I've never seen the standards set so high for one person...

[HardWorkingDem]

Sitting back and watching this presidential race keeps reminding me what a talented person Barac Obama is, especially for being so relatively young. This man simply does not act like a mere 47 years old. It is amazing.

Another thing that is so amazing is how the bar for him keeps getting set higher and higher and how he continues to excel. For example, prior to his overseas trip pundits and talking heads kept saying how important it was for him to "look" presidential (whatever the hell that means) and he has clearly done that. And then, just as he flies over that bar, people like Matthews set the bar even higher by commenting on how now Obama must not carrying himself like he thinks he has won the election all ready and seems to sound like he is arrogant for being so confident. This crap never ends.


Still, I find it so remarkable his campaign played the overseas trip so masterful. Also, I'm looking forward to the issues of Time and Newsweek after the election to find out the inside dealings in these campaigns.

[Demi_Babe]

1. I personally find him brilliant...always have

[City Lights]

2. Nor have I, and it's even more striking coming on the heels of the lowest

standards ever...for the wanker-in-chief.

[hisownpetard]

3. Right. They keep raising the bar and Obama pole vaults over it, while McCain keeps winning

the limbo contest...

[Cleita]

5. Good metaphors.

One has to pole vault and the other has to do limbo.

[hisownpetard]

9. Thanks! (Just trying to picture McCain doing limbo sort of gave me a chuckle).

[Cleita]

4. What's even more astounding is how low the bar is being allowed to be set

for the Republican candidate and for the present Republican administration. No matter how offensive and stupid they are are, they are not criticized nor held accountable by anyone it would seem, even those who should be in opposition to them. Our Democratic leadership is just as much as fault here as is the fawning press and Republican leadership.

[EnviroBat]

6. He's very inspirational.

But it makes me sad to reflect on my 41st year anniversary next month. In my time on this planet, I haven't accomplished 1/100th of what he has...

[MarjorieG]

7. The entire campaign speaks to the professionalism and seriousness of our candidate.

This trip has been planned and executed beyond anything Mccain o his campaign could muster. And as a presidency, also. Wish voters understood the total package.

[HardWorkingDem]

14. But does it make you wonder....

if he and his campaign people are so crazy like a fox that they somehow goaded McCain into making all those comments about Obama needing to make a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan and then, bam, he does it and look what is happening. Amazing (and if they did somewhat plan all of this, it will go down in campaigning history as one of the wisest tactics).

[YvonneCa]

19. Yep...

...

[grantcart]

8. It reminds me of times when I have seen a double standard apply to other folks

who shared a similar "ethnic background".

Don't have to be better - have to be twice as good and they will still ask questions and have doubts.

[my2sense]

13. Totally Agree

They keep moving the goal post as well. This is something that the "old folks" said to us as children constantly - now I'm seeing it unfold on a world stage.

[HardWorkingDem]

15. And, it also seems like it's being done for the "youth" factor..

I think his age is also being thrown in there, too. But it's almost like, here, we have this prodigy and he has to complete all these tasks and then when he does, these pundits add more.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

26. I can attest to this firsthand. Today my boss suggested that I not post my "Ph.D." in my

email signature. What? I can't go into it because it just makes me angry but the implication was that having one isn't important. What? Then pay off my school loans, jerk!

[DevonRex]

32. OMG. Really??? I'm livid FOR you. What a jackass! You'd think

he'd be proud to have someone who CAN put Ph.D. in their signature because it makes the outfit look so darned GOOD.

Does he freakin' KNOW how hard it is to obtain that lofty status?

I tell ya, if I had my Ph.D. I'd make my husband call me "Doctor." Okay, not really, but still...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

38. Yeah. I could see the point if I worked in a doctor's office. I wouldn't be a medical doctor.

But this is a policy and research development office. We do social science research on housing policy. So it is quite acceptable to have my suffix, just as the other Ph.D.'s who work here proudly display their's. I didn't give up 10 years of my life to ignore my accomplishments. I call it sexism and a lack of respect for those who work hard.

