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Thoughts on the president-elect
Reading many of the comments about Obama's victory, it seems that the principal object of this election has been for Americans to "feel good" about themselves.
Is Obama some sort of Prozac... like Reagan?
What is he actually going to do?
During the long, long campaign, his positions changed a lot from month to month. Many of Obama's supporters found this "re-positioning" much to be admired.
His website is filled with detailed position papers, but, wonky, campaign position papers are never very indicative of what people are going to finally do under fire. That is what people were talking about, when they talked about "experience", not so much the the candidate's experience in office, but the voter's experience of the candidate, while he was in office.
Since, before entering the Senate a couple of years ago, Obama had never held major office, the only meaningful track record he has with which to predict how he will administrate the affairs of the world's most powerful nation is his campaign.
As a campaigner, Obama has proved to be a very calm, prudent even cautious, very methodical person, one who takes decisions after much consideration and balancing all the advice he is given.
This is all very encouraging, however, things are moving very fast in the world right now and I fear that they could be moving much too fast for such methodical consideration. I'm reminded of what Jack Dempsey said about a very intelligent opponent: "He is a very smart fighter; when he's fighting he is thinking all the time. But, all the time he was thinking I was hitting him."
Any skeptic, unimpressed by Obama's flimsy credentials, ran and will run the risk of being called a racist, obsessed with the color of the President-Elect's skin color.
I would like to be totally clear on this point:
The very best thing about Barack Obama is the color of his skin, any fears I may have about him have to do much more to do with the "white" part of him. The opportunism, the cunning, the opaqueness.
No matter: whoever he is, we are going to get to know him very well now.
If Barack Obama had taken office when Bill Clinton did, I am sure he would have done a much better job than Bubba and obviously nobody could have done worse than Bush.
Now, inheriting the mess both his immediate predecessor's have made, I think his first two years are going to be hellish beyond belief; after that it might be too late.
I said that his color is the best thing about him and I meant it. What America has done, is doing, and despite Obama, will continue to do to black people, oppresses my heart. That they have at least a few days or months off from their hell is something that should make even a marble statue cry with tender tears of joy.
And so I must declare heartily that I am truly happy for all African-Americans today. Especially, I'm happy for the very elderly black people, those who have lived long, hard lives to see this day: those old people who have lived through so much fear and humiliation. Their joy is beautiful to behold and to meditate on.
Also, if they are lucky enough to be "called home" anytime soon, before the disintegration of America's economy and power that Bush has brought about is blamed on their brother (something that their life experience will have made them all too familiar with), then this is indeed their blessed day.
http://seaton-newslinks.blogspot.com/
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No David, the object wasn't for Americans to feel good about themselves. But we are taking a day or so to do so. ;)
What's the reaction in Spain?
November 5, 2008 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
After Bush any Democrat would be greeted with joy. If that Democrat is good looking and is cool, doubly so.
November 5, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunate.
Totally ignoring his policy positions, I think the best personal traits about him are his temperament, his intellectual curiosity, and his dedication to upholding the constitution.
November 5, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
A few things, quickly:
1) You said, unfairly (I think), that "reading many of the comments about Obama's victory, it seems that the principal object of this election has been for Americans to 'feel good' about themselves."
We both know that this was already a major part of elections (e.g. you mentioned Reagan, an obvious example). Moreover, people are celebrating. Next week's comments will represent the meaning of the election to TPMers better, don't you think? Being excited and getting into the moment, however repulsive behaviors they may sometimes seem, are nevertheless human behaviors that have an appropriate time and place (now).
2) Obama was elected into Illinois State Senate back in '96. His votes are publically available. It's simply false to say that Obama doesn't have a track record.
***
Your overall point, though--that we'll see what happens soon enough--is impossible to disagree with. And it won't help that he's inheriting a thoroughly broken country.
November 5, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, the Reagan Prozac comment certainly applies to a considerable portion of Obama's constituency--how couldn't it? I'm sure there are lots of idiots, imbeciles, etc. who just want to bask in the artificial glow of President Obama's logo's sunlight without paying attention to how he actually governs. These folks had their counterparts in a fraction of the Bush supporters. Such is the American electorate, I'm afraid--it's not just an Obama thing.
November 5, 2008 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
And I hope you aren't suggesting that the metaphorical Prozac's pattern of distribution has anything to do with race.
November 5, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
You lost me there buddy. I really don't know all that much about Prozac except that Americans use it in industrial quantities.
November 5, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re-use is greener than recycling, kudos to you for efficiency.
But reiterating insults doesn't help:
"His website is filled with detailed position papers, but, wonky, campaign position papers are never very indicative of what people are going to finally do under fire." In other words, "Who is Barack Obama?" Anyone maintaining this position is making some other point, since we know as much about Obama as about any president-elect we have ever had.
And I am insulted to read you arguing that while my fellow Americans that are brown can be honestly happy, as a pink person I should be distrustful of this man. I'm happy, too, and not because of Prozac. That's indicated for you, however. See your doctor.
November 5, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think we "pink" (dirty gray-green, more like it)folk should be happy for African-Americans. And it is simply not true that, "we know as much about Obama as about any president-elect we have ever had."
