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Obama vs Wallace: Comments That Show True Essence of the Man
There was one area of answers among all those Barack Obama gave during the Chris Wallace Foxnews interview that stood out for me. It showed the true character of this man.
Chris Wallace asked Obama the following: What mistakes have you made? What have you learned about running for president? What have you learned about yourself?
OBAMA: I’ve learned that I have what I believe is the right temperament for the presidency. Which is, I don’t get too high when I’m high and I don’t get too low when I’m low. And we’ve gone through all kinds of ups and downs.
People forget now that I had been written off last summer. People were writing many of the anguished articles that they’re not writing after our loss in Pennsylvania. On the other hand, after Iowa, when everybody was sure this was over, I think I was more measured and more cautious.
That I think is a temperamental strength.
In terms of what I’ve learned or mistakes that I’ve made, I’m making them all the time and usually it has to do with me talking too much instead of listening. And what I’ve also learned is how much I’ve missed my family and my kids and my wife and that’s been the biggest hardship of this campaign.
I knew I’d miss them but sometimes you’re just - physically you need those two little girls in your arms and that’s something I’m looking to fix in the months to come.
Being able to handle your emotions during the ups and downs of life, being able to admit you’ve made mistakes and will again. And last but not least – showing your love for your family and admitting that they are ‘number one’ in your life – shows the true essence of the man.
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Comments (40)
After I watch it, I will get back to you with comments. Thanks for the post.
April 27, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
MY "ESSENCE" WAS ALL OVER IT GIRLFRIEND
Axelrod warned me that walking into a room with Chris Wallace to debate a potted plant was like that Christian story with lions I never finished.
HOPE CHANGE won't scare the kids.
B. Hussein Obama
April 27, 2008 4:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sick.
Troll.
Expect banning.
April 28, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone have any links to the video? I'd prefer YouTube links over FoxNews, but I guess I'll take what I can get.
April 28, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is an interesting line, since everyone knows that the Clintons are nothing if not melodrama. But do Americans prefer sure and steady to The Hills?
April 27, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
A friend called and said she's voting for him in NC because of that last part. She was kind of undecided but she loved that answer about how much he missed his kids. I gotta admit, I'm a little baffled that that's what decided her vote but I guess whatever it takes will do.
April 27, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace and Obama Transcript:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/27/transcript-obama-on-fns/
April 27, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It shows true character that Obama is not opposed to sitting down with his harshest critics. His campaign has been premised on this all along. The only way to move the country forward is to reach a consensus and work through our problems together. Obama has shown restraint and a calm temperment all along. He doesn't take the bait to engage in name-calling and character attacks, and he is showing us how he would govern. By going on Fox, he has reached a large audience that has heard only Fox's negative slant up to this point. Hopefully some minds were changed today.
April 27, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
How do you show up a dirty glass of water? You represent a clean glass.
Fox doesn't know what hit 'em.
April 27, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"How do you show up a dirty glass of water? You represent a clean glass."
I like that!
April 27, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said.
April 27, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said. I encourage you to follow your own advice in future posts.
April 28, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here are some more quotes that might reveal Obama's character:
"to know me is to love me"
"Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama's been there"
And from his wife:
"Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics"
Yes, what a good man he must be.
April 27, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't even get anyone started on Hillary's quotes. Especially the disingenuous ones.
April 28, 2008 12:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary's quotes: "I AM WOMAN -- HEAR ME ROAR!"
April 27, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's another one, "And with the sniper fire going off, we [meaning Hillary and her young daughter] ducked our heads and ran to our vehicles."
And this one: "If you disagree with my vote on Iraq, you can vote for someone else."
Oh, and "SHAME ON YOU, BARACK OBAMA!" Whew! that was a real stinker -- reminded me of my gounchy housemother in nursing school!
April 27, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought that was Helen Reddy, circa 1977.
April 28, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about this: If nothing else he wins over Chris Wallace and now FOXNews has one less talking head trying to stick a knife into Obama whenever he gets the chance.
April 27, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoops, I forgot one: "I'M YOUR GIRL!"
April 27, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another one for Clinton, "Welcome to the Jungle, Poor Bunny".
April 27, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favorite, after her last and most detailed description of running with her head down under sniper fire after the tarmac greeting was cancelled: "Now that's what happenned."
And the one we never hear anymore, used so often last year:
"When I am president..."
