The Australian: "it's a pity. He promised so much."

[candice]

Stop bagging Hillary


Michael Costello | February 01, 2008

I HAVE watched with intense interest the rise and rise of Barack Obama over the past year. Who interested in US presidential politics (and the whole world should be, given the consequences for the globe) could not be fascinated by the young, fresh, eloquent figure who promised so much?

When Obama won the Iowa caucus, the first vote in the nominating process for presidential candidates, I watched to see how he would behave.

Would he follow Churchill's great dictum: "In defeat defiance, in victory magnanimity." No he did not. In victory he showed vanity and vindictiveness. Vanity in his clear belief that what the flatterers and fans were assuring him was the truth: he was a political messiah. And vindictiveness in his dismissive and arrogant treatment of Hillary Clinton in the last New Hampshire debate.

He showed the same vindictiveness and lack of magnanimity after his victory in South Carolina. The first part of his victory speech was a deeply unpleasant attack on the Clintons. No graciousness there. And how did he handle defeat in New Hampshire and Nevada? With a combination of denial, petulance and the launching of a successful campaign to persuade the American media that the Clintons were engaged in a campaign of lies about him and, even worse, in a campaign of surreptitious racism.

Let's look at what happened.



http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23140008-7583,00.html

Conclusion of article:

Obama's main claim to fame is that he's a compelling speech-maker. Yet unlike the rhetoric of a Kennedy or King, Obama's rhetoric seems aimless. He calls for hope, for change. Fine, but hope to do what, to change to what? He hasn't said yet. He doesn't seem to know. Shorn of purpose, his rhetoric seems increasingly an exercise in technique and style, "sound and fury, signifying nothing". He says that one of the high qualities of leadership is the ability to inspire by words, and he is right. It's a rare ability. But inspire to what end?

It's a pity. He promised so much.

[Missy M]

1. That article is exactly how I feel about Obama......

you have to inspire by both words and deeds and all I see from him is a bunch of flowery rhetoric. I can't understand the mania going on about him. He doesn't inspire me at all.

[Little Star]

5. Agreed. The flowery rhetoric scares me to death! The

deeds I've read about from his Chicago days only makes my fear worse.

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. Ditto. He talks alot and says nothing. Empty rhetoric and most of it is schmaltzy. Hope.....

come together (Obama speak for kiss repuke ass)...change...one America....:boring:

[tularetom]

2. If he's vindictive good for him

Maybe he'd get pissed enough to make an effort to prosecute the boosh gang on war crimes charges. For all of Hillary's alleged "toughness" i seriously doubt if she'd make a move like that against Bill's pals.

[Frances]

16. If Obama were vindictive against Repubs I could understand it

but he seems to direct his vindictivesness agains the Clintons and the "excesses of the 60s and 70s," which were the decades when African Americans gained voting rights and women gained economically.

[AndyA]

17. Obama is already on record regarding Bush/Cheney: no impeachment.

He doesn't believe they've committed any "grave breaches of authority." Which makes me wonder what the hell a grave breach of authority might be to Sen. Obama.

[Vincardog]

19. HAs he said anything about an effort to prosecute the bushitler gang on war crimes charges?

No, He promises to look forward and turn the page. Exactly the same as Hillary promises to
not do a damn thing about the treason lies and fraud that has infected our government.

[izquierdista]

3. I'm going to revel in his aimlessness

Just hope that he keeps it going until the election. Then AFTER he is in, we'll see how liberal he can get. Maybe a lot more liberal. :)

[guruoo]

10. It's going to be like turning around an aircraft carrier n/t

[Frances]

18. And maybe not

That's my problem with Obama.

He's good at attacking the Clintons' records, but he doesn't have much record himself.

[izquierdista]

28. A fresh clean slate!

I'll take the unknown liberal against the known Hillary.

[Frances]

36. That's the point

You say Obama is a liberal.

Unfortunately, I remember all too well the 2000 election cycle. A speaker asked my community college English Department which candidate was the more bipartisan: Gore or Bush. Everyone but me said Bush.

I just haven't seen evidence that Obama is truly liberal or truly a uniter, as he claims to be.

I will vote for him over McCain or Romney, but I have doubts about him.

[Frances]

4. Interesting

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. "Ponies, dude. Ponies!"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4194873

[beachmom]

7. LOL. Rupert Murdoch OWNS The Australian

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aER50kYkrKl4&refer=australia

The Australian newspaper is published by News Corp.

[Barack_America]

9. Lol. Well that explains it, I guess.

And also confirms those conspiracy theories about the Post endorsement.

Murdoch, you sly devil you.

[Uben]

14. And he also supports Obama for president!

Remember?

[beachmom]

21. Read the Post "endorsement" again. A bit of a joke.

[rodeodance]

32. its still the nypost's ENDORSEMENT for O.--no matter if you like it or note

[Raffi Ella]

8. Deny it all you want Obama supporters

but this is a generalized(and ever increasing intense)view that is emerging about Obama.

Scream at me and tell me I'm a liar.Scorn those that don't "believe",shut people down by leveling the race card but whether you like my perspective of Obama or not he himself is proving your perspective of him...wrong.In a big way.

[candice]

11. The country can't afford another 'empty suit" like Bu$h....

it in too much of a sinkhole.

[anamandujano]

25. The world can't afford it.

That's why everyone is entitled to an opinion, whether they have a vote or not.

[AtomicKitten]

12. Oh, another opinion piece.

Gobama!

[Barack_America]

13. I will say that the foreign press really seems to like Hillary.

Too bad they can't vote, eh?

[AtomicKitten]

15. it's a crying shame

;)

[Skwmom]

Hmmm.. wonder who OWNS that foreign press.

[Frances]

22. There was a time in my lifetime when African Americans

couldn't vote either.

The Clintons supported the efforts to get the vote for African Americans.

I haven't forgotten that.

[beachmom]

23. They don't know Hillary, that's why.

[Frances]

24. Do you know Hillary?

[beachmom]

26. I mean know her record. My relatives are in Europe. They only

talked up Hillary, but they know NOTHING about her. She was the only one even discussed on German TV. But I have read some negative things about the Clintons since Bill stepped in it.

[Frances]

37. I have read negative things about BOTH Hillary and Obama

I read negative things about Edwards before he dropped out.

[rodeodance]

34. I will say they know how to pick a WINNER. GO HILL GO

[Lucinda]

27. Thanks for the link!

[rodeodance]

29. dam it--This is what I and others have been saying on this side of the pond:

Conclusion of article:

Obama's main claim to fame is that he's a compelling speech-maker. Yet unlike the rhetoric of a Kennedy or King, Obama's rhetoric seems aimless. He calls for hope, for change. Fine, but hope to do what, to change to what? He hasn't said yet. He doesn't seem to know. Shorn of purpose, his rhetoric seems increasingly an exercise in technique and style, "sound and fury, signifying nothing". He says that one of the high qualities of leadership is the ability to inspire by words, and he is right. It's a rare ability. But inspire to what end?

[Eric J in MN]

30. That article has lots of characterizations with few quotes to support them. NT

NT

[rodeodance]

31. REC it UP folks

[robbedvoter]

33. "In victory he showed vanity and vindictiveness" - especially contempt of voters

Nevada and Florida voters - and others to come who paid attention - that for me is the substantial flaw. The one which will resonate.

[rodeodance]

35. ~YES WE CAN YES WE CAN, YES SHE CAN, YES SHE CAN YES WE CAN,

[Helga Scow Stern]

38. It will be interesting to see how the two of them behave at the debate.

Are they each more interested in their own ambition, willing to split the party, or can they overcome the powerful forces playing them against each other, playing us against each other? Can they return to a meaningful discussion of the issues?

I'll be watching. If my candidate's out of the race, I need to decide which one to choose for now. How each acts in the face of being possessed by misdirected anger will give me my answer. That shows a lot about the ability to withstand corruption. Someone who is possessed with power or who takes him or herself too seriously can't laugh at oneself, so I'll be watching the smiles. It is a good test, how this is handled.