Why they hate Obama

[Vox Moi]

What has been puzzling me for quite some time now is how opposition to Obama has defied logic.
Most of the invective and vitriol spewed over Obama has had little or no basis in fact.
- Birthright, Obamaphones, secret socialist agenda, terrorist sympathizer, Muslim, food stamp president ....
I had given a lot of thought to prospect that the above were primarily cover arguments for rejection based on race and while I do believe that this is true, there was something missing. Rejection on the basis of race is not enough to account for The Absolute Fear of Obama we have been witnessing. What is it that makes Obama so loathed and hated?
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I think it is because Obama is a Great Man and they know it. I also think it scares them to death.
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What could be more terrifying to the right-leaning among us? To the cynical, 'I built this', winner-take-all conservatives, what could be more incomprehensible than a man who really believes that we are all in this together? What could be more threatening to people who obsess about being ripped off by the poor than a man who is one of the best speakers in the history of recorded sound talking about fairness and equal opportunity? What is more frightening than a man who can galvanize millions by speaking of the common good, that we rise or fall as one people?
There has to be a catch: some secret agenda, some hidden ambition that squares with the right-wing assertion that self-interest is the primary motivation. Obama has to be in it for himself because all real Americans are in it for themselves.
That is why they 'trusted' Romney; his chameleon-like approach to policy is entirely forgivable because it, at least, is based on an understandable desire to win. Romney's wealth is are no albatross: it is a sign of individual success that they admire.
Self-interest is comfortable and familiar. It is American.
Great Men are often hated and feared, usually by those who are quick to recognize the leadership and ability that comprise greatness and see those qualities as a danger when in the wrong hands. The Fear is a reaction to Obama's ability, tenacity and charm because his motives cannot be trusted.
It's the sincerity and lack of ego, above all, that the right cannot understand because in a competitive society where winning is everything, sincerity is neither comfortable or familiar unless it's a gambit ... a ploy by someone trying to win something for himself.
They will hate Obama until he leaves public life because only then will they believe that he really means what he says.

[Arugula Latte]

1. He's our Reagan, and they can't take it.

[liberalmuse]

2. Thank you.

I've been trying to understand it myself, but I think you have something here.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Simple. He represents the real American dream story. They like to talk about

all the 'opportunity' there is here and how nothing can stop people who 'work hard'. But when they actually see somebody with the President's background and heritage, they don't like it because they believe in their hearts that they are superior.

[Bandit]

4. He undercuts their entire life philosphy, that they are superior and always know what's best.

Imagine a Black Man accomplishing more than all their white Presidents.. Unthinkable.. They are the superior race, it has always been so and to think some upstart can waltz in and show them up.....He must be stopped at any and all costs...

[hfojvt]

5. if he's so great

then why do I hate him?


You don't have to answer, I will tell you.


Because I think he is gonna cave on the Bush tax cuts - AGAIN.
Because I think he is also gonna screw the workers on social security like he tried to do in 2011.
Becuase I think he is gonna support Simpson-Bowles.


Another poster said "He is our Reagan" and I will second that.

But not in a good way.

Because he brought Reagan's trickle down economics to the Democratic Party. It used to be we were against tax cuts for the rich.

Under Obama, we are for them. We claim that they will create jobs - just like Reagan and Bush claimed.

No matter how many elections he wins - that is not great. It is disgustingly evil. It makes Obama EVEN WORSE than Bush and Reagan. At least they were honest enemies. An enemy I can understand. But a traitor? A traitor is lower than an enemy.

What continues to amaze me though is the amount of treason that supposed Democrats will not only tolerate, but actually cheer. That some will call the traitor a great man. It is simply mind boggling.

Oh, and I could be wrong, It has happened before. Maybe THIS time, Lucy Obama will not pull the football away.

When he does though and liberals go flying through the air to slam to the ground on their backs, I will take no pleasure in being right. I will be ecstatic to be proven wrong. I do not want Obama to be our Reagan. I want him to be our FDR, our LBJ, our Truman. We don't need another Reagan, or another Clinton.

[coalition_unwilling]

6. Watch 'Blazing Saddles'. Watch 'Blazing Saddles'. Watch 'Blazing Saddles' - don't

know how to post the film clip when the new sheriff approaches town, but it is a classic.

[CakeGrrl]

7. He's black and SUCCESSFUL.

It's OK for them as long as they feel superior. But a black man who proves to be a better man, a better person, and better at that in which they want to excel? That turns their white supremacist (and you don't have to march around in robes or a swastika armband to be one) worldview completely upside down.

I've had that sense about a co-worker/colleague or two in 'friendly' office competitions. I sensed it really bothered them that a black woman was getting the better of them. Of course, people won't admit to it, but you rely on your instinct.