Can Obama really rescue America?

The Irish Examiner ^ | June 16, 2008 | Karen McCarthy

[2ndDivisionVet]

HE exploded into US politics with a message of hope and change that has people around the world believing President Obama will save America and the planet.

He’s running a veritable Santa’s Grotto stacked with promises of health care reform, protectionism in trade, cheaper petrol, more money for schools, the space program, veterans, students, infrastructure, as well as lower taxes. He’s promised energy security, an end to the Iraq war, to befriend America’s enemies and remain unindentured to big business and lobbyists.

A less optimistic panel of Harvard thinkers at the Centre for Public Leadership recently said the problems facing America today are so immense that they’re “almost beyond the capacity of any human being.”

“He’s raised expectations to an absurd degree,” said Gene Healy, the author of The Cult of the Presidency during a recent interview on Al Jazeera English. “He’s not a shaman, he’s going to be constrained by the political realities of the US”.

Yet Obama-mania is sweeping the world, particularly in Africa.

But despite being half-Kenyan, analysts say the half-term senator has not shown a strong track record of interest in African affairs. He proposed action to resolve the Darfur crisis, but when it came to trade he backed a farm bill to protect US farmers at the expense of the Africans.

One Ugandan columnist, Timothy Kalyegira commented on Obama’s decision to give his first post-primary speech to a pro-Israel group and not to African-Americans.

“[This] should open the eyes of those who imagine that Obama is going to advance black interests or those of Africa. Prepare to be greatly disappointed.”

Further east, the Arab world also had its first major Obama-qualm, when the Senator placated Jewish voters who disapproved of his willingness to talk to Iran and Syria, by promising unshakeable support for Israel with Jerusalem as its undivided capital.

Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi criticised the Senator for what he calls a failure to fulfil his promise of “change”.

Obama has been accused of more back-peddling by Senator John McCain, who said he’s retracting campaign promises to meet leaders of Iran, Syria, Cuba and Venezuela without preconditions. Obama since qualified his statement saying his willingness to talk to leaders of countries considered US adversaries, doesn’t necessarily mean an audience for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

This kind of political manoeuvring, his vow to respond “forcefully and swiftly” to an Iranian attack against Israel or any other US ally, and his willingness to attack al Qaeda inside Pakistan without Pakistani approval, prompted one Abu Dhabi based newspaper to conclude: “Not much time was needed to prove that the Arab expectation of Obama grew out of a sense of hopefulness rather than an accurate reading of [his] priorities and political views.”

Closer to home, efforts to court Florida’s influential Cuban-American community, has the Senator calling for the normalising of relations with the communist island if preconditions — like the release of all political prisoners — are met.

His support of the Cuban embargo has drawn criticism from McCain, who accused him of changing his position.

Obama presents himself as a new-style politician, determined to reform Washington and steer clear of contributions from interest groups and lobbyists.

Unfortunately, while he refused any money from federal lobbyists or political action committees, he received $2.5 million from political action committees during his senatorial race, and he’s lending his name to the fundraising for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that’s less discerning.

Nevertheless, he still leads McCain on domestic issues, particularly on the economy, and has launched an economy tour through the largely blue collar states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

However, his recent appointment of Jason Furman as director of economic policy is considered tantamount to hiring a Wall Street economic team.

Ultimately, campaign promises may be his biggest problem.

Whether or not he can be radically different from his predecessors, become the saviour of the middle-class, bring peace to the Middle East or democracy to Africa, he will be judged harshly because he has promised so much.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Hold on to your wallets and purses if Obama is elected president! We're the ones he's been waiting for to pay for all this!

[yldstrk]

I don’t think so. Rescue from what? Destroy us, yes.

[the invisib1e hand]

Can Obama really rescue America?

Save America from what?

[Reagan Man]

Obama’s offering a liberal-socialist domestic policy and a naive foreign policy.

Such politics will severely damage America.

[library user]

Who says we need rescued?

[DarthVader]

Can Obama really rescue America?

No, but if elected he will plunge the the world into WW III.

[library user]

Yet Obama-mania is sweeping the world, particularly in Africa.

And what countries in Africa get to vote in the upcoming US election?

[hinckley buzzard]

A less optimistic panel of Harvard thinkers at the Centre for Public Leadership recently said the problems facing America today are so immense that they’re “almost beyond the capacity of any human being.”

