Barack Obama: The new 'decider'

Seventy-six percent of Americans call Obama a strong and decisive leader.
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Wow! That's amazing, especially since he hasn't actually led yet.
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Here's a proposed new New's Resolution, Mark. Let's just talk about the polls that actually mean something.

Good idea, MJ. What poll did you have in mind?? The only one I can think of that means something was taken on November 4.

Amazing that Obama's poll numbers and reputation have held up so well amidst the Blago scandal and what could be described as decidedly old guard cabinet picks. No shortage of political capital, that's for sure.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

That's certainly the most important one, rupert. The one mentioned in this post is a reflection of people's hopes and fears plus the good will granted any president-elect. The number is unusually high, because these are unusually troubled times plus Obama is more charismatic than most pols.
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However, it's a measure of peoples emotion before he has served evan a day in office. Until his presidency is underway, this sort of thing is fairly meaningless.
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And we have to admit that polling has gotten more than a little ridiculous. For example...
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/12/obama_clinton_most_admired.html
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I say give it a rest.

Amazing! The Obama News Network polls the results of the MSM "Slobbering love-in" with a guy without any substantial leadership record...except winning the election. Check out the "how Obama got elected" video on Obama voters. Give the socialist a year or two, then have a realistic poll "we can believe in". As we discover more on the Chicago gang, watch continued congressional malfeasance, lose Bush to blame everything on, and amass all those who are thrown under the bus...things will change alright. Say good night, Gracie.

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I say give it a rest.

Posted by: MJ | December 31, 2008 5:52 PM
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I agree MJ, your over inflated opinion of your own opinion is way over overrated and always has been. Give it a rest.

I trust Prez-elect Obama more than most politicians and I don't think he is going to be letting us down on critical issues. He has spent his entire adult life trying to make things better for people and as President this will continue.

I am so very happy that 2009 is only a couple hours away and then in a few weeks Bush will be gone and can do no more damage to us. My only wish for the new year is that he is held accountable for destroying every part of the government and almost completely destroying the USA.

I'm impressed, considering he hasn't done anything yet.

MJ, you would probably like the loaded polls on the Lou Dobbs Show. Give it a try.

Sounds like Bubba Porter hasn't accepted reality yet...but then again most of the Rush/Faux News minions like him never lived in reality anyway. When they lose they just scream louder and cry longer.

Good Luck, Prez-elect Obama!

@ Borat/helen/Haywood Jablome/John E/etc, etc etc:
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Have you ever, even once, voiced an opinion that was original; that wasn't a pastiche of bumper sticker slogans? Or (worse yet) something you plagiarized from another blog?
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@ the moderator:
You are supposedly blocking obscenities and you permit him to use "Haywood Jablome". What's that about?

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As we discover more on the Chicago gang, watch continued congressional malfeasance, lose Bush to blame everything on, and amass all those who are thrown under the bus...things will change alright. Say good night, Gracie.

Posted by: Bubba Porter | December 31, 2008 6:11 PM
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Loser,
With the economy tanking and America mired in 2 wars, Americans are really looking for Obama to do a good job and thus I suspect is the main reason why Obama's approval rating is so high. Americans WANT and NEED Obama to succeed for their own future.

Blagogate hasn't touched him and this worsening economic news hasn't dampened Americans' hope that Obama will be a great president. Even Pat Robertson praised Obama which means that hell has frozen over.

"As he heads to Washington this weekend, President-elect Barack Obama already has built an image as a strong and decisive leader - winning the highest marks on this score since Ronald Reagan."

So much for GOP Character Smears and so much for the GOP's on going attempts at character assassination, by disingenously trying to deceive the American public (yet again) that, just because Barack Obama and Rod Blagojovich come from the same state, he is somehow responsible for Blagojovich's actions.

Maybe this will be the year that the Republicans will learn that dishonest character smears and games of "Guilt by Association" are not any way for them to rebuild their lost credibility. Hopefully, not.
If they continue the way they've been going the past few years, perhaps the GOP will...be no longer. That would be one of the best things to happen to America...ever

Jan 20, 2009 can't get here soon enough!

