LITTWIN: Obama's victory redefines America
By Mike Littwin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 5, 2008 at 1:02 a.m.
CHICAGO — In a moment — but one that took nearly two years to complete — everything changed.
The long, strange campaign that led to the election of Barack Obama as president was as simple and as complicated and, yes, as surprising as that.
We were in one place one moment. We are in another the next.
That's more than you should ever expect from a simple election, even an election for the most important job in the world. It's more than you could grasp even when CNN calls California for Obama, giving him enough electoral votes to make him the next president, and the crowd here in Grant Park, a crowd eagerly watching the big screen — a crowd stretching deep into the streets of an electrified city — begins to chant, "Yes, we can."
With the city's massive skyline as a backdrop, the tens of thousands in the park were alive with possibility, watching as the board on the TV screen moved ever closer to an Obama victory, preparing to come undone when Obama finally reached the stage to say that change had, in fact, come.
All campaigns claim to be about change. But Obama, for all the times he has said the word, was guilty of understatement.
Change is a campaign slogan. Electing the first black president is a watershed, a national catharsis, a feat that seemed impossible just two years ago.
We followed Obama, or maybe Obama followed us, through a door, and now there's no going back. We didn't erase 400 years of history with his election. His election said instead that 400 years of history don't have to define us.
The easiest thing to do, in fact, is to understate what has happened in the time he took on Hillary Clinton and won and then took on John McCain and won.
It was, of course, an overwhelming rejection of George Bush and of his long war and of the troubled economy. The election would end with a red-blue map remade, a map that now seems as inevitable as the next swing in the stock market.
It was also the end of a long, long campaign — the longest and most expensive and maybe the most intensely watched campaign in memory, a campaign that produced a charismatic figure who swept to an easy electoral college victory.
You might even call his victory a mandate as he brings with him large Democratic majorities into Congress, including Mark Udall. But even that understates what has happened.
John McCain recognized the importance of the moment. In his concession speech, he told the Arizona crowd, which wanted only to hear more fight from him, how important this race was to America and how "Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for him and for his country." It was more than a generous speech. It was a valedictory speech.
For Obama, the challenge was to meet the moment. As he walked out into the improbably warm Chicago night to meet the cheering masses, he opened his speech thusly: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
There's a reason McCain didn't make the Rev. Jeremiah Wright a campaign issue, although an independent Republican committee did. As he said in his speech, McCain understands the stain, as he put it, of racism on American democracy.
And so, everything, in an instant, would be different, or at least as different as this: As the Obama family came out onto the stage, the woman standing next to me, an African-American, hugged a friend and said, "We have a black first lady. Can you believe that? We have a black first lady."
She was crying. And the woman she hugged began to cry.
This was a race about race that was also a post-racial campaign in which the man with a funny name would go one evening to Ole Miss to debate John McCain on the very campus where the bullet holes are still visible from the day, 46 years before — nearly the span of Obama's life — a black man tried to integrate the school. In that debate, the issue of race never came up.
And yet, this was a campaign that was about finally getting to the 21st century, and maybe that was the only way to get there. When Wright's YouTubed sermons damning America became the central issue in the primaries, Obama made his Philadelphia speech that would become a defining moment in the campaign.
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, an early Obama supporter, was here in Chicago. I asked him about the "bitter" Pennsylvania voters and Jack Murtha's "racist" Western Pennsylvania and how Obama overcame all that. Look at the exit polls to see how Obama did with white voters.
"It says that we can put aside some of the old thinking," Casey said. "And it's not just because I think he's a transcendent figure. I hope, and I think, it's not personal to just (Obama).
"When I endorsed him, I told him one of the reasons was that, in a very tough campaign, he appealed, as Lincoln said, to our better angels ... His Philadelphia speech was so important to me, and to so many Americans. He didn't do what most politicians do when you have a problem — you deal with it, you lance the boil, and you move on. He lifted our conversation ... at a time when most advisers would say, 'Don't ever do that.' And he did it anyway."
