How in the world did this whiny little dolt even get into the senate? This country is dire need of capable, mature politicians.

How in the world did this whiny little dolt even get into the senate? This country is dire need of capable, mature politicians.

How did he get in?

Through the incompetence of the Il GOP and the manipulation by the Chicago media.

Obama was just another Chicago Dem; a part of the Daley regime.

The Dems had a frontrunner, and it wasn't Obama. It was another rich white man. But this rich white man had a divorce, which the Chicago papers scrutinized and discovered that it was a very nasty one. One that once the accusations by the wife were publicized, enabled Obama to win the primary.

After their success with getting Obama the Dem nomination, the papers went after the GOP candidate, Jack Ryan (no relation to Geotrge Ryna the disgraced Governor). Ryan too, had a divorce, from actress Jeri Ryan (the Star Trek 'Borg Babe'), and it just so happened that there were sealed records that dealt with the child custody issues. Well, the intrepid MSM found a friendly judge in Los Angeles, where the papers were sealed, and 'convinced' him that it was in the public interest to unseal these records.

For those who have experienced these things, sometimes nasty, and unsavory accusations are made by both parties. Some of these were of no real public interest, but they were so tittilating to the paper, that they just had to print them.

That severely hurt Ryan's candidacy. But that didn't doom it. The Il GOP leadership didn't stop to give Ryan a chance; they dropped all support.

Ryan, without support from the GOP leadership, dropped out. Then the GOP made their biggesdt blunders. Instead of selecting Oberweis or another primary runner-up, they strung it out. They 'interviewed' Mike Ditka, and others; but in the end they invited Alan Keyes to be the replacement candidate.

Keyes was the worst possible replacement. He wasn't from Illinois, had absolutely no idea of Illinois issues, and was a 'bomb thrower' of a campaigner. The GOP leadership compounded the matter by not appearing to give him any real support or sufficient funds to campaign.

The MSM took Obama and instead of looking at his political history and analyzing his positions, treated him with kid gloves; 180 degrees different than they treated his opposition. They never looked into his dealings with special interests and his associations with the corrupt Daley regime. To them he was their guy: he said the 'right' things and looked good on TV.

Again, Obama is the beneficiary of a MSM obsessed with looks and saying the 'right' things, as opposed to what he really stands for and his questionable experience and political history.

Yup, this is our Democratic Party. If a President cracks jokes about his own shortcomings, he's a frat boy. If a Presidential candidate makes threats, he's just sensitive.

Limbaugh is doing a great public service exposing these misfits. First it was Michael Fox with sorry ass disease and now Obama. Rush even exposed the worlds tallest man as a freak of nature when he got the plastic out of that stupid dolphin's stomach. I swear to God, had Bob Dole been a Democrat only Rush would have had a big enough stomach to state no crippled should represent the United States.

oh please. Few politicians are as easy going and self-deprecating as Obama. And few are as adept at letting stuff slide right off their back. It's but one of the many character traits that make Obama so attractive to so many - including some on the right (which I rather suspect why so many others on the Right are clearly afraid of him).

Only a moron like Rush would read this as anything but the very kind of self-deprecating humor that is patently Obama. Context: NYT columnist Dowd had just written a tongue-in-cheek piece titled "Hillzilla vs Obambi". The other bit of context is that all week the press had been taking some silly low punches at Barack: CNN compared his dress style to Ahmadinejad, and everyone has been obsessing that Obama rhymes with Osama, Barack with Iraq, and that his middle name is Hussein! With all that silliness being said about him, the sly joke is Obama ignoring all that outrageous stuff, but feigning to draw the line at his "big ears", about which he porports to be "very sensitive". It's called self-deprecation - and after all the faux Bushian swagger of recent years, people are loving it.

I find it hilarious that the Right is now screaming about how Obama isn't substantive enough, and is an "unserious neophyte" without much experience. First off, the election is two years away still, and he hasn't announced that he is running - so he is not obligated at this point to lay out a specific campaign platform. Secondly, in past elections you Righties have harped on and on that "character" is what matters the most, not issues - sounds like you're flip-flopping now. At this point, it is precisely Obama's character that is attracting people. He's very at ease with himself, and has a message of hope that resonates with people.

Third, comparing Obama's supposely "lacking" 2008 resume to Bush's supposedly "experienced" 2000 resume... well, judge for yourselves:

- Education:
Obama: Received undergrad degree from Columbia University in International Relations. Then went on to Harvard Law school where he graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree .

Bush: Got into Yale as a "legacy", then went on to get an MBA at Harvard, also as a legacy admission. Self-admittedly received mediocre grades throughout.

