Few witnesses can testify to Obama's accomplishments
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama is an immensely talented man whose talents have been largely devoted to crafting, and chronicling, his own life. Not things. Not ideas. Not institutions. But himself.
Nothing wrong or even terribly odd about that, except that he is laying claim to the job of crafting the coming history of the United States. A leap of such audacity is odd. The air of unease at the Democratic convention this week was not just a result of the Clinton psychodrama. The deeper anxiety was that the party was nominating a man of many gifts but precious few accomplishments—bearing even fewer witnesses.
When John Kerry was introduced at his convention four years ago, an honor guard of a dozen mates from his Vietnam days surrounded him on the podium attesting to his character and readiness to lead. Such personal testimonials are the norm. The roster of fellow soldiers or fellow senators who could from personal experience vouch for John McCain is rather long. At a less partisan date in the calendar, that roster might even include Democrats Russ Feingold and Edward Kennedy, with whom John McCain has worked to fashion important legislation.
Eerily missing at the Democratic convention this year were people of stature who were seriously involved at some point in Obama’s life standing up to say: I know Barack Obama. I’ve been with Barack Obama. We’ve toiled/endured together. You can trust him. I do.
Hillary Clinton could have said something like that. She and Obama had, after all, engaged in a historic, utterly compelling contest for the nomination. During her convention speech, you kept waiting for her to offer just one line of testimony: I have come to know this man, to admire this man, to see his character, his courage, his wisdom, his judgment. Whatever. Anything.
Instead, nothing. She of course endorsed him. But the endorsement was entirely programmatic: We’re all Democrats. He’s a Democrat. He believes what you believe. So we must elect him—I am currently unavailable—to get Democratic things done. God bless America.
Clinton’s withholding the “I’ve come to know this man” was vindictive and supremely self-serving—but jarring, too, because you realize that if she didn’t do it, no one else would. Not because of any inherent deficiency in Obama’s character. But simply as a reflection of a young life with a biography remarkably thin by the standard of presidential candidates.
Who was there to speak about the real Barack Obama? His wife. She could tell you about Barack the father, the husband, the family man in a winning and perfectly sincere way. But that only takes you so far. It doesn’t take you to the public man, the national leader.
Who is to testify to that? Hillary’s husband on night three did aver that Obama is “ready to lead.” However, he offered not a shred of evidence, let alone personal experience with Obama. And although he pulled it off charmingly, everyone knew that, having been suggesting precisely the opposite for months, he meant not a word of it.
Obama’s vice presidential selection, Joe Biden, naturally advertised his patron’s virtues, such as the fact that he had “reached across party lines to … keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists.” But securing loose nukes is as bipartisan as motherhood and as uncontroversial as apple pie. The measure was so minimal that it passed by voice vote and received near zero media coverage.
Thought experiment. Assume John McCain had retired from politics. Would he have testified to Obama’s political courage in reaching across the aisle to work with him on ethics reform, a collaboration Obama boasted about in the Saddleback debate? “In fact,” reports the Annenberg Political Fact Check, “the two worked together for barely a week, after which McCain accused Obama of ‘partisan posturing’”—and launched a volcanic missive charging him with double cross.
So where are the colleagues? The buddies? The political or spiritual soul mates? His most important spiritual adviser and mentor was Jeremiah Wright. But he’s out. Then there’s William Ayers, with whom he served on a board. He’s out. Where are the others?
The oddity of this convention is that its central figure is the ultimate self-made man, a dazzling mysterious Gatsby. The palpable apprehension is that the anointed is a stranger—a deeply engaging, elegant, brilliant stranger with whom the Democrats had a torrid affair. Having slowly woken up, they see the ring and wonder who exactly they married last night.
Charles Krauthammer is a columnist for the Washington Post. His e-mail address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com.
Sep 12, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.
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http://current.com/items/89293206_mislea...
Just listening to the substitute host, Lee Rayburn, on the Thom Hartmann show:
"Misleading" absentee ballot applications are being mailed out by the McCain campaign to registered Democratic voters in purple states. The return addresses are inaccurate, as well as other information. "Misleading, lying" mailers are going out in Florida and other purple states. It's a caging tactic.
Calls are coming in verifying that this is happening in small towns, as well as larger ones.
The host is trying to determine the scale of this subversion of our democracy.
Here we go again.
UPDATE: It's happening in Pennsylvania, too. The ballots have included multiple ballots, sender address is a new address while return address is from old city clerk's office... The I'm trying to type this as he says it, and it may not be clear, since I miss some. I apologize for that.
Fraud. Election fraud. Hopefully the local authorities can help, or the local Obama offices. Calling the media could help, too.
