Obama's hubris

St. Pete Times Editor of Editorial Phil Gailey: "You could be forgiven if you have the impression we have two presidents of late — one elected, the other acting as if the November election is a mere formality. George W. Bush still holds the keys to the White House, but Barack Obama is assuming the trappings of office to a degree never before seen in American politics. And then there is John McCain, for whom even the role of underdog appears to be a challenge."

More here.

Comments

[Michelle from Tampa]

It may be due to the fact that people can't wait for the bloke in the White House to just leave, already! Americans are hungry for a change in the right direction, and they WON'T get it if they choose McCain.

McCain is 4 more years of the same thing we've had for the past 8 years. Do we really need another out-of-touch millionaire gold-digger with his private-jet heiress wife dictating what's good for the American economy? We need a TRUE Washington outsider who didn't inherit Goldwater's seat (like McCain did). Obama '08!

Obama is arrogant and the American people are waking up to the fact this guy's idea would destroy our economy. Raising taxes on taxes. Raising the payroll tax which will kill small business owners. Raising the capital gains tax which will kill the stock market.

Obama is ill prepared to be president.

[Omega83]

Michelle,

High taxes on oil companies is not what's good for the American economy. It raises gas prices, and stifles investment - including the IRA's, 401k, and pensions many of us will rely upon in retirement.

Obama is an ivy league elitist who has never run a business or worked out in the real world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgaGFITnTAQ

[surfdog]

maybe '"it never before seen in American politics"

BECAUSE NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE HAD SUCH AN ARROGANT , SELFISH, BRATT WHO HAS SHREDDED THE CONSITUTION AND MADE A MOCKERY OF THE PREZ AS IN gwb

[The Rock]

Your true Washington outsider is a Chicago machine politician with no record of legislative accomplishments and no executive experience, a first-term Senator who won his seat virtually without competition, and has spent a total of 143 working days in the U.S. Senate before running for President. This is a guy who has had virtually all his success handed to him and now speaks empty platitudes and liberal pieties to gullible voters. This is guy who for 20 years sat in the south Chicago church lorded over by a racial demagogue and then disowned that preacher when it became politically expedient to do so. This is the most callow, conceited and presumptuous candidate for President put up by a major party, and the core of his supporters are rabid kossacks like the one above. I'll be the first to admit McCain ain't no bargain, but Obama is a complete phony and his hardcore supporters are fools.

[Michelle from Tampa]

As this new ad says (see video link at my name), "we've already had ONE president in the pocket of Big Oil; we don't need another." Amen!

Surfdog, Exhibit A for Obama supporters. A total creep infected with BDS in terminal stages.

Big Oil = Bolshevik Storytelling

The Soviet Union collapses. It's dust. Why are the Kossacks still inhaling its fumes?

Michelle,

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/442/

[Susan S]

11:10 AM,
I don't think John McSame has ever run a business or worked in the "real world" you talk about. You GOP shills don't seem to understand that your attacks and arguments have grown as tired as the Bush presidency. I almost feel sorry for you.

And the "arrogant" comments are just one step away from the word "uppity" which, no doubt, you'd prefer to use, per the Rove/Schmidt playbook.

First Obama doesn't look or act presidental. Now he looks and acts too presidential you say. This repub likes him more each day. Mccain is consistent, he looked and acted like President Bush in the beginning and still does. I'm ready for CHANGE to Obama.

"Surfdog ,exhibit A for Obama supporters a total creep infected with BDS in terminal statges"

and this guy/gal DOESNT EVEN KNOW ME
i guess thats how they decide how people are on faux news
(but they have nice legs)!!!!

when you dont have a message SHOOT THE MESSENGER

hey at least I can see whats goin on

....I dont have my lips stuck on bushes a55

[THe Rock]

Yes, of course, Susan, any criticism of Obama is subliminal racism. To say he does not walk on water is a covert wish to drown black folks. McCain has served this country in peace and war and has a long history in Congress. The Hanoi Hilton was very much part of the "real world" and much less hospitable than the Ivy League classrooms and faculty lounges that are Obama's turf. And please don't feel sorry for me being a GOP shill and I won't feel sorry for you being a pious and starchy liberal harridan.

[Susan S]

11:22 AM,
McCain consistent? Ha! Just to name a few of his flip-flops:

Bush tax cuts
Offshore drilling
Hiring lobbyists on his campaign
Campaign finance reform
Falwell and the Religious Right
Torture policy
Confederate flag
Overturning Roe v Wade

Susan:
We cannot even begin to name all the flip-flops that the Messiah has done. What an issue? Pick one. He changes his position on issues more than his underwear.

[exnewsman]

Read your history people. When George W. Bush was in the private sector, one of the companies he founded, ARBUSTA, went into bankruptcy, right after W. cashed out his stock. The man took over the presidency with a $118 billion dollar surplus. Charged a war on credit. Here's where we are.

susan
you forgot "running a clean campaign"

[Mike Fisher]

It is unfortunate that Mr. Gailey could not focus on issues but has sunk to the level of the Republicans in attacking Senator Obama. I guess when the Republican have no positive ideas of their own, the only thing left is attack politics. Instead of nominating McCain, Karl Rove should be the Republican candidate.

[Susan S]

Yes, McCain was a POW, and for that he deserves respect. However, that is no qualificatiion to be president.

Hanoi Hilton = "real world"
No, not really.

Served this country in war and peace.
Until the rich wife came along to finance his run for the "long history in Congress." (which usually is a disqualification for GOP shills!)

--Signed "pious and starchy liberal harridan"

[Photo of Susan S.]

In spirit if not in flesh:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/CarryNation.jpeg

[surfdog]

here is a video for all you so called "hillery" supporters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLQGWpRVA7o

This Dem is NOT voting for that sexist climber. When he learns to respect women (not call them "sweetie") and he has actually accomplished SOMETHING, then I might consider it. This year? I'm voting for experience: McCain.

Obama is a presumptuous, arrogant climber with nary a piece of significant legislation of his own. He is a first-term Senator. He is NOT READY to be President. No matter how many times he goes to Europe and makes European leaders fit him into their busy schedules.

[The Rock]

Susan, did you have a problem with John Kerry's rich wife financing his political career? And I seem to remember Senator Kerry made his service in Vietnam a centerpiece of his campaign, even mounting the podium at the Dem convention with a salute and a solemn "reporting for duty." You did vote for Kerry, I assume.

[The Rock]

An afterthought: Kerry did not suffer from hubris. He was merely a pompous a*s*s.

Pity the Israeli PM trying to get "President" Barack HUSSEIN Obama to support Israel against the Arabs.

[surfdog]

HEY 11:43

watch the video:

so sweetie is not o.k. but B%$#tch is???

you make absolutely NO SENSE whatsoever

but what can I say you probably voted for Bush

TWICE !!!

[Susan S]

11:43 AM,
Spare me. So instead of voting for the man who called a woman "sweetie," you want to hand the election to the man who is anti-choice and who doesn't favor equal pay for women. That's pretty senseless.

[Susan S]

and don't forget, McCain called his wife the "c" word.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/08/03/politics/fromtheroad/entry4317827.shtml

The Messiah's seat on his plane is labeled, "President".

He is the MOST arrogant candidate, ever.

Obama a racist who will not get this Dem's vote!!!

“There are things that you can do individually though to save energy; making sure your tires are properly inflated, simple thing, but we could save all the oil that they’re talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tune-ups. You could actually save just as much.” (Barack Obama, Springfield, MO, 7/30/08)

He is an idiot. The Messiah, the Messiah.

[surfdog]

HERE IS A LIST OF CHICKENHAWK POMPOUS A55'S

Representative Patrick McHenry, R-NC - did not serve. Saw fit to endanger American troops' lives after a visit to Iraq by violating operational security and helping militias target their mortar attacks on the Green Zone.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY - did not serve (1)
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-MI - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl, R-AZ - did not serve.
Senate Republican Conference Vice Chair John Cornyn, R-TX - did not serve.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair John Ensign, R-NV - did not serve.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-OH - did not serve.
House Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-MO - did not serve.
House Republican Conerence Chair Adam Putnam, R-FL - did not serve.
House Republican Policy Committee Thaddeus McCotter, R-MI - did not serve.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-OK - did not serve.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani - did not serve.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - did not serve in the military but did serve the Mormon Church on a 30-month mission to France.
Former Senator Fred Thompson - did not serve.
Senator John McCain - McCain's naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Why did the Bush campaign smear him so in 2000? At least Senators Cleland (D-GA), Kerry (D-MA), Kerrey (D-NE), Robb (D-VA) and Hagel (R-NE) defended him.