April 27, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anybody notice that Wallace SEEMED intimadated by Obama? Wallace rarely looked into Obama's eyes when asking a question. This is UNUSUAL for him.
April 27, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was shook.
April 27, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Wallace began to realize that he was speaking to the next President of the United States and he ought to show some respect. His future access will depend on it.
April 27, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
HOPE CHANGE won't scare the kids.
It appears some of the "kids" are already scared. The same "kids' who accuses anyone supporting Sen.Obama a cult as if those supporters are unable to think for themselves.
Ha!
April 27, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Political junkies will spin all sorts of stuff from this interview, but that closing comment will be what stays with a whole lot of people watching this interview. Hell, it practically made me tear up. (Okay, that might not be a convincing point - I'm one of those saps who cries at commercials for long distance service.)
Anyway, it was very warm and touching and humanizing, and I think regular viewers will come away from this interview with very positive feelings.
April 27, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've said for a long time that when Obama is seen with Michelle and his two little girls, it brings the HUMAN side of him forward. As they say about Hillary letting her weak side show more, so should Obama.
April 27, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Correction -- not his WEAK side (families are not weak), I meant to say his human side.
April 27, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for this post -- they're a nice reprieve from the kitchen-sink storm, and a reminder as to why Obama is the best candidate for this country right now.
April 28, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
So Obama is the best candidate because he likes his young kids? And Clinton is a lousy candidate because her adult daughter refuses to let somebody dump on her mother over something her father did?
What kind of logic is that?
April 28, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chelsea continues to behave admirably.I have an indelible memory of the 3 of them walking to the helicopter after Bill admitted his realtionship with Monica. The two adults a yard apart physically and a million miles emotionally. Chelsea between them holding a hand with each.That was tought.
And her involvement in the campaign speaks well of her relationship with Hillary and reflects well on Hillary itself.
Just as Obama's relationship with his family speaks well of him. And if Michelle thinks he's superior to other politicians, great.
We have two candidates who love their family and vice versa. Can't we just be satisfied with that
rather than trying to manufacture a non existent difference in that regard ?
And note the comparison between the two of them and Reagan's distant relationship with his children and W's weirdly competitive one with his father.
April 28, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure what kind. Why don't you enlighten us, since the logic seems to be yours?
April 28, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama did an excellent interview with Chris Wallce. It was non confrontational and this is something I am happy about. His interview came with an aire of likeability and a generally relaxed and contented demeanor.
They did not talk over each other and allowed each other to either frame questions or responses. I like that Obama took some measure of control over the interview by nicely shaping the talking points in the interview in his favour.
The segment where he spoke of his temperament was beyond excellent. It spoke to three people all at once. It spoke to McCain's anger and brashness when cornered, it spoke to the super delegates as to who would best handle the drudgeries of being president and it spoke to Hillary's cold and devisive nature. It was a most beautiful segment for Obama. The essence is that he supercedes them all with respect to persona.
I think the interview was great for Obama.
April 28, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your post has a very good Rec:Comment ratio. Always the sign of an well-reasoned post. My posts usually have a pretty good ratio too--generally in the range of 2:1. As in 2 Recs and 1 Comment. *:o)
April 28, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought he was going to "take Fox on".
April 28, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please explain how he didn't.
April 28, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace, whatever his faults, has previously demonstrated his respect for Obama. A few weeks ago, he berated the Fox & Friends folks for the way they were reporting on Obama, and it seemed to be sincere and unexpected by the FF people, who appeared very uncomfortable.
My point being only that it is not surprising if Wallace was respectful with Obama during the interview.
Here's the clip:
April 28, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugh. Here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ4ytqDbK1w
April 28, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, this one was interesting too - Wallace reiterating and defending his criticisms on Brian Kilmeade's radio show (who agrees with him). Worth listening to, if only to see how Obama may have the ability to change the conversation. Maybe. If Chris Wallace is the one doing the conversing. At the end, Wallace asks how angry Steve Doocey is at him and Kilmeade says "very." Based on the reactions during the initial exchange, I do not find that difficult to believe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4umwSaPJRQo&feature=related
April 28, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace took an opportunity establish his journalistic neutrality at the expense of those twits on Fox and Friends, who I daresay, are expendable. After the interview last night, I am inclined to believe that this is the real Chris Wallace, and perhaps, he isn't so bad.
April 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
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