Politico review of Obama's book is really something else

[Loki Liesmith]

They really are just a completely nasty publication.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/11/20/john-harris-barack-obama-memoir-438594


Summary: how could Obama have turned his failed presidency into a success?

[hlthe2b]

1. Why not summarize the most pertinent paragraphs so we don't give them clicks?

[nebby70]

3. Listen to NPR/Fresh Air interview with Obama instead ...

... although it was wonderful to hear him: I was left with such sadness. We've lost so much these last 4 yrs. I was angry all over again at the hateful things the GOP did to thwart every step forward. I have hopes for Joe & Kamala; but suspect I'm not going to live long enough to see things repaired sufficiently for much forward movement. It's hard to be 70

[Loki Liesmith]

4. Fair enough

Summary: how could Obama have turned his failed presidency into a success?

[DFW]

2. German TV just ran an interview with Obama last night

One of their top interviewers apparently got permission to go to Washington with a small crew to tape it.

It was conducted in English, but the interviewer taped over his questions in German for the German public. But for once, they (wisely) did not dub over any of Obama’s answers, but just ran subtitles in German. Obama’s English is very clear and well enunciated, so many Germans will have understood what he was saying even without the translation help.

As usual, Obama was lucid, sharp, reasoned, and straightforward. You could tell that the interviewer wished it would go on. The commentary afterward spent no small amount of time on the mutual respect and friendship between Angela Merkel and Obama.

They did briefly discuss the book, which I have not read, but probably will. I don’t follow Politico at all, since the various articles I have seen from it were usually either poorly researched or poorly thought out (or both), and somewhat arrogant in tone.

[underpants]

5. I scanned through it - didn't find it unfair.

I think Obama’s book is unusual for memoirs in that it’s mostly internal. That’s just who he is and it represents him in that way. I thought the review was fair.

[cachukis]

6. It is a book review.

It tries to link Obama's successes and failures to him without recognizing the reality in which he vied. I'm sure there will be more insightful reviews ahead.

[Gothmog]

7. I am not a fan of Politico