How Smart Is Obama

[headhuntersix]

EARLY LAST EVENING, I was speaking with a friend and he jokingly asked if Obama had made any gaffes during the day. "Well," I responded, "only if you consider his claim that his uncle was one of the first soldiers in to liberate Auschwitz a gaffe." My friend laughed, knowing that the Red Army had liberated Auschwitz and figuring that it was highly unlikely that Obama had an uncle who was a foot soldier for Stalin.

Some people think that Obama was caught red-handed in a lie with the statement about his uncle. That's ridiculous. He did have a great-uncle who served in Europe during WWII and was one of Patton's soldiers who liberated the Ohrdurf camp at Buchenwald. The mangling of facts here isn't a lie, just another misstatement and another surprising sign of Obama's historical ignorance.

I posted this in this way because it sums up how I feel on this particular Obama screw-up. I really wonder what goes through this idiots head. Once again, if he's speaking off the cuff, he scews things up. I also have to believe that he talked through his remarks with his staff. Nobody caught that Auschwitz was in Poland. I would think that Obama the peace maker would know that the biggest/most recognized Nazi death camp was located in what is now a Nato country and an important ally. I don't think he lied, I think he only knows what he's prepared for and unlike Bush, Obama is supposed to be this super smart guy who will change the world for America.

[Option D]

smarter than bush

[headhuntersix]

Bush is not running for President...we all agree Bush has issues. I'm talking about the guy trying to be president that doesn't have a basic grasp of history.

[drkaje]

Depends on how one defines 'smart'. Ultimately it doesn't matter too much because all the options suck.

[Tre]

I'm guessing....

He referred to 'Auschwitz', because that's the name that most people know...it's almost like a 'brand name' for Nazi atrocities. 

BUT, if his uncle was actually on the ground at Ohrdurf, then he should've said so.  I generally do not like people attempting to use the lives of relatives as political capital, but if he merely sought to honor his uncle on Memorial Day, then at the very least, he should've been honest about what his uncle was a part of.

Naturally, the Democratic spin machine will argue that liberating one death camp = liberating them all, but those of us with any sense know that's not how it works. 

Good catch, HH6.

[Decker]

What a scoundrel Obama is...a liar!

It was Obama's GREAT uncle and the concentration camp he helped liberate was Buchenwald and NOT AUSCHWITZ.

..[He] admits that the Auschwitz part of the story wasn't true, and that it was in fact Obama's great uncle he was referring to, not his uncle, but according to Obama spokesman Bill Burton, there's an innocent explanation. In a statement, Burton said, "Senator Obama's family is proud of the service of his grandfather and uncles in World War II -- especially the fact that his great uncle was a part of liberating one of the concentration camps at Buchenwald. Yesterday he mistakenly referred to Auschwitz instead of Buchenwald in telling of his personal experience of a soldier in his family who served heroically."
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/05/27/obama_holocaust/index.html

Let's string this guy up for lying to get votes!

Or we could string up this guy instead?:

"Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons."
- George W. Bush, September 12 2002

"We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons."
- George Bush, February 8 2003

"Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised."
- George Bush, March 17 2003
"Iraq has trained Al Qaeda members in bomb-making and poisons and deadly gases."
- Bush in October 2002.
 
"Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda."
- Bush in January 2003 State of the Union address.
 
"Iraq has also provided Al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training."
- Bush in February 2003.

[Tre]

Usually, I'm onboard with you, Decker, but Obama has presented himself as 'the higher standard', so that's what he should be held to when it comes to speaking honestly with Americans. 

We know that Bush lies, we know that Hillary lies, but since Obama wants to be the one who doesn't lie, then he should be dressed down for embellishing the truth. 

[240 is Back]

Obama was president of Harvard Law review, no?

Mccain was ranked 894 out of 899 students at the naval academy.  He also doesn't know that al-q isn't trained in Iran.

So if obama is stupid, what does that make mccain?

[Decker]

Usually, I'm onboard with you, Decker, but Obama has presented himself as 'the higher standard', so that's what he should be held to when it comes to speaking honestly with Americans. 

We know that Bush lies, we know that Hillary lies, but since Obama wants to be the one who doesn't lie, then he should be dressed down for embellishing the truth. 

All politicians misspeak.  All politicians lie.  That is the price of campaign rhetoric.  Obama's no exception and he's no different. 

I don't think he embellished.  I think he confused his facts.  Whether that was intentional or not, it doesn't really matter to me b/c I don't see this as any sort of a defining issue.

If we look to our politicians for truth.....

Give me their platforms...that is what helps me decide.

[Dos Equis]

All politicians misspeak.  All politicians lie.  That is the price of campaign rhetoric.  Obama's no exception and he's no different. 

I don't think he embellished.  I think he confused his facts.  Whether that was intentional or not, it doesn't really matter to me b/c I don't see this as any sort of a defining issue.

If we look to our politicians for truth.....

Give me their platforms...that is what helps me decide.

I agree.   

[youandme]

"and he went up to the attic for 6 months, and we never really saw him" haha sounds like he must have read Anne Frank's diary.

[ToxicAvenger]

Bush is not running for President...we all agree Bush has issues. I'm talking about the guy trying to be president that doesn't have a basic grasp of history.

when someone says "smarter than bush"

they mean...

since you seem to be completely satisfied with the job bush has done, you should be delighted with obama since he is smarter

[shootfighter1]

I agree with you Decker.

