Bob Herbert on Obama

[MBS]

I've been a strong supporter of Obama since last December, and continue to be a supporter, but Bob Herbert strikes a chord here

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/opinion/08herbert.html

. . . Back in January when Barack Obama pulled off his stunning win in the Iowa caucuses, and people were lining up in the cold and snow for hours just to get a glimpse of him, there was a wide and growing belief . . . that something new in American politics had arrived.
His brilliant, nationally televised victory speech in Des Moines sent a shiver of hope through much of the electorate. “The time has come for a president who will be honest about the choices and the challenges we face,” said Senator Obama, “who will listen to you and learn from you, even when we disagree, who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know.”

Only an idiot would think or hope that a politician going through the crucible of a presidential campaign could hold fast to every position, steer clear of the stumbling blocks of nuance and never make a mistake. But Barack Obama went out of his way to create the impression that he was a new kind of political leader — more honest, less cynical and less relentlessly calculating than most.
You would be able to listen to him without worrying about what the meaning of “is” is.
This is why so many of Senator Obama’s strongest supporters are uneasy, upset, dismayed and even angry at the candidate who is now emerging in the bright light of summer. . .

more at the link

[Demit]

1. Yes he does. I hope Obama hears it.

As Herbert says, he was "a man who first turned voters on by presenting himself as someone who was different, who wouldn’t engage in the terminal emptiness of politics as usual." The terminal emptiness of politics as usual—I know that's not what I'm looking forward to.

[DrZeeLit]

2. Herbert is one of my heroes. I hope he's noted the difference between what the press says

that Obama holds as a position... AND...what his consistent, on-film, in-debate, policies have been.

I think we're seeing a summer, low level spin cycle.
I'm hoping Obama comes out swinging during and after the convention.

I think we are ALL in the doldrums.
I'm really, really hoping that supporters hold fast, hold Obama to the fire, and we all come out of this in one piece.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Herbert has shown no discretion when it comes to writing about Obama...

he even revived the false charge of Clinton Admin "vandalism of the White House" to help Obama.

Obama's a politician. Plain and simple. This turn/triangulating must be a shock to all those here saying "Obama's more progressive than Feingold!" He's not. Not even close.

That said, Obama's getting a bum rap on the issue of his stance on Iraq.

But, McCain is McCain's own worst enemey and Obama should just go to the beach for a couple of weeks and watch McCain sink.

Let's roll!

[groovedaddy]

4. It does seem that the more radical the right has tried to paint Obama

the more he tacs to the center. Maybe it's necessary to get the win, but maybe it isn't. After all, who (or what) is the alternative?

[katty]

5. a good piece

[Phred42]

6. The Democrats are now the ones selling us into a Fascist Police State.

Their excuse is that they can't upset the apple cart, that they have to win at all costs in November. But Win what? Once you've compromised so many times, it becomes easier. Every time, there is an excuse to do the wrong thing for America and the Constitution, and to do EXACTLY what the Reich wants them to do. The excuses get creative but the bottom line - the ACTION that speaks louder than words is that in the end - the Democrats are doing the bidding of Bush and the Reich.

We are all being had. The Democrats (with a very few exceptions) are, and have been, the Silent Partners of the Reich.

Once you've sold your Soul - it's over, you can't get it back, regardless of your excuse for doing it.

[MasonJar]

7. Thank you, Mr. Herbert. Please send the Obama campaign many copies.

He appears to have selected advisors who are as blind to reality as those of Gore and Kerry. It is a shame because he is no longer an exciting candidate of change, which could have and would have easily spirited him into the presidency. Sure, he is superior to any GOPer; all dems are. But he is not what he promised.