Obama, on ABC evening news just compared himself to JFK. Again. Is he correct?

[Beausoir]

Excerpted from his GMA interview to air tomorrow morning. Here is the link to watch..http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/, but there is no transcript up yet.

This is the second time this weekend I have heard him compare himself to JFK.

EDIT: I can't get the link to work. There is no transcript up yet. But tomorrow, you can read his exact words.

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. how arrogant--Obama you are no JFK.

[gaiilonfong]

17. And Hillary is certainly NO Jackie

eom

[okasha]

30. True enough.

LOL. Her role has gone just a bit beyond decoration and decorator.

[sallyseven]

70. No she would not want to be Jackie. The

door were not opened to people of Jackie's era. Keep the woman down.

[FrenchieCat]

64. These crowds are not found for other democratic candidates during a primary,

whether this one, or the last, or the one before that, etc....

Each pic is from a different campaign rally!

[BeyondGeography]

2. JFK's friends Ted Sorenson and Harris Wofford have compared him to JFK

Ask them.

[fenriswolf]

9. what did teddy kennedy have to say?

[annie1]

12. the 'old guy with no spine'?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IlvJ8bA6_xA

[fenriswolf]

18. no his family member

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. He wants to revive Camelot. Sorry, but I remember the era

I won't be fooled again.

[aquart]

25. Well, clearly Obama does NOT remember it.

Or he would be saying anything so ludicrous.

[FrenchieCat]

66. No but my husband does.

My hubby shook JFK's hand as he campaigned through Oakland California's projects when he was running.
and he said that is exactly what is happening with Obama reminds him of.

Each pic is from a different campaign rally!

[KennedyGuy]

4. Not...A...Chance..

[fenriswolf]

5. Jeezus and i thought the repubs touting reagan all the time

was a bit much. JFK was the dems knight in shining armor. if he did compare himself to jfk he is poorly mistaken as to how it will be recieved by the public.

[cali]

23. Why? JE draws comparisons between himself and FDR

as well as Teddy Roosevelt and Truman. It all depends how Obama did it.

[fenriswolf]

35. well personally i dont condone

anyone of these candidates comparing themselves to previous presidents, if clinton (bill) wanted to compare himself to a previous presedent we would have something to go on. But as for someone saying "I am just like (really great successfull presedent)" and that person has never been president, well they are just lying because no one knows what their presidancy will be like, even the candidate.

[aquart]

34. His public is under 21, what they don't know, they don't care to know.

[depakid]

72. That's about right

One can see this sort of deal go down about every 20 years- though it may be somewhat worse this time around, due to the declining emphasis on history and civics in the American educational system.

[monarch]

6. NO he is not correct. n/t

[BluegrassDem]

7. He's a lot closer to JFK than anything we've had since

[Cha]

54. Well, I don't know in what

respect Obama did the comparison but JFK was a young Senator and when he ran there was a lot of fearmongering because he was Catholic. Now Obama's getting the Fear/Smearmongering from his name and yes his color..I see a comparison with that. And I'm not going to say anything except obliquely about JFK's fate and I hope Obama's taking all precautions.

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. i never saw JFK

or FDR either. But Obama has been getting compared to them by people a lot older than me. So I'll take their word for it.

[aquart]

20. FDR????

Jeepers, he's a GOOD snake oil salesman.

So, what's his jobs program? FDR had the CCC, the WPA, what's Obama got?

[H2O Man]

10. Yes.

He is right.

[Beausoir]

15. Please elaborate. Thank you.

I am sincerely interested in your view on this.

[H2O Man]

59. Senator Obama

is correct in that both JFK in 1960 and he represent a possibility of transition. They offer a means to move into the future, rather than being mired in the past. Many sincere people question exactly how he would do things, and that is a valid concern, but it can also result in our debating only details .... where, like JFK, he is showing the attitude that he approaches problems with.