The park was packed, literally. There was barely enough room to cheer. People who didn't know each other before they got here would know each other intimately afterward. It was a night when Ontario and Tracey Durns, in their mid-30s, left their four kids at home with Tracey's mother because history demanded they be here.
It started with an e-mail asking if they wanted tickets.
"I was stunned," Tracey said. "We had no idea. I had written to do some volunteering, and then we got the e-mail."
Ontario said, "You know when I knew we had to be here? I was watching John McCain speak in Colorado (Tuesday) and I said, "This is once-in-a-lifetime history."
It was that kind of night, when non-VIPs had stories about how they got here.
"We had to be here because ... it's an honor to be here," Ontario said, halting, looking for the right words. "I'm proud. I'm proud as a young African-American man to know we've come so far. You know how people talking about breaking down stereotypes, about Hillary Clinton putting cracks in the glass ceiling, Obama broke the stereotypes for black men. No matter what anyone says, we work hard, we want the same things, we dream the same American dream as everyone else does."
Still, he never thought this moment was possible. Not a year ago. Not six months ago. Not even as he watched it happen.
"Was I nervous? I'm still nervous. To tell you the truth, it won't be real in my mind until he's standing up there taking the oath of office."
When everything really does change.
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November 5, 2008
7:45 a.m.
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Don_Lopez writes:
"(Barack Obama's) election said instead that 400 years of history don't have to define us."
Mr. Littwin is absolutely right.
While deeply disappointed in the results of the election, I'm profoundly grateful to live in a country whose leaders are chosen by the votes of its citizens.
So, congratulations to the Democrats and thier supporters.
Congratulations, too, to Senator Barack Obama, America's first black president and the latest example of how America embraces those who embrace her.
God Bless the USA!
November 5, 2008
8:03 a.m.
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GoodNewsGuy writes:
The election just redefines us as a nation of fools.
We watched the demise of the Soviet Union after 70 years of socialism. We see Africa in turmoil under the rule of a whole bunch of Marxist leaders. We are only 7 years past 9/11. Yet we elect a Marxist/Socialist/terrorist sympathizer as President. We elected a man who embraces the philosophy that he will destroy this country from within. As a nation, we are determined to drive our country/freedoms/prosperity over a cliff to blindly follow this guy. Add to this a public school system that is bent on indoctrinating our kids to vote for Democrats, the mass media that largely embraces and promotes Democrats, overwhelming Democrat majorities in congress, a supreme court that will continue to shift to the left. Our freedoms are in grave danger I feel. Benjamin Franklin said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security.” Dorothy Thompson said, “When liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default it can never be recovered.” I fear we are giving away our freedoms for some lesser values.
November 5, 2008
8:17 a.m.
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Marshdale writes:
I'm absolutely thrilled about the election. I must say that, with all due respect, John McCain's consession speach was fantastic. He showed class and character to the highest degree. Thank you John for being a class act when it counts the most.
November 5, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
He isn't a Marxist, he isn't a Socialist and he isn't a terrorist. We need to stop the immaturity.
November 5, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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Usually_Quiet writes:
Dear Good News,
"Our freedoms are in grave danger I feel. Benjamin Franklin said, 'They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security.' Dorothy Thompson said, 'When liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default it can never be recovered.' I fear we are giving away our freedoms for some lesser values."
I couldn't disagree with you more. MY FREEDOMS and many other freedoms were taken away in the last eight years. I voted to regain the EQUAL footing I should have as an American, as a tax payer, as a community participant, as a healthcare professional, as a parent, and as a human being.
If lesser values means participation from a greater portion of the American public then you have a very narrow view of what values are. Thankfully, America spoke out against your narrow prejudicial view.
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form.
Albert Einstein, quoted in New York Times, March 19, 1940
November 5, 2008
8:59 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
America deserves much better than the rat party and Marxist/socialist Obama.
RIP America!!
November 5, 2008
9:06 a.m.