[DevonRex]

41. Oh, you bet it's sexism, and probably some other isms, too.

I bet your boss is older and doesn't have his Ph.D. So add some jealousy and plain old mean spiritedness to it, and you have a pretty toxic brew there.

I'm also betting that your good work has been noticed by others and that he's an insecure jerk.

I'm so very sorry that has happened to you and I'm sending some good thoughts your way.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

43. Thanks, muchly. He probably sees me as Michelle Obama...

It's never good enough, is it?

I'm hanging in there. Pissed, but it's all good.

[elehhhhna]

73. I suggest you keep notes with dates. He sounds like trouble...

Take it from an exec headhunter who's heard it ALL.

Make notes. Just in case.

[woolldog]

37. Listen to him and change your signature to say:

"Dr. Liberal_Stalwart71" instead of "Liberal_Stalwart, PhD"

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

40. Slight correction: "Dr. Liberal_HUSSEIN_Stalwart71"!!

LOL!!

[truebrit71]

62. I'd suggest that they go pound sand...

...sounds like a real maroon...

[elehhhhna]

72. lemme guess-- boss does not have a Ph.D.

[BlooInBloo]

34. "It takes 10 atta-boys to make up for one aw-shit" for some people.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. The same happened during the primaries...

When Obama was winning, the criticism was that why he couldn't close the deal. If it was close, the M$M questioned if he was electable despite the fact that Hillary Clinton was the favorite for over 2 years and did so beautifully in the beginning of the primary season. When Clinton did marginally better (in PA) and (TX), they attacked Obama's credentials rather than hers. Anything he did, any misstep was scrutinized 24/7, a la "bittergate." I see the same happening here with regard to public financing (he didn't flip-flop), FISA (giving others the benefit of the doubt but not Obama), on Iraq (McSame has evolved, Obama has flip-flopped). There's so many examples of raising the bar, the goal posts. Now it's about why Obama is keeping the race between him and McSame so close; whereas the real question is why is it that with Clinton and McSame's so-called "experience," why aren't *THEY* putting Obama away?!?!? They have all these presidential qualities and are prepared to be the CIC, so why aren't *THEY* beating him? It makes no sense to me.

[BklynChick]

11. he has to be twice (or more) as good because he is AA. luckily, we have quite a special & unique

man in him.

[rurallib]

12. Obama must look "presidential": McCain just has to stand up.

Media analyzes everything Obama says to death, when McCain says anything, no matter how stupid, the media goes all googly.

[YvonneCa]

20. It's a replay of...

...Kerry v Bush in 2004. JMHO.

[burythehatchet]

16. I don't particularly care for a lot of his cetrist positions BUT

as a brown person (48 y.o.) who has suffered humiliation and discrimination all my career, who has had to run twice as fast and work twice as hard to keep up with the good ol' boys, I am in awe of his ability to maintain control of his emotions. Something I was not able to do. I realized after many years of emotional abuse in the workplace that all my white masters wanted was to crack me; to make me react out of anger, which I did, regretfully. Barack has set an example for me which I will try to follow.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

28. WOW!! You said it. It's amazing how he's able to keep calm

even under the most racially divisive conditions. I wonder if it must have pained him to dismiss charges of racism even when it was clearly evident that racism existed. If he had admitted it, the M$M would have accused him of playing the race card. It is easier and more acceptable to claim sexism than it is racism. I noticed that. This entire election season has truly opened my eyes about the human condition.

[blm]

17. Kerry had uncovered IranContra and BCCI and was battered for it instead of lauded and

certainly not helped, even by his own party. All that by his first term. Standards?

Obama is getting a thousand times more defense from the party than Kerry ever got - and it was Kerry who went to Europe and the Mideast last month to speak to the leaders there in preparation for Obama's trip.

Unnoticed. As usual. Even here at DU. It's going smoothly because it was PLANNED that way. Thankfully, Obama knows the real deal and at some point after the election more Democrats will get the story.

[YvonneCa]

21. I agree with everything you say...

...here, blm. Especially this:

"It's going smoothly because it was PLANNED that way."


And, just for the record, a few of us noticed.