And yes, I am still with "who is Barack Obama", but unless I die first, me and everybody else in the whole planet, is going to know everything about him very soon. Electing him first, as they say in Trinidad, "is what does cost the intelligence, mon."
November 5, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking for yourself, I hope, regarding skin tone, you Martian.
You want to support that we knew more about others? How much did people know about Lincoln? Or Kennedy?
Some people know more, most know little, about any public figure.
November 5, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Most of what we knew about JFK was false, but there was PT-109. As to Lincoln, during the debates with Douglas he had shown a vision of the situation America found itself in that went far beyond platitudes.
November 5, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for raining on everybody's parade, but, then, that's what you do. I don't recall you being FOR McCain, either. So just exactly what do you stand for?
It's easy to be against things, movements, candidates, positions. It's a hell of a lot harder to support and work for something, knowing all the while that it won't be perfect. Perhaps you're unaware of this, but one of President-Elect Obama's favorite sayings is "that the perfect is the enemy of the good." Liberals, tending as we do to be idealists, have a hard time accepting that we have to settle for something less than the goal we are shooting for, but it's a hell of a lot better than having no goals or aspirations beyond the lining of your pockets and those of your cronies, the way the Republicans have acted, and continue to act, even after they pressed a gun to our collective heads and demanded that we "save" the financial system. And then have the nerve to proclaim Obama to be a socialist. God, they certainly don't lack gall, or a perverse sense of humor.
Seaton, I mean this is all due respect, Shut the Hell Up! You moved to another country. Enjoy yourself in the Spanish sunshine in the waning years of your life, but cease to presume that you know what's best for the country you abandoned. I recognize that you have a RIGHT to express youself, but today was the wrong day to do so. Even that shameless, opportunistic panderer McCain congratulated Obama on his victory. Too bad that you lack the grace and humility to do the same.
November 5, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
To the contrary, I think he has made what he stands for rather plain.
November 5, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I did congratulate him in a previous post.
What more do you want?I said:
November 5, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
First, I want you to post the rest of what you wrote.
Second, I want you to openly admit that which you seem reluctant to write for whatever reason: Namely that you harbor some level of dislike for people with black skin for no other reason than their color.
Thanks! Once you've knocked out those two, we can move on to some more.
November 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do not "harbor any dislike of people with black skin because of their color". I think that black skin is very beautiful, also dark brown, tan, red bone and high yellow. Since I was a tiny child I love the way that African-Americans talk, dress and especially the way they worship, which it the purist form of bhakti yoga and the only Christian example of it I can think of.
As a child on Chicago's North Shore, I used to turn on the radio on Sunday nights and with great difficulty pick up the tiny black radio stations on the "South Side", where they broadcast the church services live. African-American gospel music puts me instantly into samadhi and has all my life. I listen to it all the time it puts me instantly into a higher spiritual plane, like Indian kirtan or Sufi dhikr.
So, lets get this straight... thinking that Barack Obama might not be on the up and up, does not automatically make a racist out of anybody.
November 5, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Concur.
Whilst simply claiming President-elect Obama might not be on the up and up most definitely does not automatically expose you or anyone else as a racist (note, I specifically did not use that term), what most definitely does automatically indicate you hold ill will toward black-skinned people is the content and particularly the wording of your posts.
I am forced to draw one of two conclusions:
1) As I previously claimed, and despite your counterclaim, you do in fact harbor some level of ill-will toward people with black skin.
2) I must take you at your word that you do not "harbor any dislike of people with black skin because of their color". In return, I ask that you take me at my word when I claim your opinion of Senator Obama's untruthfulness has no bearing on my opinion of you. In which case, you could stand to benefit from considering why myself and others hold this opinion of you if it is in fact false, no?
Though aware of your expatriate status, I do not know if you have maintained your citizenship. If so, may I ask if The very best thing about Barack Obama is the color of his skin is the reason why you chose to vote for him? Since it is the best thing about him, this would seem logical. Did you vote for him?
For what it's worth, I would not judge you harshly if you do, in fact, harbor ill-will toward people of dark skin. As you are undoubtedly aware after living so many years in Spain, a sizable percentage of Spaniards hold this exact viewpoint - and without shame. It is a cultural perspective, and I could try to understand you better if it is one you share. What I am less apt to overlook is personal dishonesty or hypocrisy.
November 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
My last place of residence was Illinois and that is where I absentee vote. Since the result in Illinois was a foregone conclusion, there was no reason to take the trouble. Most expats that are from some state that is not a battleground do the same, in my experience. I was born in Ohio, if I could vote there, I would have voted for sure... I would have probably voted for Obama... holding my nose, but for Obama.
November 5, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, I thought I made myself perfectly clear what I want from you. But evidently you're too thick to understand, so I'll make it plainer. I want you to quit being a selfish, self-centered gasbag consumed with your own self-importance to such an extent that you cannot for one day keep your opinions and doubts about Barack Obama to yourself. I find it offensive after the hours of phoning, blogging, giving time and money in order to support his candidacy to visit my favorite progressive website and have a hateful old pompous prick piss all over his and OUR victory. Understand now?