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llcj writes:
God, help us all........
November 5, 2008
9:10 a.m.
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PonchoVia writes:
This is truly one of the greatest days in the history of the USA.
Sadly, some McCain supporters cannot get past their fear, hate and preconceived notions, no matter how misguided, to see and appreciate the profound significance of this moment. To those, all I can say is I hope you will take active steps to somehow get beyond all your negativism and hopelessness, so that you can rally behind our president elect, as all true patriots should.
God bless America.
November 5, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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jaybyrd writes:
A very naive and syrupy commentary. For one thing, the "wars" are now the responsibility of the new prez, as is Guantanamo. The economy continues its downward spiral and the deficit, joblessness and foreclosures continue upward; if Obama decides to take a break from partying and talking about himself, perhaps he can begin to formulate solutions to these problems, which are now his, and his alone. Like the lady said, you can't continue to complain about the man when you are the man. My bet: we are looking at the 21st century version of Herbert Hoover. Prove me wrong.
November 5, 2008
9:26 a.m.
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mt writes:
They guy is our president like it or not. Lets stop the racism talk and talk about what he is going to do for us. That means all of us not just those of us with color. Who cares what color his skin is. Quit making a big deal about it.
November 5, 2008
9:37 a.m.
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mhow88 writes:
This is a Fabulous time in America's history... We ARE the land of opportunity and this should apply for EVERYONE!!! That's what America is all about and that is why we choose to live in this Land of the Free!!
As long as he does a great job, that's all that matters!!!!
We need a good president that can make up for our past failed president and his administration!!!
November 5, 2008
9:42 a.m.
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LOL writes:
I am SO GLAD!
November 5, 2008
9:48 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Obama wins,America loses!! Period!!
What will happen when Mr. "I win" Obama's gross inexperience is coupled with the liberal extremists he'll take with him to the White House, some very UGLY "change" will be foisted upon America.
1. An economic policy of unprecedented and recession-solidifying tax-and-spend socialism. It will milk dry the investment so vital to creating and maintaining jobs and cripple the very people Obama promised to heal!
2. An activist judiciary of UNAPOLOGETIC left-wingers that will MOCK the Constitution in pursuit of rule-of-the-law-defying social re-engineering.
3. A weak foreign policy and deferentialism that will endanger American sovereignty and invite agression.
I wonder if American's can abide the spectacle of a president dangerous for all?
It is customary to wish an incoming president the best of luck. But it's the American people who will need the luck bestowed on them today!! One can only hope for a one term anomaly!!
November 5, 2008
9:54 a.m.
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matthew writes:
Was all that talk about “America first” just that: talk? It seems like a lot of the right wing posters on this site are all but chanting “Death to America”. It is not up to Obama to fix the problems this nation is in; it is up to all of us. Sure, the right wing can be obstructionists, and hope that Obama fails and gloat in the ruins of a once great nation. But in my mind a person who truly loves their country would try to help and hope for the best instead of stew and pray for the worst.
November 5, 2008
9:58 a.m.
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LoneTreeLady75 writes:
T1,
I will GLADLY buy you a one way ticket to the country of your choice (seriously).
November 5, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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MGD writes:
Socialism will fail here as it has elsewhere.
For those of you who are celebrating, you are in great company. Putin, Chavez, Hamas, etc are all celebrating. Congratulations!
It's his socialis views, not the color of his skin that bothers me.
November 5, 2008
10:09 a.m.
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Elwood writes:
"It is not up to Obama to fix the problems this nation is in; it is up to all of us."
Not according to the Obama. He's going to fix the world.
November 5, 2008
10:09 a.m.
entitledtomyown writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
November 5, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Sit back, open up your eyes, and pay attention to the next four years Lonetree...you are in for a shock!! (seriously).
November 5, 2008
10:23 a.m.
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ItsJustme writes:
PonchoVia - "all I can say is I hope you will take active steps to somehow get beyond all your negativism and hopelessness, so that you can rally behind our president elect, as all true patriots should."
Matthew - "But in my mind a person who truly loves their country would try to help and hope for the best instead of stew and pray for the worst."
Were you saying these same types of things for the last 8 years? If not, you're hypocrites.
November 5, 2008
10:28 a.m.
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Elwood writes:
I wonder how long it will be before Aunt Zeti's immigration case will be reheard and amnesty approved? Can you say "move to the front of the line please"
November 5, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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matthew writes:
Elwood,
I’m not sure what it is that that drives the gap between what Obama says and what you hear, I’m just sorry that you’re not one of the millions of Americans that will help to make this a better place. Rest assured, we can succeed with out your help, but it would have been better to have it.
November 5, 2008
10:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buffs writes:
For those of you who don't like the AMERICAN CITIZENS choice for President, you're more than welcome to move to another country where your thoughts and negative comments MAY be welcomed. It's time for AMERICANS to stand together, regardless of party affiliation and move this country forward.
Barack Hussein Obama is the NEW President of the United States, end of story! Sad thing is, if it were McCain who won, you would be willing to lend your helping hand to improve our country. We'll see if your actions going forward define you as a TRUE AMERICAN or a pretender because your candidate didn't win.
November 5, 2008
10:54 a.m.
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rjnova writes:
I read yesterday the last article by Littwin for the duration of Obama’s presidency. I will be physically sick reading him gush over having the leftist/liberal media elect one of their own. It is absolutely scary to think the media can consort to manipulate news reporting to benefit their candidate. Especially one so undeserving had the media reported instead of screening him from explaining his relationship with the most anti-American, terrorist and criminal miscreants ever.
But the pay back is coming. I read today all the major newspapers in this country took another decline of from 5% to 15% in circulation. Like the drunk drinking himself to death, newspapers cannot halt their business model that is taking them down.
Until reporting returns to impartial and objective reporting people are not going to pay to get their news cooked to a liberal and even worse leftist agenda. When people can get their news in any flavor they want off the Internet for free,
When Obama and the congressional Democrats pass the laws they promise they will do precisely what is guaranteed to sink our economy into a recession much longer than need be to clear the way of the failures blocking the road to economic recovery. Only growing this economy will provide the businesses and jobs. The construction market is down until the excess inventory of over priced homes is eliminated. That looks like 1-2 years at best. Moreover, lenders have paid a price for their risky loans and they will return to sane lending policies, which is not a model for stimulating home sales.
Democrats think they and government can provide the stimulus with rebates, tax the haves to give to the have not’s and increased welfare. They do not understand that government does not create one dollar worth of economic growth with tax and spend legislation. Government could get out of the way; cut the marginal tax rate and 35% corporate tax rate which would be the stimulus for growing this economy. Only investors risking their capital on some innovative idea create business activity that provides employment and economic growth. But Obama and the Democrats have told us they are going to do the opposite. So Littwin and his fellow liberals had better hang onto their seats for a roller coaster run down hill.
November 5, 2008
10:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
NeilT writes:
Matthew is correct about there being a gap between what Obama says and what some people hear. Amazing, considering that even they say he is a great speaker.
Here is the email I received, just after Obama won-
"Neil,
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack"
I want to repeat a very telling line in this email-
"We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next."-Obama
He organized a majority of our community to win this election. He will continue to organize the American and international community to right this ship. This "community organizer" is no idiot, he knows that no man is an island.
It's interesting that so many wanted to discredit Obama because "community organizer" is a listed credential. This is exactly what America, and the world, needs right now.
For those that asked "what is a community organizer?"
Now you know.
November 5, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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RUKidding writes:
Federal and State Taxes = Socialism so why all the fear? Been around for years.
November 5, 2008
11:25 a.m.
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UNV_ME writes:
Trust, honesty, intelligence and dignity are back in the American government. Once the bitterness of the losing party wears off we can be a nation together as one.... well except for a few people with learning disabilities on this thread that have a hard time understanding their own ignorance and stupidity. Watch and learn how a president can actually be presidential.
November 5, 2008
11:35 a.m.
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figboo2 writes:
great we elected a black leader, too bad he's not qualified.
November 5, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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FRN4U writes:
McCain or Obama---does not matter which.
Check out http://www.georgegordon.com/communist...
November 5, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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anderson writes:
Bob Casey: "He lifted our conversation".
Well, I guess he lifted it for some of us. As evidenced by this thread, others are still clinging to what Obama calls the "partisanship, and pettiness, and immaturity that has plagued us so long".
November 5, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
figboo.....Bwahaha!! Still laughing!!
November 5, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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MGD writes:
UNV_ME, I guess your statement means that anyone who disagrews with you has a learning disability and suffers from ignorance and stupidty. It would have been truely ironic had you added narrow minded to that list.
Buffs, I assume that since you expect all true Americans to stand together with their new President or leave the country that you are either standing by President Bush or are writing from outside the country. Which is it?
November 5, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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Mtnsjohn writes:
When Democrat Charles Schumer of NY, in a television interview, states that union elections should not be secret because union representation should be 25% of workers and not the present 3%. When I hear him say that the "Fairness Doctrine" should become law (to silence the Rush Limbaughs and Mike Rosens of the world) then it really is beginning to scare me to see where we might be headed. And it should be scary to good democrats, too.
I just hope and pray that President Obama will be his own man and that he dedicates himself to do what is best for the nation and not just his party.
November 5, 2008
11:57 a.m.
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Totally_Lost writes:
Hardly a landslide when a swing of about 3 percent of the voters is the difference in the popular vote, the bad part was the entire black community voting race by a landslide rather than voting the issues and the man. If this continues, as the blacks have created in this election, then the race card can freely be played by whites and Hispanics as well, and the black community will see it's gains forever disappear.
What was disgusting, was ignoring the public campaign financing reforms and making this race all about money ... way too much of it -- to narrowly buy the vote.
November 5, 2008
11:58 a.m.
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NeilT writes:
What qualifies you to judge Obama's qualifications, figboo2? Well over 63,000,000 (nearly 7.5 million more than voted McCain) Americans disagree with you.
Obama is asking us to work for a better, more unified America. He's not only asking, he is enabling and supporting us in what we need to do. He knows it takes place at the local level and we have his support.
He didn't waste any time in reaching out. He started working before he made his acceptance speech, as evidenced by his email.
I absolutely agree with the other posters that a high-level position should be offered to McCain, if he would be so gracious to join Obama. Country first, right? McCain allowed his campaign to run roughshod and that hurt him. The real John McCain finally showed-up when he took the mic from the lady calling Obama and "Arab." His great personality shone through on his SNL appearance, and everyday after. I am heartbroke that McCain did not achieve his dream and most likely will never be able to. The McCain of old, and the very recent McCain, deserved the position. The McCain of the bulk of the campaign didn't.
Please, President-elect Obama, continue to look to Lincoln for guidance and surround yourself with a "Team of Rivals" (title of a wonderful book about Lincoln) and extend an olive branch to the McCain we all know, love and respect.
November 5, 2008
11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
HankRearden writes:
I'm a Republican that did not support Mr. Obama. However, Mr. Obama will be my President and because of that I wish him success. Those on the other side of the house should look back and consider if they were actually hoping for Bush's failure and the failure of the USA. When the Republicans are back in power, and they will be, please consider putting country before party.
November 5, 2008
12:02 p.m.
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NeilT writes:
Totally Lost,
Actually, the largest increase in "voting blocks" were among young voters and Hispanics. Kerry got 88% of the black vote in 2004. What did that have to do with race?
November 5, 2008
12:07 p.m.
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Totally_Lost writes:
NeilT ... what does nearly 100% of blacks voting the same mean?
November 5, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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FRN4U writes:
Ignorance is curable. Stupid is forever. $11 trillion FRN's
in immediate debt (debt service) is a huge problem. Another
$50 ---$70 trillion in "unfunded mandates." Functions of a
"constitutional republic" have been trashed by both parties.
Again, see...http://www.georgegordon.com/com...
What kind of rabbits will/would OBAMA or McCAIN pull out
of their hats or your wallet? What don't we understand about
bankruptcy?
November 5, 2008
12:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
anderson writes:
Totally Lost expresses the a certain perspective that's been making the rounds lately: "the bad part was the entire black community voting race by a landslide rather than voting the issues and the man."
We know the black community voted for race, how? I guess this means that if I voted for McCain, I voted for his race.
I can't believe people are this effin stupid.
November 5, 2008
12:09 p.m.
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Totally_Lost writes:
I watched the comments on TV from the black community too ... they were happy about a race choice, and what that ment .... nothing about issues.
November 5, 2008
12:10 p.m.
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NeilT writes:
It means that "whitey" keeping some of them down is no longer an excuse for anything.
November 5, 2008
12:12 p.m.
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HSTOWEL writes:
Spencer writes:
He isn't a Marxist, he isn't a Socialist and he isn't a terrorist. We need to stop the immaturity
Yeah it's just all his friends that are. We are headed for a mess with a guy at the helm who has no character and no qualifications.
November 5, 2008
12:12 p.m.
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familyortiz writes:
Hey Losers! (figboo, t1anda, goodnewsguy, etc.) Don't ever forget, "THE ONLY THING TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF."
November 5, 2008
12:14 p.m.
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anderson writes:
Ortiz, the only thing they fear is someone who is different than them.
November 5, 2008
12:15 p.m.
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kris writes:
I am proud of Colorado. The people have spoken. Let's move on.
November 5, 2008
12:18 p.m.
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Totally_Lost writes:
"It means that "whitey" keeping some of them down is no longer an excuse for anything.""
exactly ... I'm white, have had several black girl friends, and bigotry was their families angry about it. I survived growing up a poor white that worked my way thru college without access to affirmative action free rides the minorities around me got.
The racial divide has been, and easily can continue, is poor whites angry for being left behind by affirmative action and the others voting race rather than issues.
November 5, 2008
12:18 p.m.
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HSTOWEL writes:
UNV_ME writes:
Trust, honesty, intelligence and dignity are back in the American government. Once the bitterness of the losing party wears off we can be a nation together as one.... well except for a few people with learning disabilities on this thread that have a hard time understanding their own ignorance and stupidity. Watch and learn how a president can actually be presidential.
You mean like all the leftys have done for the past 8 years?
November 5, 2008
12:20 p.m.
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FRN4U writes:
Neither spoke of impending bankruptcy or uncontrolled illegal immigration. It wouldn't take much to do better than Bush.
Grab your hat and what is left of your wallet or purse!
November 5, 2008
12:22 p.m.
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aia writes:
The Presidential Election should have never been about race; instead it should have been about issues that face our country. STOP PULLING THE RACE CARD! It is absolutely ridiculous! WAKE UP AMERICA! I am a Republican, I voted for John McCain and Sarah Palin because I agree with their stance on the issues. I could care less if our President is black, white, green, purple, yellow, or rainbow colored! Sadly, the majority of racism surrounding this election was propagated by African Americans. Get off of your high horses, slavery ended long ago, white supremacy ended long ago, and America and her citizens DO NOT owe reparations of ANY KIND. With that said now is the time to vervently pray for America, for her people, for the world, and for America's leaders. God please have mercy on this country and your people. Please let the righteous prevail and hold America in your hands. Please guide our leaders, give htem wisdom, give them faith and favor. AMEN!
November 5, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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Spencer writes:
I think the election was more about Bush than race. One of the commentators on NBC did a thing on Russert when he held up the whiteboard with Florida, Florida Florida. He did that again with Bush Bush Bush written on it this time. I could not agree more. I don't think McCain could have done anything to get past the disaster that Bush has left for the GOP.
November 5, 2008
12:55 p.m.
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Captainstargazer writes:
Dear RUKidding,
Thank you for the lone, shining moment of sanity.
That Barack Obama gropes at the hem of socialism is really no big secret. You might (MIGHT!) even make a cogent argument that his political/economic ideology is little more than a distillation of informed Marxism (though I question how many people who bravely throw that term around have actually read Marx). Face it: He’s a takes-a-village kinda guy. Not the kind of guy you want in your fox hole if you’re in this thing for yourself.
But that, I think, is America. GOP pundits are quick to point out how theirs is the party of rugged individualism, that they fight for limited government, maximum personal freedom, blahblahblah.
Balls.
They can’t hide from the fact that the Bush reign oversaw the single greatest expansion and expenditure of the federal government since it’s inception in 1776.
True, alotta that can be caulked up to our PF of a war in Iraq. Still, what are people thinking this 700 billion dollar buyout was? That was our government (er, ‘scuse me, OUR tax dollars) subsidizing the POS financing of private American corporations. Guess who voted for that bailout? Yup. John McCain.
If I could borrow McCain’s own words: tax and spend. Tax. And spend.
Or, as RUKidding has concisely put it, what we’ve got here is a failure to communicate. America has been on the road to socialism for a LONG time. We just some of us pretend otherwise. And any Republican who has paid attention for the last 60 years knows that. For that matter, any 5th grader could reach into a bucket of legislation and show you fistfuls of costly, GOP-supported, tax-payer choking laws that “spread the wealth around” and, not coincidently, have no basis in our Constitution.
The argument that only Obama and his political kind are big-government, socialist goons is as tedious as it is specious as it is, really, irresponsible.
The day the right fesses up to their own socialist skeletons hiding (not too effectively) in their own closet is the day I start entertaining their tantrums.
November 5, 2008
1:13 p.m.
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Buffs writes:
MGD,
Reading is fundamental. Giving an either/or choice as you suggested was not my comment. Stating "you're more than welcome to leave" is what I said.
Your assumption is both wrong and ignorant since you don't know me, I'm not a Bush hater. I know you find it hard to believe that I can respect another person regardless of my disagreements with them, but that's how I operate. I won't agree with all of the decisions that Obama makes either but that doesn't stop me from doing my part as a REAL AMERICAN who actually puts my country first, with actions and not just rhetoric.
You remind me of one of my Kansas Jayhawk opponents who talked trash AFTER the sound beating that they received on the basketball court enroute to our 17-0 conference season. It really had no effect and made them look worse than their on-court performance showed.
Anyway, I'm out. No one is going to steal my joy today for this is a historic occasion and one to celebrate, like it or not.
November 5, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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LetsThink writes:
Could you sense the 'personal elation' in Mr. Littwin's editorial??
It's hard to hide bias.
And Mr. Littwin had one full page to display it.
November 5, 2008
1:27 p.m.
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lynnie62 writes:
Hey aia, I agree that race shouldn't be a factor but the whole it happened long ago thing isn't exactly correct. My husband who is 58 went to segregated schools in the South. He had to ride in the back of the bus AND he wasn't allowed into all white establishments. He joined the Army during Nam and served for 8 years. He is the most optimistic person I've ever known. My point, no race should not be an issue but the atrocities that happened to our black US citizens didn't happen that long ago. Blacks didn't even have the full right to vote until 1965. Maybe that is a long time ago to you, but it's in my life time.
November 5, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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lynnie62 writes:
Oh and GOBAMA!!! This is one GREAT day for our COUNTRY!
November 5, 2008
1:35 p.m.
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anderson writes:
An American being elated about the election of a new President?
That sounds pretty un-American to me. How about you, Let's Think?
Obama: "For those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you". I think he was talking about you, Let's Think.
November 5, 2008
1:44 p.m.
