Obama is losing his mind very fast.

From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):

McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.

What a f--in dilletante...

If that's the case the race might be over...

How is he going to explain that?

Oh, I see: if he's incapable of doing the job, that's okay, because the reason he's incapable is that he was a prisoner of war.

I don't give a crap if McCain suffered his injuries spitting on dirt and wiping the ensuing slop on the eyes of blind men so they could see. If he's not up for the job, he's not up for the job. And from what I've seen, he's not.

If I want a fucking martyr I'll go to Mass. I want a public servant who will work 110-hour weeks  trying to solve multiple global crises simultaneously. I sure as hell don't want somebody who finds reading email a physical challenge.

I'm getting more optimistic about McCain chances. Every day Obama proves that he has  no temperament, judgment or skills to be a mayors of a small city.

williamyard ,

Good point. I think this is what Obama should say to lose all 50 states.

Amen, yard.

I don't give a crap what the voters in 50 states do. I vote for my own reasons, not theirs.

Obama won't say what I wrote about McCain, as McCain wouldn't if the tables were turned. Too bad.

Whoever wins is gonna have his ass handed to him on a platter by the job he just stepped into. Here's a prediction: whoever wins will be a one-term President. Why? Because the voters are too stupid and selfish to realize the problems they (we) have created are far from solvable by one man. So they will regard the next Presidency as a failure, and boot whoever wins out of office.

Before that happens I want whoever gets the job to put as great a dent in our problems as possible. I happen to feel that Obama is more likely than McCain to do so. But giving McCain some kind of affirmative action pass on his physical limitations is just as foolish and sentimental as some black leaders giving Obama carte blanche because he's black.

If the voters want to be politically correct or sentimental or otherwise engage in myth belief or hero worship, that's their problem.

It is common knowledge that McCain has trouble combing his hair other tasks, so I am kind of surprised at yet another rookie mistake by Team Obama.  Lipstick, computer, what next?

It's hardly a rookie mistake... It continuing to paint McCain as out of touch and a relic. McCain can't raise his arms over his head from injuries. As he clearly has stated before, he just isn't comfortable with computers.

BSD

You, Mr. Yard, are a righteous motherfucker. Amen, Amen, Amen. If you're ever in Manhattan, let me know, so I can buy you a drink. Or three.

To be clear, here's what I'm Amen-ing:

"[T]he voters are too stupid and selfish to realize the problems they (we) have created are far from solvable by one man. So they will regard the next Presidency as a failure, and boot whoever wins out of office.

Before that happens I want whoever gets the job to put as great a dent in our problems as possible. I happen to feel that Obama is more likely than McCain to do so. But giving McCain some kind of affirmative action pass on his physical limitations is just as foolish and sentimental as some black leaders giving Obama carte blanche because he's black."

Thanks janus and Nippers.

Nips, you're on. Vodka with some kinda lube (o.j., tonic, etc.) is my preference. Well vodka's perfectly fine, especially if the barkeep's a smart-alecky MILF who'll buy us a round if she finds us amusing.

And after all that whining about affirmative action and unfair advantages, now we're supposed to feel sorry for McCain? You guys need to get a grip.

I'm Riding the WY (will yard) bandwagon on this.

I think the lipstick thing was to the Obama capaign's benefit, but I suppose we'll see how it plays out in the future.  As for making a comment that could be damaging according to a hypothetical situation invented by the editor of National Review: I don't think that qualifies as a "rookie mistake", or even a normal mistake.  It's pretty unlikely McCain doesn't use computers because he would have to raise his hands above shoulder level to type

You can learn a lot about computers and what they're capable of without actually handling a keyboard. All you need is a whippersnapper on your extensive staff to work with you at the computer/keyboard. In that way, you can still experience firsthand the 'vistas' that computers open and the impact they have on people's lives. It's not an ideal arrangement, obviously; but if you recognize the social and economic importance of this technology and are motivated to understand its impact on people's lives (as any 21st  century president should) then it would be very do-able. People with physical disabilities take extraodinary measures to overcome their physical limitations all the time. McCain is a resourceful and tough guy. He doesn't strike me as the type who would give up easily in the face of such an obstacle -- at least not if he genuinely recognized the social and economic importance of computers, and not if he genuinely wanted to learn about their use. And he clearly has the resources (i.e. the staffers) at his disposable to smash through such barriers in this case.

