Obama God or Senator Britney?
By LisaB on August 5, 2008 at 7:00 AM in Barack Obama, Media
1) Just one more thing about the Obama / Britney ad kerfluffle. Terribly smart people have been yelling about ways in which the ad was racist, in bad taste, or reflective of celebrity culture wrongly applied to a “promising leader — full of wisdom, charisma, and vulnerable humanity.”
Those arguments have been done to death and I’m not going there.
However. There was an interesting article in the American Prospect back on July 9. While I hardly think this article is the genesis of the “Obama = vapid celebrity” meme, it certainly predates the McCain ad.
Read the rest ->
Written around the time when Obama flipped on taking public campaign funds, the premise of this piece was that Obama supporters should keep his fallibility as a person in mind and not deify him.
(Uh, not only has THAT boat sailed, but everyone is on the Lido deck burning incense and chanting O - baaaaaa - maaaaa.)
But here is what Courtney Martin, in American Prospect, said back in July:
The long-term goal, however, should not be just to jolt America’s youth awake with an injection of politics (masquerading as celebrity. It should be to stir young voters to recognize the significance of civic engagement and take the first step to making it a lifetime affair. It should be to move young voters to invest in Obama’s political philosophies, the antecedent to his policies, and really reflect on the meaning of leadership, citizenship, and nationhood. It should be to convince them that the American dream — which Obama represents so romantically — is not an immaculate conception but an endangered product of just economic and immigration policies and institutional enlightenment.
Obama speaks and emotes on par with some of this country’s, even this world’s, most gifted orators. For this, I am grateful. It feels amazing to shed some genuine tears over a political speech, to have some sense of what my parents meant when they talked about being personally invested in JFK’s ideas, to actually believe in someone who has a flag waving behind them. When Obama smiles, it’s as if a long-dimmed light has been fiercely illuminated.
And somehow the writer is worried Obama might be “god-ified”? Looks to me like he’s already been credited with “Let there be light. . . ” I’m just sayin.
Let’s not let Obama be our deity or our Britney Spears.
Hello! Courtney doesn’t want people to allow Obama to be “our God or our Britney?” MY primary ballot didn’t offer that choice. I’d have noticed. Really. That would have stuck with me. Hmmmmm. All-knowing, infinite, outside of time and place, all compassionate or, or, or, . . . Britney?
Honestly, I don’t know what to do with this. Obama as God - well I’m familiar with THAT meme. Obama as Britney? God or Britney? How do those two options even get together? What kind of person could be classified as God or Britney and who could think it?
To her credit, the author finishes up by saying that supporters must hold Obama accountable for his promises.
A critical lens, not rose-colored glasses, will best serve us in the coming months of this presidential campaign. If we see Obama as a star, then we will be forced to watch him fall from such great heights and experience the darkness afterward. If we see him as a promising leader — full of wisdom, charisma, and vulnerable humanity — then we can walk the long, bumpy road ahead. . .
But while people are trying to hold that “critical lens” instead of the “rose-colored glasses” during the “coming months of this presidential campaign,” hoping not to see Obama “fall from such great heights” and thus “experience the darkness afterward,” even as we “walk the long, bumpy road ahead,” we might also stop to realize the notion of Obama as celebrity or even, gasp, as Britney, did not originate with a McCain campaign ad.
Courtney Martin simply recognized the danger and wrote about it. The possibility of Obama later being characterized as a celebrity (or God) was most likely solidified with Chris Matthews’ tingling leg and sundry concert appearances.
But the Britney reference? Hey the Republicans aren’t THAT original.
2) In a previous article (The Celeb Factor in Politics) in the American Prospect, Martin wrote:
It’s safe to presume that the celebrity worshippers — the demographic that keeps Access Hollywood’s ratings high and US Weekly’s circulation booming — are more than happy to see Oprah intervening and ScarJo and Obama corresponding. With or without a great campaign narrative, celebrity is the sugar that makes the political medicine go down for these E! Entertainment Television fans. It’s exciting, actually, to think about the ways in which celebrity involvement has the potential to increase civic participation, even if it’s a little gross that it’s come to that.
