Political Punch

democrat. . republican. . . theyre all a bunch of lying, stealing, hypocrites. . .

About midwest biz's comments [explanations, i. e. excuses]: Told you! Here come all the excuses. An intelligent person knows his/her limits, weaknesses and true capabilities and doesn't try to be what he/she isn't. In other words, obama is not superhuman. He is a man just like all others, albeit a more polished and arrogant one, but still just a man who is capable of messing up. It must be hard for all the worshippers to admit that he is fallible and that there's nothing extraordinary about him, except that he is very slick and "talks a really good talk."

A lot of energy is certainly being used by you all here on deriding a tired guy whose biggest mistake was going ahead instead of cancelling with a press conference optimistically scheduled soon after a government briefing which probably ran late and was full of a lot of stuff that if the candidates knew before they got elected they might not have even run!

Give it a rest. Give him a rest!

A CEO's take: This was meant by Obama to be just a signal: To demonstrate that he was and would be available and open, and yes, candid to the press as things move along in this transition and even into the presidency. So, yes he dresses up for the occasion, and no, he doesn't say much--what is there to say yet?

He didn't bring up the dog topic, but was asked pretty early on, and did state that it was the topic most asked about on his website. He then talked some about it candidly. Translation: When you, the press, have issues that you want to discuss, and they seem important to you, the press, I will talk about them, and you can ask about them, and I will respond to you. Signal: no major off-limits topics likely.

Asked about national security, he chose not to answer. Translation: I am still in charge and will not chance breaching national security. A test from the briefing guys, who may now tell him the real important stuff. Signal: I can keep my mouth shut politely when I need to and not have you "Oh, c'mon, tell us," and wheedle it out of me.

This is the kind of thing we do in business all the time, to use gestures as a kind-of 'body language' demonstration.

An example: a business venture partner is flying in tomorrow for a 2-hour personal meeting to sign some papers that we all have agreed to, and could just as easily be done by mail or email. He does not have side trips or a boondoggle visit to friends, etc. This is used and understood as a sign that our 'deal' is being taken seriously and getting major attention by his much larger company. We shoud expect then to hold up their end of the deal.

Another kind of signal: Obama is working on setting the right and most effective tone for these for the future. This is different than campaigning, and he has not had much experience with press conferences per se. Translation: Dry run. Signal: I care about getting these right, so when there is important news it will be effectively communicated, without distractions like misspoken jokes.

Seances words: off the cuff, small memory glitch of the presidents, likely tied in with the briefings. Government documents always sound like it is happening today, even if 75 years ago. It may have seemed that all those former presidents were there in a briefing: "Truman called for..." " Johnson is saying..." and so on. Awkward joke but did not say meanly or dwell on. Also good business practice: when in doubt if you offended someone, act as if you did, and take care of it. He really should not have had to apologize for a good-natured offhand remark, but in the present climate it is refreshing that he would do so without a lot of pressure.

Consider that so many 'mis-spokes' were made in recent years of press conferences that there were entire websites devoted to them that were quite unpartisan.

Another business perspective: many people do not seem to know what it is about Obama that makes him different from other politicians. We do see these traits in the business world, too. They are the traits associated with extremely high intelligence. Not very many politicians in this country have this to offer. A quick study, big memory, ability to see a large view and graso a lot of information quickly, and with language abilty to articulate his thoughts. Intelligence used to be a prized trait in political figures, and still is in many other countries.

A sometime worry with a person of very great intelligence is that he/she can be undisciplined, living off their wits, so to speak, and not be a good get-it-done person. Obama's campaign organization and steady demeanor show that the get-it-done discipline is there. I would hire him because of these traits.

swuffy,

Listen to what? "Hope"? "Change"? Most of his voters really only know one thing about him. Apparently, that was enough.

Wow daro. Your spirit of mending bridges is overwhelming. Have you even listened to Obama?

just because reagan is dead doesnt mean he wasn't a jerk. Obama should not have apologized. Nancy should apologize to us for her husband's presidency. Stop crying right wing nuts, you lost. Now you know kinda how we felt when George W was declared president! he was your crappy choice so here's the result - a huge push in the opposite direction. so thanks!

mfmros brings up a very good point...

When WAS the funeral? Did Obama attend? Methinks not.

hwd,

After the pure vile spewed over the last eight years over anything even remotely tied to the Bush administration, I'd think "hate" is the last thing you'd feel competent to rally against. But, then, such is the nature of hate, isn't it? It has no mirror.

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! The right continues to talk whack after running the most incompetent campaign in history. The right,Mccain,Palin and the other incompetentswho do nothing but spew hatred dressed up in concern for America. We have decided we don't need you type of concern and are taking back our country from you incompetents. See ya in 16 years. Barack, Barack, Hilary, Hilary, rematch(hopefuly you will have gotten it together by then and bring something other than hate to the table!

Hey, Obama, when was your Grandma's funeral....you remember her...the woman who raised you....why did you go to Hawaii...did you get your birth certificate sealed....did Grandma really die...or was there ever a Grandma??? Whe was the funeral???

Well, looks like the apologies have begun. This incompetent fool will certainly be making a lot of them during his presidency.

Welcome back, Carter...

Actually, Nancy was old friends with Jean Dixon. She used Jean Dixon back when Reagan was governor of California, and she continued to use Jean Dixon after the white house. Jean Dixon is not only in astrology but she did profess to be a psychic. So seances is not too far away, just a little misplaced.

Obama is right. All world leaders do it. They are part of this system of things controlled by the devil. Obama will soon be consulting astrologist and spiritualists if he is not already.

Wes | Nov 9, 2008 7:30:24 AM........and where where you with these comments for Bush?

stefchb | Nov 9, 2008 9:26:08 AM......Obama does not take well to criticism. Joe the plumber got taken to the woodshed for asking 'the wrong' question! What will happen now? They are already talking about re-instituting the un"Fairness Doctrine" because they don't like the truth that comes from conservative talk radio.

Dang, let it go. Not only is he probably exhausted, but this all must be a very surreal experience. I would imagine in his intelligence briefings, he's also finding out a lot of secret info that none of us will ever know anything about, and that would "rock our worlds" if we knew... Must be a lot on his mind :) I know he's a smart guy; he will get it together.

After all the horrible things said about George W and all the disrespect that was shown his office, the Obamanites are asking to give this character a chance. I can't wait to hear what's said when the cartoons come out. Trust that the man has made more than 1 gaffe, his lovin' media never let it go mainstream. The great thing about being American is you can voice your opinion about the government & the sitting president. Or maybe not, we should ask Joe the plumber how it feels to ask a simple question and to have your personal business dragged into the public papers. I feel Mr. Obama has the potential to be the biggest screw up since Jimmy Carter.

Most of the world see Americans as arrogant and now we have a president that is being accepted internationally and Americans are trying to call him arrogant. That is the pot calling the kettle black. What makes us all so smart that were able to dish out these comments? Propably our hot cup of coffee and high speed internet connections. Doesn't anyone have a life anymore? Doesn't anyone meditate. Get real and support our country and our future. You could not have done any better so step down off your soap boxes and accept that the popular vote won and we need cooperation for the better good of every single American. No one person or idea has built this nation nor can it save this nation. Diversify .......prevent......colaberate...instill....support....respect...Lighten up Haters.

Yeah, that's right, call anyone who criticizes the "elect" a Rush Limbaugh wannabe. Well, why not? If worked for your leader when his one line campaign stump was McCain=Bush. So much for the old art of thinking.