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NeilT writes:
LetsNotThink is back already? I thought you'd be busy drafting a new No. 48 already. Talk about a voter mandate!
Yeah, LetsNotThink, bias in an editorial? Who would have thunk it? Rosen is never bias. Editorials always produce a fair, multi-sided view.
November 5, 2008
2:22 p.m.
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LeLo writes:
Geez, LetsThink, how crazy to find personal opinions in an opinion piece, also known as a column. That is, of course, vs. a news article. You knew that, right?
November 5, 2008
2:36 p.m.
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peterpi writes:
LetsThink, your comments are hysterically funny and sounding like a broken record. Mike Littwin is not a reporter, he's an opinion columnist. That means he gets to make opinions. If he wants to gush, he gets to do so. If McCain had won, Rosen would be gushing, and you'd pay no attention.
I thought George Bush stole the 2000 election. I thought he was (most of the time) a lousy leader. But, he was and is the president. Our president. Of all of us.
When Barack Hussein Obama is sworn in, he will become our president. Feel free to decry his policies -- it's an American tradition to do so. Feel free to blame him for everything if you must. But he will be our president. Of all of us.
November 5, 2008
3:20 p.m.
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Proudmale writes:
Obama and the DemocRATS won the election last night. I will give to them the same respect and fairness that they have given to my side of the ledger for the last 8 years.
In other words, the campaign did not end last night. You now have full responsibility for delivering on your promises and I will do my best to hammer away at any and all missteps. Let's see now, what is it that you have promised?
1. Income Tax Reductions for 95% of the Population (hundreds of tapes exist showing Obama being clear on the 95% figure). This may be hard given that 40% do not pay income taxes.
2. Silly me. They incur payroll taxes. So I guess that must be what Obama meant as he pointed out on many cases that they 40% paid these payroll taxes.
3. Obama promised to strengthen Social Security and Medicare. But, didn't he sort of promise to reduce the taxes being taken out for Social Security and Medicare. Let me see. Reduce the inflow of revenues into two systems that are going broke, while at the same time making them last longer. Maybe I need some DemocRAT to come over and show me how to punch that one in on my calculator.
4. Greenhouse gasses. He has signed on for a real MANDATORY reduction in greenhouse gasses. Since autos are one of the largest sources for these emissions, perhaps he will accomplish this via mandatory GAS RATIONING. Goes over big inside the beltway with Joe, I spent $93 each way on the Amtrack Biden, but has the potential of returning the American West to its more natural color of Red. By the way, how will he provide new jobs when we are at or near the top of most utilities base load capacities right now? Is he planning on doing this with expensive peak capacity servers?
5. National Univeral Healthcare while at the same time not interfering with anybodies existing currently existing policies.
There were numerous other promises, but this is a blog not a manefesto.
November 5, 2008
3:55 p.m.
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aia writes:
lynnie62, I commend your husband for serving our great country. Also, what he went through as a black citizen of America is horrible. I in no way, shape, or form agree with what happened in this country's past. With that said, it was the past. We should learn from our mistakes and move forward; we should not dwell on the past. Though I did not vote for Obama and I do not agree on his stances on any of the issues I will still support him because I am an American and he is my President.
November 5, 2008
4:56 p.m.
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coarizona writes:
It is going to be a very interesting 4 years. And we thought the Carter years were tough. HA
November 5, 2008
5:25 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
Be verrrrry careful Proudmale you will be called a racist,bitter,stupid and a disgrace to humankind if you now question the newly elected socialist Obama and his leadership abilities. ( if any exist). He can talk reel gud tho!!
November 5, 2008
6:01 p.m.
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anderson writes:
Poor T1anda. Like other talk radio stooges, she's in a regular state of persecution. And mean ole Obama's just gonna make it worse. Waah!
November 5, 2008
8:04 p.m.
GetReal writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
November 5, 2008
8:11 p.m.
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GetReal writes:
anderson,
Is that really you at the 38 second mark?
http://www.theonion.com/content/video...
Freak.