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Letters to the EditorThursday, April 17, 2008 12:23 AM CDT
Before judging Obama, read his 'Hope' book
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In reply to a recent letter writer to The Pantagraph editor who expressed his thoughts about Barack Obama being just another politician from Chicago, I suggest that he read Obama's book, ``The Audacity of Hope.''

Marge Scholl

Bloomington

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Reader comments on this story - 71 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 30, 2008 3:47 PM:

" To Mr. Ranger 587. Exactly. Us white males are voting in high numbers for all three candidates. Unfortunately though, race and gender are involved in this election. Obama's looking at winning 97% of black voters. Not quite sure how that happens if issues instead of race are the reason for choosing a candidate. As far as women go, gender is clearly an issue with Hillary. While many, many women are voting for her because she's a woman, you'll always have a strong segment of the female population who are just simply too put off by a powerful woman to vote for one. You can refute me if you like, but I only make that statement because of how many women I've heard make it already. Personally, if I didn't differ with her on so many issues, I wouldn't mind Hillary as Pres at all. "

Mr Ranger587 wrote on Apr 29, 2008 9:25 PM:

" to everyone
White males don't care about the sex or color they care about how he/she does the job. this is a pres. election, not a racist/sexist election "

dirkdavebigalow wrote on Apr 29, 2008 8:46 PM:

" I wonder if Reverand Wright read the book? "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 29, 2008 2:10 PM:

" CBD1 - I heard the waters in San Diego are quite nice right now. Why don't you go take a dip? "

CBD1 wrote on Apr 28, 2008 6:42 PM:

" I cannot believe any white male, when in the booth, will vote for a Black Man or a Women. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 28, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Mresh...you had plenty of time to read my posts after that satire.
Repeating:
"So, since you didn't,(post the actual quotes you're referring to) I did provide equal space and quotes for us to "judge the sources." "If satire is ok for left wingers, it should be ok for right wingers, or just satirists who target everybody. "

Exaggerating doesn't contribute to the truths we voters are trying to find.
Neither do panicky insults, sarcasm(components of satire.)
But...keep on posting. For that freedom, you can thank McCain for his half a decade as a prisoner of war, all the others in there with him and preceeded him in defending freedom. I don't recall either of the junior senators ever actually putting their lives on the line for this country. Wright reminded the NAACP conference today that he served 6 years in the military. I appreciate his service too which is about as long as McCain was a POW. Obama may have to answer even more about Wrights influence on him past, present and future. I'm looking forward to Obama/Wright supporters' rationale about ongoing developments.


"

my 2 cents wrote on Apr 28, 2008 11:09 AM:

" I find that you can judge a lot about any person by simply the company they keep ! His book would only serve his own self interest.
"

mresh wrote on Apr 28, 2008 9:56 AM:

" "Voice in the Wilderness": You must be joking. Since you're apparently oblivious to what part of your post that is a blatant lie, I'll point it out to you. Your Obama "quote" about wanting to swap the American flag for something "less parochial and less bellicose," maybe "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," is patently false. Those words are not his words, and the fact that you would believe that they are says far more about you and your apparent cartoonish ideas about the "left" than anything you have posted about Obama says about his "patriotism." No presidential candidate from either party could utter those words and remain a contender for their party's nomination. Get real. "

petera wrote on Apr 28, 2008 9:49 AM:

" Saul Alinsky. Reverend Wright. Partial birth abortions. THINK. "

jj01 wrote on Apr 28, 2008 7:27 AM:

" Hope and change. Change and hope. Hope for change, change for hope. What is he really talking about. After a five minute speech everyone is screaming and excited after Obama has just said absolutely nothing. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 28, 2008 1:27 AM:

" OBama's quote from about.com " You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism. (ABC News, Oct. 4, 2007)"
Regarding the hand over the heart, all I could find at YOUR source was:
"An Obama aide offered this explanation: Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't [put his hand on his heart]. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. (Inside Edition, October 23, 2007)"

So, since you didn't, I did provide equal space and quotes for us to "judge the sources." If satire is ok for left wingers, it should be ok for right wingers, or just satirists who target everybody.