Likewise, John Edwards can be compared to RFK in the 1966-68 years. Again, it isn't the specific details, but rather the attitude that defines his approach.

Earlier today, one of my good DU friends compared Senator Obama to Ronald Reagan in terms of communication skills. I strongly disagreed. Reagan was, in fact, the dark side's attempt to copy JFK. In Jerry Mander's book "In the Absence of the Sacred," he has an important section on this. It's "The Television President." Let me quote from two paragraphs:

"Because of his background, Reagan handled television as a president with astonishing skill and power. He understood, as no one did before, that on television, style supersedes content. .... reagan's most remarkable achievement was to incorporate in his own persona an amazing set of archetypes from the popular movies of the 1940s and 1950s. In the real world of president, Ronald Reagan re-created a set of images that had been reinforced by standard story lines since World War II; he was making real what was previously just imagery held in the minds of the population." (pages 90-91)

Just as Mander accurately points out Reagan's using certain images to accomplish his goals -- which the author recognized presented serious dangers to our Constitutional democracy -- it is possible, as both JFK and RFK proved, to use image and the Power of Ideas in a very positive, pro-democracy manner. And I think both Barack Obama and John Edwards make powerful use of image.

[papau]

74. interesting RFK/JFK vs Obama comparison - I see the conservative JFK but not JFK's taking on corp's

and I do not see that military background or the international knowledge - nor did I see in JFK any of O's (and Reagan's) demand that we allow him to fly above policy details and questions about his effectiveness and accomplishment. Reagan refused to discuss his throwing the California mentally ill on the street, saying it was Dems and their law to close the gross mental health warehouses so as to build livable quarters, ignoring how he refused to build the replacement housing. Obama refuses to acknowledge his lack of achievement, saying mole hills of state level cooperation are really mountains of proven national leadership ability.

Indeed O only recently became "black" - and indeed I believe that he has not yet met with http://www.nationalbcc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=199&Itemid=112 the 21 Black chambers of commerce in the state of Illinois - even lying about such meetings in his speeches. JFK never ran from his being Catholic.

I'd like to think that both Edwards and Obama were RFK like in their passion for those below the middle class - but while I am sure both - indeed also Hillary - feel for the poor, it seems only Edwards has the passion of a RFK.

[Me.]

75. Well Said

On the McLaughlin Group, John pointed out that if HC won, we would have 28 years of * & Clintons. That thought have me pause.

[Beausoir]

79. Thank you for your post. I appreciate your insight very much.

[H2O Man]

80. Thank you

for asking.

[Beausoir]

11. NOTE: THere is no transcript up until the interview airs tomorrow. I saw an excerpt.

[maximusveritas]

13. Where is the video?

I went to the article and there's no video there. How did you see it if it hasn't aired yet?

[Beausoir]

19. As I said...it was an excerpt from tomorrow's GMA. Please read my OP.

[KittyWampus]

14. Broken link. So provide an actual QUOTE. Did he actually say "I'm like JFK"?

[Beausoir]

21. Please...read my OP. As I said, it was an excerpt from tomorrow's GMA. And yes, I saw it and heard

it.

[cali]

27. then it should be easy for you to tell us what he said n/t

[Beausoir]

45. He started out by complaining about how nasty Clinton's campaign was being toward him and then he

brought up his "hope and change" meme. At that point, he tied it all together with JFK. He asked "What would have happened if JFK stopped the race to the moon just because nobody had hope?"

I AM PARAPHRASING. OK? Do you get that??

But you wait until the transcript comes up and tell me I didn't see and hear it.

[Big Blue Marble]

16. Actually, I think FDR is a better comparison.

JFK took over during the best of times. FDR took over during the worst of times. And that is what
we have now, the worst of times.

And hope is what FDR brought the country. The hope that kept the country going and brought it back to life.

[Adsos Letter]

28. Hope is essential...

but FDR had a lot more experience...