- Work experience:
Obama: After traveling the world with his bi-racial parents, he worked at a non-profit organization helping local churches organize job training programs for residents of poor neighborhoods in Chicago. After Harvard, he worked at a law firm specializing in civil rights. He then taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago. Wrote two best-selling books.

Bush: Avoided combat in Vietnam by going into the Texas Air Guard, using his dad's political connections with the Lt Gov of Texas to snag a pilot slot above other candidates. Started an oil business which failed. Then sat on board of Harken Energy, receieving substantial salary but not actually having any real role in the company. Daddy's buddies then got together and helped him purchase a share of the Texas Rangers, where he served as managing general partner. Became an alcoholic, then found Jesus. Self-admittedly, had never traveled abroad (except to party in Mexico).

- Political experience:
Obama 2008 6 years Illinois State Senate, where he served as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. 4 years US Senator.

Bush 2000 5 years Governor of Texas.

In any case, we all know that the wingnuts are scared to death of Obama, and will prove it by throwing every smear they can at him. Obama - and the American people - really don't give a rat's petootey what you throw at him. Swift-boats ahoy!

Finally AaronTime says something I agree with.

Maureen Dowd and her kind are wingnuts. Wasn't she the one complaining about him?

Finally, Aaron admitted what we all thought about him. Congratulations.

Ummm... so you think being a State Senator of Illinois compares to being Governor of Texas exactly how? Umm you also forgot to mention six years as President of the United States under "experience."

You also failed to mention that the "ROUGH STREETS" that Obama grew up on were in Honolulu. Do you really believe, amongst ALL of the potential Democrats, he's the most experienced? If it weren't for the color of his skin and a clever turn of phrase for a book title, he'd be exactly what he is... a United States Senator with no record of any meaningful legislation, with a legislative history from the Illinois Legislature that he seems to keep under wraps. I assume it's because there isn't one, or it's because he couldn't get elected in Illinois if a majority of Illinois citizens knew ANYTHING about him.

wawaliyo -

"Ummm... so you think being a State Senator of Illinois compares to being Governor of Texas exactly how? Umm you also forgot to mention six years as President of the United States under "experience."

Ummm... the comparison is Bush's political resume when he ran for president in 2000 to Obama's when he runs in 2008. In case you missed this subtle point, when he ran in 2000, Bush did not yet have 6 years as President of the US.

So the comparison is... Bush: 5 years gov of Texas; Obama, 4 years US senator. How does that make Bush so much more politically experienced than Obama? As it is, Obama right now has much more knowledge about the world at large than Bush did when he ran in 2000.

Aarontime: The thing about resumes is what is acceptable also has something do with the times you are running in.

Frankly, I don't think Bush with his 2000 resume would get elected in 2008. Similiarly, Clinton with his 1992 resume would not get elected in 2008.

Frankly, Obama's resume does not strike me as being any better than either Clinton's or Bush. Personally, I think it his a little bit worse since I prefer some executive branch experience. Plus he will labor with the handicap of being a sitting US Senator, and it has sure been a long time since one of those got elected president. And JFK was a war hero and had spent 12 years in Congress as opposed to 4.

Finally, maybe he was teasing Dowd--but maybe he was not. After all what do we know about whether he is self depracating other other than your say so. Certianly, he would not be the first politician that is thin skinned. For example, where do you put John Kerry on the self deprecating scale? If Obma is thin skinned than the Republicans should make an issue out of it.

I think thin skinned politicians tend to end up like Nixon parinoid and more interested in hurting there enimies as opposed to leading the country.

Being born with big ears: not a choice.

Becoming addicted to oxycontin, overeating to the point where your man-boobs rest on the table when you are doing your radio show and repeatedly arguing that we needn't worry an ounce about the balooning deficit because all we have to do is "print more money": a choice.

Being born with big ears: not a choice.

Becoming addicted to oxycontin, overeating to the point where your man-boobs rest on the table when you are doing your radio show and repeatedly arguing that we needn't worry an ounce about the balooning deficit because all we have to do is "print more money": a choice.

Yet another example of the righties not getting the joke. First it was Kerry, now it's Obama.

Clearly (and it's sad that I have to explain this), Obama was kidding with Dowd about the ears thing. Being the smart cookie that he is, Barak would certainly know better than to SERIOUSLY put a reporter on notice for writing about his prominent EARS, people.

Is there anyone on your side of the aisle that isn't humor impaired? Anyone?

aarontime:

"Obama, 4 years US senator."