"

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 28, 2008 1:12 AM:

" So, what did Obama actually say? I didn't say my last post was true...I just shared it verbatum without comment. Sorry my face isn't red for sharing an opposing view. You Obama fans are pots calling the kettle black, grabbing desperately onto anything you can to try to make anyone who disagrees even slightly with you look bad. Hey...fine. Your privilege. Free country and all that. I doubt you want my contribution to the debate, but you're welcome to scroll back in this string. Meantime, in case you didn't comprehend what I've said so far...I repeat: Both Clinton and Obama are NOT QUALIFIED to be president and won't be until they get more experience. I didn't appreciate his "typical" white person understanding, nor his racial victim attitudes, perception of working people and other info I've found in other admittedly more neutral than an arch conservative's "satire." Check NEWSWEEK from early in April. Is that reliable enough of a source for you? As you have, I too will post or share anything I want and that the Pantagraph approves. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 27, 2008 5:43 AM:

" " VoiceInWilderness: Is your face going to be red!
I first realized how erroneous your Obama quote was when I couldn't find it on any website that wasn't to the right of Ghengis Khan and Adolph Hitler.

Just go to About.com and type in "Obama explains National Anthem stance" and you will find the following and more:

"Comments: No, Barack Obama didn't say these ridiculous things. The words were put in his mouth by conservative satirist John Semmens (see his October 27, 2007 column, "Semi-News, on the Arizona Conservative website)."

You really should check this sort of thing out before you post it. Rev. Jim
(I posted this earlier on another thread, but thought it bore repeating here.)"
"

mresh wrote on Apr 25, 2008 3:45 PM:

" To "Knowing is half the battle ": You didn't know about the Obama / flag / national anthem issue because it's not true.
To "VoiceInWilderness": Stop posting the contents of blatantly erroneous forwarded email messages in public forums, disguised as some sort of contribution to a political debate. It benefits no one, ultimately. The message is purposefully false, almost comically so, and the fact that you would accept it as truth simply illustrates how desperate you are for negative messages about candidates from a party you don't identify with.
A quick internet search of "Obama" and "national anthem" will reveal that the email you have cut and pasted is intentionally and patently false. Check your facts next time and contribute an actual opinion to the political dialogue, instead of parroted sensationalistic lies. "

M wrote on Apr 25, 2008 3:43 PM:

" Obama and his entire campaign are based on pavlovian buzzwords...change and hope. Bottom line is voters will ultimately find out what his policies are after the primary bloodbath is over and will vote accordingly. Obama wants to raise taxes. That's a loser in November. Not to mention his friendly association with Bill Ayers(spelling?) from Weather Underground. Easy win for McCain in November. "

M wrote on Apr 25, 2008 3:38 PM:

" to Jim Boswell...you might want to consider whether or not your dem candidates may be pulling the wool over their constituents eyes. They pander to the economically less fortunate and claim to make things better for them. Instituting more government policies will only make those citizens more dependent on the government. The only reason they do that is to scare those people into keeping them in office, so they remain in power. "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 24, 2008 7:26 PM:

" To Voice in Wilderness. Wow, those comments from Obama are new to me. Just when I thought my opinion of him could sink no lower. Can you imagine where this country would be if Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan and the rest of our leaders would have focused their efforts on teaching the world to sing? Ah, liberalism. It's like adolescense. We all go through it just some of us outgrow it earlier. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 24, 2008 6:11 PM:

" LTG Bill Ginn" USAF ret forwarded:
Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin,
presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he
doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, During
rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present
except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag
with the right hand over the heart.

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking
sides," Obama said. "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the
American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a
war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be
swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song
'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might
salute it."
"

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 23, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Glad to see the majority of bloggers have figured out the real Obama. Not that it was hard to dissect someone so simple. For those of you on his side, empty speeches, generic claims of change, and a promise to bring home the troops are all you have gotten. Guess what, you aren't getting anymore when you elect the guy just because that's what's cool to do. "

mresh wrote on Apr 23, 2008 4:14 PM:

" To: 94Mustang5 -
So, I assume you must generally avoid reading books because, as you say, they "often do not reflect the entire picture" ? I'm only asking because it seems you have no problem devouring and regurgitating the narratives about candidates that popular media beats into the ground and passing them off as your own opinion. But then, of course, cable news networks are different than books because they're not in the business of making money, right?
How can anyone believe anything you say?
P.S. - Do you always speak in hyperbole, or only when the conversation involves politics?

