Barack is the Jackie Robinson of Politics; he'll win this thing, but not by calling folks names

[FrenchieCat]

and get angry and indignant and/or acting victimized.

He will not win by calling people names, no matter how better it will make you feel.

This election is a marathon, not a sprint.....the debates are coming, and those will be telling.

He is also running against the media, and so it takes
as much diplomacy as he would have to use handling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
because the media is just waiting to pounce on whatever they can!

What is most odd is that many of those who criticize Obama for not screaming, hitting back or not getting mad enough,
are the same people that also worry that Obama could lose simply because he's Black.

Those of us who understand why there is more to these elections than simply having our candidate react as though he is mad as hell,
are the same folks who know that in the end, it is the issues that will allow many who might not otherwise vote for a Black man, do it anyways....and that "the angry Black Man" candidate ain't gonna quite hit the spot.

In otherwords, Barack's biggest critics can't have both ways; stupified that he doesn't just attack the opposition at full force, while worrying that voters won't vote for him because he's black.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Folks forget the man is Black on the one hand, yet can't seem to forget that he's Black.

[EndElectoral]

2. Calling someone a liar is not name calling. You don't have to get angry or indignant, just factual.

The soft pedaling and being civil has limits for me.

These people need to be exposed to the millions who see him as lacking a backbone. I don't think he does, but so many I talk to see him as too reticent to call people to task. THey don't want a diplomat, but a commander in chief who isn't afraid of the consequences of calling it like it is.

[FrenchieCat]

6. I was raised in a household where the word "Lie" was not allowed......

and so where many others.

It was considered a bad word.

Is "lie" really a bad word? If so, why?
Adults always told me this as a child, and they would often use the word themselves but would tell me that I had better not say it.

Why?
In some parts of the country people are generally expected to be very polite. Using the word "lie" may be considered too harsh, rude, or judgemental for some in polite society. This is not what I believe in, but I have observed people like this, particularly in the south.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080714131339AAq5xWv

[GrizzlyMan]

13. Times have changed

[FrenchieCat]

26. Losta older people voting and we need them.

Obama shone at the ARRP 50th anniversary meeting, McCain, not so much.

That 40 million members.

Let Obama do what he does well....

Barack Obama is not John Kerry, not even Al Gore.

Barack Obama is a street smart intellectual from the streets of chicago by way of easy going Hawaii.

That is exactly what is demeanor adds up to, and that is why he will be a great President.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Yeah, right.....ignore me. See if I care! LOL!

[TheKentuckian]

5. He's black and his name is Barack Hussein Obama

Those a real world, general election obstacles.

I'm pretty sure the name alone costs about 5 points.

We're doing excellent considering those two "negatives", because they do hurt.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Certainly........

but if not that, it would have been something else, with another candidate.

I actually believe that Barack has turned these "perceived" negatives into not so much...but yeah, the racists don't like that he's running.

[Shine]

4. I agree.

at today's rally in Flint, though, he did an interesting thing when he was speaking to how the McCain campaign was attempting to "mislead and distort" the facts and people in the audience called out the word "LIE!" and he briefly turned the mic toward them so it would be amplified. HE didn't specifically say it, but it's very evident that's what he's thinking, too.

I agree he needs to be careful of his language and not get into name-calling b/c it'll just play into the whole "angry black man" meme.

I am continuing to hold the vision of an Obama/Biden White House! :toast:

[Muttocracy]

10. that's great! My audio wasn't very good but I know the crowd was into it :)

[Born_A_Truman]

7. Thanks Frenchie! K&R

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. Keith used a french term tonight to describe the action

Obama uses, meshaie and a mescion? Anyone catch that?

[FrenchieCat]

14. Bon Mot vs. Mot Juste

[Ichingcarpenter]

17. Merci!!

He used in it a theatrical play setting
between one character using Bon Mot and another using Mot Juste

[FrenchieCat]

28. And in the end, the clowns will lose........

and the real leader will win.

It's kind of like McCain trying to steal "Change" from Barack because McCain is void of any original ideas. That will be a hit on McCain very shortly....you will see.

[Ichingcarpenter]

30. I'm confident but weary

that we must be vigilant and active.

BTW... I nominated your excellent post here.

[FrenchieCat]

41. Thanks!

:hi:

[Sensitivity]

11. Are you saying that Barack need not hurdle the "Angry BM" prejudice in this campaign?

As PRESIDENT I think he needs to be able to get angry to get things done nationally and internationally.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Once he is President, I'm sure he will continue in the theme of Mot Juste

Being angry is not needed to get things done......but getting us angry, that's what is needed.

He'll do the Bully pulpit, and that is how he will get things done, not by getting "angry".

[elkston]

20. Of course he does, but he has to WIN first.

Lots of white people have never voted for a black person. He needs to finesse them until he wins.

