what is your gut reaction to Obama?

[Pie 1]

Reminds me of Blair - a lot, but anything's better than Bush/McCain.

I'd like him to win, but the pesmist in me thinks that there's still no way America is going to vote a black guy in.
I hope to God I'm wrong.

 

[poului]

Reminds me of Blair - a lot, but anything's better than Bush/McCain.

I'd like him to win, but the pesmist in me thinks that there's still no way America is going to vote a black guy in.

Oh come off. The rightwingers voted twice for an administration that included a "black guy" and a "black woman" as Secretary of State. As long as it's a "black guy" in a sea of "white guys" with the right policies they won't bat an eyelid.

 

[Jeff Robinson]

If I were a yank i'd support Ralph Nader.

 

[DotCommunist]

His still part of the Evil Empire, but if his election goes someway to easing racial tensions in the US that can only be a good thing.

 

[weltweit]

My initial gut reaction to him was that he was too thin.

He almost looks emaciated and underfed, it makes him look slightly weak.

 

[Dillinger4]

I've even got an 'Obama 08' badge

I got an 'Osama 08' badge.

 

[Darios]

His still part of the Evil Empire, but if his election goes someway to easing racial tensions in the US that can only be a good thing.

I'd be interested to know why you think that?

 

[DotCommunist]

I'd be interested to know why you think that?

'if'

I'm not saying it will. That was my 'gut reaction' posted above. It might do though.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

I don't have any particular 'gut reaction' to Obama, but I would like to see the Republicans defeated in the American election. A break from the Christian Fundamentalist influence would be a good thing in their home politics. A change from the aggressive foreign policy is also much needed. However I wonder if once in power Obama and the Democrats really will deliver the promised 'change'. If it turned out like what happened with Tony Blair and New Labour here in the UK, that is simply a continuation of the polices of their predecessors, then there would be a lot of disillusionment with all politics and politicians.

America politics is a nightmare. The fact that ten percent of Americans think that Obama is a Muslim (as if that was necessarily a bad thing) when in reality he is a Christian, which to me would be a cause for concern, is illustrative.

 

[Darios]

'if'

I'm not saying it will. That was my 'gut reaction' posted above. It might do though.

OK, still interested why - because a black man has reached the highest office in the country (and conceivably, the world)? Or because after the honeymoon period it will be a black man fucking us all over for a change and not a white man and more people might give up on the "white devil" meme, realising that it's the position and not the colour of skin that is the key factor?

 

[DotCommunist]

OK, still interested why - because a black man has reached the highest office in the country (and conceivably, the world)? Or because after the honeymoon period it will be a black man fucking us all over for a change and not a white man and more people might give up on the "white devil" meme, realising that it's the position and not the colour of skin that is the key factor?

Right, I watched an interesting doucumentary on the back power salute of the 68 olympics and some waffling journo type touched upon Obama as perhaps 'america re-discovering it's innocence'. I think that's what drive's my gut instinct response, the idea that a black man hoding the office of POTUS might play into the great american myth of freedom and justice for all, pluribus unum and all that. A myth that I assume still holds some sway over a large segment of the population.
As you say, the fucking over won't stop, this is the Evil Empire we're talking about

 

[Belushi]

'america re-discovering it's innocence'

What is it with America and its 'innocence', they've been knee deep in blood since they first landed and started slaughtering the natives.

 

[DotCommunist]

What is it with America and its 'innocence', they've been knee deep in blood since they first landed and started slaughtering the natives.

Standard moral imperative guff given the twist off throwing off the shackles off old europe, creating something new and better. Whilst blindly repeating every mistake and evil of previous empires

 

[Andy the Don]

Genuine liberal, but I do not think he will be elected (hope I am wrong on that..). The GOP will unleash the attack dogs and the election will focus on his colour, read colour when they say that Obama lacks experience..

 

[Threshers_Flail]

A myth that I assume still holds some sway over a large segment of the population.
As you say, the fucking over won't stop, this is the Evil Empire we're talking about

He wouldn't be in the position he is in today if he was in any way different to all the old white men who have a monopoly of power. The outside is a little different, but inside he is still a shite like the rest of them.