Click on the logo above to join America's oldest and most respected environmental organization, and stop Bush's all-out assault on our environment.
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey - avoided the draft, did not serve.
Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay - avoided the draft, did not serve (1). "So many minority youths had volunteered ... that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like himself."
Former House Majority Whip Roy Blunt - did not serve
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - did not serve. (An impressive medical resume, but not such a friend to cats in Boston.)
Rick Santorum, R-PA, formerly third ranking Republican in the Senate - did not serve. (1)
George Felix Allen, former Republican Senator from Virginia - a supporter of Nixon and the Vietnam war, did not serve. (1)

Former Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld - served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as an aviator and flight instructor. (1) Served as President Reagan's Special Envoy to the Middle East and met with Saddam Hussein twice in 1983 and 1984.
GW Bush - decided that a six-year Nat'l Guard commitment really means four years. Still says that he's "been to war." Huh?
VP Cheney - several deferments (1, 2), the last by marriage (in his own words, "had other priorities than military service") (1)
Former Att'y Gen. John Ashcroft - did not serve (1, 2); received seven deferment to teach business ed at SW Missouri State

Jeb Bush, Florida Governor - did not serve. (1)

Karl Rove - avoided the draft, did not serve (1), too busy being a Republican.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich - avoided the

surfdog: Who cares?

THE ROCK CARES

Obama doesn't know the meaning of bipartisan

[DodgerBlue]

So ... a vote for McCain is a vote for what exactly? No one has answered that for me. Aside from the name calling he enjoys and the dirty political ads, I don't see anything coming from his campaign about ISSUES.

If any one of you supporters believes that internationally and domestically we are in good shape - then NONE of you are in the real world.

Stop looking at the person at the top and look at the party platforms. The one we've been operating under - with the aid of the tyrannical leaders - for the last eight years HASN'T BEEN WORKING!

Enough with the 'he called a woman sweetie'; 'he stumbled on a que card'; 'he didn't wear a flag lapel pin'; 'he married someone with money.' If you don't want your intelligence insulted, then act like you have some. Talk about the issues, policies and what you think will work. All this talk about how Americans don't want dirty politics anymore, but it still draws you in droves, doesn't it?

[The Rock]

Don't post for me, 12:11. I can speak for myself. Military service seemed to matter when Kerry was the Democrat candidate but now that Obama is the nominee McCain's service is denigrated as not relevant. Just as Cindy McCain's wealth is an issue to liberals but that of Theresa Heinz Kerry was not. And fidelity and treatment of women was certainly not an issue for libs when Clinton was President and recklessly tomcatted and abused women.

[Florida voter]

Hey GOP staffers!

Remember, I am basing my voting decisions based on the number and composition of anonymous blog postings on the SP Times blog!

So keep those talking points regurgitating!

someone give BUSH a BJ

so we can IMPEACH HIM!!!

babyboomers killed my country

[Donald Hussein Lance]

I get BJ duty!

[Obvious]

Karl Rove did a great job in convincing the sheeple that being pig headed and unable to adapt your point of view with changing times was a good thing.

remember when 'flip-flopping' meant you thought outside of the box and you based your decisions on relevant information and assessments as opposed to acting solely on political ideology?

that said -- fu|< all the morons who are gonna vote for mccain, seriously...I know you don't understand simple economic concepts like 'opportunity costs' but i'm done caring that you sucked at school, i'm done caring that you don't want to help out your fellow Americans who are in trouble, I'm sorry you never left american soil to experience the ways other people lived -- if you had you wouldn't be so anxious to send your tax dollars in the forms of bombs to destroy their way of life -- and i'm done caring that you think you can have a say in how this country moves forward. we made that mistake with bush in 2000 -- not this time.

Every response you get to your lame a $ $ posts you should be thankful for getting; after the election your opinion and thoughts will have absolutely 0 effect on this country and offer no bearing for its direction.

I backed McCain in 2000. Had I been smeared like he was smeared I'm not sure that I could have backed W in '04. Either he has a remarkable ability to forgive OR he's trying to outdo his father and grandfather--each of whom were important admirals in WWII and Vietnam. Or both.

So McCain's ads say American President, yet it's Obama who's being presumptuous?

Phil, I'm not buying it. If he didn't look presidential, you'd be blasting him for not being presidential enough. If you think the past eight years have been great, then vote McCain.

If you want a president who'll focus on energy, health care, jobs and ending the war in Iraq, then you should vote Obama.

[German]

America is being run like a minimum security prison.

First line from an August 3 story in the Orlando Sentinel (sorry, Buzz):

"In a dramatic reversal of policy, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Saturday told supporters on the Space Coast he no longer favors slashing NASA's budget...."

What is so different about a candidate whose stand on any given issue depends upon what group he is addressing at the time?

Yes We Can pander with the best of them.

1:34 -- that is so out of context the Sentinel should be ashamed!