Change We Can Believe In?
By Larry Johnson on June 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM in Barack Obama, Chicago politics, Current Affairs, Democrats, Jimmy Carter, John McCain
I am still waiting for someone to explain to me why Barack Obama represents “change” and “hope” for a new future. The White House is currently occupied by an inexperienced man–a nice man–of limited accomplishment who used cocaine as a young adult. And the best answer the Democrats now offer is an inexperienced man who used cocaine as a young adult? That is change?
There is no denying that Barack gives a better speech than Bush. But running a snappy, happy campaign is different than the task of governing. Figuring out who should be the lead Federal agency for dealing with terrorism is not the same as rallying folks to attend a caucus. If that was the case then I would jump on the Barack bandwagon. Let’s face the facts–Barack is Jimmy Carter but not as smart.
Like Carter, Barack offers hope. But here he diverges.
Carter was at least a details guy. He was a nuclear engineer–couldn’t pronounce it properly (nooklear)–and lover of details. Not Barack. He hates details. He’s still trying to figure out how many states there are. And he certainly does not understand the basics of the Federal bureaucracy. I doubt if he can explain the difference between the FBI, Homeland Security, and ATF. For example, if a car bomb goes off in the Holland Tunnel, who is in charge of the investigation? (See the end of this post for the answer.)
He is used to doing business the Chicago way–pay for play. Patronage works well at the local level and keeps folks moving and keeps you in office. Well guess what? Patronage works on the Federal level but it is called lobbying. But Barack has now declared he won’t use lobbyists or allow lobbyists to work (even though he has them in his campaign and uses them to raise money).
As I survey the choice between Barack and McCain it is like being asked to choose between amputating your leg or your arm. Not a great choice either way. Barack is unlikely to subject us to the lunacy of the neocons. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he is surrounded by security advisors–Lake and Rice in particular–who have a record of fiddling while Rome burns. Those two were the principle architects of Clinton’s non-response to the genocide in Rwanda.
So as the campaign moves forward count me in neither camp. I will acknowledge wisdom and grace exhibited by either candidate. And I will also mercilessly pillory their nuttiness. I suspect we will be doing more of the latter than the former.
Now the answer to the question above–it depends. Port Authority would have the initial lead. FBI and ATF would try to insert themselves and get control. Bottomline, the coordination process is still a mess.
Barky-O represents hope and change because David Axelrod figured out those would sell this year.
Get to know the next president of the United States of America. Change we can believe in was his slogan while running for US Senate. It’s not new. You people.
And that was some change, too!
One year on the job, and then leave to run for a new job. Angle for a primo subcommittee chair, and then never call a meeting.
“Change you can believe in, just don’t expect to see it.™ “
I must add to his experience profile..before he was a US Senator, he was the Senator from Chicago and while “present” in that capacity, he was also very busy fixing parking tickets, etc. Oh! yes, he surely does bring lots of experience and certainly does deserve to run for President…give me a break…
November can’t come soon enough.
Democrats for McCain in 08
That was NOT Hillary’s Senate campaign slogan! SHE will be the President of the United State. You people.
you mean John McCain? Barky will never make it. you people.
If he produces more than he did in the Illinois senate I’d say we’ll still continue doing things the Bush Way.
But that doesn’t change the fact that Bush was never MY president and Obama will NEVER be MY president. Being “elected” now doesn’t mean you have the votes of the People; only that your party, whichever one it may be, has manipulated OUR votes to achieve THEIR desired results.
And political parties have no Constitutional standing either although both usurped the power of the Florida legislature to disenfranchise two states this election year.
I’m in sales.
What do you sell?
I don’t have to answer that.
heh - excellent.
Larry, I think you have stated it perfectly.
Lost in all of this hoopla is the reality that our country faces challenges of gigantic proportions on the homefront and abroad.
We have had a big-picture, non-detail oriented president for the last eight years, the likes of which has presented us with increasingly large problems.
We needed a problem solver who could roll up his/her sleeves and get the job done, as in the 90’s.
And we had her.
She’s still there.
If the Obama campaign implodes, and I do believe it will, prior to convention, she’s still there.
