Obama sometimes makes me feel petty...

[Wetzelbill]

Like his actions during the whole situation with Lieberman. He made Joe look like such a small man. Obama has a way of staying above the pettiness. I know I'd have probably ran Joe out on a rail. And I probably would have hit McCain with some devastating ads on a variety of things, like him singing Bomb Iran or mixing up Social Security. I would have portrayed him as a frightening warmonger character.

But it seems like Obama is just better than that. It's hard to get used to, I've come to expect the lowest of the low in politics. I used to think he was weak, until he ran 11 primaries in a row on Hillary last February. And that's another thing, if it was me, I would have probably put up a few disgraceful Hillary ads too, especially to counter the "3am" one.

I think I'm used to seeing how Republicans operate and maybe thinking we should be more like that. Like Bush and Cheney are so disdainful of others, even their own. (remember Jim Jeffords?) They take personal loyalty and adherence to a radical ideology above the good of the country. They'll rip anybody off or screw anybody over or exact retribution on the smallest of crimes for little or no reason outside of their own warped agenda. The ends justify the means, always.

I always felt we had to get down in the dirt to beat these people. I guess we don't. Not the way I thought we had to. I think Barack Obama is better than they are. He's better than I am. This is something I have to work on. In the end, we aren't like the bad guys and we don't have to be like them to beat them.

I'm starting to come around to that.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. There's no doubt in my mind that since seats are limited in Congress, and so are positions....

that to allow a traitor to keep one of the choicer chairs available, after spending years hurting the Democratic Party is wrong, when there are so many Dems that sacrificed SO MUCH for the good.

[PretzelWarrior]

2. Obama and team (Reid) probably ensured a loyal vote from Lieberman

as blackmail payment. There is an expiration date on their magnamity. Expiration: The day after you fuck us on a vote, you become Mr. irrelevant.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. (sigh) I wish. I just have stopped trusting Congressional Dems. nt

[firedupdem]

3. I think he looks at the bigger picture and we don't. I trust his decisions

so far. I'm going to let him get into office and start working before I allow myself to get caught up. I woke up the other morning all pissed off about Lieberman and my brother called me ms "cut throat". Made me feel kinda bad. I still hate Lieberman and want to kick his ass but fuck it. I'll wait and enjoy this time. It's only been 2 weeks and Obama is just putting together his team.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Lots of food for thought. K&R

[vanderBeth]

5. I know what you mean.

I think I could try to be more like him.

[FedUpWithIt All]

6. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

"I always felt we had to get down in the dirt to beat these people. I guess we don't. Not the way I thought we had to. I think Barack Obama is better than they are. He's better than I am. This is something I have to work on. In the end, we aren't like the bad guys and we don't have to be like them to beat them."


:applause:

[FrenchieCat]

7. Aye!

I guess that's what makes certain folks transformative figures....because they actually think differently than most....in other words, they offer up new ideas.

[Jennicut]

8. Obama is different, isn't he? The Rethugs are for the most part ugly and nasty.

But there is Barack, inviting McLame to meet with him. I would have told him to f*** off. Obama is certainly a better person than I am. He is a good man, he will be a great president.

[DeepBlueC]

10. It's a real "Eureka" moment

I'm in agreement with you. Damn, Obama is just smarter, pains me though it does to admit it. :fistbump:

[Pirate Smile]

11. That reminds me of something I read today that Joe Klein wrote at Swampland:

" And the quiet, disciplined way that Obama has gone about this transition seems nothing but good. I can honestly say that he's probably a much better person than I am: His tolerance for Joe Lieberman--who questioned his patriotism--is saintly (and also smart politics)."

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2008/11/19/things-that-matter/

[4lbs]

12. He's so good he's even making Al Qaeda spew racial epithets at him because they really don't

know how to handle an Obama presidency and answer to their supposed followers why they should still be mad at America.

[grantcart]

13. I misread your title to read "Obama sometimes makes me feel pretty"

And I was going to demand pictures.


And then I read it and realized that your thoughtful OP actually was making me feel petty. Your reminder on Jeffords is very very on point.


Thanks a lot.


Now if I can find some schmuck to read this reply and make him feel even pettier then I will be absolved.

[NYC_SKP]

14. Me too! "Makes me feel pretty"

I couldn't wait to read what w.bill meant by that.

What a nice thought, anyway...if ever a president would make one feel pretty, it would be Barack.

[Wetzelbill]

21. I am more sexy than pretty

or something like that. :)

[happychatter]

22. I read it the same way... isn't it "Pretty and Witty and Gay?"

I'm a schmuck, but the problem is, I can only fake contrition.

I'll only do it if it makes me look good.

[lady raven]

27. Hehe me too!

[Voice for Peace]

15. I love this post. K&R

[Sebastian Doyle]

16. Obama sometimes makes me feel like Petty.

[CitizenLeft]

17. wonderful post.

I've had people say to me that he's not passionate enough, they want him to get MAD! They wanted him to be tougher and get nastier, during the entire campaign. But in the end, it's his likability that helped get him elected. I don't have a doubt in my mind that the Republicans and even the bigots who voted for him did so because they couldn't resist or overlook his good nature and determination not to get down into the mud. Even some of the most devoted Republicans were tired of the nastiness, and it showed in this election. You can only respect someone who sticks to his principles. As for that "he doesn't get mad!" criticism... what impressed people at the end of this campaign? His calm and cool response in a crisis. It took him over the finish line. Who knew? :) We did!

Loved your post!

[lamp_shade]

18. Great post. I completely understand what you're saying. I read it twice.

[H2O Man]

19. Obama reminds me

of some of the Elders that I have known. It is surprising, in a way, to find that type of wisdom in so young a man.

[Wetzelbill]

20. yes he does

In many ways. He exhibits no hate in his heart, no anger, I am amazed by it. I think that's part of what makes the smears against him so ugly, because he's so above that type of hate and pettinees, that by contrast others look terrible. I can't say I agree with him on policy all the time or anything, but as a person Obama always astounds me.

[TexasObserver]

23. Obama is a Jedi, no doubt about it.

He's got a vision, and he's putting it into action.

[Wetzelbill]

24. a Jedi

That's a good way to put it. :)

[Clio the Leo]

25. dupe on the "pretty" vs "petty" thing NT

[rosesaylavee]

26. I guess he really meant it when he said he was bringing change about.

Now, did WE mean it when we elected him?

Great post.

edit to add: Sometimes he makes me feel potty. Or is it potty-mouthed? Not sure.