Historical side note, they began to say the same thing around 1980, attempting to cover for the hapless Carter, who was obviously in way over his head. But then came Ronaldus Magnus who made it all look easy. Alas! that McCain is no Reagan.

[goodnesswins]

"Whether or not he can be radically different from his predecessors, become the saviour of the middle-class, bring peace to the Middle East or democracy to Africa, he will be judged harshly because he has promised so much."

We don't need saving...thank you......WE are the ones ALWAYS saving the rest of the world.....and if Obama gets elected all THAT COULD change....i.e. Iraqi's would be less free under an Obama (DEM) Presidency

[clintonh8r]

Hey, Irish Examiner! Examine my colon, willya?

[Jaguarmike]

“Rescue us from what?”

From the principles that made America great. The Left has always hated capitalism, and the individual’s power to make his own destiny.

[Ratblaster]

“Yet Obama-mania is sweeping the world, particularly in Africa.”

With Bobby Mugabe at the helm, Africa, once again, leads the world.

[Navy Patriot]

Save America?

If America Ferrera needs saving, save her for me.

[Zhang Fei]

A less optimistic panel of Harvard thinkers at the Centre for Public Leadership recently said the problems facing America today are so immense that they’re “almost beyond the capacity of any human being.”

Some Harvard thinkers might have high IQ's but are indistinguishable from idiots in their utterances.

[NewHampshireDuo]

Harvard thinkers..

Can you say "oxymoron?"

...said the problems facing America today are so immense that they’re “almost beyond the capacity of any human being.”

Since the USA is in much better shape than just about anywhere else in the world, maybe the thinkers should be devoting some attention to the less fortunate countries and stop tinkering with the USA.

[Lakeshark]

No.

[clamper1797]

Can Obama really rescue America?

He can and would really ... really screw America

[Jeff Head]

Obama will not resuce America as we know and love it. What he will rescue is the tired old marxist nightmare dream of America which in fact would destroy it as we know it.

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[Jagman]

If by “rescue” you mean throw us under that ravenous bus, YES HE CAN!

[garyhope]

O’Baloney, Obammy, Hussein and his witch are the end of the world.

Read Mark Steyn’s book, “America Alone”

[patriot08]

. Yeah, I have a feeling he has plans for us alright.... . .

. .

[ken21]

gosh, i cqn’t wait for the protectionism in trade—just to mention one issue.

obama will be in good stead with many on this forum that advocate protectionism.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"Alas! that McCain is no Reagan."

Compared to the far-left-wing, black separatist, hate-mongering, ACORN/Saul Alinsky-trained, Trojan horse, proto-Muslim, Marxist Obama, he is!! I worked for President Reagan and miss him very much. We must make a terrible decision this Fall; vote for a man who's only conservative on certain issues or elect the furthest left man to ever win a major party nomination. I know what I'm going to do, but you must make up your mind whether our country and our troops are worth voting for half a loaf.

[F15Eagle]

President Obama will save America and the planet

The idiot world is prepared to receive the Antichrist. Apparently so is part of America. I don't know if it's Obama, but this gush over an inexperienced senator is beyond preposterous and silly. It's downright scary.

[FredZarguna]

Obama presents himself as a new-style politician,

Oh, Good Lord. Was Karen McCarthy just born yesterday?

Politicians who say they aren't like other politicians are like car dealers who tell you they "aint makin' any money on this car."

The first politician who steps up, tells the truth and says, "I'm just like all the others," will be the first one who's actually different.

And I'll Let Kurt Gödel work through any problems with that!

[presently no screen name]

sidenote: I noticed he doesn’t wear a wedding band.

[Surtur]

Hey, Irish Examiner! Examine my colon, willya?

Katie Couric, is that you. Welcome to FR. lol

[rdl6989]

HE exploded into US politics with a message of hope and change that has people around the world believing President Obama will save America and the planet.

Why does that sound like a cult or something to me?

[I'm ALL Right!]

got this in my email...

143 Days of Experience

Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days? Not much.

From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United States Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.

After 143 days of work experience, Obama believes he is ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.

143 days -- I keep leftovers in my refrigerator longer than that.

In contrast, John McCain's 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever. At 71, John McCain may just be hitting his stride.

Think about IT!

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

"We must make a terrible decision this Fall; vote for a man who's only conservative on certain issues or elect the furthest left man to ever win a major party nomination. I know what I'm going to do, but you must make up your mind whether our country and our troops are worth voting for half a loaf."

Honestly, as I look around this thread I see many, many, many conservatives bashing the snot out of BO and swearing that this man will destroy our country if elected. But sadly enough, I also know that a very large percentage of them will NOT vote McCain come November, but choose to remain "staunchly loyal to conservatism" and vote third party or not vote at all.

We Conservatives accuse the Left constantly about their incredible hypocrisy, while at the same time practicing it ourselves by saying one thing and doing another. If you are one of those who absolutely will NOT vote for McCain come November, your right to complain over BO's policies and potential for POTUS material is extremely weak...

Seems many of the "anti-McCain-at-all-costs" crowd find Barack Obama to be an unfit POTUS...well GET USED TO IT ANTI-MCCAINITES!! Barack Obama is the man you all PRAY wins office so as to DESTROY America and punish the GOP...

REMEMBER ANTI-MCCAINITES: BEWARE WHAT YOU WISH FOR...

[Ouderkirk]

Uh, dude...

Not to pick nits, but, it’s not dominate. It’s dominant.

Islam is not in America to be equal to
any other faithm but to become dominant.

It’s a good graphic, but you lost me with the grammar.

[Raycpa]

I need a savior. He isn’t Him.

[skeptoid]

. . . Reminds me of WFB,Jr's observation:

...."I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University."from BrainyQuote

This is going to cost me sleep.

Ireland voted down the Lisbon/EU thing yesterday, but then there's the Irish/Kennedy/entitlement thing.

I'll have to watch again

[johna61]

Neither can Juan McLame.

[RC2]

Obama may be elected President but not King. We still have the power to remove him and his churches cronys. He has stated “It’s our time.” He wasn’t talking to you and me, he was talking to the black community. People better start waking up to this fact.

[RC2]

Good for Ireland. They are showing that they can stand on their own two feet without the EU.

[vaudine]

Imagine answer delivered in John Wayne voice---"Not hardly, Pilgrim!"

vaudine

[1035rep]

Save America from what?

Obama wants to save his Muslim brothers from us. That's why he has said he would dismantle out military. He plans to weaken us against his brothers. 

[stbdside]

Obama as President?

Snake Plisken: President of what?

[elpadre]

Rescue America from what?? - from whom??

Check the facts, America is the great rescuer!!!

[SAJ]

Good one! WTG!

^5s!

[F15Eagle]

[sam_paine]

Omar has a grammar error.

[Windflier]

Obama will be the real “King George” of liberal nightmares. If he’s elected he may just push this country to finally stand up and revolt against the left.

[skeptoid]

I bungled the second link.

I'll have to watch The Irish in America: long journey home again

[skeptoid]

EXCELLENT!

.

baa-a-aa--aa-RACK the Saviour!

(NOT!!)

[TChad]

I think it should say “become a dominatrix.”

[EagleandLiberty]

Can Obama really rescue America?

No, we'll need RESCUING if he gets ELECTED. This Marxist could make Jimmy Carter look like Bill Clinton - and Bill Clinton look like Reagan!

[Cindy]

JPOST.com - THE JERUSALEM POST: "Malik Obama says his brother will be good president for the Jews" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Barack Obama's half brother Malik said Thursday that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background.") (June 12, 2008, 12:15)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "Hope, Change, and Che Guevara" (June 13, 2008, 8:50 am PST)

THE MEMRI BLOG.org ("Source: Al-Watan, Saudi Arabia, June 6, 2008"): "EDITORIAL IN SAUDI PAPER: Obama Most Capable of Bringing Change in U.S. Policy" (Posted June 6, 2008)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "SIX DEGREES OF GEORGE SOROS" (June 10, 2008, 3:20 pm PST)

Photo - Link

TOWNHALL.com: "OBAMA'S VETTER GETS VETTED" by Amanda Carpenter (June 9, 2008)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "At the Official Obama Site: Support for Cop Killers" (June 9, 2008, 11:37 am PST)

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "When Will The Big Media Investigate Obama's Communist Influences?" by Bill Steigerwald (June 9, 2008)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "“At the Official Obama Site: 'Jemaah Islamiyah For Obama'" (June 8, 2008, 1:09 pm PST)

Link

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "AT THE OFFICIAL OBAMA SITES: 57 FLAVORS OF CRAZY" (June 8, 2008, 6:24 pm PST)

WASHINGTON TIMES.com (AP): Springfield, Ill. - "OBAMA'S ASSOCIATIONS MAY HAUNT BID" (June 8, 2008)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "Obama Campaign Throws Antisemitic Blog Down the Memory Hole" (June 8, 2008, 12:34 pm PST)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "Searching Obama's Site for 'Jewish Lobby'" (June 8, 2008, 10:07 am PST)