I love reading the absurd comments from the angry right-wingers on here (MJ, Bubba Porter). Republicans are going to have to figure out a way to come together over something other than anger and opposition for the sake of opposition or they're going to be out of power for at least 20 years. Right now they all sound like stalkers, the more they get rejected the angrier they get.

Congratulations to President-elect Obama and the majority party Democrats but you must never forget that we expect alot out of you and we will hold you responsible just as we have the Republican party. The job of cleaning up after the Bush adminstraion is going to be a mammoth one.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N8_u1FLu30
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Posted by: MJ | December 31, 2008 5:03 PM
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MJ:
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It seems that you and I agree on a lot of things. That is why I was tempted to post something similar in sentiment to what you wrote. However, as I was thinking about the matter, it dawned on me why all the adulation and hero worship is going on, and why it wouldn’t help to be too critical. And it goes like this:
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People today are very afraid of the future, and they have reason to be. They, therefore, need their security blanket - their reassurances that everything is somehow going to turn out all right. And that is precisely what Barack Obama means to them. Forever put away the idea that rational criticism of Barack Obama’s, or his personal qualities, or those of his cult followers, is going to do anything but draw an irate response. Our entire government, and much of the population, is driven not by rationality, but by a herd mentality. It is that herd mentality that accounts for why we, as a people, feel impelled to act just for the sake of acting, even when the chosen path doesn’t promise much in the way of success. The historic event known as the Wall Street Bailout is proof of this.
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I would rather see people derive comfort from even an irrational notion than leave them to suffer without hope. I also believe that Mr. Silva’s article appropriately executes that “comforting” role by reinforcing the shared hope people have (even if I disagree with his presentation). Thus, I think we should refrain for a time from being so critical. Rationality and constructive criticism are for happier people in better times. It is okay not to criticize obviously flawed ideas as long as we are conscious of what we are doing and why we are doing it. I’d prefer to pick up my cudgel again only after some semblance of normalcy returns.

If I was David Axelrod (or Mark Silva) I'd want to shift the focus away from Blago, away from what Obama has actually done, and focus on polls that are so heavily influenced by Obama's media buddies.

And then cherry pick what polls are presented

Time for the "hard news" Swamp to throw in a couple more Comedy Channel clips, People magazine exposes, and pics of Obama's golf game. Anything to avoid discussing what Obama has actually done or intends to do.

Wonder if he will do anything right?

Posted by: Kendel Reed | January 1, 2009 3:03 AM
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Kendel Reed,
What do you find by me in this thread that is "absurd" and "angry". Be specific, and I'll gladly retract it.
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"I would rather see people derive comfort from even an irrational notion than leave them to suffer without hope."
Posted by: John W. | January 1, 2009 7:19 AM
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I agree.
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However, although I understand this need for comfort; and although, for the sake of the Republic I hope that the Obama Presidency is a success; I'm not going to roll over and play dead. I will criticize what I see is wrong, mock what I see as silly, and let the Robots attack me for it. As a citizen of a free nation that isn't just my right, it's my sacred duty.
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And anyway, I never met a Robot who could best me in an argument. They're only machines, after all.

Happy New Year to all you Obama-maniacs. I'll give ya'll a reprieve today...just a word of caution for the new year though...watch out for buses.

It is interesting that conservatives can't understand why Obama represents change and how much people want to see change. The reason conservatives don't understand it is because change is contrary to their very nature. Look back at the last 100 years and you will find change has always begun as a "left wing" movement. Child labor law, women right to vote, support for labor unions, integration, equal pay, civil rights, Vietnam protests, environment clean up, and now global warming, which the anti-science conservatives don't believe in because it would require changing.

And anyway, I never met a Robot who could best me in an argument. They're only machines, after all.

Posted by: MJ | January 1, 2009 11:49 AM

Look in the Mirror, Smart guy!