I think you just nailed it!
Right on Larry!! Obama seems like the kind of guy that would promise big news on a tape and eliver none. He seems like the kind of guy that would say the tape is being released tomorrow at 9 and then tomorrow comes and nothing. You’re right Larry I don’t trust this Obama guy!!!! LOL
Boy does the Obama camp supply all his supporters with paint chips and super glue fumes? The Republicans are waiting for the right time to sink the good ship Obama. Why drop the tape now in June when they can rip out your hearts in late October?
It’s Christmas in June for the GOP.
Well said Larry.
you are wrong. Obama is simply trying to exploit our desire for hope but is really only after his own self interest…
this is painfully and blatantly clear every time Obama opens his mouth.
we know this. The special interests that sustain Obama fear this.
Mayor Daley fears this…
now we must act…
Are we still welcome here even if we will NEVER vote for Obama?
Funny isn’t it Larry, that they keep harping on the Tape. Apparently they can read but can’t comprehend WHAT they read! Whhaaaaa….THE TAPE! THE TAPE! Give me the tape!
Be careful what you ask for Troll!
If Larry didn’t want people to ask about the video he shouldn’t have said there was a video.
Larry mistakenly attributed brains to the trolls, and mistakenly believed that when he clearly stated that he did not have the tape, that he had not seen the tape, that someone reportedly connected with the Republican interests has the tape, that he heard that the tape would be devestating and would not be released until sometime after the Democratic convention (but before the election), and that he would in good faith report further information from his sources as it became available; that the trolls would be able to understand what he had written, and would not be demanding that he produce the tape or video or DVD or whatever.
It’s funny that the ones you think do have a brain are the ones who eagerly believe third-hand testimony without evidence just because it smears a candidate’s wife.
They want the tape now — so that the shock of hearing a racist rant by Mrs.Obama will have worn off before the August convention.
Barack is a Harvard Law educated man. He’s smarter than you, Mr. Propagandist.
What were his grades?
And Bush was a Yale educated man.
I went to law school myself. It’s one big indoctrination into elitism and narrowmindedness which I fortunately survived. Barack Hussein Obama didn’t fare so well.. .
don’t forget bush got his MBA at harvard.
Yes, he did.
Ooooh. Harvard. One of the two most highly overrated universities in America. Legacies have lowered the standards dramatically.
Didn’t publish anything. First “editor” of the HLR to never publish.
Three, if you count Stanford. They have Condoleezza…
yeah… I guess he missed class the day they talked about geography and how many states in the US of A… (clue… its 50 barky… not 57). They also forgot to tell him he got there as an Affirmative Action student too…
did he really go to harvard as affirmative action and not based on grades????
He got in ‘cuz his dad went there.
The woman at Occidental who wrote his recommendation had this to say: “He occasionally turned things in late.”
Really? You recommend a guy for Harvard and you can’t think of a single positive thing?
Obama need affirmative action to get out of Harvard– Rush Limbaugh
The woman at Occidental who wrote his recommendation had this to say: “He occasionally turned things in late.”
Really? You recommend a guy for Harvard and you can’t think of a single positive thing?
Obama needed affirmative action to get out of Harvard– Rush Limbaugh
He went to Harvard and we paid for it….remember now, he’s the Affernative Action CANDIDATE…..aren’t we all lucky…and on our NICKEL..
You must pretty mediocre. As an Ivy Leaguer myself that he was “Harvard educated” doesn’t men he has the honesty, integrity or the qualifications of being President. He is a fraud despite his education.
Obama goes to harvard on the “Legacy” program, hides his marks!
Went to Columbia, hides his marks!
Never published a thing on the HLR, but gets on to it as Editor by using the minority card, not based on grades as is the usual requirement for being selected Editor!
A piece of paper is worthless if the person holding the papaer is worthless, and um er um er um um Obama is worthless!
In the case of his time at Columbia, the rumor is that he’s hiding more than his grades - he’s hiding a boyfriend.
Both Bush and Obama are walking ad for home schooling.
Boy are the students of these univerisities getting ripped off, if these two are examples of higher education.
These schools want a lot of money for nothing.
Bush went to Harvard. And Yale.
Nonetheless, couldn’t get into UTexas Law.
Mr. Propagandist??? That is really ironic considering that the Democratic nominee is the biggest Propaganda Machine I have ever seen in my life. I had only read about this kind of propaganda in my college years, but never saw anything like it - not even when Bush was selling us the Iraq war or when the media was selling Bush as a compassionate Republican. One of the latest examples of propaganda is the 750,000 person rally that showed up because there was a free concert. Earlier examples included pictures of crying and swooning Obama fans during articles discussing Hillary’s campaign and the ubiquitous reference to her as the “polarizing Senator from New York.”
Give me a break - “Hope and Change” and “above politics” is total propaganda, don’t be obtuse.
yes, got in by affirmative action, and did not do well academically. Did not write one publication for havard law review–they cheanged the rules to reaquire that after obama.
obama is an affirmative action baby. he has been handed everything on a silver platter. he’s about to find out what it means to lose, and to lose fairly.
There is an entire article at Atlas Shrug’s that details how Obama became President of the Harvard Law Review. The title tells it all – Obama’s Mythical Intelligence.
A summary of the article follows:
“Much has been written about Obama’s “mythical intelligence” by a media completely in the tank for the boy blunder. His intelligence is , in fact, a myth. Atlas reader Carolyn wrote an excellent piece peeling back the layers of the mendacious narrative to uncover what a lightweight the Soros stooge really is. She describes the unmeritorious means Obama used to achieve his goals - particularly President of the Law Review. When I was in Washington yesterday we were discussing this little mentioned truth - Obama’s year as President produced little worthwhile or significant. Obama’s year is the least cited review. He produced nothing of import. “
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/obama-mythical.html
Interesting. I’m an academic. His record is so9 lackluster. I hate to say it, because it sounds racist, but it does appear he’s always been the affirmative action recepient.
*blech*
He does not understand the constitution considering he called the repeal of the AUMF “convoluted” , on par with Gonzales calling the Geneva Convention “quaint”.
There are many other example of BO Constitutional ignorance. As Mr Johnson aptly points an arm or a leg.
BO described himself as a “boneheaded” and is NOT a smart man or he would “have seen it coming”.
What are you talking about? WTF does AUMF repeal have to do with the subject of your post. The stupidity in the air here is almost painful.
Obama’s Mythical Intelligence
by Pamela Geller
Saturday, May 31, 2008
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/05/obama-mythical.html
Johnson is Phi Beta Kappa.
Best of luck with your study of rocket science.
Hey Larry,
My friends and family in Chicago know Senator Change is a typical Chicago politician…he has not changed anything there except his own fortunes.
I am off to to change my political party affiliation.
Today is Independence Day!
CHANGE? I don’t think so…
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWFkMjc1ZTJjNzgyMWI3ZjliMDQ3MzQ2MjhjYTZhOTQ
Obama was a legacy applicant. Like Bush.
Hillary just posted the text of her email on her website…
here is my off-the-cuff reply to it:
We respect your decision…
We will always support you and love you…
But we have already decided not to support Obama.
We are all united behind the idea that every vote counts and nobody can steal our votes.
Not even in the name of Unity.
Not Obama. Not the Democratic Party.
This is what all Americans believe.
We can’t trade on our beliefs. They are not for sale.
We will all actively work to make sure Obama never steals another election again.
Change is coming.
This time all our votes are going to count.
More news soon, stay tuned…
For now visit these website to join the fight to protect our Democracy:
http://tominpaine.blogspot.com/
http://www.johnmccain.com/
http://noquarterusa.net/
When you have “The Vision Thaing” you don’t have understand anything, or know what to do, or do anything, or be able to do anything.
Dubya said, “We can hire smarts.”
Competence is for wonks. Magical thinking will provide.
He that lives upon hope, will die fasting - Ben Franklin
I got this over at CH. This is what Jimmy thought about the Precious in 2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Pg577wapw
They should add this to the new RNC ad
http://www.bythefault.com/2008/06/04/new-rnc-ad-on-obama/
Someone in the comments section at youtube says they wish someone would kill Jimmy Carter. WTF? It’s not ok to make death threats if you disagree with what someone’s saying. What is wrong with Obama supporters? They are just so extreme.
Turn ‘em in to the Secret Service, Max. Carter’s still under their protection.
Besides, it will give some pathetic Mom’s basement dwelling ‘BamaDroid a story to tell to his co-professionals in the fast food industry.
Okie, how about sending this to the republicans for their new ad?
“Doesn’t have the proven substance…to be the president.”
Go figure.
So Larry, in your opinion (which I respect) McCain is an equal danger as Obama, as President? I’m not there. If Obama is President, his hate-filled followers will spew hate on the rest of us, could lead to increase in hate crimes. What’s it going to be like for women, for Jews? I’m scared. Hitler was hopey-changey, charismatic speaker, and like Obama he stole votes. I’m going to get a new bumper sticker for my car “Hate is not hope, Nobama” (sold at CafePress). I don’t want to empower Obama and his looney-tunes followers who despise everyone who isn’t rich, young, and black or filled with white guilt. Leaves out most of us…
Yes, I have policy disagreements with McCain. But I much prefer his character over that of Obama, I would feel national security was in better hands with him. Also at least I know what McCain’s policy positions are, Obama to me is a big, dangerous, extremist, unknown.
Many Democratic leaders may not really vote for Obama. Robert Novak in an article published at Real Clear Politics today wrote the following:
“Clinton backers who will now declare full support of the nominee in public take a different position when promised that their names will not be used. They frankly question whether Obama should be president. I asked one Democrat, a longtime political worker and sometime candidate for public office, whether he actually would vote for Obama.
He paused, then replied: “Let me put it this way. I would sleep better if John McCain was president.””
I will hold my nose and vote for McCain. Why? Because the Democrats in Congress will just have to ride herd on him AND his nominees.
And if they don’t, well, they won’t have earned their pay.
Obama is just a shitty candidate. Yet another loser, courtesy of the DNC.
Funny how Carter and WJ Clinton, the only two D
candidates we have had in forty fucking years that WON the White House, were not favorites of the DNC. Hell, Ted Kennedy KNIFED Carter at the convention during his reelection effort…and Teddy wasn’t winning any popular vote, either. Reagan may have been beating the shit out of Carter, but Ted stuck the knife in his back. Funny how the Teddy cheerleaders who wanted Clinton to quit months ago FORGET that shit.
Vote for Democrats for the House and Senate, and vote for ABO–Anybody But Obama–for President.
Thank you for bringing up the Senior Senator from Dewars and the 1980 campaign. No one listened to me then (is he a troll?) when i was new here and fewer listen now. I used his actions in 1980 as a means to argue for a floor fight at the convention (i.e. Teddy did it and is now the “peacemaker”), that conventions used to be contested, hotly. Now the party is so concerned about unity and image that the micromangement of message and soundbites, “hope for change”, “change for hope”, “f-you whitey”, has become all and our howls of disgust and rage have fallen on deaf ears. they want your contributions, and that is where barky delivered. Wonder how much Oprah the Hutt has promised to bring in?
Larry, you are being too kind and generous in this post. For me and a millions others it is more important to stop another Bush (albeit a Democrat) from creating more chaos. Hillary ‘12 is what it will be just as it will be McCain ‘08.
Take a read: FROM SAVAGEPOLITICS
This election IS crucial, and it will deal with the heart and soul of this Nation. The error of following the party line behind an incompetent fool without any credentials has led us to 8 years of George W. Bush. Today, a minority of the Democratic base, along with their elite puppet masters, have chosen their own Politically Correct version of Bush, and want everyone to fall in line to help him get elected. But I believe it will indeed be the Democratic base (and independents) who will truly save this Country from the last years we have survived of blatant inexperience and arrogance. It will be the newly formed coalition of Reagan (McCain?) Democrats who will thankfully negate the presidency to a man who truly represents 4 more years of foolishness and Bush-like egocentrics: Barack Hussein Obama.
Republicans did not listen to McCain’s pleads in the year 2000, when he told his supporters (and his party) that Bush’s rhetoric was complete nonsense and dangerously naive. They nonetheless did listen to his suggestions after he was defeated by Bush and was forced to concede and endorse him. Now, in an almost eerie similarity, Democrats did not listen to Hillary Clinton when she warned them about Obama’s dangerous inexperience, and now they might be tempted to listen to her when she does her ‘walk of shame’ towards endorsing Obama. But history can not only change, IT HAS TO CHANGE.
An even deeper irony is that Obama’s followers behave exactly like Bushies.
They show the same uncritical acceptance of party-line propaganda and talking points as well as the same my-way-or-the-highway mentality.
No-way and No-Bama.
amen dude!
Larry never said he had the tape.
Larry said HUGE NEWS would appear Monday. The news? He claims that Michelle shared the tape with Louis Farrakhan.
Also, a HUGE STORY would break yesterday. Which is…?
Larry, you’re full of shit.
Don’t you Obamessiah people have tide of the oceans to stem and sick people to cure?
Well, go get busy.
My guess was ATF. Show how much I know. I guess I can’t be Prezeldent either. I for sure know Barry isn’t qualified.
Actually I’d get a better clearance rating than old Barry! I keep wondering how they’re gonna do that for him and his “charming” wife?
Will there be waivers?
Affirmative Action waivers?
“he’s not the man I used to know” waivers?
dee, dee, dee waivers?
lmao.
gawd this is ridiculous Larry! How did this get so freaking MESSED UP???
ARGH!
someone should BAN ALL KOOLAIDE EVERWHERE! (snark) but really! :-/
Larry have found out any more info on the tape than what we are hearing from abc-7.
Well I’ve changed a lot in the past few days.
First I was going to vote for Obama then I visited this site:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FvyGydc8no And I saw the Hilary 4 U and me video there.
Needless to say it ROCKED MY COLLECTIVE SOCKS. Even though some people said it was way too gay. I think those people are homophobic.
Then I visited this no quarters (I didn’t have any quarters at the time, but I just came back from lunch and got some as change) site and I heard this story about a guy named red dragon who was eating aragula (some kind of spinach or something) and Obama totally went off on him using foul language and the like. All the guy wanted was for Obama to turn up the heat and lower the rent.
Then this guy named John wrote an incredible song about Hilary being god or an eagle or something flying over the country.
And then red dragon started saying we should get rid of the mentally ill and join the PUMA party.
And I was all like “yeah I hate OBAMA so Much I can’t even see straight! I hate him and he is a communist mysogynist liar.
Oh yeah then I changed my username from gamzulatov to gamzulagriffintov in honor of the symbol of our victory. The glorious Eagle and the roaring PUMA!
Whew… Busy Day huh?
Me too… I was going to support the Obama. I was. I imbibed the koolaid.
But then! Sweetiegate happened, and I realized that mister ‘hopey changey’ was a sheep in wolf’s clothing, and that it wasn’t even designer clothing either, just some Old Navy knockoff. Wearing wolf’s clothing and calling people ’sweetie’ is not change we can believe in!
And then I heard about the Whiteygate tape, and boy was I steamed! Steamed, like a big old tub of rice! I don’t even like rice!
You can bet your bottom dollar a PUMA won’t be eating rice either any time soon. Or wearing Old Navy knockoffs, either. A PUMA is a cat in cat’s clothing. Unlike the Obama.
This is exactly what I am talking about BABA. I was beginning to think that this board was full of Trolls and closet OBAMA lovers.
The real change we needis in how many people hate OBAMA although none of them will ever hate him as much as me. I fed my voter ID card to zoo animals for pete’s sake.
Thanks for showing the love sweetie (just kidding)
But really thanks for keeping the hatred flowing. We can win this country back if we hate enough.
Man I hate Obama and his Old Navy Clothes RRGGGHHHHH
Carter is the only Democratic presidential candidate I did not vote in the 10 presidential elections I have been voted. So that is my credential for shouting out as loud as I can to anyone who will listen to me…..DO NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA. He is a disaster waiting to happen!
If the US power brokers are so intent on installing puppet characters in the office of the Presidency, why don’t we just change the constitution and create a Politburo or a Committee of 13 or something like that to run the country. Then at least our government would be a little more transparent.
