Right Winger Barnett on Obama's FauxNews Appearance -- "I say Obama did quite well for himself."

[jefferson_dem]

<SNIP>

OBAMA BRAVELY ENTERED the lion's den this afternoon, daring to answer questions from the ferocious Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday. People who have lives and don't set their Sunday plans around the Beltway weekend chat-fests are probably wondering how he did. (I'm sure our Sonny Bunch will be along shortly with his take.)

I say Obama did quite well for himself. Earlier today, I posted something that analogized Obama to Ronald Reagan. Well, brace yourself, because here comes another Reagan/Obama comparison. When Reagan ran against Jimmy Carter in 1980, the most common charge that Reagan had to handle was that he was a crazed warmonger who couldn't wait to blow up the world. The best way for Reagan to counter these charges was to appear on TV and let his natural affability shine through. The narrative that Reagan's foes peddled didn't square with the genial 69 year-old candidate who popped up in America's living rooms.

Right now, the biggest threat Obama faces is the solidifying narrative that he's an elitist who comfortably keeps company with some rather unsavory characters. His associations have led many to infer that Obama isn't just a liberal, but a member of the fringe left, a part of this country that repulses the majority.

When Obama makes appearances like this morning's on Fox News Sunday, he helps dispel this narrative. He's likable and engaging. He's appealing. He certainly doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would condone bombing the Pentagon or support a pastor who yells "God Damn America!" In other words, Obama got great mileage out of this morning's performance. Even though he’s a clunky extemporaneous speaker (as Reagan was in the latter part of his career) and stumbled over his own words repeatedly again this morning, he should make appearances like today's a habit.

Of course, Obama didn't do anything today to add more substance to his unity shtick. His claim that he stood up to the left by supporting John Roberts even though he voted against Roberts's confirmation comically highlighted the emptiness of Obama's rhetoric. Nevertheless, this was a good morning for the Obama campaign, which will have to tackle its existential threats one at a time.

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http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/TWSFPView.asp

[leftofcool]

1. I hate it when the RW shills compare one of our own to Reagan

I am reminded of the horrible things he did to orphanages and homes for the mentally ill while in office.

[jefferson_dem]

2. Certainly, it's not an endearing comparison.

...especially around these parts.

Nonetheless, I understand the point he is trying to make. Note that the comparison applies to attempts to dispel the "narrative" and definitely NOT to any policy-related areas.

[leftofcool]

3. I know but it's that damn perception thing

[FrenchieCat]

4. So we have a video of his appearance? I missed it

[yourguide]

5. Frenchie he was great!

He knocked it out of the park.

Scan the latest threads, someone posted a link!

[jefferson_dem]

6. Go here for video links.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5707395

[quickesst]

7. Left wing Obama shills....

here on DU have been comparing HRC to Bush for many months. Now that Obama is the target of comparison to a neocon, Obama fans "don't like it". Obalogic at it's finest. Thanks.
quickesst

[EFerrari]

8. So, you read right wing spew and come to a conclusion about Obama?

That's hillarious.

[stillcool]

11. "Left Wing"..

as opposed to what "Right Wing"? If the Democratic Party is not "The Left", what is it?

[ekwhite]

14. Ummm - this is a left wing site

What is this 'left-wing shills' crap? :grr:

[ekwhite]

13. Don't forget what he did for HIV positives also

He actively obstructed AIDS research.

[pretzel4gore]

9. repulses the majority? not the fringe left

ar worst, the fringe left appear as remote, as wonderfully exotic, as snow leopards in the wilds of Nepal, while lying rightwing pigs like those on Sunday talk shows threaten the very fabric of civilized society by turning every word into its opposite, and reversing the concepts of truth, until the only thing left is disbelief in all authority, and to discern the facts they're coy about is to use baseball bats on their brutish rightwing heads

[jefferson_dem]

10. "...wonderfully exotic, as snow leopards in the wilds of Nepal..."

Well said!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. I can't believe this has only 6 recommends - love this and forwarding article to my GOP friends

yes, I have some GOP friends. Its a big world. I hope more of them see
the light and defect.