Young people, in general, are fairly comfortable with the blurring of previously defined lines — between business and nonprofit (The Gap’s RED collection), philanthropy and fun (Living Liberally), fiction and reality (The Hills). The intersection between celebrity and politics seems like sort of a no-brainer to the under-30 set.
But, as the campaign season solidifies, will Obama’s cache with celebrities justify older voters’ worries about his seriousness? One of his challenges in the months ahead is to convince fence-riders that he will make responsible policy decisions, convey authority, and be fiscally strategic — not exactly qualities you associate with Hollywood stars. One might wonder why Obama has time to jot notes to a starlet when he has a family and a campaign to run. Or one might question the relevance of a celebrity endorsement for a political candidate in the first place.
Looks like a pretty fair analysis of why the Obama campaign perpetuated the “celebrity candidate” and then complained vociferously when called on it.
Oh, and publication date for this one? June 27, 2008.
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By now, we know the Obama campaign always accuses other people of doing what they themselves are doing.
Same with the vapid celebrity meme. It was the Obama camapaign that tried to sell their guy as a rock star. They played the celebrity card, and are now accusing someone else of doing it. It’s the Obama MO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JrHKrSfkxM
Mika called Britney and Paris “skanky” and involved in “porn”. I hope they hit her back hard and take her out. I am sick of this pretentious hateful piece of work.
PUMA HAKA
I really really wish this bad Obama
moviecommercial would end with he and Michele hip hopping into the sunset back to Chicago or to Hollywood and disappear. One hit wonders are a dime a dozen and Obama had his chance and blew it as far as I’m concerned.The vapid and Moses commercials were decried by some BO supporters as being racist (go figure). On Morning Joe today, all of those sitting at the table agreed that every time the term “racist” is used by the O’s to criticize whatever happens, Obama loses.
Methinks they have played this card once too often and the damage is cumulative. If BO gets into office, we wonder, will he actually have to answer for anything or will that be called racist too?
I also feel that McCain’s recent commercials have been effective because they poke directly at Obama’s sore spots and turn perceived strengths into weaknesses. By their overreactions it also shows that the O’s are thin-skinned and devoid of humor.
Obama’s rejection of townhalls with McCain pushes the meme that he’s an elitist - too good to come down from his throne.
And it makes Dem positions look weak - as if he can’t defend them.
He can not defend them. He has to read someone else’s words or he sounds like this, um, um, um ,well, um , um well I , um, .
You get the drift.
One reason he will not meet with mccain in a town hall forum is because his platform is all socialist all the time and America does not want that. At least not where I live. Now some of these nanny states my have that wish, but not me.
Another is he does not like anyone to protest his views (ie. no posters or signs at his rallies, oh unless you are a plant like the young man in Fla).
EXACTLY. Calling everything racist is what has held back some people. If you don’t take accountability you can’t learn and you can’t move forward.
We shouldn’t even be having this discussion because Obama shouldn’t even be anywhere near close to being considered for President. He’s barely been in the Senate and most of that time it was in recess or he was running for President. Black, white, orange w a pink stripe, I don’t care. He’s got no experience, I don’t think he’s very bright, he’s lazy, he is using the all famous race card, he’s dishonest and he has smeared the Clintons who have done alot for this country. He’s not qualified and likely not even legally eligible. Our young people are not realistic so it’s up to the mature, sane minds to finish this up so we can get on to the real business of getting our country straightened out and with a competent, patriotic person to do it.
A comment found on Eugene Robinson article today —
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/04/AR2008080401824.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
>>>If Obama gets elected President, there will be no way to criticize him, oppose him on any issue or question him. At any moment he chooses, he’ll trot out traumatized black voices who will beat their chests and cry “racist” and “victim” to whatever hapless politician is trying to oppose Obama on an issue for his constituents.