Jacob T:

My understanding is that computer keyboards are below your shoulders.........if McCain's fingers and wrists aren't functioning, then that's news to me......

the whole argument that McCain can't go on a computer because he can't raise his arms is bullcrap. We live in the age of technology remember. I'm a special ed teacher, have worked with disabled kids for over twenty friggin years. Kids who can only move their head, heck, kids who can only blink can operate a friggen computer. Kids who are mentally retarded can operate a computer. Kids who are mentally retarded and physically disabled in the way I described above can operate a computer.

If they can, so can somebody who is aspiring to be the president of the united states.

Obama puts his elitist foot in his mouth again.

He and his campaign are clearly suffering from Palin Derangement Syndrome, combined with a bad case of Celebrity Envy, and it is making them do stupid things.

IMaking fun of people who don'tt use a computer will not endear hiim to those working class independents he needs to reach. For example, the contractor working on my house--who was at leas thinking about Obama--got defensive about not using a computer after seeing the ad; in other words, he felt put down by Obama's elitist attack.

And the fact that McCain can't use a keyboard because of war injuries just makes Obama apprear clueless and meanspirited--two traits he is tagged with already.

Now if we could just get WilliamYard and Noam Scheiber to be his communications advisors, McCain would win in a landslide.

Actually, McCain should deliver his riposte to this error by Obama when they are on the stage together during a debate. That will be a sort of Dan Quayle moment for Obama.

ps: sorry about all the cursing above. I was steamed. Because it's such a patently false defense and is along the lines of all this other pseudo-politically correct phoney outrage that the republicans have been trotting out in the last coupla weeks.

eos, I'm sorry for your poor contractor, but I know plenty of working class and rural poor who can work a computer and who are conversant with the internet. I think you're being a little elitist yourself.

and mean spirited? Obama? are you kidding me? I can imagine a lot of labels that the republicans could slap on Obama that have their root in some kind of truth, but meanspirited ain't one of them. He's been far more honorable and respectful than McCain has. But people will believe what they wanna believe.

Here's the thing: Everyone uses a computer these days. Even old people.  And even if they didn't, it's an important enough facet of current everyday life that one should be familiar with it. And also,  Stephen Hawking seems able to use a computer, as do other handicapped people.  Can't a guy with seven houses afford a special computer adapted to any difficulties from his handicaps?

scire:

of course there are lots who can, but percentage wise those are the folks who cannot. about 85 million americans are not online. what demgraphic do you think they mostly come from?

Eos - working class independents use computers too. In fact most people in the country do.

"For example, the contractor working on my house--who was at leas thinking about Obama--got defensive about not using a computer after seeing the ad; in other words, he felt put down by Obama's elitist attack."

Right. Your contractor working on your house just happened to sit down with you and you and he watched ad when it happened to be on. Sure, that sounds believable.

"McCain can't use a keyboard because of war injuries just makes Obama apprear clueless and meanspirited--two traits he is tagged with already."

Actually this is a disguised age attack, and if McCain keeps raising his injuries as a POW, then quite a few people are going to question his fitness to be in the office. Obama, "Mean spirited," an example would help support your argument and please don't mention the lipstick.

Yard has spoken more truth in this thread than all of today's blog entries combined. My hat is off to you.

And yeah, what virginiacentrist said. I'm typing on a laptop right now and -- guess what?! I don't have to raise my arms above my shoulders!

The fact that McCain can't use a computer because of injuries should have been made clear long ago.  Not now, in the heat of being criticized for not being up to speed on today's technology.

Besides, anyone mentally savvy enough to want to keep up can get help with the Accessibility options built into most common operating systems today.

Quit making up excuses Jonah (and your readers).

Bill, Jason, and others...even eos...

Busy week. too much work and getting into the final cycle of my data collection for my doctorate...

I seem to recall that four years ago, at the GOP convention, GOP pranksters passed out and wore "Purple Heart Bandaids" in one of the most shameful and vile displays ever at an American Convention. That the press and the American people didn't get outraged at that insulting display to this day baffles me.