Then he'll have a chance to really show what he can do in the White House so in the NEXT election, he can be more free with his words.

[dancingme]

12. I agee with you

A black man cannot call a popular well-liked (not by us but by a lot of Americans) a "liar". He can point out areas where her statements are not factually accurate without using the word "liar". Obama is smart. He knows what he can and cannot do in this America. He will win. Palin cannot keep lying for 8 weeks. The public will recognize her lies after the initial "hoopla" runs its course and the economy is still in a mess. People will see that Obama offers the best solution to the sad state of America today.

[FrenchieCat]

16. and he doesn't want to nor does he need to, nor will it help to get into a

name calling contest with those assholes.

He has preached a different sort of politics, and Obama has been consistent in a good way for a long time.

[EndElectoral]

18. The difference between "not telling the truth" and "they're lying."

Not telling the truth allows for the possiblity they are unaware of the truth and are misguided in what their view of the truth is.

They're lying implies they know a truth and are consciously disregarding it and consciously representing a distortion as truth,

One allows ignorance of the truth as an out. The other implies deliberate deceit.

They're liars and need to be called on it.!

[FrenchieCat]

32. There is an article on Yahoo that says that Obama accuses McCain/Palin

of dishonesty. Dishonesty is a sin and a personality flaw.
To me, that's more effective.

[EndElectoral]

37. Latest email" Obama accuses them directly of "lying". Much more accurate and powerful.

[kwenu]

19. "I'm rubber you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!"

Sounds great on the playground until you get punched in the dead center of your face. He needs to fight. Fight and carry his message if he wants to win. Republicans DON'T play by the rules and DON'T care that you're upset that they DON'T play by the rules. The kid on the playground puts the bully in place when he makes it clear he's not gonna take it anymore and puts up a fight.

You will not win if you don't fight in an American election for president. Americans don't want a weak person who gets beat up in the office of president no matter how smart he is. It's that basic. It's that low brow. If we want a President Obama we and HE must fight.

[Captain Hilts]

21. Jackie went through a LOT more shit than Barack. In the Army, in baseball.

When trying to rent a house. Dealing with racists in the army and baseball.

Like Jackie, he should just do what he is comfortable doing.

FDR: I wish we lived in Texas or Illinois where dead people can vote!
ER: Indeed! Go Bama!

[Zuiderelle]

22. Obama is handling it all exceedingly well. Gracious and patient and reserved and prepared.

Just what one would want in a President. Not like one who would impulsively nominate an epic fail like Palin.

[Captain Hilts]

23. As Franklin said to Eleanor, "dont' get into a pissing contest with a skunk." nt

[EffieBlack]

24. As usual, Frenchie, you are dead on, my sister!

[FrenchieCat]

25. Hey there!

It is common sense when one is thinking clearly. :hi:

[Sensitivity]

29. Wish I could agree, but "Mot Juste" was 1 word -- "Liars." That was the occasion to use it.

Righteous indignation is RIGHT. And it is also a good trait in PRESIDENTS.

[EffieBlack]

39. You missed Keith's whole point

He said that people who threw out "bon mots" all through dinner were much, much less effective than the guest who wrapped things up with a "mot juste."

We're not even partway through dinner. At this point, "liar" is a bon mot. Obama is patient and will skillfully slice and dice at the right moment with an eminently more effective "mot juste" at just the right time.

Everyone needs to calm down and let them man work.

[FrenchieCat]

44. Aye!

[brentspeak]

27. Jackie Robinson was about as hard-nosed a baseball player there was

He resisted striking back verbally and physically against the racists, but he was famous for aggressive, daring play (stealing home, mowing down infielders who tried to block the base-paths).

[EffieBlack]

33. My grandparents and parents cherish the memories of joining the caravan of black folk carpooling

from their small town (yes, black people are small town people, too, Sarah) to the nearest big-league city "to see Jackie play."

I always envied them the feeling of excitement, newness and sense of possibilities for the future that Jackie Robinson inspired. Now I get to feel a similar joy whenever I and my family head out "to see Barack talk."

[EffieBlack]

34. Deleted - dupe

[EffieBlack]

35. Deleted - Dupe

[EffieBlack]

36. Deleted - Dupe

Sorry!

[kwenu]

31. This ain't a baseball game. It's an election.

[EffieBlack]

38. You think what Jackie did was just about baseball?

Not hardly.

[kwenu]

40. You think that what Jackie did was run for president in the post-Reagan era?

Not hardly. Mr. Robinson was talented and his talent wasn't affected by constant lies and smears. And he wasn't subjected to a popular vote. You better wake up!

[FrenchieCat]

42. I think our eyes are wide open......

But thank you for the suggestion.

[kwenu]

43. No problem. Let's get out the vote!