“The allure of a charismatic demagogue”

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 26, 2008 10:11 AM


Blinded by the glow…

Must-read weekend meditation: Mark Levin ponders “the Obama temptation” and asks, “Is the allure of a charismatic demagogue so strong that the usually sober American people are willing to risk an Obama presidency?”

One of the biggest puzzles to me is why so many have fallen for the notion that the bland cipher Obama is “charismatic.”

But I guess if you have enough in-the-tank media propagandists photoshopping halos around your head, people start to believe it.

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Posted in: Barack Obama

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Comments


  1. #101
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am, Bud Fox said:

    watershed said:

    Obama is a whore and you’ll see that after his own party turns on him.

  2. #102
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am, sandyb said:

    Rob said:
    And McAmnesty was the best challenger that republicans could put on the field to go against Obama????

    Hear, hear, Rob. If it weren’t for the egomaniacal McCain thinking this was his “due” and the tarnished-halo-wearing Huckabee running interference with the Evangelical vote and vile Mormon-bashing, self-made millionaire Mitt Romney would be our candidate in this horrific economy. Thanks, McSame; thanks, Huckster; thanks complicit, spineless RNC. Hope you’re proud of yourselves.

  3. #103
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am, b-cat said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:53 am, FilmLadd said:
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am, b-cat said:

    Cool. I’m an old comic book geek so keep me posted. Haven’t bought anything like that in years, but I would read your stuff.

  4. #104
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am, RabbidSquirrel said:

    I woke up this morning and realized that Obama really is an articlulate speaker and that I suddenly feel the need to send him all of my money.

    I cant believe I have been blindly holding out for substance over policy. I only wish I had grown up in an era of bicycle helments, no dodgeball and rubberized playground equipment, so I wouldnt have come to rely upon myself so much.

  5. #105
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am, Bud Fox said:

    watershed sounds like he’s smoked one too many bingers in his hay day. Expect that from people like thai; it’s still candyland to these people. Let’s play Chutes amd Ladders watershed; you sound up to the task.

  6. #106
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, sbw999 said:

    Obama is charismatic, no doubt. It has nothing to do with the media. He is well spoken, relaxed, deep radio voice, carries himself well. To many in America, that quailifies him to be Presisent. Then when this charismatic person talks about taking care of one another, spreading the wealth around etc., people in this country think “yeah, those are good ideas”. But those same people could not tell the difference between a capitalist, communist and socialist economic system. So the citizenry pulls the lever, not even understanding what they are really voting for.

    A lot of reasons that voters who usually vote for Republican will be voting Dem, is the failure of Wall Street to give a chit about the people of our Country by cheating the citizenry out of a trillion dollars in investment value. Also, while I believe that it is true that Dem political correctness led to the strong arming of lenders to make nonsensical (business wise) loans to people that could not afford them, leading ultimately to this economic disaster, I dont believe for a minute that there werent dozens of Republicans who saw this coming and who didnt take the LEAD in doing something about it. Another reason is President Bush who had a big part in allowing our national debt to double, a disgrace to any Republican. I am not one for burdensome government regulations; but I am certainly not naive, given the dishonesty and corruption that has just been exposed out of Wall Street, to believe that these people can govern themselves in an honest manner. We trusted them to play by the rules like the rest of us working stiffs do, and they betrayed everybody who believes in our system.

    I will not vote for Obama because he is too liberal, and given that there may be a filibuster proof majority in the Congress. Given the corrupt left wing media who will give the dems a pass on anything, having a dem pres now is way too risky for our Democracy.

    But I am thoroughly disgusted with this Republican Adminstration, with the fact that our Country is now a debtor nation, and about our Republican nominee. I am disgusted with politicians who say anything and pander to be elected, while the only thing they really care about is keeping their own asses in power.

  7. #107
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, sandyb said:

    Bud Fox said:

    Obama is a whore and you’ll see that after his own party turns on him.

    I wonder if that will happen. I’m convinced there was something tangible in this for NEARLY ALL THE SO-CALLED NEWS OPERATIONS to bash McCain and glorify Dopey Hopey to the extent they did. I figure Soros or MoveOn $$ is involved, and if the positive stories/dem cover-up pieces continue, so will the $$.

  8. #108
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am, Bud Fox said:

    watershed said:

    Obama is a whore

    Now is that a legal Nevada whore, a legal tranny whore in San Francisco, or a down-and-dirty working class Scranton whore.

  9. #109
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:13 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:58 am, b-cat said:
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am, b-cat said:

    Cool. I’m an old comic book geek so keep me posted. Haven’t bought anything like that in years, but I would read your stuff.

    Thanks B, I will!

  10. #110
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:14 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Now is that a legal Nevada whore, a legal tranny whore in San Francisco, or a down-and-dirty working class Scranton whore.

    Probably a New Orleans French Quarter whore: won’t be able to tell the gender until it’s waaaay too late whore!

  11. #111
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, fulldroolcup said:

    “Someone needs to expain to the masses that rich people who live off expense accounts don’t pay paroll or income taxes. So Obama can raise taxes all he wants and we will get socked with the increase NOT the rich!”

    Has anyone ever written a more error-filled pair of sentences?

    Well, I suppose: there’s lgm, there’s watershed, there’s the mistress, there’s chap….

  12. #112
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm, madchef said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am, sandyb said:
    Rob said:
    And McAmnesty was the best challenger that republicans could put on the field to go against Obama????

    I believe that the real cause was voter fraud in the early primaries. The demoncrats knew their ticket would be strong with either Hillary or Obama, so they could afford to vote for McCain in the early primaries until strong republican candidates dropped out. By making sure McCain was the nominee, they could tie him to Bush. Which is what they did. This also took the immigration issue off the table.
    They would not have been able to do this with any other candidate, a Governor or a former Sen. such as Thompson. IMHO.

  13. #113
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:27 pm, b-cat said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm, madchef said:
    The demoncrats knew their ticket would be strong with either Hillary or Obama, so they could afford to vote for McCain in the early primaries until strong republican candidates dropped out.

    McCain was also the least distasteful GOP candidate to them.

  14. #114
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:31 pm, sandyb said:

    johnsteele said:
    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:08 am, watershed said:

    #53

    No, I just don’t buy into your outrageous, paranoid, delusional ideas about my candidate. He’s not a muslimterroristsocialistamericahatingblackarabbringdowntheUSfromtheinside candidate. That crap didn’t stick, and the American people didnt buy your nonsense.
    No one on this side of the aisle siad anything about him being a:
    1. Muslim, that came from Hillary.
    2. Terrorist. We said he’s associated with them (Ayers is an admitted, unrepentant terrorist)
    3. America Hating (he spent 20 years in Wright’s Hate America church)

    And I don’t think he’s a Socialist, I think he’s a $#%$%#@$ Marxist.

    And yes I do believe his intent is to destroy the America that he, and most of the hard left, thinks is the cause of all evil in the world.

    Next.

    Don’t forget, the NY Times (for God’s sakes!) wrote a piece on That One, where the adoring “reporter” relayed how That One strolled into his office reciting the Muslim call to evening prayer in Arabic, no less, saying, “Could anything be more beautiful?”

    Slipped yer mind, did it?

    How about the sections in his book that say “I will stand with the Middle East — against Israel” Miss that one, too?

    You lefties are so hopenotized that actual video of the guy SAYING this stuff doesn’t sway you.

    Our new “government” will save lots of money on re-ed camps on you folks since you were so easy (not that they’re worried about money…)

  15. #115
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:33 pm, ackrite55 said:

    McCain should counter that half hour ad by going into the booth during the game. Same market for free.

  16. #116
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:38 pm, madchef said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:27 pm, b-cat said:
    McCain was also the least distasteful GOP candidate to them.

    Right, therefore it was a win/win for them.
    As much voter fraud that has been uncovered in the last few months before the general election, we must conclude that it was also going on during the primaries.

  17. #117
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, Mookie said:

    I want to make sure I have this right. Gayle, are you saying that the reason Obama hasn’t (in your mind) shown his real birth certificate is that he doesn’t have one since he’s the anti-Christ?

  18. #118
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    That One strolled into his office reciting the Muslim call to evening prayer in Arabic, no less, saying, “Could anything be more beautiful?”

    Its a funny situation, because the left has been infiltrated by the Muslims anyway. The libs think that the Muslims are a minority population that need to be protected from the evil right wing. LOL

    Liberals have been co-opted from within and they dont even see it either.

    Unfortunately for them, the Muslim faith is more akin to the Right, because they both loath what the liberal agenda stands for.

    And for all of the crakkas out there that think they are trying to absolve themselves of ‘white guilt’. Guess what? you aint one of them either :)

  19. #119
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:49 pm, FruNobulux said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, sbw999 said:

    Indeed. Thank you; well said.

  20. #120
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:52 pm, madchef said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, Mookie said:

    Judge R. Barclay Surrick dismissed Phillip Bergs suit against Obama on friday. He said that Berg lacked evidence to bring the suit.
    What is so damn hard about producing a valid Birth certificate? Why would a judge not say show me your birth certificate so we can settle this matter?

  21. #121
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, Mookie said:

    Judge R. Barclay Surrick dismissed Phillip Bergs suit against Obama on friday. He said that Berg lacked evidence to bring the suit.
    What is so damn hard about producing a valid Birth certificate? Why would a judge not say show me your birth certificate so we can settle this matter?

    So are you saying he doesn’t have a birth certificate because he’s the anti-Christ?

  22. #122
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm, greenfairie said:

    I just don’t get the Obama allure. I never have. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen the act before and know exactly where it comes from.

    If you ask me, people are projecting more than anything else. They want a transcedental figure and they don’t want to look behind the curtain, because who’s the answer if it isn’t Obama? Americans used to a relatively cushy, safe existence want the crises of the Bush years to go away. They’re also looking to the Democrats to provide a fluffy cushion should their financial fortunes take a downturn.

    Should Obama win, Fantasy Island is going to become a nightmare.

  23. #123
    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:56 pm, madchef said:

    NO, i’m not saying that at all. Only that whether or not a person is eligable to run is a valid question.

  24. #124
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, madchef said:

    I think that the reason he has not produced a valid birth certificate is because he was born in a hut like his half brother.

  25. #125
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:06 pm, love2rumba said:

    Demagoguery: campaigning on obviously impossible promises or hollow rhetoric

    Yes LGM that is what Obama has been doing.

  26. #126
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, Helene said:

    What happens if he gets tested? Will he simply walk on the water of the reflecting pool in DC?

    My guess is that he’ll curl up in a ball and not make a decision or he’ll lash out at his supporters and throw them under the bus.

    His followers will be extremely disappointed when the traffic doesn’t flow smoother, they still have to wait in line at the post office, hurricanes still pound the coast, gas prices go up and they have to pay co-pays on their prescriptions.

    He can’t part the waters and the papers will show their historic fickleness and turn on him when he dosen’t pull off the first miracle.

    Given his thin skin, his wife’s temper and the self-rightniousness of his minions and pals, his term in office would be overwhelmed with scandal and disappointment. And Hillary and Bill will laugh.

    Remember, the higher the pedestal, the further the fall.

  27. #127
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm, rambler said:

    fooldroolcup,
    Why do you think Warren Buffet keeps saying that he doesn’t pay enough in income taxes? We know what Warren is worth, not what he makes. Anyone who feels that their income taxes are too low can get out their check books and write a check to the IRS and stop saying that since they don’t pay enough that the tax rate should be raised for others.
    I know rich people who don’t pay income taxes and they are laughing.I have a friend who owns a restaurant, doesn’t take a wage at all, so no income tax. The business pays for everything she needs.The Obama supporters will not get tax money from the rich because the rich know how to hide it.
    A vote for Obama is a vote for utopia.

  28. #128
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:18 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, Mookie said:

    So are you saying he doesn’t have a birth certificate because he’s the anti-Christ?

    I’m an atheist / agnostic so I don’t believe in the anti-Christ or all the end-times prophecies that come from those corners, but.

    From the viewpoint of a fiction writer, all of the unanswered questions about Obama certainly are juicy. They’d make a great story – let’s call it The American Apocalypse or something like that…

    The shadowy lineage, the hazy religious background, black liberation theology, the creepy associations with marxists, socialists, thugs, anarchists, terrorists, etc… the charisma… the speeches that sound eloquent but say nothing… the love of the PLO… etc., etc.

    It’s all a fantastic start to a dark and desolate story about the fall of the greatest bastion of freedom mankind has ever managed to build.

  29. #129
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, Rob said:

    I just don’t get the Obama allure.

    The majority of the population is just stupid… and they keep having welfare, anchor babies lowering the average IQ even more.

    Obama stands there and says they will all get free stuff… idiocracy.

    I will post this link again…

    If you haven’t seen the movie Idiocray, it is dumb and funny but it does make a point.

  30. #130
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, Helene said:

    Check out the Jawa Report for Obama’s anthem. Try not to laugh too hard. This goes back to my earlier comment. The higher you place yourself, in your own mind, the bigger the fall.

    There’s also a great video of Bush at the UN.

  31. #131
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:32 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm, rambler said:

    The Obama supporters will not get tax money from the rich because the rich know how to hide it.

    Which is why authoritarian governments become ever more intrusive until there is no place to hide… see Cuba, for instance.

    You can run from a Socialist / Communist / Collectivist state…

    But you can’t hide.

  32. #132
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:35 pm, FamilyMan said:

    watershed said ; So much paranoia.

    Is that your favorite comeback. I think you protest to much.
    REMEMBER CONSERVATIVES ARE THE ONES WITH THE GUNS
    Injoy your day teach

  33. #133
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:38 pm, gco said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:09 pm, Helene said:

    His followers will be extremely disappointed when the traffic doesn’t flow smoother, they still have to wait in line at the post office, hurricanes still pound the coast, gas prices go up and they have to pay co-pays on their prescriptions.

    He can’t part the waters and the papers will show their historic fickleness and turn on him when he dosen’t pull off the first miracle.

    Yes. He has promised perfection. Universal healthcare? No, The One will end all disease! Raising employment and diminishing poverty? No, The One will provide for all of our needs and desires, and we’ll never have to toil!

    He’ll fall short of this, of course. But the papers will pull out every excuse, and make up any rationalization to cover for him. Their vanity would never allow them to admit that they were wrong, and that their Messiah would be causing/allowing harm for America.

    Wanna have some fun? Whenever one of The One’s sheep are bleating about all of the wonderful things he’ll do, ask them why he needs the mere Presidency to work his miracles. His powers are glorious, yet useless without the White House?

  34. #134
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm, Papa Louie said:

    Obama looks “downright mean” to me on that Rolling Stone cover. There’s not even a hint of a smile in that photo. Is it just me or does anyone else see a deep, suppressed anger in Obama’s face that always looks like it’s about to boil to the surface?

    If Obama is suppressing anger, it’s going to come out after the election. Maybe that’s what Biden meant when he talked about something happening in the first 6 months that we’re not going to like. Biden has probably already gotten a taste of Obama’s anger in private…

  35. #135
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm, sonofdy said:

    We have seen Obama take step after time proven step to a dictatorship. He just made it clear that the media can never ask him tough questions. EVER. Even if you think the marxist question was BS,to stop people asking questions is a clear sign of a dictator. With the rampant voter fraud, the election is already tainted.

  36. #136
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:43 pm, gayle said:

    Not having or producing a valid birth certificate tells me one of two things;

    He has a reason to HIDE it from the citizens OR there isn’t one to provide.

    Either way, don’t you find it ODD that he isn’t required to do so???????

  37. #137
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:44 pm, rocketman said:

    The socialist Adolph Hitler was a pretty charasmatic person–just watch the films of his mass rallies–kindof like the Messiah in Obama Stadium in Denver. However, the future didn’t look quite as good in mid 1945 when the surviving German people were living in the rubble filled streets. They wanted hope and change–they got both!

    John Bibb

  38. #138
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:49 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:38 pm, gco said:

    …ask them why he needs the mere Presidency to work his miracles. His powers are glorious, yet useless without the White House?

    Captain Kirk: What does God need with my spaceship?

    Awesome line in an otherwise dismal movie (Star Trek V).

  39. #139
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:51 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    One must wonder, will private enterprise survive. We wonder, why the hostility towards private enterprise. It does threaten the power of Big Govt. Perhaps there’s your answer. Obama, Senator Government, is nothing if not for Big Govt. He’ll work to crush that spark in the human soul. He won’t kill it. He’ll dim it. He’ll work as hard as he can to replace it with his own beneficent vision. Meaning from Obama, from govt, from the outside, from without, rather than from within. That’s Obama’s vision. If you’re stupid and empty inside, it sounds pretty good.

  40. #140
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:55 pm, FilmLadd said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm, Papa Louie said:

    If Obama is suppressing anger, it’s going to come out after the election. Maybe that’s what Biden meant when he talked about something happening in the first 6 months that we’re not going to like. Biden has probably already gotten a taste of Obama’s anger in private…

    Remember that Biden was talking to democrat insiders, and pleading for their support to an Obama reaction to a crisis six months in.

    My bet is he really meant that Obama would respond to a foreign crisis with a military response, perhaps on a massive scale, which would be anathema to those supporters.

    But, a big war (with a true Declaration by Congress) would solidify Obama’s authoritarian hold on the country.

  41. #141
    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:58 pm, rambler said:

    Film ladd,
    You got it. None of us wanted that bank bailout; it puts government into the stock, banking and housing systems.

    People are cutting their losses and hiding the money.After the economy really tanks, there won’t be any income worth taxing. So mister rhetoric won’t be delivering much on his promises. He knows how to manipulate the voter system. He doesn’t know how businesses work, how to increase employment or to grow the economy. He knows how to organise the masses and get them to believe that they deserve handouts. No economy will grow on that foundation. It’s time to clean up the government and Obama is not the person who can do it.

  42. #142
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm, flmom said:

    Rambler said:

    He knows how to manipulate the voter system. He doesn’t know how businesses work, how to increase employment or to grow the economy. He knows how to organise the masses and get them to believe that they deserve handouts. No economy will grow on that foundation. It’s time to clean up the government and Obama is not the person who can do it.

    That is Obama in a nutshell. Well said.

  43. #143
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm, madchef said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 1:55 pm, FilmLadd said:

    The American Apocalypse or something like that…

    A fitting title for an Obama presidency.

    But, a big war (with a true Declaration by Congress) would solidify Obama’s authoritarian hold on the country.

    He will impose martial law upon the U.S.and repeal the 2nd ammendment.

  44. #144
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm, dadinseattle said:

    One of the biggest puzzles to me is why so many have fallen for the notion that the bland cipher Obama is “charismatic.”

    The so called “elite” writers and commentators seem to place more value in the circles they travel in and know than any actual substance. He is one of them so naturally is laudable.
    Pay no attention to unrehearsed moments or unexpected questions where he has to struggle to fight his way out of a wet paper bag(Saddleback comes to mind)!

    Obama tells us in his own words how he has studied the many ways to manipulate us.

    The people that read blogs like this everyday seem to be in the minority of the culture.

    My question is why do we have such a lack of gratitude for what we have in this country. Those that do not appreciate what they already have are likely to always want more.
    They do not realize they are about to trade away their children’s future where people have lost most of the freedom and liberty we have now.

    “Charismatic”, is Sarah Palin, she has the right ideas and speaks the truth,does it in a style most of us relate to, and from a place we know.
    Of course not being a member(or wishing to become one) of the elite circle makes her despised.
    Sarah is exciting and real.

    Obama is boring and his appeal will fade fast as people discover this at some point!
    To use Obamas own quote: “Just words…Just speeches!”
    Yep, that’s him!

  45. #145
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, madchef said:

    Rambler said:
    He knows how to organise the masses and get them to believe that they deserve handouts. No economy will grow on that foundation. It’s time to clean up the government and Obama is not the person who can do it.

    It reminds me of the line in “Gladiator”
    “The mob is Rome. He will bring them death, and they will love him for it”

  46. #146
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am, sandyb said:

    Rob said:
    And McAmnesty was the best challenger that republicans could put on the field to go against Obama????

    Hear, hear, Rob. If it weren’t for the egomaniacal McCain thinking this was his “due” and the tarnished-halo-wearing Huckabee running interference with the Evangelical vote and vile Mormon-bashing, self-made millionaire Mitt Romney would be our candidate in this horrific economy. Thanks, McSame; thanks, Huckster; thanks complicit, spineless RNC. Hope you’re proud of yourselves.

    sandyb, that is garbage. And frankly, I’ve seen far too much of that garbage.

    One

    Two

    Three

  47. #147
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm, guitarguy said:

    I’m gonna go out on a limb here…..

    If Barack Obama looked like Bernie Mac…..Chris Rock…..or Yaphet Kotto….we would not be having this discussion.

  48. #148
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm, rooster said:

    No, I just don’t buy into your outrageous, paranoid, delusional ideas about my candidate. He’s not a muslimterroristsocialistamericahatingblackarabbringdowntheUSfromtheinside candidate. That crap didn’t stick, and the American people didnt buy your nonsense.

    Earth to moron…had the media done 1/10th of their job, this incompetent would be where he belongs, supporting affirmative action, anti-american bigots like you waterhead.

  49. #149
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:13 pm, Papa Louie said:

    rambler said:

    The Obama supporters will not get tax money from the rich because the rich know how to hide it.

    That’s why Obama will not keep his promise of a middle class tax cut. To get the money he needs for his expensive social programs he will cut military spending like Clinton did. I also predict he will do one of the following two things:

    1) Right after the election he will follow the lead of Bill Clinton in 1992 and announce that rising deficits and the state of the economy will not allow him to make any of his promised tax cuts.

    2) Or he will let the Bush tax cuts expire, which will raise the bottom tax bracket from 10% to 15%. This will be a 50% tax increase on lower wage earners, but the press will spin it as not being a tax increase. They will say that Obama is simply restoring the original, fairer tax rates of the Clinton years. Then he will give a small tax cut of maybe 20% to those of lower and middle incomes. He (and the adoring MSM) will then claim that he has kept his promise to lower taxes for the middle class, and if you claim your taxes are actually going up by 30%, you will be called racist.

  50. #150
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Four

    Five

    Here’s my take on Romney vs Huckabee

  51. #151
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm, Rob said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pm, guitarguy said:
    I’m gonna go out on a limb here…..

    If Barack Obama looked like Bernie Mac…..Chris Rock…..or Yaphet Kotto….we would not be having this discussion.

    If Obama were a strong conservative, we would not be having this discussion, and I would be voting for the dude.

  52. #152
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:31 pm, fulldroolcup said:

    per rambler:

    “I know rich people who don’t pay income taxes and they are laughing.”

    Yeah, rich people openly brag about cheating on their taxes all the time. I mean, no one would drop a dime on them to the IRS, would they?

    “I have a friend who owns a restaurant, doesn’t take a wage at all, so no income tax.

    Moron! The BUSINESS will still get taxed. I don’t “take a wage” either, but I still wind up paying business taxes and FICA when I file my 1040. I still pay income tax through my business.

    “The business pays for everything she needs.

    Yeah, like her home, her heat, her electricity, her mortgage, her clothing? Funny, I can’t see where I can get deductions for these on MY tax return. Or is her restaurant IN her kitchen?

    And funny, she will have to file a return to show the wages she paid her employees, the FICA taken out of their meagre paychecks, and the income/expenses/deductions for the business itself —so she can’t remain unknown to the Feds.

    “The Obama supporters will not get tax money from the rich because the rich know how to hide it.”

    You simply do not understand that according to the IRS “the rich”, the top 1%, pay 40% of total federal income taxes NOW. The 250K and up group pays abut 50%.

    Go here and learn something:

    http://www.ntu.org/main/page.php?PageID=6

    Note the source under the charts.

  53. #153
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, Papa Louie said:

    FilmLadd said:

    My bet is he really meant that Obama would respond to a foreign crisis with a military response, perhaps on a massive scale, which would be anathema to those supporters.

    And what better way to release a little anger than to start a war, I mean peacekeeping mission, in say Darfur? Many of the same Democrats who decried Bush getting us involved in a “civil war” in Iraq will be thrilled for us to get in the middle of a civil war in Darfur, because like Bosnia, it would be a righteous war. But if things go badly and we get bogged down, they will be the first to turn on Obama. That’s when Biden will plead with them for support and patience.

  54. #154
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, Room 237 said:

    Obama = Bagger Vance

  55. #155
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:36 pm, mistressjustice said:
  56. #156
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:43 pm, Papa Louie said:

    fulldroolcup said:

    Moron! The BUSINESS will still get taxed. I don’t “take a wage” either, but I still wind up paying business taxes and FICA when I file my 1040. I still pay income tax through my business.

    If you were rich enough, like George Soros, to locate your business in a tax haven like the Cayman Islands, you could avoid US taxes. Then you could afford to donate huge sums to the Democratic Party to support raising taxes on your rich competitors.

  57. #157
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:45 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm, Rob said:

    If Obama were a strong conservative, we would not be having this discussion, and I would be voting for the dude.

    Amen!

    I would love to see Michael S. Steele be President of the United States.

  58. #158
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Blinded by the glow…

    Another lightworker

  59. #159
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:54 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Morning waterboard. How does it feel being wrong about everything?

    I am getting a tax cut under Obama.

    Ha! Clinton promised middle class tax cut. Remember that one? HA! (I tried and tried but it just can not be done WJC)
    THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: On the Trail; CLINTON DISAVOWS IDEA OF MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT
    Even the NYT can get it right somewhat once in awhile.

    Enjoy the sharia
    Have a nice Jihad
    Buy your burka yet?
    Herding goats in a burka
    can be liberating.
    Music not allowed- the prophet said so.

  60. #160
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm, watershed said:

    Virginia hasn’t voted Dem in 44 YEARS, and is leaning Obama’s way.

  61. #161
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm, Dave Turson said:

    “Is the allure of a charismatic demagogue so strong that the usually sober American people are willing to risk an Obama presidency?”

    I saw this Michael Ramirez cartoon yesterday and had an epiphany.

    The One is promising more without effort–it is all about self-interest. It’s like what Churchill said about trying to understand the movements of the Soviet Union: “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.”

  62. #162
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm, Laree said:

    Meantime someone else is rhyming about the cult of personality…Obama,Obama would you trust a man whose name should have a comma -Funny.

    http://rattlergator.typepad.com/rattlergator/2008/10/halloween-no-obamaween.html

  63. #163
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Off topic a bit…I just saw on TV a polling place in Chicago. There were lines out the door, and people had been waiting for hours. I would estimate that 99% of those in line were black. Obama has been telling his disciples to vote early to make sure their votes count. They are doing it, big time.

  64. #164
    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm, watershed said:

    #159

    Enjoy the sharia
    Have a nice Jihad

    Just what I am talking about. Obama is not a muslim terrorist, and trying to win the election with that argument not only doesnt work, but makes your party look like cavemen. Come join the modern world.

  65. #165
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:00 pm, watershed said:

    #163

    Well that news makes me happy, Happy!

  66. #166
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:03 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    ITookTheRedPill #157 said:
    I would love to see Michael S. Steele be President of the United States.

    There are those trying–Damn McCain-Feingold IS a problem there. The Reagan model is gone thanks to that piece of statism. I imagine our resident Liberals and Trolls are cranking out the Oreo slurs just in case.

    That is assuming we still have elections in 4 years from now.


    I Luv the Guv: John McCain’s best decision yet

  67. #167
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:04 pm, watershed said:

    The ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, Alaska’s largest newspaper, endorses Obama!

  68. #168
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:05 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, Mookie said: So are you saying he doesn’t have a birth certificate because he’s the anti-Christ?

    Why do you keep asking that question? No one is saying that. They just question where he was born!!! What is your point?

  69. #169
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:06 pm, watershed said:

    (I’m sure the Wasilla daily paper, the Smalltown Real American, is backing McCain though. Have no fear!)

  70. #170
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:07 pm, fulldroolcup said:

    “Alaska’s largest newspaper” is owned by an out-of-state company, and is very leftist, so much so it’s locally known as the “Anchorage Daily Worker”.

    So…whaddayexpect?

  71. #171
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:07 pm, Joy said:

    ITTRP – Sandyb is spot-on.

    Your Huckabee is Reagan is laughable. He was appalling in the primaries. He’s also as much of a RINO as McCain is. He entered the race for the sole purpose of thwarting Romney. I would never trust a man like that in office who wants to shut down all religious thought but his own. THAT is scary.

    And it’s that plus your rabid take-over-the-blog posting that takes away from some of your valid ideas and causes me to see you as more like the enemy than an ally.

  72. #172
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:08 pm, watershed said:

    #166

    That is assuming we still have elections in 4 years from now.

    Keep bringing the crazy, guys. Cuckoo!

  73. #173
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:09 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    Watershed,
    Anyone can claim to be a Christian, but the Bible says that

    …no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

    Until I hear Obama (or anyone else, for that matter) confess with his mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, I refuse to believe he is a Christian.

    I also don’t know any Christians personally who can recite Islamic prayers with a first-rate accent…

    Truth: The Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer, and begins with four recitals of the words “Allahu Akbar“.

    Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent.In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

  74. #174
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:09 pm, fulldroolcup said:

    Pap Louie’s comment may be true, but it is irrelevant in supporting the false claim that “the rich” don’t pay income taxes. IRS data show that they do.

  75. #175
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm, brooklyn red said:

    happyscrapper re:
    I just saw on TV a polling place in Chicago. There were lines out the door, and people had been waiting for hours.

    No surprise, what did you think that they would show? It is big country, one shot from one polling place isn’t going to too tell much one way or another.

  76. #176
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm, watershed said:

    #173

    And as if on cue, more crazy! My cup overfloweth.

  77. #177
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:12 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:08 pm, watershed said:

    #166

    That is assuming we still have elections in 4 years from now.

    Keep bringing the crazy, guys. Cuckoo!

    Cuckoo? I think not, considering the evidence.

  78. #178
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I would love to see Michael S. Steele be President of the United States.

    Amen to that! I adore that man!

  79. #179
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:15 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    watershed #159 said:

    Enjoy the sharia
    Have a nice Jihad

    Just what I am talking about. Obama is not a muslim terrorist, and trying to win the election with that argument not only doesnt work, but makes your party look like cavemen. Come join the modern world.
    [would that be the 7th century?]

    Allah Akbar-the Caliphate awaits you O’Waterboarded One. Excited about your 72 virgins are you? May your goats and camels increase as does your harem. (could you give us a hint on whatever domestic flights you plan on taking?)

    God Bless America except for the blue states.

  80. #180
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm, watershed said:

    #177

    Dude. You’re on a internet board, discussing politics (albeit irrationally), and it’s a nice fall day in America.

    You’re not in some armed bunker, waiting for the army to smoke you out because they “hate your freedoms” or some such nonsense. You’re not in Ruby Ridge. You’re all talk. Get a grip.

    This election won’t go your way, and you know what? Maybe you’ll win the next one. Good luck to you!

  81. #181
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm, watershed said:

    #179

    I don’t agree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it.

  82. #182
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:21 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:10 pm, watershed said:
    #173

    And as if on cue, more crazy! My cup overfloweth.

    This a$$hole is trying desperately to threadjack us. I am glad that most of us are not feeding it. Keep up the good work. This is the only time I will acknowledge its existence, since it hasn’t said anything even closely resembling debate, but only one-liners and insults. What a loser.

  83. #183
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:24 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm, watershed said:

    This election won’t go your way

    As long as we expose, prosecute, convict and prevent fraud, I believe the election will go our way.

  84. #184
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:26 pm, brooklyn red said:

    happyscrapper, libs like to post they way they like to register to vote… 1 for you, 8 for me. (& I have no intention of replying to any response, the numbers speak for them selves).

  85. #185
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:26 pm, watershed said:

    #182

    Not true, Happy dear. I took and PASSED Familyman’s “Good American Values” quiz. He even thanked me for my honesty and time.

    Its a tough election this year, I understand. Best though, that you look for other outlets for your frustrations other than cheerful liberal posters on a message board. Stay strong!

  86. #186
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:39 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    happyscrapper,
    Pardon me for feeding the troll, but he opens the door for me to repeat points I have made in prior posts.

    The topic of the thread is:

    “Is the allure of a charismatic demagogue so strong that the usually sober American people are willing to risk an Obama presidency?”

    One of the biggest puzzles to me is why so many have fallen for the notion that the bland cipher Obama is “charismatic.”

    But I guess if you have enough in-the-tank media propagandists photoshopping halos around your head, people start to believe it.

    Believe it or not, Obama and his propagandists are using hypnosis/brainwashing techniques.

    People who have been raised and educated in a “demoralized” system are not capable of discerning truth from lies.

  87. #187
    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:58 pm, nbarry said:

    I have seen this phenomenon before in New York two years ago when the entire media was beating the drum to get Eliot Spitzer elected governor. Then he took office and the scandals began. And the columnists began harrumphing, “I knew he was a phony from day one.” No kidding! And I predict that our current crop of pundits will claim to be shocked, shocked that Obama isn’t up to the job while others declare that they knew all along that he couldn’t cut the mustard.

  88. #188
    On October 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pm, California Red said:

    If he wins, I won’t suffer Obama Derangment System. I plan to be the vocal minority that protests socialist tax policies, universal healthcare, 401(k) elimination, and most of his policies, but I can respect the man.

    I wont spend 4 years blaming him for everything that is and ever was. The Dems have looked stupid for the past 8 years because they never could formulate a platform other than “We hate George Bush.”

    To be honest, the Republican party has lost its way. We are on the brink of a hard left turn becuase of the irresponsibility and incompetence of the Bush adminstration and Republican leadership. They outpsent the liberals. They bailed out everyone. The can’t take a stand on securing our border. McCain is a wet toast centrists that was a peace offering to moderates because the Republican party knew that the brand was damaged this time around.

    It is time to rebuild around the basic fundamentals; limited government, personal responsibility, and national security.

  89. #189
    On October 26th, 2008 at 4:15 pm, rambler said:

    Fooldroolcup,
    We were talking about income taxes, not business taxes. She pays business taxes on very little because of the expenses. And yes, the business pays for her car, apartment and all those expenses because the business owns them and she uses them. It’s all legal because of the tax codes. Maybe you need a better accountant for your business. She does pay her employees but she doesn’t pay herself. The point was that SHE doesn’t pay income or SS on her income because she doesn’t need an income. It is as if she doesn’t work at all. Is thinking out of the box too difficult?

  90. #190
    On October 26th, 2008 at 4:30 pm, right4life said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pm, watershed said:

    #179

    I don’t agree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it.

    too bad your savior doesn’t feel the same way. I’m sure you’ll look good in your starched brown shirt!

  91. #191
    On October 26th, 2008 at 4:44 pm, Flyoverman said:

    If Obama should win heis going to have to perform. There is no evidence he can. I also would expect him to get steam rolled by the Democratic Congress.

    He has got enormous expectations heaped on him by the crazies. Those expectations are not going to be met. Then what? Do not expect these intolerant people to tolerate Obama’s inability to perform.

  92. #192
    On October 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm, rfjjulie said:

    Truesoldier, #31:

    That would be the ultimate “justice.” HA

  93. #193
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:05 pm, right4life said:

    and levin says america will survive…but it’ll be a different place. he’s not kidding there, it will be the new USSA the united socialist states of ameriKKKa..a socialist hell hole, where some pigs are more equal than others…

    we’ve seen obama’s future…and it sucks.

  94. #194
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm, jamesgreenidge said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Off topic a bit…I just saw on TV a polling place in Chicago. There were lines out the door, and people had been waiting for hours. I would estimate that 99% of those in line were black. Obama has been telling his disciples to vote early to make sure their votes count. They are doing it, big time.

    Of course it’s a race preference vote, largely on the black side! Imagine the polls if black Americans were as politically diversified as white America instead of thinking as a color club.

    I WISH people wouldn’t put their hopes on a Conservative term after Obama “fixing” his damage. The Dems are going to seal in concrete social programs that would be poison for any Republican to touch. “Recovery” to the right isn’t going to happen. Pendulum swings die eventually, and it’ll left tilting when it finally rests, when we’re saddled with mega social programs that NO administration after Obama will ever get rid of (i.e FDR and SS).

    James Greenidge
    Queens NY ( — third largest “city” in USA — where at least 75% of which believes in socialism — no joke)

    A Thompson man forced to vote McCain to keep a socialist monster in his cage.

    Reasons to vote Obama:

    I want to be part of history!

    I don’t want to feel like a bigot.

    President McCain wrecked the economy!

  95. #195
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:42 pm, Rob said:

    Will his ears fit on Mount Rushmore?

  96. #196
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm, backwoods conservative said:

    Will his ears fit on Mount Rushmore?

    Doesn’t matter. That ego won’t settle for anything less than a mountain all his own.

  97. #197
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm, Rob said:

    The first black president?.. I will bet the liberals will give him a whole damn mountain of his own, or maybe rename the WHITE house in his name…

    What the hell happened to my country?

    I am getting soooo depressed.

  98. #198
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, watershed said:

    or maybe rename the WHITE house in his name…

    Amazing. You should be more depressed at your racist attempts at “humor”. They truly stink.

  99. #199
    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:53 pm, Rob said:

    RAAAAACIST! lol… liberal mating cry…

  100. #200
    On October 26th, 2008 at 6:00 pm, rooster said:

    On October 26th, 2008 at 5:52 pm, watershed said:
    Amazing. You should be more depressed at your racist attempts at “humor”. They truly stink.

    Thanks for your input into the racial tendencies of everyone and thing that you don’t agree with you affirmative action fool!

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