I find it "odd" that this Bubba Porter character always shows up on here at around the same time "Independent" bird brain MJ shows up on here...hmmmmm.

Bubba Porter = MJ

Conservatives are stuck in a time warp ideological bubble, that's why they can't see that Americans are sick and tired of them and why Prez-elect Obama and the majority party Democrats are so popular. Change scares the little Repubdroids, they're used to Daddy Rush and Pappy Hannity telling them what to do and say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhDc_EEDKaQ

You get attacked because you relentlessly produce vague and unsupported blanket indictments of pols with absolutely no supporting evidence or facts to back up your claims. When pressed to do so, you simply twist in the wind and present a different and irrelevant argument, usually based on your own structured pretense.

That's not being critical, it's being an annoying little gnat in the soup of public discourse.

Sacred duty? Good grief.

I'm not going to roll over and play dead. I will criticize what I see is wrong, mock what I see as silly, and let the Robots attack me for it. As a citizen of a free nation that isn't just my right, it's my sacred duty.
And anyway, I never met a Robot who could best me in an argument. They're only machines, after all.

Posted by: MJ | January 1, 2009 11:49 AM

Mr. Legend In Your Own Mind,

Interesting that your now trying to distance yourselve from Bush and "the fake republican party who were not conservatives", even though you wanted more money for war, more money for corporations, less regulation for the financial institutions who are now getting corporate welfare and stood up for torture as "fraternity pranks" (and who can argue "for torture" without being laughed out of the room?) and more presidential power and leaking classified information and "the nook-you-luhr option" – every single thing that resulted in the laughable view of your party by people of all ages and other demographic breakdowns that don’t include "angry old white men with entitlement issues" or "low self esteem cowardly loud arrogant proud-to-be-a clueless chickenhawk".

And you think that anyone takes anything that you say or think seriously? That's like Tom DeLay and G. Gordon Liddy and Karl Rove offering "friendly professional advice" to Democrats and republicans as to what this country needs. Thinking that McCain lost because he was too nice or too liberal or not anti-immigration enough or too soft on torture? Trying to defend "Barack the Magic Negro"....

To put it simply, your mentality and these ideas are precisely why your party lost.

Period.

But please, keep doing just what you are doing. America needs it. The world needs it. The constant reminder of everything that was wrong for the past few years. Wrong for politics, wrong for this country, wrong for the economy or our safety or the middle class or our infrastructure or our foreign policy.

Hopefully, you can take a leadership role in crashing and burning of your party with a consistently heavy dose of extremism and stupidity.

Just remember one thing, stay classy....

It is interesting that conservatives can't understand why Obama represents change and how much people want to see change. The reason conservatives don't understand it is because change is contrary to their very nature
Posted by: tmccarty | January 1, 2009 12:13 PM

tmccarty,
consevatives still can't understand the reason why Obama has been elected and Dems have majorities in congress, it's one of the reasons why they have become a small regional (south) party in 2009.

In their minds everything bad that happens or has happened is someone elses fault. They don't have the collective intelligence necessary for constructive insight and correction of their own mistakes.

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Posted by: MJ | January 1, 2009 11:49 AM
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I understand, and I don’t disagree in principle. And, mind you, I wasn’t telling you to stop criticizing what you view as wrong or absurd. I merely suggested it. I simply don’t see the point of criticizing the hero worship or adulation because hero worshippers aren’t receptive to it. They will just see it as so much snarling. You may as well turn on a light in a room full of blind people. Those who agree with you don’t need to be told. Thus, I would save my criticism for wrongheaded ideas that are potentially dangerous.

Wow, I can see that JohnEEE-boy survived last night and woke up early enough to be a menace. Happy New Year, JohnEEE-boy. You loser.

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Posted by: John W. | January 1, 2009 9:55 PM
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Happy New Year right back at ya, Grandpa. You stuck in a time warp ideologicol bubble old man.

