Barack Obama criticised over 'cult-like' rallies

[headhuntersix]

For many it is simply a sign of his charisma. But for a growing number of Barack Obama sceptics, there is something disturbing about the adulation with which the senator and Democratic presidential frontrunner is greeted as he campaigns for the White House - unnervingly akin to the hysteria of a cult, or the fervour of a religious revival.....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/23/wUS123.xml

[240 is Back]

you really dislike this guy, huh?

People are legitimately excited about a politician.  McCain is very old and flipflops.  Hilary/Bill did a lot of shady stuff in the white house.  people aren't stupid.  They miss when the USA was a beacon of hope in the world, a leader. 

Obama is promising that.  You may question his ability to deliver, and that's fine.  People are excited because he MIGHT change the status quo.  hilary's a crook, and McCain just promised to follow the crooks' agenda (bush tax plan).

[headhuntersix]

Yeah I don't like him...There have been alot of flashy speeches  and thats fine..but his record is weak...his policies ultra liberal..and he's selling something eiother he can't or won't be able to deliver...then what. Generally people revolt when change is in the air and then not delivered.  I don't think that will happen but I think his supporters will go into reset mode once they see he can't deliver. There is alot of fluff without a coherent plan.

[headhuntersix]

you really dislike this guy, huh?

People are legitimately excited about a politician.  McCain is very old and flipflops.  Hilary/Bill did a lot of shady stuff in the white house.  people aren't stupid.  They miss when the USA was a beacon of hope in the world, a leader. 
Obama is promising that.  You may question his ability to deliver, and that's fine.  People are excited because he MIGHT change the status quo.  hilary's a crook, and McCain just promised to follow the crooks' agenda (bush tax plan).

I want to play devils adocate on that. Anything u might mention,  I'm sure I can come up with some ultra lib example of how we scewed somebody over...I'm sure the Germans were thrilled with Adolf until the damm B-29's started blowing the dog crap out of them and they had Russian tanks rolling through their front yards. I'd like a plan please.

[240 is Back]

I think you know i'm not a libereal apologist who wants to hand over the deed to the bad guys.

And although they are painted that way, teh dems aren't either.

I agree Obama doesn't have a plan.  But look at what bush's plan was... he told us "no nation building" while at the same time cheney was meeting with oil company heads to split up iraqi oil fields, before 911.  To split up iraqi oil fields would obviously involve knocking out saddam then doing a lil nationbuilding.  So what a guy says to get elected, and true intentions... 2 diff things sometimes.

Second point - obama is a decision maker, and a decent one.  He won't be allowed to screw the pooch too much.  he'll have so much pressure and guidance to fix things, and the tools are all there to do so.  GREED is the only reason we're in such a hole right now.. borrowing to keep the war companies rich.

[calmus]

I agree Obama doesn't have a plan. 

Quit being a pandering little bitch.  Do some research, or STFU.

[240 is Back]

Quit being a pandering little bitch.  Do some research, or STFU.

i've followed him very closely, and I like him.  I'd probably vote for him over the other 2.

There aren't any perfect candidates.  I want Obama to be a new JFK and restore America as the shining star in the world.  But I have to admit, I've seen him slip up and say some non-presidential things in the debates.  Hilary and Obama ticket is something I'd actually PREFER... With Obama as prez, shaking hands and being humble and dignified face of USA, all while Hilary makes changes necessary to recover the economy.  Bill did it, and I think hilary clinton can too. 

[JOHN MATRIX]

Billary is desperate, shameless and phoney as bethany howletts face.

[calmus]

i've followed him very closely, and I like him.  I'd probably vote for him over the other 2.

There aren't any perfect candidates.  I want Obama to be a new JFK and restore America as the shining star in the world.  But I have to admit, I've seen him slip up and say some non-presidential things in the debates.  Hilary and Obama ticket is something I'd actually PREFER... With Obama as prez, shaking hands and being humble and dignified face of USA, all while Hilary makes changes necessary to recover the economy.  Bill did it, and I think hilary clinton can too. 

Bill was a brilliant speaker, not some policy genius.  His legacy benefited from a bull market (that stumbled near the conclusion of his presidency).  If you look closely at his policies, they were not particularly innovative. I don't blame him.... not every president serves in a time that fosters greatness (FDR, JFK, LBJ to an extent...)

Hillary has nothing on Bill.  She's not near as smart, or as charismatic. But she's equally willing to lie. Having her in power would only be slightly less catastrophic than having McCain.

Barack has not carried all before him in debates, but he does not need her for anything.

There is no experience that prepares people to be president.  Herbert Hoover was twice (wildly successful) secretary of the Treasury before he became president.... then the Great Depression happened. 

[Al Doggity]

..but his record is weak...

This simply isn't true. You've just heard it repeated so much that you've made it one of your personal talking points.

[shootfighter1]

His record isn't necessarily weak, there's just not much there compared to McCain and Hillary.

My main issue with barack is that he is not a moderate.  When you get past the great speeches and look at policies, he is pretty far to the left on most issues and wants to create a bigger stronger government that takes more and gives more to its people.  Its boardering on socialism.  That is in contrast with the founding fathers and foundation of this country's greatness.  This country needs a real moderate (from any party) who is fiscally conservative at this time of economic hardship.

[Decker]

His record isn't necessarily weak, there's just not much there compared to McCain and Hillary.

My main issue with barack is that he is not a moderate.  When you get past the great speeches and look at policies, he is pretty far to the left on most issues and wants to create a bigger stronger government that takes more and gives more to its people.  Its boardering on socialism.  That is in contrast with the founding fathers and foundation of this country's greatness.  This country needs a real moderate (from any party) who is fiscally conservative at this time of economic hardship.

Fiscal conservatism as a concept seems devoid of any substance to me.  I think paying our bills and paying down the debt is a good way to look at it.  That's responsible.  The last and only president to do that in the last 3 decades was Bill Clinton.

I still don't see the alarm about "socialism".  We have a social safety net system and a government that redistributes wealth according to the country's need(s).  Every government is redistributive in some form or another.  Is that socialism?

When FDR reigned in rampant corrupt corporatism back in the 30s, and suffered a coup attempt for his efforts, he put the country on the right track--government as referee and watchdog of the free market.

The US will never go back to the days of the founding fathers where government spends revenue only on defense and enforcing private contracts.  Those days are gone forever.