(02-18-2010 02:17 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 11:03 AM)GilWinant Wrote:  

(02-17-2010 07:41 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Instead of criticizing Shrub or claiming that Obama's opponents are racially motivated, why don't you tell us something good about Obama?

Sorry that I once again have to ask for some elaboration, but who is it that you're directing your comments towards?

Anyone who can tell us anything good about Obama.

He isn't GWB? Does that count?

(02-18-2010 04:02 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 03:48 PM)GilWinant Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 02:17 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 11:03 AM)GilWinant Wrote:  

(02-17-2010 07:41 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Instead of criticizing Shrub or claiming that Obama's opponents are racially motivated, why don't you tell us something good about Obama?

Sorry that I once again have to ask for some elaboration, but who is it that you're directing your comments towards?

Anyone who can tell us anything good about Obama.

Can you? If not, do you think that's a commentary strictly on Obama?

No I cannot. I actually thought (and said publicly, and took some heat for doing so) that it was a good thing that he appeared to give more authority than his predecessors to the on-scene commander in the rescue of the ship captain from the Somali pirates, but subsequent events appear to indicate that he did not intend to do so, and that inappropriate retaliatory actions may have been taken by him or by members of his administration as a result. So that one kind of loses its appeal. I would hope that his more conciliatory approach to foreign policy would bring dividends at some point, but so far the pickings are pretty slim on that one as well. In part, I think he has bent over way too far in the other direction to offset the arrogance of Shrub. Otherwise, I can't think of a single good thing that he has done.

I haven't found anyone else who could either. Even Obama supporters respond to my question, not by telling me something good about Obama, but by attacking Shrub or Obama's detractors. With that additional information, I would take that as a commentary strictly on Obama.

Telling me he's better than Shrub doesn't do much for me. One, I'm not sure he his. Two, I think Shrub was maybe the worst president in the history of the republic (maybe edging out Carter in my lifetime), so you have to do better than just beating him to be any good.

So, if you know something good about Obama, tell us what it is. Otherwise, I'm not interested.

I did my last post even before reading your post. I think that getting a start on high speed trains is a good thing(though, you probably don't see it that way. I think it was a good thing to save the auto makers. Again, you probably don't think so but I believe saving thousands or possibly millions of jobs(not just direct workers but restaurants and other businesses that are supported by those workers) and one of the last few manufacturing industries in the country is quite important even if you don't.

(02-18-2010 05:46 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Maybe I should say for the record that I guess Obama is probably a decent enough guy. I'd probably enjoy having a beer with him. He seems to have a nice family that he cares about (that clearly elevates him above Johnny the Ambulance Chaser). I think it's great that America has elected an African-American president (and who cares whether it's 50% or 100%, it's still significant, and the birth certificate flail is absurd). It was very apparent last summer that a great many in South Africa regard him as a hero (his face is in a mural on the side of the Jo'burg airport, for one thing) and that is a good thing.

But I simply cannot find a single policy stance of his with which I agree. There are even a few social issues where he's too conservative for me. And I think he ran a very deceitful campaign by lying to voters that he would pursue a centrist, conciliatory path when he has done anything but that.

There is still time. He could read the tea leaves and change course to pursue the centrist, bi-partisan path that he promised, like Clinton. Both he and the country would be far better off if he did. He could win me over if he did that. But his reactions in the wake of the Massachusetts by-election don't suggest he's going to head that way any time soon.

What exactly is your definition of "centrist"? He sure the hell isn't going left. If he was, his poll numbers would be higher than they are now. Many on the left are not happy becasue he isn't moving to the left but more to the center. As for bi-partisanship, I think he tried(maybe not enough for some) but when you have those on the right fillibustering almost every single thing Obama does(not to mention making healthcare "his waterloo"), it is difficult to say the Republicans are trying to be bi-partisan with Obama.

(02-20-2010 04:08 AM)RobertN Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 02:17 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(02-18-2010 11:03 AM)GilWinant Wrote:  

(02-17-2010 07:41 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Instead of criticizing Shrub or claiming that Obama's opponents are racially motivated, why don't you tell us something good about Obama?

Sorry that I once again have to ask for some elaboration, but who is it that you're directing your comments towards?

Anyone who can tell us anything good about Obama.

He isn't GWB? Does that count?

Number one, I'm not sure that the differences are net improvements.

Number two, so what they are? "At least I'm better than the worst president ever," is not exactly a ringing endorsement.