NYT Magazine Article must read

[cilla4progress]

Very insightful Peter Baker interview with Obama. I felt it helpful in understanding him and his admin to date. Answered some questions; reaffirmed some assumptions. Not quite sure how it left me feeling...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/magazine/17obama-t.html?hp

[Kdillard]

1. I thought it was an excellent article and we will see how the next two years go.

If he loses the House and Senate it is going to be doubly difficult to get anything done in 2011 not to mention how he is going to do that in the midst of a reelection campaign. I am hoping that just as they were wrong in 2008 counting him out there will be reason to celebrate in the next 2 years with his reelection and the lessons he learned were applied leading to successful policy as an Administration and for the American people.

[cilla4progress]

3. I agree, and it oddly gave me some peace...

I think in part because I have felt very badly for BO that his - I believe genuine - high hopes and aspirations have not panned out, esp. of getting everyone onboard (although, arguably, there have been some monumental legislative successes, or at least, steps forward). I see from this article that the DISSILLUSIONMENT is not only not news to him, but something he and his team even anticipated.

There IS an otherness about Obama ... truthfully, this was part of his appeal (to me, anyway). America needed and wanted a leader with some of the aloofness of high intellect, and the global perspective that his biography brought (esp. after GWB). Perhaps this is a constant tension in American politics: we want our leaders to be both of us, and better than us.

What I do find striking is the diametrically opposed criticism from various quarters: he conceded too much -- not enough; he is too intransigent -- not enough; he is too political -- not enough. No wonder he limits his focus to only a few trusted advisers...it could render a less grounded guy schizo!

The midterms will be a reset no matter what. Just as the Repubs had a certain advantage in their "nothing to lose" strategy the last two years, maybe the Obamans can adopt that the next 2, pull out the stops, work AROUND the obstructionists, and, along the way, continue to do what's right, if not popular (and acquire adherents with their principled leadership!).

[Whisp]

2. thanks. that was a great read.

one thing I do take exception to is the focus on how the WH/Obama can't seem to communicate with the public on how many positive things they have accomplished.

the media just doesn't give them the airtime. Sarah Fucking Palin gets more positive airtime. Thats pretty obvious to most here, so I was dissappointed that wasn't really addressed much in the article. but of course the author is part of the media....

overall, great article. Really got more of a sense of Obama the man. Surprised a bit that he is not so comfy in small groups. Thats interesting. And, I liked to hear that he does have his bad moods and snaps at his staff once in a while - I know that sounds strange but it comforts me in some odd way. Maybe because he is releasing some steam so it has to be good for him (but maybe not so good for his staff).

Oh, one more thing that struck me as odd is how when the author speaks about the Clintons, how he used the word 'scorn' in two parts of the article. How Obama and his campaign staff during the primaries scorned blah blah, and another further in article.

[cilla4progress]

4. The media

to me is just obviously there to continually stir the pot...brings them eyes. Why more of them don't see it as their civic responsibility to report honestly and objectively, well...if you just look at contemporary American culture, I guess it fits.

I wonder if that scorn for Bill Clinton, anyway (not Hill), doesn't revolve around his lack of self-control and / or discipline that led to the impeachment that was very damaging to the Democratic party for quite some time...possibly even resulting in Gore not attaining the Presidency (close vote -- as well of course as that little matter with the Supreme Court... sorry to bring back traumatic memories...).

[Whisp]

5. I see

about Clinton yes, I could agree that could be the object of that scorn.

[cilla4progress]

6. I just think it kind of goes along

with BO's personality. He seems very self-contained, very disciplined. I imagine him "scorning" the lack of self-control that destructive episode resulted in! (Even though I think it was none of our business...Big Dog should have known it was 1) a setup and 2) going to have far-ranging political implications. Esp. the LIE afterwards!)

[Whisp]

7. kick. Take some time and read this folks.

[ProSense]

8. The transcript

posted here

[BrklynLiberal]

9. K&R Marked to read later.