Posted on 06/28/2009 6:15:23 AM PDT by grey_whiskers
Charles Krauthammer of The Washington Post recently made the astute observation that Obama's relationship with the press has entered the cigarette stage -- that is, they have already attained coitus and passed climax, and are now relaxing with a cigarette. (No need, by the way, to lecture anyone about the evils of smoking, or to inquire about the practice of "safe sects". And of course it was good for them -- he's the best!)
The question remains, just what is it about this man-child which evokes such quivering ecstasies of adoration from what is in every other respect, a jaded, worldly-wise, sophisticated press corps. I think there are several reasons, each of which combine to build to a shuddering, wrenching, full-body Obasm. (Apologies to Rush Limbaugh for misappropriating his language on that last one.)
To answer this, one must consider both the times and the history -- and the worldview of the press. Let's briefly touch on the highlights of the more recent Presidents, through the eyes of the Press, to see what we can find out. Most of the press grew up watching, covering, or being regaled with the legends of the great JFK and the rapturous days of Camelot. Young, wealthy, attractive, possessed with power to charm the ladies and a Harvard degree to prove his intellectual worth -- JFK was the the Democrats' James Bond -- women wanted him, presstitutes wanted to be him. After all, it's not just any President that gets to sleep with Marilyn Monroe. And then, in the blink of an eye -- he is tragically taken away, the dream shattered by an assassin's bullet. Left at the altar, so to speak, the press has been looking for another such ever since.
Fast forward a decade or so. Richard Nixon. The second most evil man (next to Reagan) EVER to hold office. Resigned in disgrace just before being rightfully impeached.
Jimmy Carter?? Are you nuts? Except for the fact that he gave away the Panama Canal, lost Iran to militant Islamists, raised taxes, and hated Israel, there wasn't much to like about the man.
It wasn't until the end of the contemptible reign of the Dunce in Chief, Ronald Reagan, and his hand puppet, the wooden George H. W. Bush, that the Press found someone they could really support: Not even the Press could make anyone believe that either Walter Mondale (Bore - MN) or Michael Dukakis (Patton -MA) were *really* vibrant.
But then there came along someone who was. Young, realistic enough to have ducked the War in Vietnam, a Rhodes Scholar, and a Yale Law School graduate, Bill Clinton was the only Democrat with the nerve to take on the First President Bush in the aftermath of Gulf War I. And a tongue which positively ran on ball bearings. What he lacked in sophistication -- the "aw, shucks" good ole' boy persona was good for pulling in the rubes, wasn't it? -- he made up for with a take-no-prisoners political organization ("The War Room") and a tough-as-nails Harpy enabler wife. ("And, did you know, she served on the Watergate committee going after Nixon? I just *knew* the Clintons were good people like us!") [*]
Of course, we all know how the Bill Clinton went down as one of the most successful Presidents in history. Close, but no cigar.
Following the continuation of the execrable Bush family dynasty (thank Gaia THAT's over!), and the unsuccessful run of John Kerry (so Massachusetts, so rich -- and did you know he won THREE Purple Hearts in Viet Nam? That should win over the pro-military folks. "Can I buy me a huntin' license here?" Yup, THAT'LL fool 'em. Too bad the Cleveland-area vote machine didn't come through as expected, eh, Susan Estrich?)
Which brings us to the Annointed One. He at last is the perfect candidate, flawless in every way. He is young and photogenic, just as JFK. He is finally, in every respect, a multicultural candidate. Not only did he spend his youth in a developing country (Indonesia), but he grew up in a broken home...he can TRULY relate to the needs of this country. He can attract those pesky fire-and-brimstone voters, since he goes to church regularly (Did you hear? The preacher just said "God DAMN America!" -- mabye there is something in this religious stuff, after all.) And to top it all off, Obama is bi-racial : literally the EMBODIMENT of multiculturalism. And yes, the Harvard Law Degree to boot. (Did you know he so nobly turned down the large salary to which he was entitled by Divine Right as a Harvard Law Grad, and an minority, to work with the oppressed on the streets of Chicago? Michelle was right: for the first time in our adult lives, we are proud of our country. We are unworthy!)
And then there's one other little detail. Besides being young, and in shape (chiseled pecs), and "in touch" on reproductive rights ("If my daughters make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby"), and those simply divine parties : $100 a pound beef! Romantic getaway flights with his wife to New York and Paris! Now THAT's how a President should be -- not going off to Crawford Texas, or (goddess forbid) hunting defenseless moose in Alaska with your retarded offspring. And to top everything else off...
He reads from a teleprompter.
Just like US!
He MUST be the Annointed One!
(sound of heavy breathing and clothing being removed)
[*] Apparently not so good -- even according to Talking Points Memos Hillary was *FIRED* (for lying) from the committe by Zeifmann, who also refused to give her a recommendation...only the third such case in his career.
Cheers!
“Of course, we all know how the Bill Clinton went down...
I thought that was Monica’s job.
Hear Americans swooning: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090628/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_jackson
Previously the press was a Prostitute to the administration, but now the relationship has moved from a temporary one to a semi-permanent one, and they are now the Concubine of the administration.
Well done!
Clever!
Cheers!
Thanks grey_whiskers. Good Sunday morning editorial.
Good stuff, thanks!
While we're on the subject, I've been thinking that TOTUS (Teleprompter of the United States) doesn't do our dear leader the justice he deserves. I'm hereby proposing a return to POTUS, the old designation, but with a twist:
POTUS = Presiprompter of the United States
Now we can again refer to Barack Hussein Obama as the POTUS...and mean it.
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