[MarjorieG]

33. A few photos of JK popping up in Jerusalem. Few mentioned connection.

[redstate_democrat]

22. I love John Kerry.

There are very few people I respect in congress, but these people are the folks I will always cherish:


John Kerry- Investing Iran-Contra, etc, and just being an honest to god patriot
Barbara Boxer - she is a champion and leader. She had the courage to stand up for Ohio following the 2004 election.
Russ Feingold- obvious reasons
Dennis Kucinich - obvious reasons
Ted Kennedy - obvious reasons


The Fab Five

[blm]

25. Those are my faves - anyone who stands against government corruption earns respect

from me, and I'll include Maxine Waters for her efforts with Kerry to uncover CIA drugrunning. I would also like to see Leahy and Waxman move up onto that list soon.

[politicasista]

39. Yep. Obama seems to show more respect for one of his best surrogates

than people here do.

[MUAD_DIB]

18. But you have seen them set so low for another.

*, is by all accounts, a study in opposites from Obama, and the press still carries the water for him.

Talk about yer LibRul media.

I wonder how they sleep at night: knowing that they are responsible for the mess that is BushCo.

[Writer]

23. If Obama DOES NOT turn this bottle of water into wine by January...

I will have a HUGE Obamafit!

[depakid]

24. He's inexperienced- so of course the bar's set high

As well it should be.

That said, it doesn't excuse the corporate media's behavior.

[DevonRex]

30. The primaries are OVER.

[depakid]

31. Why act like a sycophant and get snotty

over a FACT that's OBVIOUS to every informed person on the planet?

[DevonRex]

36. Your drawing attention to his

"inexperience" is the snotty thing. How about just being happy it's going so darned well? Anything wrong with that? And I don't for one nanosecond think that the bar is raised so high for Obama because of his "inexperience."

1. He's a black man.
2. He's the democratic candidate.

That's all. And THAT is obvious to every informed person on the planet, except greedy racist republicans or another group of people who shall not be named here.

[depakid]

45. The rest of the world doesn't view things so parochially

Nor do I.

Anyone who's both new on the stage and has a thin resume would be under heightened scrutiny on this sort of trip abroad.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

47. Apparently the rest of the world does.

If you've been paying attention to the rest of the world recently.

[depakid]

53. Hardly

I think you mistake curiousity and enthusiasm for Bush supporter-like "confidence" in the man.

Like most rational people, they want to see how well he performs (and they want him to perform well, because like most rational people, they want to see an end to arrogant and destructive Republican policies).

[DevonRex]

56. So Obama has NOTHING to do with their enthusiasm, then? There

is NOTHING about how he has handled himself and how well he has performed on this trip that merits praise?

I think I was right in my first reply to you. The primaries are OVER. I don't personally give a rat's patoot if you like Obama or not. But continuing the same old tired lines about "thin resume" and "inexperience" is just not right. Not here. Not now. And certainly, pretending that other nations only like Obama because he's not Bush is irrational in the extreme.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

57. Ah, those ever moving goal posts.

The rest of the world! Err... uhh.. no... wait... I mean rational people! That's it! That's the ticket! Rational!

[DevonRex]

61. Pretty soon it'll be rational people born at 1:02 a.m. on a Saturday

in October. Hee hee.

[DevonRex]

49. Look, your going on about his "thin resume" and "inexperience"

is simply fighting the primary war all over again.

Because the rest of the world seems to be very, very happy with Obama. As are more than half the people here in the US.

[depakid]

54. Bullshit- it's simply acknowledging a FACT

and in the reality based community, facts are what we use to form accurate analysis of political situations.

[DevonRex]

58. Sorry, but those are the same old arguments from February, March,

April, May, and a week in June. It's OVER. Time to get on board.

[depakid]

63. You need to get over the obsession with the primaries

and start thinking honestly, objectively and critically.

[DevonRex]

65. I have honestly, objectively and critically decided that your aim

is to refight wars that are long over. I have also honestly, objectively and critically determined that there is nothing constructive about your arguments.

In addition, I have decided that your criticism lacks objectivity.