 

[nino_savatte]

Gifted speaker but empty shit. He knows how to make a good speech, whereas McCain sounds like he's reading from a phone book. Unfortunately there is never anyhting fo substance in his speeches - just a load of dramatic language.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Genuine liberal, but I do not think he will be elected (hope I am wrong on that..). The GOP will unleash the attack dogs and the election will focus on his colour, read colour when they say that Obama lacks experience..

Really? I read it as code for 'never been in the army'. They can't touch the 'experience' issue now, though, can they, with the crazed loon Palin as running mate.

 

[Idris2002]

A while back, RTE radio played Dr. King's 'Dream' speech, and then one of Obama's speeches.

It was like the difference between Elvis Presley and an Elvis impersonator.

I'd still like to see Obama win, just to see what would happen, and to see the US right discomfited. But anyone investing their hopes in him will be seriously disappointed.

 

[Idris2002]

You should be very very wary of anyone who paul volker endorses. That should tell you all you need to know.

Most of these kids don't even know who Paul Volker was, butch.

I saw him open for Foghat in '75.

 

[camouflage]

The healthcare plans of both Clinton and Obama are quite laughable. Isn't it true that the closest the US ever got to universal healthcare was under Nixon?

It seems to me that when they have to make concessions at home, they are more aggressive and ruthless overseas. That's why Democrat governments tend to be the bigger war-mongers.

Nixon as a republican had to make more concessions during his reign, so he compensated the corporate masters by fucking over Chile and escalating Vietnam even harder.

This is just my humble opinion though, I'm no expert or anything.

 

[butchersapron]

Most of these kids don't even know who Paul Volker was, butch.

I saw him open for Foghat in '75.

Ah, the famous 'Smash the Cities' tour.

 

[coccinelle]

A while back, RTE radio played Dr. King's 'Dream' speech, and then one of Obama's speeches.

It was like the difference between Elvis Presley and an Elvis impersonator.

I'd still like to see Obama win, just to see what would happen, and to see the US right discomfited. But anyone investing their hopes in him will be seriously disappointed.

King was an inspired speaker. But Obama is, still, a very good, and natural speaker. And that might mean he's also a good thinker.

 

[turing test]

Because the house and senate have Democrats majorities, Obama may be able to pass some of the policies he has campaigned on. I mostly agree with what he has said he will try to do.

McCain on the other hand will get no help from the legislative branch.

McCain’s vice could make for some pretty good comedy.

 

[kyser_soze]

I think Obama seems smart and eminently able to be President, however I just don't believe he will win - sadly, as I am deeply concerned about McCain/Palin's avowed intent to overturn Roe vs. Wade (amongst other things).

They didn't get it in 8 years under the most Xtian presidency since never, so I can't see it happening under McCain...

 

[weltweit]

I have never yet seen an Obama speech in full.

All I get to see is a soundbite or two on the news.

 

[Detroit City]

I'm interested especially in whether your reaction has changed since you forst heard of him.

I think he's a great talker who looks good in a suit and is intelligent but besides that he's full of shite...like most politicians.

 

[Wolveryeti]

He seems a nice, intelligent guy. I'm willing to forgive him his increasing forays into waffle and lying because that's what wins elections with an electorate whose core cohort is as stupid as America's (petrol tax holidays wtf).

 

[unclecharlie]

What is it with America and its 'innocence', they've been knee deep in blood since they first landed and started slaughtering the natives.

Um, Americans brought a colonialism mindset from Great Britain, so you could prolly change the "they've" to "we've"...

 

[unclecharlie]

I have never yet seen an Obama speech in full.

All I get to see is a soundbite or two on the news.

Here's a start:



Part 1 of 6, worth watching methinks.

 

[Detroit City]

Um, Americans brought a colonialism mindset from Great Britain, so you could prolly change the "they've" to "we've"...

yea, americans learned how to oppress from the masters, the british

god save the queen