bmags

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jan 21, 2009 -> 12:41 AM) I think this is really meant for nite and not you bmags but I would say a very small fraction of the voting population voted for Obama purely because he was black - say 2-3% at most. The remaining black people would have voted for any white Democrat and it makes no difference in this election cycle. But there is an equally uninteresting percentage of the population that may not have voted for him for reasons nothing to do with ideology. And nitetrain, considering how basic a level your arguments are, I wouldn't be surprised if you went back and asked those people "why", they came up with answers that surprised you.

But what if the kid that said he can go to college isn't expecting people to take his statement at face value. Maybe he realized the value of education from obama's life, that blacks really can climb in the world with an education. Maybe he believes Obama will help get more young people to college with his service deals. Again, it could just be that seeing a man like him in a position like that means, at that basic level, anyone can make something of themselves. Obama is better than Kennedy to relate to, his Ivy League education first began at a much less prestigious college. He isn't a Kennedy or a Bush or a Rockefeller or anything like that. So his success means things to people. And the insistence that people are stupid for thinking Obama can fix everything isn't really painting many people accurately. I think you are underestimating just how much it means to people to feel counted, thought of, represented, and there were a great many americans who did not feel that until now. And I'm talking about more than for racial reasons. Policy be-damned, that's why Obama can be successful in things that have nothing to do with policy.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 11:42 PM) You're right, but that's the problem. People vote for who they vote for, not because of their beliefs or morals, not because of their plan of action, but because of their skin color. Keep in mind, I'm not a caucasion male either. Those are the people I have a problem with. My hope is that people aren't dissapointed with Obama, and that they continue to interest themselves in government. Go out and vote for local laws and not expect guys like Obama to save their lives. I find your arguments very one dimensional. People just voted for Obama because he was black. But why? Why did they just vote for Obama for his skin color, and not for other black candidates who have run for president. Do people really expect Obama to save their lives? Or are they just celebrating what they finally is true representation in this government. Your statements only work at a very basic level, and ignore previous history, cultural contexts and really undermine the motives of the voters you are trying to profile. I'm sure they would love to paint you with a broad brush too.

What if you do? The voting population will be larger, the two major parties get out the votes are stronger than ever, technology has been working in favor of the political process, I wouldn't be surprised at all if this keeps up for presidential elections.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 10:53 PM) I'm relying on the government to hopefully vote into law, things that are necessary. They make ultimate decisions that I voted them into place hoping they fall in line with my decisions/wants/needs, but it does not always go this way. Basically, you vote into office, people who you think will make the country better off. You don't vote for the actual laws 100%, do you? There are personal decisions each of us can do, though, to all help our goal of having a greater country. I think there will be a return to community that has been a staple of the United States since it was a group of colonies. The things Tex and PA speak of so well.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 10:42 PM) I did not vote for Obama, or McCain, but I for one think its positive to have this many people actually interested in the government, the country, and the presidential office. The last time this many Americans decided to band together in somewhat unity it took a few airplanes killing innocent people to get the reaction. You know, frankly, being young, this is a big deal. This is a changing of the guard that matters. The country has been fighting McCarthy vs. Nixon for like 40 years, finally someone with no connection to the culture wars of the 60s, Vietnam, all that crap that got stuffed down our throats for the last many elections. And, a president's appearance and personality can move a nation as much as policy achievements. Look at how much f* up sh** A. Jackson did, and the country loved him. The president is the representative of the nation, people look up to him/her for guidance, culturally politically other lys. So Obamas ability to inspire and get people moving is his biggest asset. There are a number of things Obama can do without government, by just asking these many people who support him. It's hard to imagine the impact a role model like Obama could have for the black community. They haven't had many new leaders arise since the civil rights period of the 60s and 70s, and he breeds new hope and optimism, I mean, the son of that era's struggles essentially is what he represents. The first lady and daughters, could have tremendous cultural impacts. That's what he means to the casual supporter. For policy wonks like many of us in here, he means something different. Most that support him in here do so for more pragmatic reasons.

Wow, I can't believe this thread turned into something bashing Obama supporters for being rabid!

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 09:12 PM) Newt's infidelity was one of his major downfalls. For Clinton, "it didn't matter". He was impeached?

QUOTE (kapkomet @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 09:08 PM) Funny how he's judged so poorly for that and Clinton's episodes "didn't matter". What?

I still get anxious when he's out in the open like this.

QUOTE (mr_genius @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) I would have prefererd a Rev.Wright "God Damn America" speech. would have been hilarious. Yeah, great post!

Did Obama swear in on the QURAN?

QUOTE (Soxy @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 09:41 PM) Why didn't Lowery get the invocation? His was at least not complete blather. Seriously this: ""REV LOWERY: Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen. AUDIENCE: Amen! REV. LOWERY: Say amen -- AUDIENCE: Amen! REV. LOWERY: -- and amen. AUDIENCE: Amen!" Totally should have lead off.

I felt it was a pretty awful prayer, too. Especially compared to Lowerys.

Cadillac getting some nice advertising today, no?

CNN getting the most of their last moments with Sanjay Gupta.

Quite unfortunate.

I also adopted it.

You have some poor planning man!

You back already?

Obamas speeches are no longer just glittering generalities but flex some serious muscle.

Great speech. Although I'm not sure that history is against the side of highly oppressive gov'ts. They've been around a lot longer than democracies.

This just hit me like a ton of bricks. My God! Now, do work, Pres. Obama.

Yo Yo Ma is such a cool dude. His interview with colbert was one of the most natural i've ever seen. He was hitting him tit for tat. It was great. Phenomenal musician as well, I love his albums.

weird, off one of the rafters is a hanging camera, but to me it looked like a hanging teddy bear. I'm glad it's not, that would seem to be a poor omen.