Obama’s going to use the dysfunction of black trauma to smack down any white person who doesn’t fall in line.
Interesting article on Politico about how the race card was played against the Clintons and how they and their supporters feel about it:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12311.html
If he gets elected there goes the freedom of speech, the to dissent. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO SAY DISAGREE. ONLY PRAISE WILL BE ALLOWED. THAT IS NOT A SIGN OF A LEADER IN A DEMOCRACY. THAT IS A SIGN OF A LEADER OF SOMETHING ELSE. WE KNOW HISTORY!!!!!
Would it have been racist if Moses were AA?
Now Keith Olbermann sees 3 phallic symbols in that Obama/Britney ad:
http://www.mikefrancesa.com/wordpress/?p=955
Also a new Florida poll has McCain up 50 to 44, Obama is on the ropes, soon he will be put away.
from your lips to . . .!
He has really gone over the edge on this one. Bellvue anyone?
Jon Stweart had a great bit on the “race Genie” last night and poked fun at the phallic symbol meme:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
I thought that that Hercules monument was an over the top location to hold a news conference. I think that the BOs have been playing the phallic card all along.
” Mediocrities will choose mediocrities because they do not have sufficient sense of quality and because theyfear comparison which will be invidious….to themselves ” - Edward Shils. The Jefferson Lectures. The Chronicle of Higher Education. 1979
That explains Nixon getting elected!
Now, to book my next vacation at Club Mediocrite.
The candidate offering nebulous hope
Is finding it harder and harder to cope
By the celebrity ad he was stung,
Reacting poorly, he had his bell rung.
In primaries he seemed to play like an ace,
Now the card he throws down seems to be race,
In polls he’s already beginning to fall,
In three months Johnny McCain wins it all.
Johnny, I hope you’re saving all your prose. It might make a fun book when the GE is over.
It’s pretty fun right now, provided Obama loses, as it’s beginning to look like he will.
There’s so much material, Obama will keep you plenty busy win or lose.
What poll is that?
Gallup tracking for one: +9 to +3, Rasmussen tracking: +6 to -1, down 6 in recent Florida polling on RCP.
The pattern isn’t new. The sycophants bring the candidate down. The kids cheer, hoot and swoon, the adults become horrified. This is because adults don’t let children and radicals pick presidents. It’s all more hysterical than historical.
Hey Uppity - K.O.gives you his seal of disapproval:
Congratulations!
I’ve been so out of the loop I never knew there were so many race triggers. I always thought “Uppity” meant having some spunk to stand up to oppression and it was a good thing. How about the psychology of dwelling on it as a past hurt, is that not sick?
I don’t think its fair to compare Britney and Paris to Obama. Britney and Paris never buy concerts, food,t-shirts and booze for their fans. They don’t buy love, people freely give it to them
Obama’s ad now playing in Florida, promises to give families $1,000.00. Is that sorta, kinda vote buying?
LOL….Gee Ya Think ?…..chuckle…..Hmmmm…..I could use a new car….LOL
Isn’t that like what McGovern proposed back in ‘72? As I recall he said something like we were all entitled to a thousand dollars. Hope I’m not misrepresenting the old gentleman– I was eleven then; perhaps some of the folks here remember.
Yes, you are absolutely correct. McGovern did propose giving every American $1000. And if I remember correctly, it had something to do with energy costs.
of course it’s vote buying. It’s also called bribery.
I guess the question is why do people freely give love to these idgits? Or idolize celebs or someone like Obama or preachers?
I understand admiration for someone with talent or great skill or respect for a good person but wannabee love or worship is a bit much.
Poor Zogby! McCain in the lead - must explain
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/zogby-had-to-admit-b0-loses-support-must-be-badmccain-leads/
DId you see the interview with Nancy Pelosi at USA Weekend magazine??? She like the word “entrepreunerial” a lot…
All in all, the weasel who hasn’t done squat about anything!!