I am spending this weekend with my parents and my dad, WWII vet and Purple Heart recipient - along with 4 similarly decorated uncles of mine and my dad's oldest brother, my beloved and recently departed Uncle Joe earned a Silver Star. Well, my Old Man has never forgotten or forgiven the GOP - and he told me this evening that one of the reasons he is hanging on to life in his eighties, is to hobble to the voting booth and vote against "those rat fuckers who made fun of the Purple Heart on national TV."  

I love my Old Man and as I sit and look at him, as he invariably falls asleep after about 20 minutes of my scintillating company, I know that his body may be a wreck but his spirit, that drive that took him out of the roughest part of East LA and established a financial springboard for me and my kids, is still strong and I love that he is counting the days to vote for Obama.

Bill, you rock, always have, always will...

bdesapin:

85 million people in the US are not online. The fact that you, as an average, typical Obama supporter, don't know any of these people is why the Obama campaign makes stupid and insensitive ads like this one.

I love arguments that consist of calling the other person a liar--my contractor has been working at my house since last December. We often have a cup of tea together at the end of the day if I am home, and I often have the news on. My wife and I went out for a movie and dinner with him and his wife last week. So, we talk a lot, and a lot of it is about politics.

As examples of his mean-spiritedness, how about the following:

"You're likeable enough, Hillary."

Turning his back and not shaking hands with her on the floor of the senate."

Throwing his mentor off the ballot in technicalities in his first campaign in Chicago.

I think all this is pointless.  All I know is that he cannot button a shirt or tie a tie without help (the arthritis from his injuries makes fine motor skills difficult) and that others help him with keyboarding tasks.  Is that a qualification for the presidency?  No, because secretaries in the White House (and probably the Senate) actually dial the phone for you.  Should he know how to use those things, yes.  But do we know for sure that he doesn't?

eos.

humm, let me see...

McCain dumps his cancer stricken wife because he wants to move on...now that is nice.

McCain publicly calls his second wife a "c--t" because she contradicted him in public...now that is nice...

McCain makes a joke about Bill Clinton's pre teen daughter...now that is nice...

McCain tells John Kerry that "sometimes, in campaigns, you disappoint friends"...now that is nice...

McCain says, just this week, that he is wiling to do what it takes to win...now that is nice...

eos, this is a loser argument for McCain and I am surprised that you even bring it up. McCain is generally considered to be a grumpy old fart and his supporters really shouldn't bring up the topic of "nice"...

Earlier this summer, McCain himself said he was learning to use a computer and that he was learning to get on the internet by himself. This implies that he *is* physically capable of using a computer, no?

There is a simple way to answer this silly question:

Can McCain drive a car?

I know that he doesn't drive himself anymore (neither does Obama--comes with the territory), and probably hasn't for years (although I enjoyed seeing Biden taking his pickup truck to dump a tree stump).  But when did he stop?  Is he able to drive?  Does he have a license?

Because if he does and he can, then he can handle a computer.  Period.

As someone who uses the internet rather intensively, and has used email for nearly 20 years, I am very ambivalent about both.

I believe you could make an argument that it might be better if the guy who's supposed to be taking the broader view would be better served not to be online much if at all.

The Web has a tendency to silo people and their thinking.  The jury is not really in about just how sanguine the Web really is for our collective smarts.

Jimmy Carter showed the immense danger of a micro-managing president.  And what abets micromanaging better than the Web and email?

More nonsense.

What's next?  They'll say the reason McCain has no idea what Google is, is because he was in POW camp in Vietnam.

Please.  

"As examples of his mean-spiritedness, how about the following:

"You're likeable enough, Hillary."

Turning his back and not shaking hands with her on the floor of the senate."

Throwing his mentor off the ballot in technicalities in his first campaign in Chicago."

Is that all you've got, Eos?  Because as a list of political sins, that's pretty pathetic.  Obama merits about only ten minutes in purgatory from this stuff.

Being a little pissed at Hillary?  He is in good company.  And in case it escaped you, they've kissed and made up.

Throwing his "mentor" off the ballot on technicalities?  As anyone can tell you in Politics 101, you ALWAYS use the technicalities against your opponent.  That's why those "technicalities" are there.  Challenging ballot petition signatures is standard operating procedure.  Obama would have been delinquent if he *didn't* challenge those signatures--not doing so would be a sure sign of an unserious politician.  And despite the comments of some, Obama is a *very* serious politician.

Well, the real point to be made is that McCain's funny ads are actually funny, and this ad is just lame in a Moveon.org meets Huffington Post's 23/6, their faux Onion offshoot.

Seriously, 'he doesn't email,' the giant cel phone, and the champagne glasses clinking is so hacktastic.

My dad is 65 and from Croatia. Has a really heavy accent and isn't that good at spelling, but can read really well but still asks what some complicated words means sometimes (he was a bricklayer his entire life, and a damn good one at that... he runs circles around me in math and engineering)... But even he can use the computer. He listens to Croatian radio stations, he reads Croatian newspapers, he comments on articles, he emails our family, he scans and attaches pictures, the list goes on. There's no reason that McCain can't send an email. No reason whatsoever, no way, no how.

Timteeter, you make some good points, except for the fact that Obama ran on the audacity of hope and 'we are the ones we have been waiting for' above-it all campaign. Maybe if he wasn't less than four years from the state senate, sponsored by the ultimate hack Emil Jones, and hadn't run a holier than thou campaign, we wouldn't hold these crap ads, bailing on public financiing, and knocking his mentor  off the ballot against him.

If you're gonna run as an 'above it all' change agent, you'd best be actually above it all.

Update: Well, now the story is up on Drudge (You heard it here first!). Re: Mark's point about how the supposedly web-savvy Obama campaign can't handle Google, here's another story confirming he has difficulty using a keyboard. Ironically, it's from one of the most pro-Obama journalists out there, Jacob Weisberg, in an article in Slate in 2000:

"Six months ago, no one would have pegged McCain as the most cybersavvy of this year's crop of candidates. At 63, he is the oldest of the bunch and because of his war injuries, he is limited in his ability to wield a keyboard."

Now, in response to some angry criticism already coming in: Feh.

Some say, So what if he was handicapped? He could still learn how to send email.

Sure, but why would he? Bill Clinton sent two emails during his entire presidency and often admitted he didn't know squat about the internet.

"If you're gonna run as an 'above it all' change agent, you'd best be actually above it all."

The last time I checked "Above It All" was not part of Obama's "Change" rhetoric. However, I have enjoyed his changing of the tone of politics from whiny, bitter and resentful to encouraging, realistic and forward-looking. I am also looking forward to Changing administrations in January, Changing this country's economic trends, and Changing this country's foreign policies.

"Maybe if he wasn't less than four years from the state senate, sponsored by the ultimate hack Emil Jones, and hadn't run a holier than thou campaign, we wouldn't hold these crap ads, bailing on public financiing, and knocking his mentor  off the ballot against him."

The simple fact is that if any of your rationalizations actually mattered, McCain would not have needed to pick Palin. And, as Pat Buchanan adroitly pointed out, none of the obvious negatives about her matters because the Conservative Evangelicals now have "one of their own" on the ticket.

GSpinks, Oh they matter. Not so much that I won't vote for Obama, but he pretty much ceded the high ground long ago. It's pretty hard arguing that folks are sick of the GOP's divide and conquer pettiness when you're running a lamer than lame computer ad.

"Prime Minister Putin ordered Russian tanks into Ukraine this morning.  The White House spokeman called the move 'unfair' because President McCain's war injuries do not permit him to wake up early to press the button."

All the people here who are calling Obama mean-spirited, were calling him a patsy but a week ago.  Get a life.

Obama wants to talk about issues: McCain shoes, houses and keyboard typing skills.

McCain wants to talk about the issues, too: celebrities and lipstick, wouldn't ya know?

"It's pretty hard arguing that folks are sick of the GOP's divide and conquer pettiness when you're running a lamer than lame computer ad."

The ad is lame, for sure. But that does not absolve McCain for being out of touch with modern technology and as an insult it barely compares to a GOP compliment in terms of divisive pettiness.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman was on Talk Radio (Jason Lewis) bragging about Palin as the first real victory of the new post-Bush conservative movement. She said "we have to keep McCain honest, we know McCain, we know what he's capable of." If elected, Palin will immediately be the watchdgo and lapdog of the far right...Cheney all over again. Only with a fundamentalist spin. Bachman is even dumber than Palin, more outspoken, a real horror.

What's up with the comment moderator.  I've tried to post this 3 times and nada.  So let's try again. My original post had links to the items I listed.  Let's see if either one makes it past the moderator

Here's a picture of John McCain using a Blackberry:

www.rimarkable.com/senator-john-mccain-is-a-blackberry-user

Here's a list of products that are used by people with disabilities to aid in computer usage:

Apple Physical & Motor Skills Adapters

Software used by people with disabilities to navigate computer enviroment:

List of Assistive Software/Hardware Based on Disability:

Speech Recognition Software for those who want to avoid carpel tunnel:

So what again is the reasoning for why McCain can't use computers.

Products that are used by people with disabilities to aid in computer usage:

Apple Physical & Motor Skills Adapters: www.apple.com/.../physical.html

Software used by people with disabilities to navigate computer enviroment: www.e-bility.com/.../software.php

List of Assistive Software/Hardware Based on Disability: www.disability.uiuc.edu/.../index.php

Speech Recognition Software for those who want to avoid carpel tunnel: www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking

So what again is the reasoning for why McCain can't use computers.

DATED FROM TODAY.

LA Times story has TMcCain spokesman Tucker Bounds saying McCain uses a laptop.

latimesblogs.latimes.com/.../obama-slams-mcc.html

I'm sorry. I'm as strong an Obama supporter as anyone, but while this is a hypothetical, I just don't see the logical fallacy.

"doesn't use a computer"???

This is asinine as a line of attack. To cite just one reason, among the demographic groups Obama is very weak in support are 60 and older. I can't tell you how many very smart, highly productive, stunningly learned, totally with it - some twice, three times as interesting and hip as their children - friends of mine don't use a computer (or use it as little as possible). Keyboard tied people such as ourselves don't realize it's only one of many more traditional modes of communication, which some of us boomers actually prefer, due to the much higher and more relevant quality of content.

Some of these same people are making an effort to learn to do email, Google, but I don't think they would be much impressed and might be turned off by mocking McCain for not using a computer. Bad idea. Next.

Jonah Goldberg and those on this blog defending McCain's attitude toward computers on the basis of his physical injuries are totally full of shit.

McCain is an energetic, physically active and mentally alert adult.  He is roughly my age and I (like most our age) couldn't do as much in a week as a campaign requires him to do in a day.

If he can talk and use one finger he can use a computer -- it's as simple as that.  The technology allows it.   And he can clearly talk and use more than one finger.

McCain's problem is that he is mentally lazy -- maybe not even very intelligent in the sense of being curious and thoughtful.  Just like George Bush.  He was at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy and he has never been identified with anything that takes much imagination or research.

His strength is his personality (charm, charm, charm), incredible and ruthless ambition and energy --necessary for a politician but not sufficient.

The basic problem with not knowing about computers today is that he doesn't have direct access to much of what is going on in the world.  He has to rely on advisors -- who feed him what they want to.

This leads to what I think the campaign should focus on (and others on these blogs have said it as well).  The campaign should be against McCain as front man for the Republican establishment.  They are the ones collectively who have gotten us into this mess, and they will be the ones who will be running things if McCain is elected.

Yo William Y and Nippers - I want in to that Manhattan drink, when ARE you coming out here Yard?

"The fact that McCain can't use a computer because of injuries should have been made clear long ago.  Not now, in the heat of being criticized for not being up to speed on today's technology."

Long ago?  Does 2000 qualify? --

graphics.boston.com/.../McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml

"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan - Ted Williams is his hero - but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."

Another problem with the computer ad is that Obama cannot afford to make fun of anyone, nor to look down his nose at anyone. He is already thought of as smug and arrogant--correctly, in the eyes of Howard Fineman and others of his supporters, who call him "an arrogant s.o.b." So when he disses people who don't use computers, it just accelerates the perception of him as too cool for the rest of us. It solidifies his image as smug and arrogant.

One of the clearest and most telling markers of Obama's mean-spiritedness is the fact that he and Michele have for years given far less to charity-as a percentage of income--than have average (and much less wealthy) Americans. Most of what they have given went to Jeremiah Wright's church, which for Obama was really a political organization.

Perhaps this one of the reason Obama felt comfortable with Biden--Biden also gives far less to charity that do average Americans.

Gosh, Eos, thanks!  I'm sure the Obama campaign is seriously considering your disinterested analysis of Obama's "problem."

Eos, if only you researched half as well as you diss Obama.

"He is already thought of as smug and arrogant--correctly, in the eyes of Howard Fineman and others of his supporters, who call him 'an arrogant s.o.b."

Howard Fineman:

"But if I were an Obama partisan I would be worried that his mistakes have a common thread - pride.

*Obama >seems< to want to do things on his own*, and on his own terms. It’s understandable."

Obama has his own crowd – from Chicago, from Harvard, and from a new cadre of wealthy, Ivy-educated movers and shakers. * “He’s an arrogant S.O.B.,” *one of the latter told me today. *

So, one of his supporters told Howard Fineman Obama was an arrogant S.O.B.

I don't doubt Obama is prideful, and it may prove a stumbling block to him, but your case for it seems, well, a little schvack.

Eos, you're so off base. That's not even the definition of mean-spiritedness. And what kind of wimp are you? It sure is something when Republicants are crying about someone being "mean."

The comparison to Clinton not using the Internet is absurd. When Clinton was president the Internet wasn't a mainstay in American (and the world's) life. Today it is.

I'm not saying a litmus test for being president should be the ability to use a search engine (or Wikipedia, to be like Mike Crowley and research the Bush Doctrine), but it sure as hell makes you look out of step with the world to not know how.

Oh, and Eos, Obama isn't rich like McCain. And while McCain was done with school half a century ago, Obama just finished a couple decades ago. He still has student loans to pay.

And uhh, may I ask what percentage of income you donate to charity per year? What a stupid line of attack. Get a clue, buddy.

Are yo kidding--Obama doesn't have student loans--he earned 4 million dollars last year.

They don't give charitabel donations. Most Americans do. What does that say about his commitment to national service or to be a community organizer? Like everythin else Obama does, his community organizing was all about his political ambition.

He fails t put his money where his mouth is.

Go back to Day One. Remember the panic on the right when they picked Palin? She had a likable image and not much else. [Do not admit she's a disaster...Image, Likable....Repeat]

Goldberg began the spin as he was thinking aloud on his blog: "Quick, and provisional bottom line:  The upside: She's the best of the dark horses because she's an exciting, exotic (yet heartlandish) female pick.  The base will love her. She's a true outsider and the only person in the race with serious executive experience. This will have to mean McCain's flipping on ANWR, which will make gas prices a central issue.

Downside: She may not be ready for primetime. The heartbeat-from-the-presidency issue is a real one."

The problem with her being unqualified? No big deal. Ignore it, deny it and get back to the issues: People like Sarah, she's likable and authentic. The reason people want to focus on her lack of being ready, the scary "heartbeat-from-the-presidency issue"? That's all the elite liberal media can complain about. The East Coast bloggers can't deal with how much people like her so they shift the discussion to what a disaster she'd be as a VP and the nightmare we'd face if McCain blinked-out.

A winning team: A POW and his authentic running mate.

Don't listen, don't think. Johah Goldberg tried it and nearly scared himself into rejecting Sarah. Fall in love with her, then vote. It worked for him and it will work for the USA, USA, USA [wave flag, God Bless America, mumblemumblemuslim]

"She will certainly have to do a lot of homework on foreign policy."  Jonah Goldberg on 8-29, before she proved that a lot of homework wasn't the solution and it might be part of the problem. Or, dumb if she does, dumb if she don't.

Eos, if you care to go check out Fineman's full blog on Obama's problems. It is an excellently written and constructive critique.

www.msnbc.msn.com/.../26640489

One of my principal concerns about Obama personally and as a politician is he hasn't suffered a major loss yet, the kind that shakes you up so that you have to go on retreat to examine your iniquities and question your own character. Obama simply hasn't had that kind of experience, and every successful or great politician has trod those coals and been chastened.

It isn't just a concern about his candidacy but also his presidency, should he be elected. Hopefully, Biden can sit him down and tell him "you're an asshole, so am I, so is everyone who seeks the honor to serve...get over it."

tomeg, he has too.  Back in 2000, he tried to unseat a sitting Congressman, Bobby Rush, in a primary, and got his butt handed to him by a 2 to 1 margin.  He's certainly had a charmed rise, but he does have one failure back there.

Thanks, Crock1701. An early loss in otherwise, as you put it, charmed career, doesn't quite fill the bill, but is something.

Speaking of character flaws and shortcomings, one could go no further than McCain. He's not an asshole, he's a scary rage driven moth*******r, vain as the year is long, a fool choosing partners and alienating friends. I'd take Bush at his personal worst any day over McCain. Doesn't mean for those reasons I couldn't ever vote for him. But Obama, they say, is a different story. A bad day (even a bad moment) and he's finished, done, a byword, in the eyes of his detractors.

But we're living in days of asymmetrical warfare, so anything goes it would seem.

Keep bailing, Eos, you're still taking on water.

Ho tomeg.

I had read Finemna's column yesterday.  I agree about the no losses. Losing the gubernatorial election after having been governor helped Bill Clinton to mature asw a politician, even as I think Hillary is maturing now.

You won't like it, but my honest-to-god take on Obama is that he is a false character--a dissembler who has no real internal rudder. That makes him likeable, but it doesn't make him trustworthy. He craves accpetance and fitting in more than most of us do. Have you noticed how badly he does when things go wrong or someone crosses him? Or how glibly he blames his staff?

I usually agree with Fineman. The points in his post are are weak, wrong or premature as he hasn't lost yet, 1.) Declining to take federal financing for the general election 2.) Declining McCain’s offer to hold ten town hall debates 3.) Failing to go all the way with the Clintons 4.)The 22-state strategy 5.) Failing to state a sweeping, but concrete, policy idea 6.) Remaining trapped in professor-observer speak 7.) Failing to attack McCain early and in summary "But if I were an Obama partisan I would be worried that his mistakes have a common thread - pride. Obama seems to want to do things on his own, and on his own terms."

My only worry is ten to twenty percent of the people who agree with the issues and policies of Obama can't defend why they haven't or won't commit to him. I don't find the seven points above would move these unsure.

I don't hear pride or anything relating to character as a reason a demographic won't budge. No, we don't know Obama will lose but we do know he holds a giant margin and he's only not ahead with groups who can be defined by age, education, and to a lesser extent income, and ethnicity. But upon closer examination? His weaknesses compare with Gore or Kerry and Obama's contrasts between those two are more easily seen in his strengths. Fineman might even notice Obama's strengths are due to or can be seen in the points Howard cites as his weaknesses.

But pride? Nah, count the times McCain has used the "I" in the past year versus the times Obama refers to "you" (that would be us) as the reason the country will change. We'll do it, not because of some heroic record which will help a few.

I think people who lean toward McCain are blind to his ambition. Obama's clear intent that he'll demand we share a common future allows some to opt out and think McCain's route is easier. They figure McCain will take care of them because it appears he's asking little. That may be true for 5% of society but the rest will get screwed and McCain leaves that out because he'd rather fool people than lose an election.

Nope, no lack of pride with Johnny. Obama may lose and all the people who vote against their better interests still won't get it. If Democrats have been asleep for 40 years I doubt they'll be awake in '12. Obama will have to win without the idiot vote because the GOP has had it locked up since Nixon.

The good news? They may finally die off in a decade or so. At least enough will be gone for a Democrat to not worry about the idiot vote.

Or the awakening may happen in November...

"One of my principal concerns about Obama personally and as a politician is he hasn't suffered a major loss yet, the kind that shakes you up so that you have to go on retreat to examine your iniquities and question your own character."

Losing by a 2-1 margin in a Congressional primary doesn't count as major?

Crock is right. The 2000 primary race did shake him up quite a bit, in fact. It did make him realize that he wasn't invincible, and that he couldn't just run against somebody because he wanted the seat. Obama didn't have that personal charisma in that race, and he came across like a John Kerry. Furthermore, he sold himself as a spokesman for black youth when it was older blacks who were going to be the ones who would determine the winner. Bobby Rush, after all, used to be a Black Panther.

Not really.  But I do think that if he'd had something tougher than a cartoon figure to run against in his U.S. Senate race, he might be a tad more cynical now.

Addition to AlanSP  

Losing New Hampshire would has finished off a long list of candidates...Actually, any bad week in the primary was followed by a prediction of his doom. Even when he had a mathematical lock any loss was considered enough to move the Supers to Hillary...

As I wrote, the Fineman article stunk and we're far from an obit and cause o' death.