[DemCam]

47. So why did 84% say they were happy?

Wish I had a link to it...in the newspaper the day of Iowa Caucus...
that 70% of us thought the country was going in the wrong direction but
84% were happy. That's an odd one, I know.

And yet, as annoying as Bush-Cheney has been, I gotta say, these, so far,
cannot be construed in any way shape or form as the "worst of times."
I sometimes like to cry into my brew and go there to that dark place...
but then I look around me and I know it ain't so.

[Big Blue Marble]

69. It is not where we are now that is the worst of times;

it is where we maybe headed in coming years. As a country we have been able to stay in denial. In fact the Republicans
encouraged it. But it is all coming due and it may all hit at once. The economy, the war, the poverty, the debt, the crisis
in the health care system, the loss of jobs overseas, the Constitutional crisis and the climate crisis.

Listen to Obama. He knows we have to grow up and face these problems. He wants us do it with hope. But he understands
the challenges ahead. FDR actually had it easy, compared to what we and our next administration face. That is why we need
the inspiration; why we need the hope. It is going to be a long haul

[MS Liberal]

22. He is no JFK. Hell, JFK was no JFK. It was all spin.

Do not get me wrong I love President Kennedy and his story is inspirational. Nevertheless he was just a man but we think of him as the most perfect politician. Talk about perfect PR.

I am a liberal from Mississippi and I approve of his legacy.

[aquart]

38. So true.

But if he wins, get ready for a million articles about the black JFK.

[Drunken Irishman]

24. Here is a better link.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=4094514

[Beausoir]

29. Yes, but the transcript is not up yet. Won't be until tomorrow. But he definitely did compare

himself to JFK.

Maybe he IS the JFK of this generation. That's my point.

[BeyondGeography]

33. Looks like he calls Hillary the anti-JFK...which is pretty damned good

==Sawyer: "Do you get angry at her?"

Obama: "Not really. I find the manner in which they've been running their campaign sort of depressing, lately. It was interesting in the debate, Sen. Clinton saying 'don't feed the American people false hopes. Get a reality check, you know?' I mean, you can picture JFK saying, 'we can't go to the moon, it's a false hope. Let's get a reality check.' It's not, sort of, I think, what our tradition has been."==

From your link.

[maximusveritas]

46. Yeah, it looks like he's contrasting Hillary with JFK

He's certainly not comparing himself to JFK. You have to use some twisted logic to get that impression.

[annie1]

71. He's comparing the hope he inspires with that of JFK.

[Cha]

58. That's not comparing himself

to JFK in the least.

[RagingInMiami]

26. If he keeps doing that, then he better be ready for the old ...

"Senator, you're no http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senator,_you_are_no_Jack_Kennedy">Jack Kennedy."

[Drunken Irishman]

32. Now wait a minute, I don't think ANY of our candidates can compare to Dan Quayle.

[RagingInMiami]

39. Of course, not

But they shouldn't be comparing themselves to JFK because they'll be setting themselves up for comments like that.

[Vickers]

44. D'oh! My reply below was before I read your post.

:blush:

[Vickers]

41. I would reply with:

"Neither are you...hell, you ain't even Dan Quayle."

[ClericJohnPreston]

42. So, do you see the MANIPULATION YET???

I keep daring the DU supporters of Obama to use "critical thinking" and abandon "rapturous-like" ( see Fundie stares ), personality-cult driven devices.

It is, as I repeat, M-A-N-I-P-U-L-A-T-I-O-N

Lloyd Bentson made the appropraite smackdown, "I knew Jack Kennedy, and you sir are no Jack Kennedy".

"Inevitability"..."JFK".....ABSOLUTE , TOTAL HUBRIS!!!!!!

[Double T]

31. Certainly is FULL of himself, isn't he?

[Cha]

61. Maybe you should find

out what really happened instead of a knee jerk reaction.

[phillysuse]

36. Obama may think he is JFK but

since he was born in 1961, I doubt he really remembers JFK. I remember JFK and Obama is no JFK.