Sorry, but Obama has been a United States Senator for less than 2 years. You see, in Illinois they have what are called a State Senate and a State House. Those elected to the State Senate are called State Senators, although some people inappropriately just call them Senator.

State Senators do not usually deal with issues of foreign policy, national defense, or monetary policy. They usually deal with finding ways to funnel more Illinois taxpayer money into Chicago boondoggles like the Millenium Park and Chicago Bear stadiums. There is debate about education, but mostly about finding ways to get the Feds to bail them out of their financial mismanagement.

Obama was part of those in the State Senate whose primary duty was to make sure that his boss, Ritchie Daley got as much from Springfield as possible; Cairo, Danville, Rockford (those are cities in Illinois FYI) and other cities be damned.

Cyberactor,

What do you expect from the people who made Larry the Cable Guy a millionaire?

I'm hoping and praying that the Fox News "competitor" to the Daily Show/Colbert continues to develop. It will be a beacon of unintended hilarity that more liberals will watch than conservatives.

Gar Wood

The best that I see Obama getting is the VP nod for the Democrats.

So when is someone going to ask him something worth talking about. Maybe like his postion on the issues.

I can't remember the last time we elected someone for the great size of his hearing capacity.

Hermie:

Jeepers, another righty who can't do MATH. The post clearly stated that by 2008, Obama will have been a Senator for four years. To paraphrase Don Rumsfeld, "Goodness gracious, can't these people freakin' READ?"

Gar:

Couldn't agree more. What passes for humor on this site is unintentional at best, painful at worst.

Hermie -

"Sorry, but Obama has been a United States Senator for less than 2 years."

Are you really this obtuse? Re-read my post carefully, and then read what I replied to wawilyo. The comparison I am making is Bush when he ran for president in 2000 to Obama when he runs in 2008. Obama was elected United States Senator in 2004, so he will have total experience in that office of 4 years. (Is this really that hard to follow?)

So again, for all you wingnuts who apparently can't follow this, let me talk real slooooooow: Bush when he ran in 2000 had 5 years experience as Governor of Texas. Obama when he runs in 2008 will have 4 years experience as a United States Senator (in addition to his experience at the state level). How is that a huge difference?

As governor of Texas, Bush had "executive" experience, while Obama's is "legislative". Fair enough. But today more than ever, international experience is a must for any president. As US Senator, Obama is getting more experience on international issues than Bush got as a governor. In addition, Obama has experience in international affairs outside of government.

So the point is this (in case you missed it): if Bush had enough experience to be President in 2000, then Obama certainly has enough in 2008.

I would remind you that the unserious Democratic
Party whipped your asses last month.

Obama's from my home state, and I really can't tell you one thing he's accomplished. And this is the guy they want to be president?! What on earth for?

At any rate, Odumbo Osamah-bama is a creepy loser and always will be...big ears or not!

Typical right-wing childishness. Rush would've called FDR Franklin "Wheelie" Roosevelt and wondered why no one else was laughing. He's got to take on the Nazis...can't he take a little teasing?!?! Rush's "toughen him up" line is just an excuse to be an asshole.

And you support whatever he says b/c he's right-wing -- you're the one who's pathetic, Mark! Your savior, Christian, never gave people stupid names or made fun of their appearance to "toughen them up." But hey, don't follow his example. Don't even try. The world's different now, and it's just too hard.

The idea that Obama may be too sensitive is kind of silly really...what's important is that he is probably the most liberal dem who's running, and he will be defeated if nominated...IF the press doesn't ignore his past. Oh, by the way, he has a little real estate skeleton in his closet, just like Hillary! I hope he gets nominated---ANY republican will beat him.

Cyber, Gar -

Yep, liberals are so much better at humor than the wingers. When liberals are being straight and serious, they can often come off as preachy, didactic, or shrill. But when we use humor and parody, we can still make serious points, and do so with a disarming smile.

The Right is terrible at this. Just compare Jon Stuart to Dennis Miller. Miller blooooooows.

In the context that the media and you on the Left are implying, that Obama is so wonderful, that he has the qualifications and can afford to declare his candidacy right now; despite a less than stellar resume.

He may have 'experience' in 2008, but then he may entirely suck at his job by the time 2008 rolls around. (John Kerry had a worse legislative legacy, but he spent much of his time away from the Senate chambers, so he didn't have much of a record to defend.)

Obama has little to show for the time he has spent in office, except to campaign for 'KKK' Byrd and other Dems (and to hawk his book). You are assuming that the 'Obama Bubble' will remain intact and that he won't stumble, or his past allegiance to the corrupt Daley machine will not be noticed.