November 5, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for raining on everybody's parade, but, then, that's what you do. I don't recall you being FOR McCain, either. So just exactly what do you stand for?
It's easy to be against things, movements, candidates, positions. It's a hell of a lot harder to support and work for something, knowing all the while that it won't be perfect. Perhaps you're unaware of this, but one of President-Elect Obama's favorite sayings is "that the perfect is the enemy of the good." Liberals, tending as we do to be idealists, have a hard time accepting that we have to settle for something less than the goal we are shooting for, but it's a hell of a lot better than having no goals or aspirations beyond the lining of your pockets and those of your cronies, the way the Republicans have acted, and continue to act, even after they pressed a gun to our collective heads and demanded that we "save" the financial system. And then have the nerve to proclaim Obama to be a socialist. God, they certainly don't lack gall, or a perverse sense of humor.
Seaton, I mean this is all due respect, Shut the Hell Up! You moved to another country. Enjoy yourself in the Spanish sunshine in the waning years of your life, but cease to presume that you know what's best for the country you abandoned. I recognize that you have a RIGHT to express youself, but today was the wrong day to do so. Even that shameless, opportunistic panderer McCain congratulated Obama on his victory. Too bad that you lack the grace and humility to do the same.
November 5, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
The world is full of expatriate Americans, we even used to have our own draft board... it is impossible to escape the USA.
November 5, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Still waiting for David Seaton to admit he was wrong about the whitey tape. Ideally, I'd like for him to admit that he was not only wrong about its existence, but that he was also wrong about bringing up such an obviously false smear.
It'd also be nice if he'd introspect and try to determine why it wasn't obviously false to him. What was it that made him want to believe it?
November 5, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also wrong about the sick grandmother, quite distastefully.
November 5, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually as the the famous tape, I still think it exists. I believe it wasn't used for the same reason McCain would not hammer on the Reverend Wright, there were some things he wouldn't do and some places he wouldn't go. The Republicans were dying to do the same sort of job on Obama that Bush/Rove did on McCain in the primaries of 2000. He has a certain sense of himself, his self-image that is not common for a politician. I think that you read John McCain unfairly, probably because you have never read his favorite author, Ernest Hemingway
His concession speech was the "real" John McCain. Personally I think he should have left the Republican Party long ago. Kerry wanted him for veep and he might have won if he had had him instead of Edwards.
November 5, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Belief without evidence is the hallmark of blind faith. In what or who are you so blindly putting your faith?
November 5, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
A mind is a terrible thing to waste, David. The shallowness of the occasion is in yours, not ours.
November 5, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
A mind has to be used everyday and constantly. Working in the gym is a "waste" until you have to carry a suitcase across an airport. Blogging here is a waste until you have to write a piece for money. You are helping to keep me in shape and I am very grateful. Thank you.
November 5, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
David,
I like to think of myself as the king of crotchety cynicism around here, and I also hear what you are saying about the lack of specificity in the expectations of many folks who are feeling good about the election of President-Elect Obama.
Your argument is a non-sequitur. Feelilng good about this country today for what we the People have done is not at all inconsistent with uncertainty about where we are going from here. I have good feelings about a guy whom I did not support in the primaries, good feelings about the hope that has been expressed by my three kids who voted for the first time in a presidential election, good feelings about all of the folks walking around Manhattan today with a little spring in their step, and good feelings about President-Elect Obama's potential for greatness.
That said, experience shows that the Obama Administration, regardless of wonky policy positions or lack thereof, will be shaped by events that none of us, including him, can predict and will have any control over. But I see a center-right guy right now who is likely not to come through on many of the things on the respective wish lists of his supporters (including the wish list that those of us in or working with organized labor have compiled), and I accept that for the moment in good faith. Ultimately, President-Elect Obama is a means to an end; we the People put him in the White House, and we the People need to guide him in the direction that our collective will believes he should go.
I'm as grouchy and cynical as the next guy, but I have no misgivings about letting in a little hope and faith in my heart this morning, and in the immediate future.
November 5, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
November 5, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
You need to get a thicker veil, David. Your racism is showing through.
November 5, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
My last place of residence was Illinois and that is where I absentee vote. Since the result in Illinois was a foregone conclusion, there was no reason to take the trouble. Most expats that are from some state that is not a battleground do the same, in my experience. I was born in Ohio, if I could vote there, I would have voted for sure... I would have probably voted for Obama... holding my nose, but for Obama.
November 5, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry Hrebs that wasn't for you the server is overloaded.
November 5, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry Hrebs that wasn't for you the server is overloaded.
November 5, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hrebs,
When I say that "the best thing about Obama is the color of his skin", I mean that after some 300 years of white Americans making black people totally miserable, they have finally done something to make them ecstatically happy. About bloody time, no? Obviously if Obama wasn't black his getting elected would not have made them that happy, now would it? Is that racist?
I just have not been convinced by Obama, which I don't think is particularly racist, I am simply allergic to mass enthusiasms.
November 5, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink