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Why Not Obama?
The Washington Post ^ | 24 OCTOBER 2006 | Richard Cohen

Posted on 10/24/2006 3:59:13 AM PDT by rdb3

Why Not Obama?

By Richard Cohen
Tuesday, October 24, 2006; A19

Ancient Rome had a term for a certain political process: cursus honorum , the honors race. It was, I am told by Anthony Everitt in his new biography, "Augustus," the process by which politicians moved up the ladder. Along the way, they were evaluated until, finally, some made it to the top. Nowadays, the system is different. All you have to do is appear on "Oprah."

I am referring, obviously and insidiously, to Barack Obama, who announced Sunday that he might run for president. This followed, of course, the aforementioned appearance on "Oprah" which I, diligent in pursuit of truth, watched. This is how I learned that Obama loves his wife and she loves him and they both love their children. Cursus honorum this is not.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: balakosama; barackhussein; barackhusseinobama; barforama; hussein; iraqosama
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The uber-bourgeois, emasculated one speaks again.

Is it just me, or are Obama and Hitlary! acting in concert here? Hmmm... </chin-stroke>


1 posted on 10/24/2006 3:59:14 AM PDT by rdb3
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To: rdb3
Two years ago,Osama Obama was in the Illinois Legislature. The last individual to be elected President from the Senate (JFK) served for four years in the House and eight years in the Senate before becoming President.

And Osama's qualified to be President?

2 posted on 10/24/2006 4:05:30 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative ("An empty limousine pulled up and Hillary Clinton got out")
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To: Gay State Conservative

Well, I figure after John Edwards ran with only one completed term (and then out of office) I figure they will take anyone who has good hair and can string a sentence together.


3 posted on 10/24/2006 4:07:56 AM PDT by Miss Marple (Lord, please look over Mozart Lover's and Jemian's sons and keep them strong.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

Hell, why not just elect my cat?
They both would have about the same experience.
- and about the same chance.


4 posted on 10/24/2006 4:09:11 AM PDT by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: Gay State Conservative

So if Michael Steele wins in Maryland will the MSM consider him a viable GOP candidate in 2008?


5 posted on 10/24/2006 4:09:15 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: rdb3
" it would be great to have a president who presents a different message just by his complexion "

Now theres sound reasoning for choosing a leader.

If I as a white guy said that I'd be accused of seeking a "token", I wonder what this authour is seeking?

6 posted on 10/24/2006 4:09:29 AM PDT by Kakaze (Exterminate Islamofacism and Apologize for nothing.....except not doing it sooner!)
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To: rdb3

Why not the Maytag Repair Man? Hell he's never done anything either! Oh wait... he is more qualified than oasama barak hussein obama in that The Maytag Repair Man actually wears a uniform!

LLS


7 posted on 10/24/2006 4:11:56 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
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To: rdb3

Obama on the campaign trail....

8 posted on 10/24/2006 4:12:37 AM PDT by edpc (Violence is ALWAYS a solution. Maybe not the right one....but a solution nonetheless)
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To: rdb3

Perhaps "Why Obama?" would be the more pertinent question for them to start with.


9 posted on 10/24/2006 4:14:31 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: rdb3
why not obama?

Well, for starters, he's a nobody from nowhere who didn't exist on the public stage until Osama Bin Laden made his name sound famous.

I'd say that's an inauspicious launch to the land of political heavyweights.

Furthermore, I have a hunch that the whole thing is a practical joke cooked up by some malicious "gods" somewhere, to stuff that name or something like it in our faces and make us say we like it.

10 posted on 10/24/2006 4:15:00 AM PDT by the invisib1e hand (* nuke * the * jihad *)
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To: rdb3
Iraq has tarnished America's reputation, particularly in the Third World.

Right....because we care so much about nations rife with corruption, where the standards of living make the Dark Ages seem modern.

11 posted on 10/24/2006 4:16:04 AM PDT by edpc (Violence is ALWAYS a solution. Maybe not the right one....but a solution nonetheless)
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To: rdb3

Obama is the perfect candidate to change the subject. We are very much entering a post-Vietnam era soon. People are sick of war on their television and they are eager for another "holiday from history". Nobody is eager to watch another war movie (Flags of Our Fathers). Instead people will want to Disco while the world burns. Change the channel, vote for Obama. I'll bet he signs a treaty with anyone who will pose for a photo op. Peace in our time...oooooh it feels so good, just do it. /sarc


12 posted on 10/24/2006 4:18:41 AM PDT by rhombus
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To: rhombus

well said rhombus!


13 posted on 10/24/2006 4:29:28 AM PDT by Archytekt
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To: rdb3
Why not Obama? Because he is a cypher, a nullity, a question mark. What do we know of him? Where is his track record? Are the democRATs putting forward another Franklin Pierce? another James Buchanan? Is Obama just another affable guy with little or no executive experience? Who is playing Harry M. Daughrety in this farce?
14 posted on 10/24/2006 4:29:50 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Prayers for our patriot brother, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub. Brian, we're all pulling for you!)
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To: Gay State Conservative
"And Osama's qualified to be President?"

Jesse Jackson ran with less. He was considered a hopeful for the same reason -- he was black. Criticize his credentials and you're a racist.

15 posted on 10/24/2006 4:30:47 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: rdb3
I cheer also because Obama is an African American -- an African father, an American mother. For someone like him to be a presidential candidate -- maybe even president -- says oodles about this country.

And that would say...what? Cohen doesn't explain. He offers not a single "oodle." Claiming there are plenty of reasons or examples and then failing to cite one is evidence of lazy thinking.

After eight years of George W. Bush and his narcissistic foreign policy -- me, me, us, us -- it would be great to have a president who presents a different message just by his complexion and who compensates, if anything can, for how Iraq has tarnished America's reputation, particularly in the Third World.

Exactly how does Obama's complexion do that? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?

Notice how this piece begins as a pseudointellectual contrast of Roman and American political history, and morphs into a brainless, knee-jerk liberal cheer of "Wouldn't it be cool if a black guy was President?"

Let me interject at this point that I am a black guy myself.

16 posted on 10/24/2006 4:39:06 AM PDT by L.N. Smithee (Normal people would kill to save their kids. Muslim fascists raise their kids to die killing others.)
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To: rdb3
Why Obama?

Since 99.9999995% of the people will never be President, it is a far more pertinent question to ask why a person should be President, rather than why not. After all, almost everybody will not be President by default.

17 posted on 10/24/2006 4:43:02 AM PDT by gridlock (The 'Pubbies will pick up at least TWO seats in the Senate and FOUR seats in the House in 2006)
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To: L.N. Smithee
Notice how this piece begins as a pseudointellectual contrast of Roman and American political history, and morphs into a brainless, knee-jerk liberal cheer of "Wouldn't it be cool if a black guy was President?"

I think it would be cool, insofar as the guy was qualified for the job, and not an outright socialist. Then again, that's how I feel about any candidate.

18 posted on 10/24/2006 4:44:18 AM PDT by Steel Wolf (As Ibn Warraq said, "There are moderate Muslims but there is no moderate Islam.")
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To: rdb3

They are looking for the women to have a empty suit who looks good and forget what he does or says.


19 posted on 10/24/2006 4:45:47 AM PDT by bmwcyle (Only stupid people would vote for McCain, Warner, Hagle, Snowe, Graham, or any RINO)
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To: rdb3

Barack Obama == Jimmy Carter #2


20 posted on 10/24/2006 4:47:21 AM PDT by chilepepper (The map is not the territory -- Alfred Korzybski)
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