On the other hand, Edwards sounds more and more like RFK.

[Cha]

62. Yeah, you don't even how

Obama compared himself or in what context, if any.

[tishaLA]

37. It appears to me he compares Sen. Clinton with JFK

and finds her somewhat lacking. "Oh we need a reality check. I have had 35 years of change, ya know! I fought for the children (and the Iraq War Resolution)! Don't give out false hope! Words aren't actions. I've been vetted and exonerated."

[aquart]

51. Simplistic much?

I'm willing to bet you don't know a thing about her except what somebody else told you. Just the same way you know about JFK.

Obama brings in the young. But young is all you are. And that goes.

[tishaLA]

60. I know about JFK from history books...

but I know about Sen Clinton from actual lived experiences. And, to be truthful, I don't dislike Sen Clinton at all. I just find her rhetoric disheartening. I certainly agree with Sen Obama about this: JFK, like Pres. Clinton, asked the country to dream big--going to the moon or building a bridge to the 21st Century--but Sen Clinton says, implicitly at least, that we have to put the breaks on the rhetoric of aspiration in favor of the rhetoric of pragmatism. The differences in their rhetorical positioning couldn't be more stark.

[Horse with no Name]

40. Of course he isn't like JFK

The man can give a good speech. I have seen nothing else that is even close to JFK.

[ClericJohnPreston]

50. BINGO

Obama mania is more choreographed than a ballet.

I'll go with the real thing any day. I'm unpersuaded by form over substance.

The political dialogue has no room for caricatures.

Go, John Edwards!

[NoBorders]

43. I'll respond when I see the transcript

Until then, I withold judgement.

[Beausoir]

48. Tomorrow..you can tell me I imagined the entire episode.

[Cha]

65. You're some of the

few on here who isn't knee jerkin'. This thread has been a study in rumors.

[stray cat]

49. the pundits are comparing him to Bobby

[annie1]

56. i've heard him compared to MLK here.

[AndyA]

52. Barack a JFK?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The closest I can find to John and Jackie Kennedy today are John and Elizabeth Edwards.

Edit: I just read the conversation, and Barack didn't really compare himself to JFK, he just used JFK as an example.

[Beausoir]

53. NOTE! Link to his transcript here inside....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3973349&mesg_id=3973349

[FrenchieCat]

57. Out of all of the candidates, Obama is the one bringing the people

to democracy.

[FrenchieCat]

55. If he is referring to making people hopeful

then, Yes!

[FrenchieCat]

63. I don't see anyone else doing what Obama is doing during these primaries.....

These crowds are not found for other democratic candidates during a primary, this primary, or the last, or the one before that, etc....

Each pic is from a different campaign rally!

[sallyseven]

67. JFK was one of a kind. RFK was one of a kind too.

Bobby was kind and yet hard nosed. JFK was a treat to behold, i still miss them every day.

[Didereaux]

68. His ego is getting out of control...he will flame out if he keeps that nonsense up...

he will alienate every single voter over 50 and a good bunch who have studied the Kennedy years. This is on the level of Dan Quayle, and Obama supporters you do NOT want ever to hear someone mention your candidate and Dan Quayles name in the same breath...instant death!


sepelnig etid

[TeamJordan23]

73. From the link, all he seems to say is that like JFK, he likes to inspire people.

how is that a comparison?

[TankLV]

76. How arrogant - disgusting ego - has to do his own bragging...pity...

I wonder how much time he spends in the mirror telling himself this...

what a joke...

[annie1]

77. Bush did the same thing in 2000! on being a "uniter, not a divider"...

"That kind of politics needs to be set aside. It's the kind of politics that John F. Kennedy rejected in the 1960s. It's the kind of politics that we thought we put behind us in America. It's the kind of politics that continues to persist today because of Senator McCain." GWB, on the campaign trail in 2000

[Thrill]

78. I heard Bobby Kennedy Jr compare him to

RFK