" The audacity of hope? Writers write stories that people may read and even be inspired by. The truth is that written words in a book are tergeted and edited to sell books. The often do not reflect the entire picture. Obama has lied to the people of Illinois to obtain election to the senate. (Promised to serve a full term before running for the presidency.) Calls a racist his mentor, and in a non scripted moment generalizes non supporters as bitter people who cling to guns and God? How can anyone believe anything he says? "
"

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 23, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Knowing - thanks for clarifying. : ) I wish McCain the best of luck because he's going to need it. Go Obama! : ) "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:44 AM:

" Clarification to Jimmy Choo. I'm not crossing any party lines. I'm a Republican and am voting for McCain no matter who he faces. My go Hillary comment was because we are not in the general election yet, only the primary, and I can accept her a lot quicker then I can Obama. Neither Obama or Hillary represent me or my values, just as no Democratic liberal has or ever will. Nor have I seen liberals do anything in my lifetime other than weaken this country. Obama touts his change we can believe in slogan and that's about all he got. Sorry but Obama doesn't stand for anything I believe in, end of story. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:16 AM:

" 94mustang5 - I don't know and I don't think you do either, unless you are really old. :) That's exactly my point. No one "knows" but we all cling to the bible for faith and hope yadayadayada. Now we have a real live person talking about hope and change and we are all making fun of him. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Knowing is half the battle. Go Hillary, Go McCain? How sad that you are willing to vote for the opposite party because of the candidate. Wouldn't it make more sense to vote for a candidate you don't like but of you party who will still fight for the issues you are concerned about than to have a guy from the opposite party fighting for everything you are against? GO OBAMA!!! "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM:

" Is there really any doubt left that this guy's a joke with absolutely no leadership ability to him at all? What does this guy have to say or do to get people to understand what a horrible President he'll be. This goof's popularity so represents the completel and total downfall of intelligence in this country. Go McCain! Go Hillary! Go anybody else! "

Knowing is half the battle wrote on Apr 22, 2008 8:55 PM:

" I'm going to pass Marge, and just go right ahead and judge. No need to have a book reverse my common sense about this clown. "

94mustang5 wrote on Apr 22, 2008 1:54 PM:

" I think comparing Obama to the authors of the bible is questionable. Was the bible written with book sales in mind? "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:13 AM:

" 94Mustang5 said "Writers write stories that people may read and even be inspired by. The truth is that written words in a book are targeted and edited to sell books. The often do not reflect the entire picture."

Yes exactly. So everyone who has "Hope" that God will be waiting at the pearly gates for you because the bible says, get real. The only difference between the bible and Obama's book is that Obama is a real living person who you can have a conversation with and decide for yourself if he is just selling himself or if he actually cares. I for one choose to believe both and that is fine for me. You have to sell yourself to get the job you want, you have to sell yourself to become President.

Go Obama!!! "

94mustang5 wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:06 AM:

" The audacity of hope? Writers write stories that people may read and even be inspired by. The truth is that written words in a book are tergeted and edited to sell books. The often do not reflect the entire picture. Obama has lied to the people of Illinois to obtain election to the senate. (Promised to serve a full term before running for the presidency.) Calls a racist his mentor, and in a non scripted moment generalizes non supporters as bitter people who cling to guns and God? How can anyone believe anything he says? "

Geez! wrote on Apr 21, 2008 6:24 AM:

" So you want us to buy his book, which amounts to supporting him with cash, in order to "properly judge him"? Here's another idea - scrutinize his associations, his words, his actions, and his voting record in the Senate. What has he done in the Senate that qualifies him to be President? What has he done to be deserving of being a Senator right now or to be re-elected as Senator? Nothing that I can find. "

johnd wrote on Apr 20, 2008 6:00 PM:

" At this point I would vote for Ziggy the Clown before Bush. "

jj2 wrote on Apr 20, 2008 1:48 PM:

" Obama and Durbin voted to give illegal aliens access to SS. Also for the recent health ban. Consider this when you vote. Of course, again, the voters are left with a choice of the less of two evils.
Too bad we can't vote before it goes any further to find out if the majority would like to start looking for other people. "

ktlin wrote on Apr 20, 2008 6:08 AM:

" to bamayankee: I would add that anyone gullible enough to take the press's word for anything shouldn't vote either. Which would be more accurate something someone put in a book which could be viewed by all for response or something in the press that someone made up or changed repeatedly and repeated over and over until they don't even know what the truth is themselves. Hint: If on one channel the story is one way and on another channel it is different, someone just may be wrong. Now who? I think the important thing is that you inform yourself as much as possible about the candidates and one way is to read books written about them. Should you just believe every word and everything they say? Of course not. That is why you have a functioning mind. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 19, 2008 9:00 PM:

" Well, KingSalmon, you apparently make $200,000 or more, so you SHOULD vote for McCain, for he will not raise taxes on those who make that much, while Obama and Clinton have both committed to not raising taxes on those who make less than that. "

KingSalmon wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:43 PM:

" I'm a middle-of-the-road voter who has many important issues to consider when voting this November. But the most basic one that affects my life everyday is the money in my wallet and the price of gasoline, oil, groceries, utilities, etc. As tempted as I am to vote for a Democrat who favors my own pet issues like gay equality, health care for all, etc... the truth is out of the 3 star-candidates, TWO promise to raise taxes and ONE promises NOT TO RAISE TAXES. I cannot deal with ONE MORE THING in my life becoming more expensive while my salary remains stationary, so for me the choice is CLEAR. McCain is the most liberal Republican candidate to run in our history- and he makes far right religious conservatives nervous. With all these things in mind, I say, VOTE FOR McCAIN! "

Bama Yankee wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:32 PM:

" I relocated to Illinois in 1959 at the age of 16. I moved out of Illinois, permanently, in 2006. I left Illinois mainly because if the direction it took in those intervening years. Anyone with an IQ above 40 that would vote for Obama has been brainwashed by liberalism, the Daley machine and Chicago politics.

As for what the candidates have written in their books... geeez, anyone can write a book, even I. Nice work of fiction too, according to my agent.
Anyone gullible enough to vote according to what a candidate says in their books or speeches doesn't deserve the right to vote. "

Doctor M wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:59 PM:

" Sorry Marjorie, darling, but I am not going to base my vote on who is the most eloquent speaker or who has the best speech. The book you reference is nothing more than a bound campaign speech. I prefer to base my vote on more tangible factors like experience and voting record. When you examine these factors, you will see that Obama is a big government liberal and a socialist. You cannot socialize the government or any part of it without socializing the people. If we are to become a socialist country it will not come about as a result of my vote. "

gc wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:28 PM:

" Jim Boswell I never said anything about the church or his so called minister. I just dislike sleasy people. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 18, 2008 4:41 PM:

" GC, true, Obama was not at his best in the last debate. But the polls are already indicating that he was helped more than hurt by it. Angered easily? You must not see the amazingly unflappable man I see. He has repeatedly exercised grace under pressure, and often exhibits a magnanimity toward detractors that is simply amazing - a Lincolnesque quality.
Great Responsibility, why do you find it necessary to state an absolute lie? Obama NEVER claimed he never listened to Rev. Wright. Indeed, he made it quite clear that he often found some of Wright's preaching inspirational. We can all go and read the moving passage that shows how Obama came to use the sermon title "Audacity of Hope," pp. 291-295 in "Dreams From My Father." But of course you and the other Obama detractors will only stress Wright's most offensive statments. "

GC wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:35 PM:

" I do not need to read his book to form an opinion on him. It was formed way before he decided to run for office. The lack of voting in the Senate is one. Things he done to improve the state not any. Money spent traveling to find his roots. Then again it was proven in the debate he can not speak with out a written or rehearsed speech in front of him. Can not decide on how he would support or not support and stick with it. Plus it looked like he angered easily when the pressure was on. In the White House, NO he will not get my vote. "

Great Responsibility wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:23 PM:

" If we're talking about his book, did anyone mention yet that the title itself is a quote from his controversial reverend, who he claims he never listened to. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:02 PM:

" wewest, it's true that Kennedy didn't have time to become the president he might have been; he was cut down too soon. In spite of that, many analyists rank him a lot better than you do, and some of the latest evidence indicates that he had wisely decided to disengage us from the war in Vietnam, a policy immediately reversed by Johnson. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:56 PM:

" Well my goodness, peanut gallery. You just took the wind out of my sails! I was going to suggest that we try to make this discussion a little more intelligent by reading and comparing McCain's last book "Hard Call" with Obama's last book "The Audacity of Hope", but you point out that such books are 'a poor method by which to evaluate' anyone(?) 'as a future President.' Of course, the fact that McCain needed an assistant (Mark Salter) to help him write his book might be considered a negative, but I should think that both books might give us a pretty good idea of where the two candidates actually stand on the issues before us. "

lindini wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Are we actually compairing Obama to Hitler!? You have got to be kidding me.... "

wewest wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:06 AM:

" Obama is just another smooth talker like John Kennedy and if he is elected President then he will suck just like Kennedy. "

The Peanut Gallery wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:50 AM:

" I believe that reading his book is a poor method by which to evaluate him as a future President, who will have to make quick decisions and statements. A book is carefully crafted to maximized its effectiveness as a communication, and often takes months or years to construct. No President has the luxury of so much time to react to world events.

Obama's off-the- cuff remarks about 'small towns' and 'Reverend Wright' reveal much more about the real persona - as distinguished from his 'sound bite' self. "

Sigh wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:08 AM:

" re: "The Irascible Fachna" So, you are saying that pointing out something from history means that ones argument is automatically invalid? The original posters point aside, that is a ludicrous stance.

History has been set in stone, it provides concrete examples of the things others have done and the good and bad that has resulted. It is not "what-if's" or "but I think's", it is the cold hard truth and to refuse to learn from history is dooming yourself to repeat it.

Of course it is possible for someone to take the wrong lesson away from something so if you take issue with it give an actual reason instead of dismissing it off-hand. If someone sees a parallel where there are none, then it should be easy enough to disprove. "

Meh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 11:04 PM:

" wat, what are McSame's positives? 100 more years in Iraq? Bomb, bomb, bomb- bomb, bomb Iran? Not knowing anything about the economy? The endorsement of anti-Catholic and borderline anti-semite John Hagee? Involvement in the Keating 5 scandal? "

crimson wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:06 PM:

" @ Livewire: I love how you blame Democrats for Karl Rove politics. That's inspired, gutsy, and flippin' moronic. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:19 PM:

" Correct, 'Irrascible'! "Mein Kampf" is "My Struggle" or "My Battle" or "My Fight" not "My Life. "

wat tyler wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:45 PM:

" Partisan Democrats disparage Senator John McCain, labeling him McSame in an attempt to tie him so firmly to President Bush that in effect they are running against the President. Their polls and focus groups indicate that Senator McCain’s positives are so high that unless they can find an external source of negative energy, McCain will blow the socks off of either Senators Clinton or Obama. Since President Bush is not running, they decided to construct a virtual President Bush by deceptively suggesting, implying and out and out stating that electing the leading spokesman for the moderate wing of the Republican Party is the same as voting for the leader of the Conservatives. The flaw in the run up to this election was the Democrats concentration on President Bush. They set him up as the boogie man, failing to understand that President Bush was not running. The McSame business is an attempt to bridge the hatred that they have been fanning against President Bush to Senator McCain. They hope that by constantly repeating the seimple rhetorical device, that they can marginalize McCain enough so that their own compromised candidate can squeak out a victory. "

The Irascible Fachna wrote on Apr 17, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Although the first person who interjects Hitler into an argument automatically loses, Illinifan5, the title of Adolph's book is correctly translated from the German as "My Struggle", not "My Life". "

Meh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 3:14 PM:

" No govt, maybe you'd care to explain the truth to me? In what way is McSame different from Bush? How will he improve upon the Bush presidency?