Jeeze, McCain is perfect?

Eos,

You won't like it, but my honest-to-god take on Obama is that he is a false character--a dissembler who has no real internal rudder."

Doesn't bother me a bit, we all have takes on politicians, the first usually strongest. Usually, also, they are made up of a grain of perception mixed in a barrelfull of projections and rationalizations. I admit that my take on McCain is distorted, but as you I have very strong negative feelings about him, and have had them for decades. Flat out I don't like or trust the guy, and my respect for him is light, to be charitable.

"That makes him likeable, but it doesn't make him trustworthy. He craves accpetance and fitting in more than most of us do."

If you had a life experience such as his, wouldn't you? Large men and women have large needs, and more often than not surprisingly sensitive egos, especially politicians. What do you think drives McCain? Acceptance, fitting in (e.g., as a member of the Senate), and craving for attention. For starters. Obama is like a super-smart and somewhat nerdy collegiate Summa Cum Laude, with a great smile and lover of admiration. Unlike most elite of his generation, he earnestly wants to make a difference in the world and integrate the diverse, divergent parts of his life experience. He aspires to great things and I don't see an outstanding reason to deny him the opportunity he asks to be given. I'd be very comfortable with him, *and* accord him his due for his talents and achievements - the very thing that McCain-Rove want to deny him and ridicule him for asking. No surprise racial prejudice leaks through every crack in his persona.

"Have you noticed how badly he does when things go wrong or someone crosses him? Or how glibly he blames his staff?"

He's a perfectionist and hates mediocrity, most of all in himself. Does that remind you of any leaders you are familiar with?  He will have to learn to tame those beasts, among others.

As I said, you're entitled to your point of view but don't expect the rest of us to accept it without an argument.

"I mean he can't lift his arms much higher than his chest."

At the convention he was repeatedly lifting his arms way over his chest/shoulders in a pretty energetic way.

There is no warrior so vain as the old warrior who refuses to retire, but continues recounting his deeds of valor until everyone else is asleep from utter boredom.

First: there is nothing inherently dishonorable or stupid about not being able to use a computer.  My wife didn't learn to use one until she had a compelling reason - going back to school - and then used only for that purpose.  Like Eos, the guy working on my house right now has never touched one (and for those who wonder, I know this because he told me, because he knows I make my living in the software industry).  Computer use is hardly a test of citizenship.

Second: if McCain wants to use a computer, he surely can.  I've worked with blind computer programmer, paraplegic computer users, and some pretty damned dumb people who do just fine.  If he can feed himself at table, he sure can do anything he wants with a computer.

So, he probably just isn't interested.  I take that to be a less than positive attitude in someone who wants to be administrative head of the US government,  but hardly crippling.   If  had other reasons to vote for him, I would.

This is from the Boston Globe, March 2000:

"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan -- Ted Williams is his hero -- but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."

tomeg:

Fair enough.

This entire notion that computer use somehow imparts special wisdom in the user just amuses the hell out of me.

I suspect that I've been using computers, email, and the Web longer than than the large majority of people here simply because of my age and the fact that I've had technology clients since the mid-seventies.

In fact, I've done my bit to popularize technology, creating advertising campaigns for Apple, Microsoft, and IBM.  Plus many other tech companies in the second tier.

Meanwhile, I've had a lot of clients who were very savvy CEOs of major companies, many of whom never touched a computer.  They saw that as a job for their secretary.  Their companies, despite this handicap, managed to be very well run and very profitable.

For all the boon and benefits computers, email, and the Internet provide, they can also be tremendous time wasters.

And despite the fact that computers can connect you theoretically to all the knowledge on the planet, they have a peculiar ability also to let people ghetto themselves into narrow silos where they can interact with lots of people amalgamated from around the planet who see the world pretty much as they do.

Computer chauvinism is pretty damn laughable.  A new disease from a generation that never knew a world without them.

ChanRobt.

That's a very smart post.

"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes."

So, basically, McCain married a sugar-momma to take care of him, and gets upset when less fortunate veterans who are able-bodies but unable to find gainful employment or a rich woman to take care of them? He has to do without playing sports, so he doesn't see why other veterans should not have to do without decent jobs and food?

You got it right, GSpinks. Obama supporters are so kind, fair and smart.

Some, indubitably.