Believe me, it pains me to write these words. I don't enjoy slamming a popular icon, but when it comes to the Democrats, please don't check your well-cultivated critical faculties at the door. They sold us out after the last election by failing to stop the war (among many things), as was their mandate. With this monstrous political machine, you've got to keep your BS radar on full power.
In Latin American protest there is generally a clear aim, but with this dude I have no idea what it is, beyond getting elected President. I would hope that a true opposition does emerge, and it has clear aims to do something substantial about climate change and to end militarism. Until I hear stronger challenges on these fronts, yet again I will be forced to hold my nose when I pull that voting lever in the Fall.
Article comments
1 - Lee Richards
The #1 goal of any politician is to get elected, so it's naive to believe their campaign promises and wishful thinking to count on finding substance in all their proposals. Principles, if any, we get later.
Even if we could believe the sincerity of what they claim they will do, once in office they often find it impossible to deliver.
Successful campaigns sell an image. So far, Obama's campaign is doing that fairly well. We may well wonder if there's really a Wizard behind all the smoke and mirrors; it's a campaign's job to make us think there is.
The more gullible we are, the easier their job is.
I wouldn't underestimate the gullibility factor in 2008.
2 - Rob
HOPE AND CHANGE!
That's all I needed to hear! I'm voting for Obama! And anyone who doesn't is racist!
When he speaks, my eyes leak! It's all about the HOPE AND CHANGE!
C'mon, y'all! There's always more room aboard the Obamabus! HOPE AND CHANGE, motherfucker! That's where it's at!
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3 - Dan Miller
Sr. Lopez,
As a well known Democrat senator was wont to say not too many years ago to remember, "I can't agree with that too much."
Of course Sen. Obama uses smoke and mirrors. Of course he offers change and of course he "wants to buy the world a coke." It has been thus for at least sixty years (as far back as I can remember -- I also remember the Pepsi jingle, "twice as much and a nickel too," which was accurate). We, the people, have bought into that sort of thing, and therefore deserve it. That is how we decide which toothpaste, which car and which convenience foods to buy. Obviously, campaign videos are much the same. Do you really expect them to be both entertaining and substantively informative? You want to "call it like it is." Perhaps more effort is needed.
Of course, Sen. Obama's campaign policies are rather diaphanous. That's nothing new. Most are. When a candidate makes concrete policy statements, they tend to evaporate soon after the election. "Read my lips." It is more rational to rely on a used car salesman.
There are several areas in which Sen. Obama seems to be better than Sen. Clinton. He has a better chance of diminishing the racial polarization which has hurt the U.S. for many years. That is very important. He seems to have a better chance of producing bipartisan compromises than does Sen. Clinton, also important. And, not least important, he seems to be the Democrat most likely, if elected, to make the people of the United States feel happy with their president; "feel" is the right verb here, and feeling good is not necessarily a bad thing. We have "felt" bad for so long that, for many, to feel good would be a new experience.
I don't know for whom (or against whom) I will vote this November. Having never voted for a Democrat, or against a Republican, voting for Sen. Obama would be a difficult move. Voting for Sen. Clinton would seem, at this point, just about impossible. November is a long way off. Vamos a ver.
Dan Miller
4 - REMF
Maybe someday Obama will say something as slimey as "Mission Accomplished"...
5 - Dan Miller
REMF,
Maybe, but that's better than "Reporting for Duty!"
Dan
6 - REMF
"Of course Sen. Obama uses smoke and mirrors."
- Dan Miller
Anything like the smoke and mirrors GW Bush used to get away with Desertion? Or the smoke and mirrors Dick Cheney used to dodge the draft?
7 - REMF
"Maybe, but that's better than "Reporting for Duty!""
Tell that to the families of the 3,960 killed in Iraq, Miller.
8 - M Sanders
This site goes along with this article to the tea...
Funny too
9 - The Obnoxious American
Totally loved the article. I don't think we agree politically on much, but I'm glad you can see this guy for the slickness that he is.
On another note, you've made a great point. Since when is Will.I.Am the voice of the hip hop generation. The black eyed peas are probably right up there with Justin Timberlake and vanilla Ice in terms of speaking for hip hop culture. The real question is who is Jay Z voting for, but given his Black Republicans joint with Nas, I have a sneaking suspicion it's an old white man :>
10 - ramesh
best virus in the computer network.