Its newsworthy cause it is a significant mistake, however, newsworthy for one report.  Its not the kind of mistake that he'll loose votes over.  Politicians make mistakes all the time.  Just like some of the errors Hillary & McCain make, its ok to mention them but the f'n journalists & media harp on this shit for days.  Its all about hype, ratings and getting the big story.  Our election process needs to be focused on the issues.  Why don't they list each major issue and compare the candidates views.  That would be best...but its not as juicy or entertaining, so we rarely see that.  We need substance in American right now, not bullshit.

[shootfighter1]

The best leader isn't always the smartest person.  The best leader surrounds himself with smart people and makes good decisions.

[headhuntersix]

I'm guessing....

He referred to 'Auschwitz', because that's the name that most people know...it's almost like a 'brand name' for Nazi atrocities. 

BUT, if his uncle was actually on the ground at Ohrdurf, then he should've said so.  I generally do not like people attempting to use the lives of relatives as political capital, but if he merely sought to honor his uncle on Memorial Day, then at the very least, he should've been honest about what his uncle was a part of.

Naturally, the Democratic spin machine will argue that liberating one death camp = liberating them all, but those of us with any sense know that's not how it works. 

Good catch, HH6.

I think its ok that he mentions his uncle...It was in conjunction with a speech that made mention of PTSD. I have to wonder how much his folks discuss this stuff before he goes on stage.

[240 is Back]

The best leader isn't always the smartest person.  The best leader surrounds himself with smart people and makes good decisions.

The people around bush are smart.  They did EXACTLY what they said they'd do in that 2000 PNAC document.

They said we needed a 'new pearl harbor' to justify $ and support (domestically and global) to set up a pipeline thru arabia (afghanistan thru iran thru iraq).

2 nations down, 1 to go!

[youandme]

the best leader knows facts, he does not make them up as he goes along ---Otto Von Bismarck

[240 is Back]

The best case for war is the one you don't have to keep changing.

What were all the revised reasons for invading iraq?

[headhuntersix]

The best leader isn't always the smartest person.  The best leader surrounds himself with smart people and makes good decisions.

Which means.."oh by the way Harvard guy..the damm Sov's liberated that camp. Is he surrounding himself with the best. I think instead of pointing fingers at Bush..lets look at the guy we're talking about. Oh 240 since Hamas and other oragnizations have already come out in the media and said that AQI has has help from Iran..I'll let u in on big secret...AQI is getting help from Iran.

240 not smart enough.....500,00 troops in 2003 and we'd have alot less to talk about.

[240 is Back]

240 not smart enough.....500,00 troops in 2003 and we'd have alot less to talk about.

Some believe that is by design.

You end the war that fast, and it's not an occupation, and what happens?

we don't put in 41 bases.
we don't get the 80% oil contract deal.
we don't give haliburton all that $ for 5 years of supporting 300k men.
we don't fill up our strategic oil reserve so we can bomb iran with minimal disruption?

I'm sure there's many other examples of how a small group wouldn't have profited in that time.

Face it, war is good for business, if you're in the business of war.  If the war had ended clean in Summer of 2003, a lot of bush's friends wouldn't be nearly as rich, agreed?

[Option D]

Some believe that is by design.

You end the war that fast, and it's not an occupation, and what happens?

we don't put in 41 bases.
we don't get the 80% oil contract deal.
we don't give haliburton all that $ for 5 years of supporting 300k men.
we don't fill up our strategic oil reserve so we can bomb iran with minimal disruption?

I'm sure there's many other examples of how a small group wouldn't have profited in that time.

Face it, war is good for business, if you're in the business of war.  If the war had ended clean in Summer of 2003, a lot of bush's friends wouldn't be nearly as rich, agreed?

HH=IZOWNED

[CQ]

I agree with you Decker.

Its newsworthy cause it is a significant mistake, however, newsworthy for one report.  Its not the kind of mistake that he'll loose votes over.  Politicians make mistakes all the time.  Just like some of the errors Hillary & McCain make, its ok to mention them but the f'n journalists & media harp on this shit for days.  Its all about hype, ratings and getting the big story.  Our election process needs to be focused on the issues.  Why don't they list each major issue and compare the candidates views.  That would be best...but its not as juicy or entertaining, so we rarely see that.  We need substance in American right now, not bullshit.

It is fascinating to watch, tbh, election news covering who said bitter, what race someone is, what gender someone is, how much money someones wife has, whose wife made up recipes or not etc - with minimal talk of any issues. I followed the election like mad, and only way I really knew the platforms was to seek them out on the individual websites. Our elections are all mega boring, some old people come out and discuss issues and crap and not once do they let us know the juicy stories like who had a $400 haircut. We just hear about education, crime prevention, future financial growth etc.

As much I am am enjoying your Hollywood saga election process [seriously], if I was a citizen I think I would feel the same as you.

[Camel Jockey]

the best leader knows facts, he does not make them up as he goes along ---Otto Von Bismarck

It was an honest mistake on Obama's part.

Not as bad as McCain not knowing the difference between Shias and Sunnis and getting a free pass on national security.

[240 is Back]

This is a binary election.  1 or 0.  You're a hawk or a dove.  You love the war and borrowing, or you want to stop the war instantly.

Choose your side.

[Dos Equis]

We just hear about education, crime prevention, future financial growth etc.

Imagine that.  An election focused solely on issues.  We have that Hollywood nonsense in local elections too.