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "AT THE OFFICIAL OBAMA SITE: 'HOW THE JEWISH LOBBY WORKS'" (June 8, 2008, 9:08 am PST)

JIHAD WATCH.org: "Obama's Brilliant Career as Defender of Israel Lasts About One Day" (June 5, 2008

FOX NEWS.com (AP): Chicago - "POLITICAL FUNDRAISER TONY REZKO FOUND GUILTY ON 16 COUNTS IN CORRUPTION TRIAL" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A prominent fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted Wednesday of fraud and money laundering after a high-profile federal trial provided an unusually detailed glimpse of the pay-to-play politics that has made Illinois infamous.") (June 4, 2008)

Link

LittleGreenFootballs.com - blog: "Obama the Self-Proclaimed Messiah" (June 4, 2008, 8:41 am PST)

WorldNetDaily.com: "NATION OF ISLAM ACTIVISTS ON OBAMA CAMP PAYROLL Former insider worried by senator's connection to Louis Farrakhan, members of radical group" by Aaron Klein (June 3, 2008)

NEWS BUSTERS.org - blog: "BET Founder: Election of Obama 'Greater Than the Emancipation Proclamation'" by Matthew Balan (June 4, 2008, 13:37 ET)

RNC - VIDEO: "Democrats vs. Obama" (Added June 3, 2008)

POLICElink.com: Portland, Oregon - "OBAMA USES POLICE MEMORIAL FOR PORTA POTTIES" (May 30, 2008)

REAL CLEAR POLITICS: "OBAMA OBFUSCATES ON CHAVEZ & FARC" by Jack Kelly (May 27, 2008)

Link

VIDEO (RNC): "Obama and The Second Amendment" (Added May 16, 2008)

TOWNHALL.com: "PALESTINIANS PHONEBANK FOR OBAMA" -Column by Amanda Carpenter (May 13, 2008)

Video - Link

DANIEL PIPES.org (FOX NEWS - Hannity & Colmes - Video): "Terrorism Troubles [i.e. George Galloway enthuses for Barack Obama]" (June 6, 2008)

MEMRITV.org - VIDEO CLIP: "Title of Video: British MP George Galloway to Hamas TV: I Pray for the Safety of Barack Obama. Arab Puppet Presidents and Corrupt Kings Will Discover That the Ground Has Moved under their Feet in November" ("Clip #1785 Broadcast: May 2, 2008")

Link

DANIEL PIPES.org (FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com): "Barack Obama's Muslim Childhood" by Daniel Pipes (April 29, 2008)

JEFF HEAD.com: "THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA"

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum (JEFFHEAD.com): "Barack Hussein Obama's Circle of Friends and Support - II" by Jeff Head (April 18, 2008)

FreeRepublic.com - Discussion Forum: "A SMALL-TOWN PENNSYLVANIAN'S VIEW OF ARROGANCE" -Commentary by Joanie (April 13, 2008)

ZOMBIE TIME.com - zomblog: "Obama's 'bitter small-town Americans' speech at Getty fundraiser: good, clear audio file now available here!" (Added April 12, 2008)

Link (mp3)

VIDEO - "Shocking Obama words: what he really thinks of white folks" (Added April 9, 2008)

VIDEO: "BARACK OBAMA: THE COMPANY HE KEEPS" -Hal Lindsey (Added March 22, 2008)

VIDEO: "IN 52 SECS WHY BARACK OBAMA CANNOT WIN A GENERAL ELECTION" (Added February 16, 2008)

AMERICAN THINKER.com - blog: "Barack Obama and Israel" by Ed Lasky (March 22, 2007)

[Wiseghy]

The Economist (a brit pub.) did a line up of potential BHO appointees. Most are moderate academics and egg heads; NOT radicals. They may be naive, but they will have some old hands available to help out.

I suspect that he will end up governing from the “middle” while pushing a heavy leftist agenda when they can get away with it. Much will depend on congressional majorities, which may be near filibuster proof on the dem. side.

Approval ratings will be very high in the first two years, as voters expecting the worst case scenario are surprised by the moderate tone.
BTW, those posting about McCainiacs are correct. If BHO is elected, “conservatives” will not be proven out; they will be marginalized, as they are in Europe. A third, or forth, party will only complete that process.