I notice you're using the new "elitist" buzzword to describe Obama supporters. Kudos on memorizing your talking points so well. But you honestly believe that few Americans have a reason to be bitter?? "

Live Wire! wrote on Apr 17, 2008 2:28 PM:

" Something for the Bush haters to consider - for 7 1/2 years you have belittled and lied about Bush. You call him names like angry elementary school children. You ridicule anyone who agrees with anything he does. You blame him for every problem this country faces, and give him no credit for anything good that has happened during his Presidency. THEN, you think Republicans will rally to Obama or Hillary if elected? Not likely. Obama can't unify the Democratic party, so he sure can't unify the country. And half the country hates Hillary and the primaries aren't even over. You've helped create a hard-core group that will do everything they can to make sure neither Obama or Hillary are successful if elected, just like you did to Bush. Congratulations! "

No govt wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:31 PM:

" I see "Meh" that you read the part in Obama's book about being an elitist. Just like Obama's comments about us middle America folks clinging to our guns and religion your comments echos the same sentiments. Liberal see liberal do. When confronted with the truth, liberals turn to insults to make their points. "

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Patriot says, 'If Obama, Hillary or McCain are elected president, then we and the world are doomed.' ONE of those three WILL be elected & we better figure how to work with that president to head off that doom. WE have to elect the one most experienced who listens to sensible people but stubborn enough that the enemy knows he's not bluffing. McCain, although considered too "liberal" by right wingers, is certainly not as left wing as Clinton & Obama. I remember the "duck and cover" days. Somehow, our enemies THEN realized we'd wipe out each other & much of the civilized world. The current "nuclear bomb" developers better know that. We who lived through those doomsdays are not that easy to intimidate. Our next president faces challenges far more serious than any before him. Civilization as we know it is truly in danger from several sources and the USA is already being invaded by illegal immigrants who are convinced this nation is illegal. We have extremists from the mid east and elsewhere with far worse perceptions and intentions than that. "

illini fan 5 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 12:18 PM:

" I read the book and it is similar to "My Life" only written a few years apart. Looks like they are close in their wants, more socialism for Barack and Adolph's National Socialism. "

Jim Boswell wrote on Apr 17, 2008 11:41 AM:

" ktlin, lizzie, and Meh, there are in our midst people who are scared to death that Obama will take office and effectively show the American people where the real levers of power have been for far too long, and where they should be. The nay sayers can yell socialism all they want to, and claim that every good social program since FDR is bad and want to get rid of social security, medicare, etc. etc., but the American public will not stand for it, and when they come to see more clearly what really has been going on, the politicians of the future are going to have a much harder time pulling the wool over the eyes of the broad working class/middle class than they have ever had before. Rev. Jim
"

Meh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:44 AM:

" John Galt, sometimes a nickname is a quick and apt way of expressing a point. McSame is a valid nickname for McCain because really, what is he going to do different from George W.? Nothing. "

Sigh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Oh, and another thing, it is a book; it is very easy to stretch the truth in a book. What if chairman Mao wrote a book supposedly based on his life called "Sunshine and Rainbows" about how good he was? Would that somehow erase the millions of people he had murdered over the years or all the others he oppressed?

No, I will judge Obama based on his actions rather than the words he put on paper to foster his political career. Actions like going to a hate mongering church for 20 years, using cocaine and marijuana earlier in his life or some of the things that are coming to light through his ties to Chicago politics.

Heck, if that isn't enough I will judge him based on what he says his policy will be before his book. $10,000 a year a person tax increase? No, thank you. "

Freedom fanatic wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:28 AM:

" Marge, I have read the book, I've listened to many of his debates. The information in the book shows me he has Marxist and socialist solutions. He does not grasp the foundation of the USA, individuals free to succeed or fail without government intervention. As Annienap said, the man is fake. I think he is the pied piper for many who want socialist programs, instead of doing what ever it takes on their part to succeed. His followers ignore all his blemishes; as he is their best hope for them to get something free from the backs of self reliant hard working people. Quit trying to win the lottery with this guy and go support yourself. There is great demand for polite, hard working and dependable people. You can do it, if you choose to. "

Patriot wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:27 AM:

" Sorry, Marge, but it seems that you need to read the Gullibility of the Masses. Obama said he would consider attacking Pakistan when becoming president and he has Zbignew Brezinski (sp?) as his foreign policy advisore and Brezinski has wanted to attack Russia and China for decades. If Obama, Hillary or McCain are elected president, then we and the world are doomed. It's that simple. "

John Galt wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:19 AM:

" Name calling does not win arguments. "McSame"? This is exactly why I quit reading the blogs for several months. A good number of posters act like children. "

Sigh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:11 AM:

" re: "ktlin" I am sorry but have you listened to his policies? He is one of the most liberal senators in our government today. He wants to expand socialized government programs like nobody else in the history of the Presidency ever has and he wants to raise taxes more than anyone ever has. He is very socially liberal and very anti-military action. How does he fall in between? I am not trying to start a fight between liberals/conservatives here and am not attacking any idealogies I just don't understand how you can possibly believe that he is in-between. If there is an in-between candidate it is McCain because he is definitely far to the left of most conservatives in his policies. "

ktlin wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:53 AM:

" I have read the book plus I listen to see if what he says now is consistent with what he says in the book and it is. In my opinion he is neither a liberal Democrat or a right wing conservative of course. He is somewhere right smack in the middle. I like the book Audacity of Hope because I believe it tells how he thinks. I think he knows more about our country's history than most of us and definitely more about the world. He explains why America is great and does that by explaining what we have that the rest of the world doesn't and he knows how lucky we all are. Apparently more than we do. He knows why programs of the Democrats and the Republicans did not work or won't work in the future. He reveres Lincoln and Reagan and some of their policies! If this country is ready to toget people out of poverty, and I did say try, he should be our president. Of course some don't want that, it is just lip service! "

lizzie wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:52 AM:

" Meh, As a "Clintonite", I will accept OBama way before I accept McSame as president. I truly believe others will too. Clinton and OBama have a lot of the same philosophies and plans whereas McSame is on Republican Planet and quite frightening in his desires to follow the Bush regime.

Clinton is my first choice, OBama is my second choice. I will accept either one whole-heartedly as President. "

Meh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:16 AM:

" Marge, you have a hard sell here. Republicans aren't going to read Obama's book because its not a bible and it isn't Rush/Hannity/Savage approved. They'll just scream socialist at the top of their lungs and go to Wal-mart. The Clintonites we hope will come around when she exits the race. Clinton has far more in common issuewise with Obama then she does with McSame. "

Meh wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:13 AM:

" BigBrother, and old man McSame represents an alternative?

Even if I thought Obama represented the most corrupt of the Chicago corrupt, he'd still have my vote over McSame. Why? Despite all of its corruption, Chicago is a great city and overall, Illinois is a pretty good place to live. McSame, like Bush, would completely ignore the United States and focus on the petty, stupid wars in the Middle East that Republicans love so well. I'd rather have a corrupt President of the United States than an incompetent, worthless President of the Iraq War. "

mot wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:50 AM:

" I have read his book. Becoming well connected to the Chicago democrat machine does not qualify you to be president, or for that matter neither does living with a politician for 30 years add to your resume. I have lived with a teacher for 30 years, but I can not teach. Should we certilfiy our teachers in same manner we elect presidents and Senators? "

Annienap wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:45 AM:

" The man is a FAKE. He cannot even answer a question straight out without stammering and stuttering for an answer. My conscience will be clear because I am NOT voting for him and am crossing party lines if he gets the nomination. Anyone who wants to be MY president would not worry about offending another country by wearing a lapel flag pin. The way I see it, we will not be in any better shape with him than with McCain and at least McCain SHOWS he does love this country. McCain WILL look people square in the eye - Obama will not. "

Annienap wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:37 AM:

" I wouldn't waste my money or time reading it. The man has proven more than once that he evades and LIES. Let's see: Rev. wasn't his mentor, yet he SAID months ago that he was, Emil is his buddy, Rezko raised funds for him, he thinks our national anthem is about war (bombs bursting in air), he's worried he will OFFEND other countries by wearing a flag lapel pin, he SAID small towns are bitter and turn to religion and guns and THEN changed his mind, he wants to change gun laws, give illegals driver's licenses - what more do I need to say except FAKE! "

BigBrother wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:38 AM:

" The fact that he is a Chicago Democrat speaks volumns on his character. Read all about his buddy and mentor Emil Jones in the Pantagraph today. Obama......more of th same .....just sneakier about it. "

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