A quick count shows at least six posts by John E using fake post names (and I know that I may have missed one or two). Ironically, a couple are accusing me of being Bubba Porter, even tho we have different views and different writing styles.
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John E, you haven't answered my question from December 31, 2008 9:43 PM. No need. We all know the answer is "never".
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"...you wanted more money for war, more money for corporations, less regulation for the financial institutions who are now getting corporate welfare and stood up for torture.." and so on.
Posted by: Kendel Reed | January 1, 2009 5:36 PM
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Kendel Reed, I never said any of the things you have accused me of saying. Never. You are either 1) mistaking me for somebody else; 2) Insane, or; 3) an imbecile. Which is it?
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John W, I see your point, but it would be tragic to allow fascist clowns like John E chase out honest commentary.

John W, I see your point, but it would be tragic to allow fascist clowns like John E chase out honest commentary.

Posted by: Always MJ | January 1, 2009 10:08 PM

Once an arrogant condesending fool, always an arrogant condesending clown.
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You take the cake...smart guy

MJ,

I'm not going to play your stupid games. You're just like all the other republicans. You think you can do no wrong and you can't accept criticism because you think you're above it all. You constantly get smacked around on here and yet you still act like you're intellectually superior to everyone. If this "John E" guy that you're always whining about really does exist I'd like to buy him a beer because he kicks your butt every single day.

Speaking of writing styles, I remember a Swamp poster named Juanito who later morphed into Leo T who has the exact same annoying contrarian habits as his new alter-ego MJ.

Same writing style, same need for attention, same desperate need to get the last word, same pseudo-intellectual posit based ramblings veiled in vague and horribly illogical assumptions.

And a rather confusing and unhealthy ego to boot.

We can only assume you are some sort of deranged hermit or starving artist.

Happy New Year nonetheless.

"If this 'John E' guy that you're always whining about really does exist I'd like to buy him a beer because he kicks your butt every single day."
Posted by: Kendel Reed | January 1, 2009 10:38 PM
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You're saying you don't know that "John E" even exists and yet you know he kicks my butt every single day. Hmmm...
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And of course, you blithely sweep away a few simple honest questions with "I'm not going to play your stupid games". OK, "Kendell". Well gee, I sure can't argue with that, can I?
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Coming full circle, and getting back to what started this bruhaha...
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Many Faces of John E, please explain to me how my saying that Obama has yet to serve a single day in office is contrarian. Or arrogant. Or pseudo intellectual (you really are fixated on that).
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Oh, that's right, you can't. But you still won't stop harping and accusing me of some offense that you can't define. And you call ME a contrarian.
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Not much more I can say. Except that you've successfully cluttered up yet another thread with pointless malice. So I leave the thread to you... slobber away till your heart's content, Nazi boy.

Since the article cites a CNN Poll, how did the Swamp writers miss the last CNN Poll, which showed that the American people believe Team Obama was illegally or unethically involved in Blago's seat-selling schemes? See http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/22/poll.obama.blagojevich/index.html

Attn: President-elect Obama! If you want my vote next election, don't decimate the military and don't allow Bushs' tax cuts to lapse.

Hey Bubba Porter,
Don't let the real Bubba catch you trading on his name.

"Attn: President-elect Obama! If you want my vote next election, don't decimate the military and don't allow Bushs' tax cuts to lapse.
Posted by: Paul | January 2, 2009 10:04 AM"

In case you missed it, that was McCain's platform and he lost by the widest margin since the 1980
election.

One thing America needs to face; We can't afford 2000 military bases abroad, and 11 carrier battle groups.

"say good night, gracie" was a pun on the discourse of my comments and views of the incoming policies...I did not realize their was a "gracie" among us...my apologies.

Since the article cites a CNN Poll, how did the Swamp writers miss the last CNN Poll, which showed that the American people believe Team Obama was illegally or unethically involved in Blago's seat-selling schemes? See

Posted by: Bruce | January 2, 2009 9:12 AM

And many American people voted for the worst president ever- twice. What's your point? I thought you wingnuts ignored the polls anyway.