JackB1 wrote:There will never be a politician emerging from our current system will relate to an "everyman". It's virtually impossible to with how our system is set up. It was designed to repel change and Obama might have plans to make change (if it isn't all empty promises) but we all know not much will change in Washington.
Hogwash.
For being a total policy wonk, Clinton also had a big-time "everyman" factor, whether it was his bad golf swing, his jogs with the Secret Service to try and keep his waistline under control, playing the sax at his inauguration ball, his peccadilloes with broads, his avowed love of junk food, his quick temper, etc.
Obama has none of that. That doesn't disqualify him from being an effective leader, but the lack of that "everyman" appeal does disconnect him from many voters.
Take care,
PK
But they only believe this because the media harps on it so much.
I don't believe people want an everyman. If that was the case, I think more blue-collar candidates would show up. What they really want is a President who possess the ability to relate to the working class.
I think Americans are okay with elitist Presidents mostly because in our history elitists have been some of the most effective Presidents (FDR, Teddy, even JFK social policies.) They aren't okay with a man or woman if you appear you have no clue what the middle class goes through.
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JRod wrote:I don't believe people want an everyman. If that was the case, I think more blue-collar candidates would show up. What they really want is a President who possess the ability to relate to the working class.
Oh, no question. I don't think America wants Roger T. Kaputnik in the White House. They want a statesman who can relate to the guy at the corner bar pounding a Bud and watching the ballgame on the set above the jukebox in the corner.
It's probably an impossible ideal.
JRod wrote:They aren't okay with a man or woman if you appear you have no clue what the middle class goes through.
Yep. Indeed. It's why Kerry didn't resonate and why his campaign worked so hard to depict him as a regular guy, and it's why little, trivial sh*t like John McCain forgetting today how many houses he owns could come back to bite him in the ass. It's amazing how meaningless crap like that can sway a vote, much like the continuing myth that Obama is a Muslim, which is still inhaled hook, line and sinker by plenty of morons.
Take care,
PK
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Just imagine in your mind how George Bush or John McCain would have reacted. Or for example, when a guy who was posing as a reporter started yelling about how they forgot to say the pledge, Obama calmly asked the guy to lead the pledge. He doesn't cynically dismiss people, which is a welcome change in a so called democracy. And after having Governor Bush as a our president for eight years I'm sick of the bratty way he treats people. I know it's setting the bar low, but if Obama makes it into office, at least he'll engage with tough questioners. He isn't afraid of being called out, he doesn't have to be handled with kid gloves.
McCain is also condescending to people or non-responsive when he gets a tough question. Go back and watch some of the interviews McCain did on the daily show. He basically gets angry at Stewart and starts yelling talking points like he was a child. I'm sick of that s***, engage in a real way or close yourself off like king george tried to do. And that gets even more annoying when you consider how he calls himself the straight talk express. No politician should ever try to pull off the "straight talk" image, it leads directly to hypocrisy.
Last edited by TheHiddenTrack on Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Just imagine in your mind how George Bush or John McCain would have reacted. Or for example, when a guy who was posing as a reporter started yelling about how they forgot to say the pledge, Obama calmly asked the guy to lead the pledge. He doesn't cynically dismiss people who he disagrees with, which is a welcome change in a so called democracy.
How would Bush or McCain react?
What does "in a so called democracy" mean?
I do agree about Obama. I like him alot. He has alot of class and plenty of charisma.
Well given his background as a "civil rights" lawyer and a "community organizer" he is a hell of a lot more comfortable around lunatics, conspiracy theorists, morons and other assorted perpetually self-absorbed big mouths with persecuction complexes. So I guess he does have a leg up on most politicians there.
XBL Gamertag: RobVarak
"Ok I'm an elitist, but I have a healthy respect for people who don't measure up." --Aaron Sorkin
Is it more about being an everyman or not being an elistist?
Obama has been successfully painted as an elitist by his white opponents, both of whom happen to be more rich and live a far more upper-class lifestyle than Obama.
McCain couldn't even remember how many homes he owned.
wco81 wrote:No it's about whether McCain is in touch with people going through economic upheaval.
Obama and his wife declared $4.2 million in income in 2007. Just how exactly are they in touch with Joe Sixpack?
Take care,
PK
Well according to McCain he still wouldn't be considered rich.
And Obama's income has been substantially lower than a typical presidential candidate over the years. I mean look at Kerry, Bush, Romney, McCain, Edwards, Clinton ... Obviously Obama did much better in 2007 but he's still not in their league when it comes to money.
Not that I think it matters all that much, but it's a little crazy when someone doesn't know how many houses they have... and they accuse the other candidate of being an "elitist." But we all know Governor Bush was an average blue collar working man... So it's pretty obvious that reality doesn't have to come into play when creating a narrative.
wco81 wrote:Is it more about being an everyman or not being an elistist?
There's a line from the great comic "Get Your War On" that I always enjoy using: "If being an elitist means not being the dumbest mother****** in the room, then yeah, I'm an elitist."
TheHiddenTrack wrote:
Well according to McCain he still wouldn't be considered rich.
And Obama's income has been substantially lower than a typical presidential candidate over the years. I mean look at Kerry, Bush, Romney, McCain, Edwards, Clinton ... Obviously Obama did much better in 2007 but he's still not in their league when it comes to money.
Not that I think it matters all that much, but it's a little crazy when someone doesn't know how many houses they have... and they accuse the other candidate of being an "elitist." But we all know Governor Bush was an average blue collar working man... So it's pretty obvious that reality doesn't have to come into play when creating a narrative.
JackDog wrote:Since when is it a bad thing to be successful in this country? I wish I had the bank all of these guys have.
McCain and Kerry didn't hurt themselves by who they married. I take that back. McCain didn't hurt himself.
I agree -- I aspire to have a sugar momma. If Oprah comes calling the wife's next book, I'll quit my job, get fitted in a white linen suit, and start drinking bourbon on the rocks in the afternoons.
How one handle's success is more important than that success. If we want to live in a free market society, we have to accept that some people will acquire great wealth. Even my universal-healthcare-loving ass knows that.
Brando70 wrote:
I agree -- I aspire to have a sugar momma. If Oprah comes calling the wife's next book, I'll quit my job, get fitted in a white linen suit, and start drinking bourbon on the rocks in the afternoons.
How one handle's success is more important than that success. If we want to live in a free market society, we have to accept that some people will acquire great wealth. Even my universal-healthcare-loving ass knows that.
If that happens. I am getting a Grilled Ribeye at the Stonehouse on your dime.