Well, well, well...how dare we! We've questioned St. Barak, and our leftwing friends are in high dudgeon over it...we apologise: we cede control of the White House unilaterally to His Majesty. In fact, so contrite are we, that we're going to give him the White House today, and force President Bush to be his bathroom attendant.

Get a grip, lefties - the only reason you like the guy is because he's a black liberal and you will never, ever have the courage to question the motives of qualifications of any black liberal.

He's a Chicago pol - and skeletons in the closet doesn't even begin to cover it; he's got whole graveyards in there, as do most Democrats from one-party-rule Chicago.

Mark, I love how you dismiss Tom DeLay's rampant vandalism as "political witchhunting," inaccurately say that Dems embrace Jefferson after his re-election (he's been stripped of committee assignments), and insist on huge loads of evidence for any Republican corruption charge.

Then you go and say that Obama has "whole graveyards in there"... well, where is your proof? You don't have any, do you? Just because he's from Chicago doesn't mean he's corrupt, sorry. Yes Illinois has a dark background but you are smearing a public servant without anything to back you up.

Mark -

"Get a grip, lefties - the only reason you like the guy is because he's a black liberal and you will never, ever have to courage to question the motives of qualifications of any black liberal."

And to that I say dare say!!: ....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mark, whatever. The only ones getting all riled up here are you wingers.

I can tell you this - whatever positive response Obama is getting from the public isn't because of his skin color. It's because of who he is, how he carries himself, and the refreshing positive image he projects. Sorry if that gets you all in a tizzy.

What's the matter? Did this year's "War on Christmas" fizzle?

It's just amazing to me how nutso you guys are going, and we are still almost 2 years away. Who knows if Obama will run, but considering how early it is, you might try to give the guy just a little slack, and maybe listen to what he says or maybe read his books (I really liked "Dreams of My Father" - It's not at all partisan. There's nothing in it that should cause you wingers to foam at the mouth. You might even like it). Before eagerly lapping up the hate spew from Rushbo, just try to listen to Obama a little first. Might be good for the soul.

But if you insist on trying to slime him right out of the gate, fine. You'll just end up looking like asses, and Obama can safely ignore whatever infantile nonsense you'll toss up anyway. It's your choice, wingers.

Can't we all just get aloooooong??? ;)

"He's a Chicago pol - and skeletons in the closet doesn't even begin to cover it; he's got whole graveyards in there."

Interesting. One the one hand, you're saying he's too young and has no political experience, and on the other you're saying he's a sly old pol who's somehow had time to accumulate "graveyards" in his closet. Which is it, Mark? Criticize if you must, but can you at least be consistent with your wild slander? ;)

Aaron,

Now, that is funny - a lefty saying we conservatives lack a sense of humor, and that lefty humor is so slick...in point of fact, it is your humor which comes across as shrill...your serious points are actually those which make us laugh the most.

Aaron,

I'm saying he lacks executive experience and that even his political experience - especially national political experience - is limite...but as a Chicago pol, he's a Chicago pol...Chicago is best summed up like this:

Rostenkowski is sent to jail for corruption, for one term a GOPer gets in, then Blagojevich gets in as stepping stone to the governors mansion, where he's and his people are the subject of criminal probe after criminal probe...meanwhile, Blago's seat has fallen to Emanuel, who got his start in politics working for Daley's corrupt political machine...

" I would remind you that the unserious Democratic
Party whipped your asses last month."

The democratic party did not Whip anything of the sort. Almost every race they won was by a vote, half of the races had to be recounted.

Those that put you over the top probably were not even sure of thier vote to begin with.

So far Nancy Pelosi has already made poor choices in who she appoints, and already shown signs of "same old same old" thinking. One day she is going to wake up and realize we are at war. I guess the terrorists will have to take out her vinyard for her to realize that.

"I'm saying he lacks executive experience and that even his political experience - especially national political experience - is limite...but as a Chicago pol, he's a Chicago pol...Chicago is best summed up like this:"

Mark,

So Obama is guilty by association? I see. Maybe he can endorse your next book about corruption.

Gar Wood

Gar,

Well, he's in the book, and its not just guilt by association...some interesting things, or man Obama has done, indeed...

Mark -

"I'm saying he lacks executive experience and that even his political experience - especially national political experience - is limited - especially national political experience."

And what "national" political experience did Mr Bush have? And what international experience? 4 years as Senator trumps Bush's 5 years as Governor in both of those departments. (The office of Texas Governor, by the way, is one of the weakest Governorships in the US.)