A caller: Robocalls asking if you're interested in an absentee ballot. Or, notifying the voter that the ballot will be mailed back postage paid to the National Republican Committee.
Another caller from Detroit. Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida: That's where the absentee ballots are being sent to Obama voters. Add Missouri to that, per one of our commenters.
You can be sure McCain isn't doing this because he wants every vote counted.
UPDATE: A North Carolina caller got THREE of them. In the phone book there's a street address, but on the form, it's a P.O. Box, per the caller.
California caller from registrar's office: McCain should take the application for absentee and submit within 3 days. But the applications will most likely be held for the 3 days and "die". They'll most likely submit the Republican ones, and throw away the Democratic ones.
The return address for the request card goes to the wrong city clerk office address, per Rayburn.
Michigan caller: Wrong home address, and then, wrong city clerk address on the one he got. He donated to Obama, but not a Democrat, so he wonders if that's how they found him.
Hey media? There's a real story here.
Sep 5, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
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Can we remember, although Rev. Wright went WAY too far, some of his anger at the US is justified.
vs.
This guest speaker and other pastors the cosonservatives then to follow who blame 9/11 on gays, or violence on not finding jesus.
Seriously, the anger of a black man who grew up during the civil rights movement vs. some nut who is homophobic or an anti-semite(sp?).
Both are wrong, inappropriate, and frightening but I can understand, to an extent Rev. Wright and even why Obama stayed.
Sep 4, 2008 at 11:01 a.m.
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A guest speaker does at a church does not equal 20 years from RvWright, who married the Obama's, baptised the children and had many personal visits to the Obama's home. Not even close.
Sep 4, 2008 at 4:46 a.m.
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Thats why I used the words "guest pastor". Note he has spoken there in the past.
Sep 4, 2008 at 12:59 a.m.
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To clarify, David Brickner was a guest speaker at her church.
Sep 4, 2008 at 12:47 a.m.
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"According to the press (google it) Palin's pastor preached (while she was in attendance) that terrorism in the middle east is because Jews haven't found Jesus."
The comments are attributed to David brickner, executive director of Jews for Jesus, nit Palin's pastor.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/090...
http://wasillabible.org/sermons.htm
Sep 4, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.
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Does Palin's guest pastor from 2 weeks ago concern you as well or just out of context clips from Wright?
"[take] this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle... ... let us get the Statute book, in which we find it, and tear it out!"
- Abe Lincoln
Thats a true quote. But I clipped it in a fancy way like these political strategist do to make it mean the opposite of what he was trying to say. Same thing the press does with Wright.
My pastor told us to have an awful christmas a few years ago. I can't imagine the press running with that. She was using a play on words and led on near the end that it should be an AWE FULL christmas.
If Wright's comments concern you I suggest you read the entire transcript instead of some chopped clip on you tube or some reporters synopsis.
According to the press (google it) Palin's pastor preached (while she was in attendance) that terrorism in the middle east is because Jews haven't found Jesus.
I don't believe it and I've downloaded the transcript so I can read it myself to see what he actually said.
Sep 4, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
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Oops you caught me...we don't have tv. I will read the dialogs later :) That's what I had to do as well with Obama. Sorry, we just don't feel that piping in liberal hollywood propaganda is the best for our family. So, it takes me a little time to catch up, but I eventually do.
Sep 4, 2008 at midnight
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I, for one, was watching the Republican Convention, and the post-analysis. You?
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.
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Where are all the Obama defenders? Why aren't they on here defending their man?
Sep 3, 2008 at 10:24 p.m.
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Must be a poker night. I'll try not to worry too much.
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.
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I agree...as Rev Wright was his spiritual advisor for 20 years.
Sep 3, 2008 at 8:27 p.m.
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The problem with Obama is the people that he has chosen to surround himself with and be influenced by. He has not shown good judgement with picking his aquaintances and god forbid if he becomes president who will he pick to be on his cabinet and as his advisors?
Sep 3, 2008 at 7:56 p.m.
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Ahh, the Rev Wright issue. That still bothers me and should not be brushed aside.
Sep 3, 2008 at 6:41 p.m.
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I my self wish Perot was running, he may be all about charts but he is also all about America and that is really what it is all about people. Take care of us and then help every other country that is left if the money is there to do it. There is a great website called perotcharts.com. check it out. Has a lot of great information. As for the 2 running for president, I will decide on voting day I think.
Sep 3, 2008 at 6:22 p.m.
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Janesvillemom "Did this guy watch the convention? I saw many people who have worked with Obama speak. I remember one Latino man who worked with him on a drive to register voters in Chicago." LOLOL I did this too last Presidential election...maybe that qualifies me to run for President! LOLOL
Sep 3, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.
