Busting Popular Obama Myths
In an attempt to set the record straight as we tip-toe into the general election and the primary season winds to a close, I want to begin a series of blog posts related to the general election match-up between Barack Obama and John McCain. I hope to bust myths about each candidate's record and positions as well as discuss the presidency as an institution.
This first post is compilation of the most outrageous Obama myths at the various blogging sites I frequent. Most are laughable. Some are sincere. All are easily rebutted with a couple links and an application of common sense.
I also hope to open up a running dialogue with Hillary supporters and undecided voters who are taking another look at Barack and have legitimate questions or concerns. I had many myself, but through exhaustive research, those questions have been answered, my enthusiasm turned into dedication.
The former gets my vote, the latter my money and time.
Barack Obama is BY FAR the best choice to be our president at this particular moment in history based on our enormous challenges and societal trends. We have one shot at turning this ship of state around, one chance to avoid the sholas of empire. The situation is indeed that desperate. Barack Obama would be our first necessary step, as a nation, to walking the Red Road. Even then, it will be a toss-up as to whether or not he can get enough of us involved to create a Tipping Point for change and pull ourselves out of this tailspin.
Anyway, on to the Obama MythBusting, in no certain order. (Thanks MythBusters!)
Barack hates Gays!
How does Donnie McClurkin have anything to do with Barack? Guilt by association is a stupid way to pick a president, but perhaps we can start by trying to understand the man behind the offensive comments. Perhaps McClurkin feels being gay for him was a "curse" and a choice that God helped him work through. Maybe he is full of shit, still sleeps with men and is a huge fraud. Who cares? It has nothing to do with Barack, who clearly doesn't agree with any of McClurkin's more outrageous comments and has a strong record of speaking up for and protecting gay rights. This guilt by association shit isn't working this year. The Obama faith event had all kinds of people, including a gay reverend who opened the it.
Barack called Hillary a racist for what she said about MLK!
Barack never asserted that Hillary was a racist for her MLK comments. In fact, he went out of his way to say she wasn't a racist. He said her comments showed a difference in leadership styles. He places greater value on the bottom-up revolution led my MLK that forced LBJ to champion civil rights. Hillary believes that the most transformational aspect of the civil rights fight was LBJ getting behind the effort and championing the legislation. She says words don't get things done. She is entitled to that opinion, though it is hubris of the highest order and clearly dismissive of the historical realities of how change happens in this country - without the civil right movement, LBJ never passes civil rights legislation and this country remains divided along racial lines.
Barack is in thrall to Reverend Wright - an evil, America-hating black separatist!
More guilt by association that is free from context or common sense. Anyone with half a brain should be able to take a man's entire 30-year career and dismiss any crazy shit they may say during that time. If the bulk of a man's life is dedicated to good works, can't we dismiss with throwing stones. I bet none of us is completely without sin. Personally, I think a lot of crazy stuff about the American government and the largely immoral men and women we have allowed to run it at all levels. That's not to say we haven't done good as well, but much of the history of our nation is a tale of blood and domination by small groups of men in power. It's only been recently that the ladies have gotten in on it.
Barack isn't experienced enough to be Commander in Chief!
The whole Commander in Chief meme is a load of crap. There is not a single person in the history of the presidency who was less prepared for the position (based on his resume) than Abraham Lincoln. He did OK. None of Barack's many supporters think for a second that he isn't more than qualified based on temperament, experience, intelligence and educational background. There is a reason why the qualifications for president are: Natural-Born Citizen and 35-years-old. That's it. Period. There are no other qualifications because the Founders never anticipated career politicians at the federal level. They assumed that legislators would come to Congress and then return to other jobs once the session was over. They also anticipated that, like themselves, the background of future presidents may include a lawyer or a teacher, a doctor or a businessman. They didn't assume that every president would be a lawyer or a former politician of some stripe. A great number of Americans think Barack's combination of on-the-ground community organizing combined with a career in civil rights law matched with deep intellect and experience crafting bi-partisan legislation makes for a great presidential resume. We just suffered through the most "experienced" presidency in a generation and look where it got us. I'll take local experience, judgement, intelligence and candor over Washington-insider experience any day of the week.
Barack is really a Muslim!
Really? I am going out on a limb and guess that no thinking American actually believes this. I also stipulate that someone who does believe it is beyond reach. Moving on.
Barack was in bed with a Chicago mobster!
Again, guilt by association, but a story that has been more than debunked. First, Rezko is, as worst, a shady businessman. I will stipulate that there appears to be evidence that he was less than honest in his business dealings. First, this has nothing to do with Barack. He knows the man as a political acquaintance who supported his candidacy and once worked as a junior associate on a an account that involved a church's non-profit association that the man had invested in. The courts and the press have both investigated any connection to Barack or hints of favoritism based on that passing relationship, both as a young attorney and later as a candidate. Here is a great interview with the Chicago Tribune that should clear up any lingering doubts for any but the most cynical and partisan. (PS: Anyone who still believes he got some sweet deal on his house should read this, from the more conservative Chicago paper.)
I am sure there are a million more, but you get the idea. If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask. Any that seem sincere and open-minded will get an honest and respectful response.
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Cross-posted at My Red Road.