Except write about what a great inspiration she is…in her mind!!
And she’s foisted this jerk Obama on us to cap her career!!
Nancy Pelosi Talks about Hillary during an Interview about Her New Book “Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters” (Ironic Title, Isn’t It?)
http://tinyurl.com/5ruhnk
http://insightanalytical.wordp…
I think Nancy is being hypocritical especially when it comes to her lack of support to Hillary. She acts threatened like its a power issue which sadly many women, instead of mentoring, hold back rivals.
I would not suggest my daughter listen or read her book cause I doubt she practices what she preaches.
Nancy PUKEosi….is another narcissist…..Birds of a feather flock together….lol
I would suggest that the Speaker deserves a large workboot in the derriere, BUT THAT WOULD BE WRONG and make me a misogynist.
However: Equal Rights means Equal Wrongs!
And to think that Harold Ford, at the time, was being bantered about as a possible nominee for Speaker. As a centrist republican who greatly admires Ford, once can now see that the Obama machine had already worked its insidious veins into the DNC way back then and not only did they work to make sure a lap dog got the Speaker post, but they also convinced Ford’s own party to ignore him and essentially force him out of office. One more sign of Obama not wanting to compete for anything, but simply using thuggery to remove an opponent.
It is stunning that it all happened. But here is what I think (and I definitely could be wrong and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t take offense), remember, I’m a republican so I’m definitely an outsider looking in: I believe that the Obama/Chicago Machine tactfully used the Democratic Party’s angst/hatred of George Bush as a cover. (I’m NOT arguing that point, right or wrong, just making note that the aversion to the sitting president over the last three years in particular, has been the driving force behind many DNC power broker’s movements). They played the game and used the cover to covertly put themselves in place for what amounts to a coup. They basically fed the emotion (again, NOT a judgment OF those emotions, just the realization that they are very ardent) in order to work their nefarious plans behind the scenes while the hard working/heart of the party was looking the other way.
Ultimately, Obama began this three years ago. Damn…
Take care,
Patrick
Patrick
If you look deep enough, you can see that Howard Dean & Co. started much earlier than that. This has basically been formulating since the 2000 fiasco (they took the power, now how can we take it for ourselves). Donna Brazile quickly learned to be a Rove wannabe groupie after learning her lessons the hard way on the Gore campaign.
This goes much deeper than Obama - he’s just the stooge/front man.
Indeed, certainly for those of you going through this from the inside, your insight into what’s happened is on the mark. Again, I can empathize with you as this is what the religious right did to my party in the 90s and early this century.
Take care,
Patrick
Does anyone know how the leaders of the DNC are chosen? I was having a discussion with a long time dem, whose been around longert han me and was told that usually the runner up candidate from the primaries takes over and chooses who they want, why the chairman is Dean and not Kerry. So, does that mean Hillary becomes chairwoman and gets to clean house??? Holy crap, that would be worth McCain being elected!
If not, how do we get rid of these clowns?
But another thing about what Patrick said: Ford is black. He is good-looking. His Christian beliefs are obvious. In every way he would outshine Obama by contrast, and might upstage him when the time came for Obama to be pushed forth for us as the post-racial candidate. Very perhaps, some of Ford’s hassles are related to this possible competition.
Harold Ford has experience too! Oh I forgot it is now racist to mention experience. Or is it only racist to mention experience when we talk about Obama? I am confused about this.
Any declarative statement containing Obama, Barack, or presumptive nominee is racist.
Harold, on the other hand, is a good man with skin thicker than tissue paper. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.
snark
Yes Patrick there is that and with the anger we have at Bush I can kind of understand the DEMS who are blindly following Obama to win back the WH. If Obama was a qualified candidate I’d be over there in a nano second but I can see through the fraud and am disgusted that my party succumbed to the power draw and have lost respect for the whole lot of them.
