Keeping power in check

[H2O Man]

Here is a a description from Barack Obama's book of meeting President Bush that I think is interesting:

"The inside of the White House doesn't have the luminous quality that you might expect from TV or film; it seems well kept but worn, a big old house that one imagines might be a bit drafty on cold winter nights. Still, as I stood in the foyer and let my eyes wander down the corridors, it was impossible to forget the history that had been made there -- John and Bobby Kennedy huddling over the Cuban missile crisis; FDR making last-minute changes to a radio address; Lincoln alone, pacing the halls and shouldering the weight of a nation. ....

"....I had found the President to be ... the kind of guy who would have made for good company so long as the conversation revolved around sports and the kids.

"There had been a moment during the breakfast meeting ....that I witnessed a different side of the man. The President began to discuss his second-term agenda, mostly a reiteration of his campaign talking points -- the importance of staying the course in Iraq and renewing the Patriot Act, the need to reform Social Security and overhaul the tax system,his determination to get an up-or-down vote on his judicial appointees -- when suddenly it felt as if somebody in a back room had flipped a switch. The President's eyes became fixed; his voice took on the agitated, rapid tone of someone neither accustomed to nor welcoming interruption; his easy affability was replaced by an almost messianic certainty. As I watched my mostly Republican Senate colleagues hang on his every word, I was reminded of the dangerous isolation that power can bring, and appreciated the Founders' wisdom in designing a system to keep power in check."
(The Audacity of Hope; pages 44-46)

I do not think that Senator Obama desires to be a cult leader. These lines suggest that he appreciates that type of thing is not in the best interests of our democratic state.

[K Gardner]

1. So.. he looked into Shrub's eyes and saw... Insanity? Ewwww... thanks

for posting this !

[H2O Man]

2. It is a stark

description of the imperial presidency.

[K Gardner]

3. Yes, it is. I find a soothing and sage wisdom in his words. He is truly older than

his years.

[blm]

4. This is the exact type of thing I look for to gauge a pol's commitment to open government.

Thanks for zoning in on that point. It adds up.

I'm of the feeling that alot of his conciliatory statements towards the Republicans are actually the little cloaks he wears to go along enough to get where he needs to go. He's surrounding himself with some of the most trustworthy public servants of the last 4 decades - that matters to me.

[H2O Man]

5. I think it helps

people who are sincere in wanting to know what manner of man this Senator Obama really is, to appreciate his approach.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. this is probably

the best post I've read all day-

I hadn't thought that Obama had any desire to be a cult leader, but you make this point very well, with words from Obama himself.

Thank You!

peace~

glad to rec.

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you.

I think that it answers the charges that some organized group has been attempting to spread.

[Tennessee Gal]

12. What organized group would that be?

The one that encourages volunteers to share personal conversion stories with voters - not policy views?

The one that has a leader saying this:

"At some point in the evening, a light is going to shine down and you will have an epiphany and you'll say, `I have to vote for Barack!'"

[Coexist]

8. that is fascinating.

I think I will hop on over to Amazon and purchase this book. I have heard wonderful things about it. Then I should make my kids read it - they love Obama - they should get more history on him.

Thank you so much for this wonderful post.

I always know that when I click on one of your threads, I am in for a great ride.

[H2O Man]

9. It is interesting

to me that people who say that "we" don't know anything about Barack Obama do not seem familiar with his books.

[Laurab]

15. Indeed - and one was out there long before anyone knew who he was.

I actually preferred his first book, as reading material - it also gave me a good glimpse into what made him the man he is. His 2nd book was more difficult to read, at least for me,(I prefer non-fiction that reads like a novel), but it was necessary for me to read it if I wanted to learn about him.

I felt like I got a good idea of how he would make decisions - by listening to every side of the issue, and learning all he could, as well as having good advisors. I trust his judgement after reading his books, and I feel very secure in having voted for him.

[Yael]

11. I read it last summer.

Recommend. :thumbsup:

[blm]

17. My 7yo daughter brought home a Barack book geared for kids. I was proud she

made the choice, especially since it was a 5th grade level book. ;)))

[Coexist]

19. how wonderful!

kids are the best.

[Yael]

10. Thank you for this

:)

[H2O Man]

13. Thank you.

It was a part of the book that I think answers some of the curious charges some have been making.

[Yael]

14. Now that my candidate is out, I need to re-read this with a different focus.

Read over the summer to understand him, will take a second look this weekend with this insight in mind.

[H2O Man]

16. Both are good books.

I like "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," which provides a pretty good picture of who Barack Obama, the candidate, really is.

[Midlodemocrat]

18. I think it very unfair to label the Obama supporters as 'cult members'.

Disclaimer: I haven't made up my mind for whom to vote and probably won't until Monday evening.


What I see from my middle aged perspective on all this is that there is an entire section of the voting block who have been governed by Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush. That is twenty years. 1/2 my life. Of course, eight of those years weren't so bad, but I can seriously understand how younger voters are embracing the change that they perceive in Obama.

JMHO. YMMV.