[depakid]

69. Think (or don't think) what you like

Been observing (and involved with) politics for a long time- and I call 'em like I see 'em.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

64. What FACT? Hillary and McSame's *FACTS*?

What are the *facts* that prove Obama is inexperienced. Look at his resume. 11 years in the IL State Senate and only a few less years than Hillary Clinton served in the U.S. Senate. How is that inexperienced? Please post real facts rather than Right Wing talking points.

[DevonRex]

67. Yep. Nothing but old, tired talking points, sad to say. It appears

that nothing has changed even though we have our nominee. Go figure.

[depakid]

70. Please.

I think? you know full well what I'm talking about- you don't need to go off and have a cow.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

44. Yet he's clearly more qualified than the other guy.

Sorry for you and yours.

[DevonRex]

46. Whew. Thank you. :) nt

[City Lights]

51. Puhleeze. The bar was set so low for bush that is was below sea level.

And he lacked experience and a working brain.

[DevonRex]

52. Great point. And some with little experience turned out to be

pretty darned good presidents, and the bar had not been raised so high for them before they got in office, either.

[depakid]

59. Bush got a pass because of his name

and the familiarity with the people who it was assumed that he would surround his administration with.

It's a good point though- as an obviously incurious and dishonest "newcomer," he should have been assessed more thoroughly, both here and abroad. Not doing helped bring about a monumental disaster.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

27. Yet Obama keeps soaring over the bar

every time the MSM and Repigs raise it. He has Jordanesque hops, doesn't he?

[DevonRex]

29. He always looks and sounds like he's done all this a million times

before. And we can be proud of the image of America that he's giving the world. Contrast that to McAnal and the Idiot in office now and it's even more remarkable.

[Cha]

35. tweety sounds like he's jealous already.. who

does that? Says someone is acting like they've already won something just because they carry theirself with confidence?

Did tweety say bush was too cocky on the deck of the Lincoln? I rest my case.

[TexasObserver]

42. He's like Dick Fosbury, the 1968 Olympic high jumping champ.

It's been a long time, and the sport of high jumping has been revolutionized since, but when he leapt up and cleared that bar, it was like magic in motion.

1. 1968 - Fosbury wins with "flop"
Although he didn't invent the technique that came to be known as the "Fosbury Flop," Dick Fosbury revolutionized high jumping with his gold medal performance at the 1968 Olympics. Instead of kicking his lead leg over the bar, Fosbury pivoted and sailed head first, with his back to the bar, then kicked his legs over. Fosbury cleared every height through 7 feet, 3-¼ inches without a miss in 1968 and won with a then-Olympic record jump of 7-4¼ (2.24 meters).

[blm]

74. And then Dwight Stone....heh

highjumpers are my specialty.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DevonRex]

50. OMG. They "kicked Hillary out of the race and now have to live with

their actions?" What the hell planet are you on? Obama is doing GREAT on this trip. Absolutely effing wonderful.

[alwysdrunk]

55. I Know! How did he pick this team?

The Team - The behind the scenes campaign people, Axelrod and who ever they are. This is the first campaign where I've seen people talking about the campaign team and how organized and effective they are. Who are they? How do they just keep pulling out the wins like this?

[izzybeans]

60. My students call it "The Black Tax" Excel at twice the pace of their fellow students

receive the same grade.

Become the editor of the Harvard Law Review only to be called unqualified and undeserving because of affirmative action. The bar will continue to slide upward until they find one too high.

[ForeignSpectator]

66. ACTUALLY...

I was sure your line would go :

"I've never seen the standards set so high for one person... and so low for the other." At the bottom of the sea, actually...

And yeah, totally agree. I am looking forward to his Berlin speech tomorrow.

[DevonRex]

68. Yeah, pretty soon we'll have to drill for McCain's bar instead of

that oil he wants so badly.

[valerief]

71. It's very unusual to see smart people like Obama on teevee. That's

the shocker. Everyone on teevee is as dumb as a bag of crapola, and we've all gotten used to it. (Stewart and Colbert and Olbermann excluded, of course).