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That Obama has gotten as far as he has is testimony to the tv and movie brainwashed population we've got now.
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We're getting awfully close to disaster.
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Sep 3, 2008 at 5:31 p.m.
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Why did Bill Ayres and Rev. Wright talk about him? They knew him for a long time.Ayers was tapped by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to help found the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, a school reform program. Since 1999 he has served on the nine-member board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, an anti-poverty, philanthropic foundation established in 1941. Ayers' contacts with the 2008 Democratic Nominee for President of the United States, Barack Obama became controversial in the 2008 United States presidential election. The two served together on the Woods Fund Board from 1999 until Obama left in 2002. Ayers had other contact with Obama as a resident of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, hosting Obama's first fund raising reception in his first Illinois state Senate campaign in 1995, appearing on education panels together, and donating $200 to Obama's campaign in April 2001
Sep 3, 2008 at 4:39 p.m.
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Obama doesn't manage his campaign are you for real HA HA!!! To manage a campaign for 18 months is a far far reach in saying that he has experience managing or following a budget. I hope that was a joke.
Sep 3, 2008 at 1:31 p.m.
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I've balanced my checkbook. Maybe I should run for President.
Sep 3, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
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"Obama the community organizer. Has he ever balanced a budget?"
I would call managing a Presidential campaign with 2500 employees, and a monthly budget of about $36M a start.
Sep 3, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.
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What? You mean I actually agree with MOC0428 on something? Well at least the part about McCain. I'd say "W" was a mediocre President. I don't bash him as bad as Democrats do, but I wouldn't praise him as much as some others do.
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.
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It is amazing that most people have forgotten 9/11!
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.
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janesvillemom: But did anyone that the general public actually knew speak for him? This was a very well written article. Unfortunately the youth of our country will just follow along and he'll get into office. Only after he is in office will you all realize the mistake that was made.
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Is McCain the perfect candidate? Probably not, but he sure has more to offer than Barak Hussein Obama. How can all you Dem's get past the William Ayers story????? This man tried to blow up federal buildings. How is he any different than Timothy McVay?? He got caught before anything was blown up, that's all. Vote Obama and expect more to come out of your check and more terrorist attacks in our country!
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If they can crash commercial airliners then what is stopping them from releasing Anthrax over a large city from a commuter plane????
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George W. Bush is a great president and hopefully someone who gives a crap about national security will get into office.
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.
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Obama the community organizer. Has he ever balanced a budget?
Sep 2, 2008 at 10:27 p.m.
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Did this guy watch the convention? I saw many people who have worked with Obama speak. I remember one Latino man who worked with him on a drive to register voters in Chicago. I only watched sporadically, but I know there were many others. I guess he missed those speeches? Or do only "big name" people "count"?
Sep 2, 2008 at 10:07 p.m.
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Is it possible he meant 47? If that's all it really takes to make up your mind, your reasoning skills leave much to be desired.
Sep 2, 2008 at 9:52 p.m.
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"the fool doesnt even know how many states are in our country"
Because nobody has ever mispoke and not realized it?
http://mediamatters.org/items/2008031900...
Sep 2, 2008 at 9:29 p.m.
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People have turned into Sheople. follow the flock right off the cliff....lemmmings
Sep 2, 2008 at 9:28 p.m.
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Well if Barak was a POW for 5 years he would have done anything to ease the pain, I am a man of character, an Independent, but John McCain is no George Bush JR. Geaorge Bush Sr, was a man who faced enemy bullets and appreciated life...jmo
Sep 2, 2008 at 9:19 p.m.
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my thoughts to. im not a die hard politician in any way. but i do care who is running this great country of ours. i dont base my decisions by party but rather by the person themselves. and by not knowing how many states in our country Mr. Obama lost my vote for sure.
Sep 2, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
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You're right mymarow - and thats what scares me. The Dems sheep will line up and vote for their candidate no matter what they say, what they do, or what they stand for. I at least do my homework and see what each stand for and what their accomplishments have been, experience, etc..
Sep 2, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.
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true iceman. guess that wont be enough for some people.
Sep 2, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
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OMG Mymaro! I can't believe this guy is running for pres. The facts keep coming in. Oh wait, it must not be true cuz you posted proof on a blog - what am I thinking. All we have is undisputed proof on video.
Sep 2, 2008 at 8:39 p.m.
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onelife2live. check out this link. the fool doesnt even know how many states are in our country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtI...
Sep 2, 2008 at 8:25 p.m.
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Barak has not earned his stripes. He says he will do all this and that but has yet to do anything of substance...jmo
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