to them? Naturally my own hope is that it doesn't sour them but instead diverts them into more constructive enterprises than politics and government - but that's me.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Not only is the Obama Drug an empty box, Roxanne, but he has driven a wedge into the heart of the Democratic Party. Remember GW saying "I'm not a divider..." while he tore this country in two? Obama is doing the same thing. What better way is there for John McCain to win the Presidency and give us four more years of Bush then for Obama to continue his campaign of empty words and little abilty to carry out his grandiose promises.

 

[Carnevil9]

Give Obama his due. He can pack more words into fewer concepts than anyone else out there.

 

[trysail]

It's a bit of a shame that this message board doesn't permit simple recommendations of posts. I couldn't have said it better, Rox! Well done!

As it ever was, all of us learn (to the extent that we do learn) the hard way- (there are, of course, those of us who never do wise up).

 

[Stella_Omega]

It has nothing to do with age, race, party, or gender-- Show me a politician who doesn't sell Big Simple Concepts, and I'll show you an election-time loser. It's terrifying, but a reality.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The Democrats have worked themselves into a deadly corner. Clinton is so poisonously unpopular that they will put forward this pretty empty shell against McCain. If Obama wins, his lack of administrative experience blows up in his face. If he loses, he gets blamed for letting the Republicans continue with current policies. The man cannot have any success.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

It has nothing to do with age, race, party, or gender-- Show me a politician who doesn't sell Big Simple Concepts, and I'll show you an election-time loser. It's terrifying, but a reality.

Yeah, but most of them try to back it up with some specific policy prescriptions. This guy's campaign does have standard grab-bag of liberal nostrums, but that's not what's driving it - the policies are essentially the same ones Hillary's peddling.

From Obama's Super Tuesday victory speech: "We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of the future . . . what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored . . . a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest."

Oh, brother . . . That's way beyond the usual politician's "Big Simple Concepts," Stella.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yeah, but most of them try to back it up with some specific policy prescriptions. This guy's campaign does have standard grab-bag of liberal nostrums, but that's not what's driving it - the policies are essentially the same ones Hillary's peddling.

That's what I'm hoping for.

From Obama's Super Tuesday victory speech: "We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of the future . . . what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored . . . a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest."

Sounds like a republican!

(edit); I'm not going to go look for examples of other platitudinous speechifying, but, it sounds like almost every politician's victory speech-- unusually bad writer, but the essence is still about the same.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

From Obama's Super Tuesday victory speech: "We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of the future . . . what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored . . . a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest."

Sounds like a republican!

C'mon, Stella - it sounds like an overstuffed Bible-belt preacher just before he falls to the floor and strarts wiggling around on his back making nonsense sounds. It's a long, long way from "the soft bigotry of low expectations," or "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Or even, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

 

[impressive]

(edit); I'm not going to go look for examples of other platitudinous speechifying, but, it sounds like almost every politician's victory speech-- unusually bad writer, but the essence is still about the same.

Most speeches are platitudinous -- even the "best" ones. Other than "thanking the Academy." Few actually SAY anything.

For that matter, what would you want a political victory speech to sound like?


Campaign speeches -- by any/either party -- are typically hollow rhetoric, even if they're backed up by "some specific policy prescriptions." They all know that they can blame the other branches of government for any failure to implement said policy prescriptions.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Most speeches are platitudinous -- even the "best" ones. Other than "thanking the Academy." Few actually SAY anything.

For that matter, what would you want a political victory speech to sound like?


Campaign speeches -- by any/either party -- are typically hollow rhetoric, even if they're backed up by "some specific policy prescriptions." They all know that they can blame the other branches of government for any failure to implement said policy prescriptions.

eggs actly

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

"We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. We are the hope of the future . . . what began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be ignored . . . a hymn that will heal this nation, repair this world, and make this time different than all the rest."

Look you guys - I don't mean to be contentious here, but this kind of language is not just the usual politician's platitudes. It is intensely messianic. That jumps out so loudly and unambiguously that I'm not sure I even believe you're sincere in trying to argue otherwise.

Here's some more:

"... a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany ... and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama" - Barack Obama, Lebanon, New Hampshire. January 7, 2008.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Look you guys - I don't mean to be contentious here, but this kind of language is not just the usual politician's platitudes. It is intensely messianic. That jumps out so loudly and unambiguously that I'm not sure I even believe you're sincere in trying to argue otherwise.

Here's some more:

"... a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany ... and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama" - Barack Obama, Lebanon, New Hampshire. January 7, 2008.

You see, Roxanne, this is what really bothers me about Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj4VK9wVAi0

Why support the guy, when you can't even point to anything he's done other than a blaze of platitudes?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Maybe messianic is what the masses want right now. Eight years of the anti-president will do that to a citizenry...

 

[Anonymuse]

Empty soundbites.

If you asked me for a straight answer then I shall say that, as far as we can see, looking at it by and large, taking one time with another, in terms of the average of departments, then in the final analysis it is probably true to say that, at the end of the day, in general terms, you would find, that, not to put too fine a point on it, there probably wasn't very much in it one way or the other, as far as one can see, at this stage.

From Yes, Minister.

 

[Luke's Angel]

The primaries aren't even over yet. Give it some more time. If we manage to have elections at all this time around it will be some sort of miracle.

PS

Yes it has gotten to that point.

 

[DesertPirate]

Most speeches are platitudinous -- even the "best" ones. Other than "thanking the Academy." Few actually SAY anything.

For that matter, what would you want a political victory speech to sound like?


Campaign speeches -- by any/either party -- are typically hollow rhetoric, even if they're backed up by "some specific policy prescriptions." They all know that they can blame the other branches of government for any failure to implement said policy prescriptions.

If we could harness the energy in that hot air we could power the counrty between elections. At least then it would mean and actually do something. As it is every word out of any politicians mouth is a waste of time and energy.

 

[Belegon]

The man has written two books. You all are presumably literate, since you are writers.

Go read. Then come back and discuss how "empty" the man is. And remember the first book was written before he entered politics... which means he did things like admit *GASP* that he INHALED when he smoked pot.

All political speeches are essentially empty posturing if looked at from the opposing POV or with a critical eye. Including the most famous ones.

The man's speeches are "messianic" is the best crit you can come up with on him? Gee... seems to be a way to combat "inspiring" by saying "if you were inspired, you must be dumb enough to listen to revival tent speeches and believe in faith healing and speaking in tongues."

I for one am glad we actually have someone who's a skilled orator running.

Speeches fire people up. Fired up people do things. That's why people use them on angry mobs...

 

[Anonymuse]

Molotov cocktails?

 

[Belegon]

Molotov cocktails?

Hopefully, we'll never get to that... but the first step is people feeling disenfranchised, something FL in 2000 helped start and Ohio in 2004 kept rolling...

 

[Anonymuse]

I hear they are good at counting in Fl.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Nope.

I've said it a dozen times, at least; if we supported competent candidates we wouldnt be where we are with the present choices.

I think America will elect Obama because I think America wants to roll the dice. With McCain or Hillary snakes-eyes are guaranteed.

 

[Guest]

Maybe messianic is what the masses want right now. Eight years of the anti-president will do that to a citizenry...

Indeed.

Or should I say - Amen.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Hopefully, we'll never get to that... but the first step is people feeling disenfranchised, something FL in 2000 helped start and Ohio in 2004 kept rolling...

And we're working on it here in Los Angeles County as well.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

JFK was a nobody senator in 1960. Nixon had lots of experience in government and was vice president. People wanted to roll the dice.