As for the media during this primary campaign…they will go down in infamy for their shameless pandering and buffoonish performances.
I am so disgusted I can hardly contain myself.
You’re not alone.
My 84 yr old Mom and I changed our Party today. We are now happily and less shamefully “unaffiliated”
The shame I feel for BOTH parties is equal (no less) to the rantings I USED to get so upset over of the likes of Lou Dobbs.
I NOW understand. And even though I think he could be borderline xenophobic he’s at least up front about how he feels and he doesn’t keep making excuses for the things he’s done and the people he’s associated with for his WHOLE DAMN LIFE!!!
Starting with his “typical white” grandmother!
FK barky
FK the DEMS
FK the PUGS
thank you for the opportunity to RANT
Obama is just an appeasement move to quiet the Chicago crowd of black leaders who have been demanding action on often legitimate issues…however, they are not real Democrats and are ready to destroy the party.
Obama runs with that crowd, but ironically, he’s been placed by the party to appear to be an agent of change.
As the image falls away, watch this crowd turn on him like they have already done with Jesse Jackson. Rev. Wright seems to be leading the way already…
My post today touches on some of this:
“A Party Held HOSTAGE: Michele Obama Wasn’t Alone in Her Hostility at the Rainbow/PUSH Conference in 2004–Protests Against Jesse Jackson, Threats Against Democrats/Kerry By Ministers in an Eerie Preview of the Rev. Wright Episode”
http://insightanalytical.wordpress.com
We need someone with artistic talent. We need a nice cartoon image of 4 mules with the head of Pelosi, Reid, Dean, and Obama with a nice big caption. THESE AREN’T DEMOCRATS THEY ARE JACKASSES!
Hillary 08
I am soooooooo artistic. I hate to volunteer to do any more because my plate is already full (as you might imagine) But I am willing to give it a try because I hate OBAMA soooo much.
I once drew a picture of a clown that I saw on the boardwalk making children’s balloon animals. But instead of the happy face you might expect to see on the clown, I drew a very ironic frown.
That is the kind of art I am willing to do for the PUMA party. And believe me, my hatred for OBAMA has me frowning a lot these days. MAn I really hate him!!
If we do the three headed ass (pardon my french) maybe we can draw it being attacked by a Puma and an Eagle. (One on each side not both in the middle).
I will make up a few sketches and see what my fellow PUMANS think.
You’re too kind.
Picture the donkey in rear view…
those four heads will be sticking out, wrinkly necked, snaggle toothed, and braying, from the donkey’s ass.
The idiot-in-chief in the WH was also a Yale grad. ENOUGH SAID.
I can’t believe you use that as an asset for Obamarhoid after living THROUGH 7+ MISERABLE FREAKIN’ YEARS OF BUSH!!!! ROTFLMAO! G-d help us all. You’re all a bunch of buffoons! Including your cult leader.
Larry, I agree for the most part with what you said, but it boils down to one thing, McCain is an American Patriot, Obama is a communist and the line is drawn there!
Someone who chases after Marxist ways after being mentored by the likes of Frank Marshall Davis, Obama’s first relationship with a Black male in his life and Davis being the deepest rooted Communist around and Obama developer is scary!
But then seeking out the Marxists at Occidental College, going to Marxist events in New York, working for the Marxist inspired DCP, and befriending Marxists Dohrn and Ayers is a pattern of character!
Thus someone who is so entrenched into communism has no business sitting in the white house, a land of liberty and freedom!
McCain’s a dipshit who can’t successfully fly a plane. He’s a corrupt bastard who is unsuitable for the post as United States Senator, and a disaster waiting to happen in the Oval Office. A man with no sense of nuance and no ability to conduct diplomacy. A pathetic shell of a man who deserves and shall receive no respect for me.
But he’s old, dear. Aaaand he most likely won’t be able to run in 2012. Why do Obamanates haaate old people? Ageist little shits!!!! [/quavery voice] [/palsied script]
He can fly at least as well as Ted Kennedy can drive. Wooooh.
Even the band that palyed at the rally/free concert has a communist name. Decembrists.