Obamalot
As Caroline weighs in for hope, change and Obama. NYT:
OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.
My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.
Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.
That sounds great. So what are you talking about? Reach for what?
We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.
Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.
Right. I noticed at last check Hillary had outbid Obama on the tax-dollar giveaway of hope, however. More $$$ equals more hope, change, right?
I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.
Hey, I believe that, too!*
What’s not to like about ideals, hope, change, all that? Nothing in the way of specifics on what Caroline hopes will change or what the ideal is, though she makes a vague reference to Iraq being bad. Apparently she likes Obama because he gives her a warm, fuzzy feeling. I hope Obama, if he gets elected, will change to be more like JFK, who understood who the enemy was in his time and faced them down unflinchingly. Who called on Americans to bear any burden. Because like that old geezer Bentsen once said about another young inexperienced pol who gave him an opening, he’s no JFK. Neither is Caroline Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg.
In case you’ve been in a cave, here’s Obama’s SC win.
Kathryn Jean Lopez almost fell for all that hope and change until she remembered there’s an actual issue at stake in this race.
Welcome incoming: Let’s have a big shout out for faux racism by surrogate! Guess who else likes Obama! Her dad wasn’t president but she has other attributes.
* With a couple of caveats. I believe the American dream involves working for a living, a sense of personal responsibility, respect for fundamental freedoms, equal opportunity for all, obeying the law, being willing to defend America’s interests and ideals in the world, that kind of thing. I want a president who understands that and is willing to act on it. I don’t think its Obama. Because I believe at this point in our nation’s existence, we are involved in what is already a generational war in defense not only of our own national security, but of the ideals and freedoms we represent in the world at large. Obama thinks this is best done by disengaging with the enemy, and treating with the enemy for terms.
Topics: pols
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 8:41 am Comments (5) on Sunday, January 27, 2008
5 Responses to “Obamalot”
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January 27th, 2008 at 10:45 am
[...] Ah, but Jules Crittenden calls it Obamalot. [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
…who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards…
Her father as a decent president, but by no means a great one. Most of the rest of the Kennedy Clan have pretty much slid downhill into decadence and narcissism.
So, that’s pretty rich, coming from a Kennedy. The rest of her rant follows from the decadence and narcissism.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I have to agree with Roger Simon’s take: political dynasties must go!
January 29th, 2008 at 5:01 am
[...] Jules Crittenden came up with the word: Obamalot. [...]
November 18th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
[...] not surprised to learn that Jules Crittenden figured it out months and months to [...]