Jake Tapper ABC News Senior National Correspondent Jake Tapper has a piece today rounding up several observant voices for whom the cult of personality around Barack Obama is wearing a bit thin. Among the gems he points out is this:
Joe Klein, writing at Time, notes "something just a wee bit creepy about the mass messianism" he sees in Obama's Super Tuesday speech."We are the ones we've been waiting for," Obama said. "This time can be different because this campaign for the presidency of the United States of America is different. It's different not because of me. It's different because of you."
That is not just maddeningly vague but also disingenuous: the campaign is entirely about Obama and his ability to inspire. Rather than focusing on any specific issue or cause - other than an amorphous desire for change - the message is becoming dangerously self-referential. The Obama campaign all too often is about how wonderful the Obama campaign is.
That last line is classic; classic because it's so true.
Update: In that same issue you can read about the zombie foot soldiers of the Obama movement - your teenagers.
Update 2: PunditGuy notes that on his website header Obama is shown in the clouds asking people to "believe"



Comments (37)
<a href="http://www.flickr.... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Pretzel_Logic | February 7, 2008 4:47 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23135640@N05/2249480862/
1. Posted by Pretzel_Logic | February 7, 2008 4:47 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:47
2. Posted by Peter F. | February 7, 2008 4:53 PM | Score: 9 (13 votes cast)
It's different because....because it's different. And it's different because I'm different. I'm different because I want change and that makes me different from my opponent who doesn't want the kind of different change we all want. And that makes us different from their change because our change will make a difference. Because this is about change, lots of change. And change is good, because it's different!
So vote for change. Vote for difference. Vote because I've duped the hell out of all of you and you still clap, and that makes me different!
I"m Barack Obama, and it's time for a different change!
2. Posted by Peter F. | February 7, 2008 4:53 PM |
Score: 9 (13 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:53
3. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 4:54 PM | Score: -7 (11 votes cast)
Kevin, thank you for opening my eyes to the true nature of the Obama appeal. I had no idea that Obama was all talk and no walk. This could not be true so I went to his website, and I could not find one position statement or policy plan? Please go here and see what I am talking about:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
3. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 4:54 PM |
Score: -7 (11 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 16:54
4. Posted by Bill | February 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
An eye-opening video about the real Barack Obama (the Democrats are not gonna like this):
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=27356758
4. Posted by Bill | February 7, 2008 5:01 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:01
5. Posted by caine | February 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
People LOVE him!!! He's raised 1,000,00 a day for the last 6 days! He's got an incredible amount of support and will kick OLD GEEZER McCain BUTT!!!!Can't wait!!
5. Posted by caine | February 7, 2008 5:14 PM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:14
6. Posted by RYO | February 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Peter F (#2): That's hilarious. That's just begging for an SNL treatment.
6. Posted by RYO | February 7, 2008 5:14 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:14
7. Posted by Rory | February 7, 2008 5:24 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Well not my twenty year old.
My kid went to vote for Hillary and then he plans on switching in the general to vote for whomever the Republican candidate is...
After all he's the Commander's son.
We taught him to vote strategically...
Now our sixteen year old daughter....she flirts with the idea of Obama-we might send her to reform school...
7. Posted by Rory | February 7, 2008 5:24 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:24
8. Posted by Michael | February 7, 2008 5:38 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
If Obama ends up the nominee...the scrutiny on him will be relentless and he will wilt into defeat in November.
Why do Democrats mostly nominate unelectable people? Three election wins in 38 years is not a good record.
8. Posted by Michael | February 7, 2008 5:38 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:38
9. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:39 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Kevin,
Thanks for posting this, I saw this earlier. I went to the Obama website as Barney suggested. I couldn't find these, maybe Obama team can add them asap. These are great example of Obama 's true liberal convictions.
(1) Don't see Tony Rezko and Norman Hsu under Ethics
(2) Under Faith and Family, I didn't see this perfect (100%) rating
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/06/hillary-hits-obama-on-abo_n_80013.html
During his eight years in the legislature, Obama cast a number of votes on abortion and received a 100 percent rating from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council for his support of abortion rights, family planning services and health insurance coverage for female contraceptives. He voted against requiring medical care for aborted fetuses who survive, a vote that especially riled abortion opponents.
(3) He forgot to post the ringing endorsement from MoveOn
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/02/barack-obama-wi.html
The vote favored Obama 70 percent to Clinton's 30 percent, MoveOn said in a statement. The endorsement is a first for the progressive/liberal activist group
9. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:39 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:39
10. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 5:43 PM | Score: -5 (7 votes cast)
Lovie and bill, according to Joe K. and kevin Obama doesn't have any platforms. He is all smoke and mirror's, so you should stop spreading lies or kevin will have to ban you.
10. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 5:43 PM |
Score: -5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:43
11. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:49 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Barncommie,
I am trying to give Obama campaign suggestions to help showcase their liberal convictions. Just trying to be helpful here.
11. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:49 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:49
12. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:52 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Kevin,
I think Barney is right here. Obama is running on the liberal platform of "killing babies, not terrorists" big gov. He is a great con-man (2nd coming of Bill Clinton). That 's why the left is just so excited. THey think Obama is the savior that will bring about their utopia of "killing babies, not terrorists" big gov.
12. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 5:52 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:52
13. Posted by John S | February 7, 2008 5:52 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
But if he takes Bill Clinton (and Hillary) out of the race, it'll all be worth it.
13. Posted by John S | February 7, 2008 5:52 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:52
14. Posted by LaMedusa | February 7, 2008 5:58 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
"We are the ones we've been waiting for,"
What's this "we" stuff, fella? We're still waiting. All he's basically said here is "This is Barack Obama, and I approve of this empty suit".
14. Posted by LaMedusa | February 7, 2008 5:58 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 17:58
15. Posted by Peter F. | February 7, 2008 6:08 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Thanks, RYO. I just wanted to post something, I dunno....different.
15. Posted by Peter F. | February 7, 2008 6:08 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 18:08
16. Posted by maggie | February 7, 2008 6:08 PM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Brilliant!
16. Posted by maggie | February 7, 2008 6:08 PM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 18:08
17. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 6:38 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Since we are here, this is another example of Obama is inspiring courage. He signed onto the famous Reid letter to smear and to take Rush Limbaugh of the air, but refuse to vote on the resolution condemning the MoveOn smear of Gen. Patreaus. Imagine Obama as a commander in chief of Patreaus. That 's the change/difference liberals are so excited about.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/bidding_hits_2_m_on_phony_sold.html
Then, Reid did a rather unusual thing. He wrote a letter of complaint on Senate stationery, signed by 40 other Democratic senators including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, to Mark Mays, the chairman of Clear Channel, one of Limbaugh's syndication partners, urging him to talk with Limbaugh about the remark and condemn it.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/09/obama_walks_on_antimoveonorg_s.html
Obama walks on anti-MoveOn.org Senate vote
17. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 6:38 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 18:38
18. Posted by hermie | February 7, 2008 7:06 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Obama was hardly someone who professed 'change' in the corrupt Illinois government. In fact, he went along with the massive corruption as a good little Dem party member; controlled by Daley machine.
He showed no leadership in the Illinois Senate, and was more of a 'me too' legislator.
18. Posted by hermie | February 7, 2008 7:06 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 19:06
19. Posted by marc | February 7, 2008 8:04 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Baghdad barney - "so you should stop spreading lies or kevin will have to ban you."
If that were the criteria you would have been gone LONG ago.
19. Posted by marc | February 7, 2008 8:04 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 20:04
20. Posted by marc | February 7, 2008 8:09 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
And BTW Baghdad barney - "Lovie and bill, according to Joe K. and kevin Obama doesn't have any platforms."
Neither Joe K. of Kevin made any ref to policy positions. This post was specifically on Obamas worthless speeches nothing more.
Not that you care to figure that out, it's much easier for you to make yet another sad attempt to drag the thread in YOUR direction.
20. Posted by marc | February 7, 2008 8:09 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 20:09
21. Posted by Larkin | February 7, 2008 8:12 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
That is not just maddeningly vague but also disingenuous: the campaign is entirely about Obama and his ability to inspire. Rather than focusing on any specific issue or cause - other than an amorphous desire for change - the message is becoming dangerously self-referential.
Too bad Joe Klein doesn't take the time to actually listen to any of Obama's stump speeches. If he had he would understand that Obama repeatedly tells people that it is up to "them" to change Washington; that they can't expect to just elect someone and have him or her do it for them.
He talks about the people effecting change--not himself waging a magic wand.
Obama is smart enough to know that a campaign based on a personality isn't going to give him a mandate to govern; that's why he's trying to turn it into a movement where the work begins (not ends) the day he is inauguarated.
21. Posted by Larkin | February 7, 2008 8:12 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 20:12
22. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 8:34 PM | Score: -4 (6 votes cast)
No marc, the article implies that Obama's supporters are brainwashed by Obama's words, and not his past actions or current platform.
That is total BS. Don't forget that Klein has taken a beating lately on his poor research skill's, so his commentary is worthless.
22. Posted by BarneyG2000 | February 7, 2008 8:34 PM |
Score: -4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 20:34
23. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 9:05 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Marc,
You get to give the liberals and dems the credit for a great job of selecting their leaders. As Mantis, they show us what liberalism really means. Hillary and Obama truly represent the liberal convictions/principles: Clintonian ethics, "killing babies, not terrorists" big gov and good con-job. The last one (good con-job) is what Larkin is really excited about.
23. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 9:05 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 21:05
24. Posted by Scrapiron | February 7, 2008 9:40 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
B Hussien Obama is nothing more than a polished con man. Someone writes his speaches, provides him with a crib sheet and sends him out. All he does is run his mouth (someone else's words) and pat himself on the back. Is it racist to say, monkey see-monkey do? Can anyone find one accomplishment in his life that made a difference for anyone other than his swelled head? The democrats can't find one so I guess it's up to the blogs to come up with a reason for him to breathe and waste oxygen, much less one that qualifies him to become president.
24. Posted by Scrapiron | February 7, 2008 9:40 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 21:40
25. Posted by HughS | February 7, 2008 9:52 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Don't forget that Klein has taken a beating lately on his poor research skill's, so his commentary is worthless.
Thanks Barney, we'll remember that standard.....
25. Posted by HughS | February 7, 2008 9:52 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 21:52
26. Posted by Mitchell | February 7, 2008 9:56 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
So, Barney, looks like you and Klein have a lot in common.
"Yes, we can. We can go forward, together, not apart, to change, change, change, not backward, not side to side, or shimmying, or skipping, but walking, sort of slowly, but meaningfully, together, for the change that we hope to effect as we change this thing, or that thing, or some other thing we may not yet know about. Because, well, it's all about the change. And the walking. Forward."
Change. Peace.
26. Posted by Mitchell | February 7, 2008 9:56 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 21:56
27. Posted by Live@9 | February 7, 2008 10:15 PM | Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
Jesus spent his days on earth preaching about people effecting "change", so I take it by the right wing standards here at Wizbang he would be nothing more than a Con Man. Nice "movement" you got here boys.
27. Posted by Live@9 | February 7, 2008 10:15 PM |
Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 22:15
28. Posted by Love America, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 10:27 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Now Live compares Obama to Jesus. Maybe this is what Mantis mean by idiots. Yup, Jesus would vote like Obama did
He voted against requiring medical care for aborted fetuses who survive, a vote that especially riled abortion opponents.
28. Posted by Love America, Immigrant | February 7, 2008 10:27 PM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 7, 2008 22:27
29. Posted by ken burns | February 8, 2008 6:53 AM | Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
You call yourselves conservatives but what are you, actually? Reactionary dorks who dig war(as long as you don't have to fight it yourselves)and think that capitalism forms character in a positive way.Oh yeah, you are against abortion and the use of stem cell technology but you think torturing people to death by means of lethal injection is pretty cool.Guns? Oh, God give us guns..or guns give us God?Plug an islamofascist for Christ..for Christ's sake.Yes, Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me...because Bill Kristol tells me so?And who was the great Manufactured Man of the last century?Ronny Reagan all in red...hair, I mean...or it seemed to be.Who wrote that man's index cards?Well...Jesus...I guess.
29. Posted by ken burns | February 8, 2008 6:53 AM |
Score: -5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 06:53
30. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 11:29 AM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Ken,
Go pick up the Jesus issue with Obama supporters. I just looked at the contrast. Denying medical care to surviving aborted babies was listed as a credential to show how good a liberal Obama is (by a liberal website). Now imagine denying medical care to injured terrorrists. The liberal left will be up in arms about the inhumanity of it. In this case of aborted babies, they just shrugged it off.
This is just a perfect example of Obama conning people into comparing him to Jesus.
30. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 11:29 AM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:29
31. Posted by SPQR | February 8, 2008 11:37 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Juvenile rant, ken.
31. Posted by SPQR | February 8, 2008 11:37 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 11:37
32. Posted by LaMedusa | February 8, 2008 12:18 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"Plug an islamofascist for Christ..for Christ's sake."
Ken, that was bizarre and outta control. So, what do you call yourself, and what's in your wallet? Index cards?
32. Posted by LaMedusa | February 8, 2008 12:18 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 12:18
33. Posted by mantis | February 8, 2008 1:59 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
After listening to CPAC drones mindlessly chanting "four more years, four more years" this morning prior to the president's speech, I find the criticism of Obama supporters rather amusing.
33. Posted by mantis | February 8, 2008 1:59 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 13:59
34. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 2:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mantis#33
Another idiotic post from a Lava's brainwash moron.
34. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 2:03 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:03
35. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 2:21 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Mantis,
BTW, if you don't understand how idiotic you are, let me know and I can explain slowly to you again.
35. Posted by LoveAmerica, Immigrant | February 8, 2008 2:21 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 14:21
36. Posted by Jo | February 8, 2008 11:04 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Poor Ken Burns, it sounds like he's on the same mix of drugs poor Heath Ledger took. Bad trip there dude.
36. Posted by Jo | February 8, 2008 11:04 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 8, 2008 23:04
37. Posted by jpm100 | February 9, 2008 3:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think this is an ironic offshoot of watching many Republicans bemoan McCain.
The shear lack of critical review of Obama's record from his own Party and sympathetic media draws an interesting and disturbing contrast.
37. Posted by jpm100 | February 9, 2008 3:30 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 9, 2008 15:30