You can almost hear the violins playing while reading U.K. Guardian writer Zachary Roth bemoan the "swiftboat" labeling of Barack Obama by those wascally Republicans: Posted on 07/03/2008 7:10:24 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
You can almost hear the violins playing while reading U.K. Guardian writer Zachary Roth bemoan the "swiftboat" labeling of Barack Obama by those wascally Republicans:
Over the last few months, Barack Obama has been variously labelled an "elitist", a naïve softie and simply "out of the mainstream" in his lifestyle and associates. And lately, in what appears to be the centrepiece of the GOP's attacks, Republicans have focused on portraying Obama as arrogant and self-interested.
...The "arrogant" label could well damage Obama. That's partly because, as with Kerry's rep for flip-flopping, it might contain a kernel of truth. At the very least, Obama is prone to gestures that can come off as cocky: his fist bumps, his habit of running up the steps to the stage before a speech, even his tendency to address a crowd by the name of their city or state ("Understand this, Houston,") as if he were in a rock band on tour ("Hello Cleveland!").
Hello London! Are all of your writers so vapid? Now comes Roth's comedy highlight. Obama is misinterpreted as being arrogant primarily because of his ability to produce "transformational change" unlike an ordinary politician of, say, a Chicago Machine variety:
But there's a deeper reason why the charge of arrogance could hurt. As McCain's clever stump speech line suggests, the label goes to the heart of the rationale for Obama's candidacy: that he can change how politics works. If the notion of Obama's alleged arrogance breaks through into the mainstream campaign narrative, he'll have to be far more careful about invoking his ability to produce transformational change, or risk reinforcing the "arrogant" meme. After all, portraying oneself as capable of changing politics as we know it does require a healthy self-confidence, to put it mildly. In this way, the "arrogant" label paints Obama into a box. Once that happens, the race becomes a more conventional contest between two politicians, neither of whom can truly deliver change, but one of whom is a war hero who's "tougher" on terrorism. That, of course, is a race that John McCain can win.
If Obama wants to avoid the "arrogant" label, he'll definitely have to avoid the condescending attitude of Roth towards what he calls "low-information" voters:
The tactic could prove particularly effective with those white working-class voters we've all heard so much about lately. It was this group that was most sceptical about Obama's promise of a new kind of politics during the Democratic primaries. They also tend to be low-information voters - a group that Newsweek recently proclaimed this year's "It demographic" - meaning they're more likely than their better-informed brethren to be swayed by negative character attacks.
Roth does take some solace in what he sees as Obama's political brilliance which could keep people from viewing him as arrogant:
That's not to say Obama is doomed to suffer Gore and Kerry's fate, of course. He's a far more skilled politician than either of them, and by continuing his efforts, launched during the primary fight, to engage with working-class voters on bread-and-butter economic issues, he can make clear that he doesn't see himself as too lofty to worry about the day-to-day concerns of ordinary Americans.
Almost hear those violins playing did I say? Listen carefully and you can now hear them play the new Obama theme tune, as conducted by one starry-eyed Zachary Roth: "You're Just Too Good to be True."
Well—he sticks his nose in the air when he talks down to us—what are we supposed to think?
susie
Obamas delusions of grandeur:
“I am absolutely certain,” Obama proclaimed in his victory speech, “that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs for the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal. This was the moment — this was the time — when we came together to remake this great nation ...”
He’s too good for the typical bitter voter clinging to their religion and guns.
I think America will see all too much of Barry Hussein before November, but his grouchy wife, Michelle, will be practically invisible.
I think you’re right. She just looks mad all the time. I guess that’s what comes from not being proud of your country.
susie
Arrogant? If the shoe fits, step in it.
Exactly. I remember the left's constant reference to W's smirk. Where is the balance?
They have MO under wraps.
B Hussein is also condescending and patronizing
and he sounds like he’s on the pulpit. Yuk!
And what does this moron base this belief on? Obama's an empty suit who has accomplished nothing. From what I've seen of his campaign so far I see nothing that impresses me.
And when people become THIS freaking STUPID and inattentive to their freedoms, THIS is the candidate they deserve.
1 minute satirical Obama video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR6b-kWncI4
Hurry before some diversity loving (RIGHT!) Obamaniac at YouTube pulls it.
What’s the deal with all these pictures of Barry making him look like he is part of “the Rat Pack”?
Oh yea I would not say he is arrogant I would say he is a dumb sh&t.
I thought pre-positioning the “racist” trap for Bill Clinton to stumble into was pretty impressive . They had the players all lined up to start the chorus and were just waiting for the cue, muted as it was.
Yes, it was foretold that the new Messiah would be labeled with such petty descriptives. When the World recognizes its savior for the divine being the left recognizes Him to be, they will cease such sacrilege, repent and bow at His feet.
***heavy sarcasm***
Balance? LOL
I disagree.. Obama does a good Kingfish.. in black face..
Well obviously.....Someone who can steal Bob The Builder's tag line and make it into a campaign slogan has got to be extremely skilled. Bob the Builder says "Can we do it? Yes we can." It had to be shortened for his fawning fans, though. Too much to remember.
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