One should be true to our own personal principles and if something is hypocritical, bordering on illegal and hurts others count me out.
Indeed, it is the fact that I know how upset most/many of you are with the current administration but are still putting your own feelings aside to put ‘country first’ that is most impressive to me as an outsider. I said it in one of my first posts here but this — what you all are standing for — is what makes America AMERICA.
Take care,
Patrick
Patrick, that’s why many of us will be voting for McCain, despite the fact that our dead parents who had FDR’s picture on the wall and grandparents who staved off hunger working for the WPA will probably haunt us.
Not a single Republican of my acquaintance who can face downwind in a light rain has ANY use for Current Occupant, and largely wish that he, like a hard luck relative crashing on your $5,000 couch for 7 plus years, would just go the hell away.
Why can’t Barack close the deal in Massachusetts? http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html A nine point lead with 15% undecided?
Also, on the Britney/celebrity comparison, Obama himself said this in 2005:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48523-2005Feb23?language=printer
What no one has discussed is that the ad completely emasculates Obama; it equates him to a blonde bimbo who thrives on diva worship from a vapid fanbase. That’s why the idea that there are phallic symbols present that scare white voters with the threat of the “black man’s penis” is so ridiculous. The ad actually castrates Obama.
didn’t that happened thanks to jesse j.?!
or does he have 4?!
Obama is a “promising leader”? Only in that he makes lots of promises that he has no intention of keeping. As the Texans would say, Obama is “all hat and no cattle”.
Now why would John McCain use a dirty tactic that was used on him on obama. Our news media has lost it’s mind.
Did anyone else hear on MSM yesterday - I think it
was Fox - that
ONE (1) OUT OF FIVE (5) Hillary Voters will NOT
vote for OZero?
Correct me if I am wrong, but that’s 20% of
18,000,000
Isn’t it?
I read yesterday that 30% of conservative dems(me) will not vote for the “O”! But if we are spread across 50 states, it’s hard to predict the effect!
The “STAR BABY” is out of the primaries, where he was protected, and has to play with the big kids now! I’m looking forward to them dirtying his NAPPIE!
The Obamas in Essence Magazine, making it all about race, once again.
http://thepage.time.com/2008/08/05/obama-im-not-afraid-to-lose/
They’ve been doing the MAGAZINE COVER gig now for a while, and all these covers with interviews inside are on the newsstands. But, we don’t want voters to notice that Obama apparently doesn’t mind so much being a “celebrity” or exploiting his “race” to woo voters.
Keith Olbermann must really be disgusted by all this “celebrity-seeking” by Obama. But, I’m sure he can find some phallic symbols in those magazines to do a special comment on next week!
From the above link:
“If you’ve got Michelle as first lady, and Malia and Sasha running around on the South Lawn, that changes how America looks at itself.”
Really, it would change how you think America looks at you. We won’t have changed at all.
“Obama speaks and emotes on par with some of this country’s, even this world’s, most gifted orators.”
Maybe it is beside the point, but I honestly do not understand how anyone can believe this. Obama sounds like an amateur robot to me even when he is reading beautiful words from a teleprompter. We must be different species.
But then I don’t think Britney Spears can sing either. So maybe comparing Obama to Britney Spears is perfectly legitimate for “tone-deaf” people like me and the Republicans.
What do Britney Spears and Paris Hilton have in common?
No, not the hair dye….
They both exposed their GIANT SIZED “lady business” to the glare of the photographers’ flashes, DELIBERATELY. They used a common body part that is not usually exposed to public view for PUBLICITY.
They’re stupid, vapid idiotswho have done nothing but flash us in an unmeaningful way to increase their fame…sound familiar?
It seems fairly obvious to me that the comparison (which BO has made himself) is apt. They’re all as dumb as a sexual organ, unattached to a thinking brain!