And the larger question is... does a good leader need to have spent years in the Senate or as Governor? I think people will readily say "no". What's more, years and years as a pol can actually work against you. Just ask Senator John McCain or Senator John Kerry - what has all their years in the Senate gotten them? I highly doubt either will ever be President. Meanwhile, George Bush won without spending years as a national pol. People voted for Bush largely because they felt he was geniune. There's a similar phenomenon going on with Obama... except that he's a different party.

Clearly (and it's sad that I have to explain this), Obama was kidding with Dowd about the ears thing.

Clearly--and it's obvious that I have to explain this--you're a brain-dead moron. Did you hear the sound, when Hussein went over to MoDo and put her "on notice." It wasn't a joke, jerk, just as Kerry's "botched joke" wasn't.

Just compare Jon Stuart to Dennis Miller. Miller blooooooows.

Hey, Airheadtime, compared to Jon Stuart maybe, whoever he is. But compared to Jon Stewart, Miller rocks. Moron.

Hey, that Barak Hussein Obama-sama sure has some big ears. Must give him problems when those Chicago winds kick up...

Evidently the only ones more hypersensitive than Obama are Errortime and his fellow traveller wingnuts.

We had a Presidential candidate with bigger ears than Obama. Did he whine about the cartoons and comments? No....in a debate he asked for an answer to a question and then assured his opponent "I'm all ears".

Here's a hint to all you humor-deficient Lefties---it is not a joke if it has to explained. Personally, I am already getting a little tired of the Left trying to explain their gaffes away by condescendingly telling us that we simply do not understand that IT WAS JUST A JOKE.

But thanks for making our point, that you never get it, as shown by your ad hominem attacks on a talk show host and a former Representative. Sooooo relevant......

BTW, Errortime, Bush ran the biggest state in the continental United States, which is a far cry from being one of 100 legislators arguing over a bill.

And what is this BS about DeLay's "vandalism". do you guys OWN a dictionary? Or are you just so hooked on inventing definitions that you just can't stop?

This is a thread about the hypersensitivity of a front runner for at least a nomination for the highest office in the land, after being teased NOT by a "right-winger" but by one of his very own nutters, Maureen Dowd. Do try to keep up.

aaron - "Avoided combat in Vietnam by going into the Texas Air Guard, using his dad's political connections with the Lt Gov of Texas to snag a pilot slot above other candidates." Once you lie, your post means nothing. Too bad, I was reading it up until that point....

Think about the fact that a man who cries about big ear jokes wants control of our nuclear weapons.

Oh - and I saw an interesting article about the country being "ready" for a minority President.

Cool - Condolezza - please run.

I'm new poster but have been a lurker for a long, long time. You guys an awesome site here!

Now that the intro is out of the way, and this may be short-sighted, but Obama will NOT be the next President of the United States for the simple reason that his name is way too close to Osama. I mean, he can be as qualified (which I don't think he is just yet) as he wants, but as long as his name is Obama, I don't know if the general public will look past it.

It's sad that that's what it'd come down to, but I think that's really all there is to it.

I'm new poster but have been a lurker for a long, long time. You guys an awesome site here!

Now that the intro is out of the way, and this may be short-sighted, but Obama will NOT be the next President of the United States for the simple reason that his name is way too close to Osama. I mean, he can be as qualified (which I don't think he is just yet) as he wants, but as long as his name is Obama, I don't know if the general public will look past it.

It's sad that that's what it'd come down to, but I think that's really all there is to it.

Ok...everybody take a breath.

Obama is a charismtic figure, he has a great smile and is an eloquent speaker.

That said...according to the polls, not just Republicans, but MOST americans believe that he is too inexperienced to be President.

Couple that with the fact that Obama has no campaign funds compared to the National Treasury that Hillary has. In addition, the Hillary machine has the dirt on all the candidates. You lefties seem to forget that Rom Emanuel is one of the Clintonistas and he's from Chicago.

He orchestrated the Dem win in Novemeber so the party and many Dems owe him...and by extention Hillary.

All of this speculation is a waste of time. Hillary WILL be the candidate. Obama will not even be the VP candidate. Although Hillary might want him. He's too smart to be associated with what could be a disasterous Presidency...if she wins, and that's a BIG if. And of course Hillary has Bill, the 500 pound gorilla of American politics, and champion fund raiser.

The Dems already have the black, err excuse me...African American vote wrapped up, so they don't need one on the ticket. Richardson will be the VP to ensure the Hispanics don't defect.

Obama is young and he has time. This is it for Hillary, if its not now its never...so you can expect her to pull out all the stops.

Hey, that Barak Hussein Obama-sama sure has some big ears. Must give him problems when those Chicago winds kick up...