What's the deal with Obama?

Question

Questions from a Canadian who has heard some very UNCLEAR opinions about this guy:

Does he actually represent minorities, does he try to/pretend to or does he not in any way?

What does he stand for?

Has he contradicted himself? If so, how?

Is he two-faced? If so, how?

I'd like to hear both good and bad.

thanks

Answer 1

Obama used to smoke marijuana, did some cocaine, and still smokes cigarettes (though the latest reports claim that he is quitting). This was big news when it first hit the stands...but the American public by and large appears to be forgiving. After all, about 45.1 million people in the United States smoke cigarettes, nearly half of all Americans have smoked marijuana at least once, and 33.7 million Americans have tried cocaine. Guess most of us aren't in the position to throw stones.
Obama once bought a ten foot strip of land next to his property (apparently so he could put up a fence) from a woman who was married to a man who was a fundraiser for Obama, and who also is awaiting trial for trying to collect kickbacks on government deals. It's really not Obama's fault that the guy he bought land from is in trouble, so moving on...
Obama once voted against having mandatory medical care available for aborted fetuses which survive the procedure. That really does not sound good. To my dismay, however, I also found his explanation: "It would essentially bar abortions because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child, and if this was a child then this would be an anti-abortion statute." He realized a potential loophole in the wording. Ever play Nomic? Sadly, it appears that the man thinks, and thinks well.
He voted against letting people use a self-defense argument if charged with violating local handgun bans by using weapons in their homes. This could be considered voting against the Second Amendment...if you have no logical capacity at all. It seems he was trying to maintain some consistency within the legal system. Hmmm...
Salon.com went on a mission to dig some dirt on Obama's environmental record, but wound up concluding: "This guy is a bona fide, card-carrying, bleeding-heart greenie."
As far as financial corruption, the man is reported as not even allowing anyone to "buy him a coke". Apparently, he is squeaky clean here, as well.
He voted "yes" on the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This was a foolish, short-sighted bill, and his support for it seems contradictory to much of his stated beliefs as to the means and methods for overhauling immigration policy. Ha! I've got you now, Obama! Too bad the rest of what you have to say on immigration reform makes so much damned sense.
In March of last year, Obama voted to reauthorize the modified Patriot Act. This should have been the crowning blow...until I read his statement on the bill. Looks like he didn't much like it, but thought it was better than nothing. On the one hand, we could consider this a sign of Obama being unwilling to strongly defend his beliefs. On the other, we are in desperate need of some diplomacy in our government, and this appears to be a diplomatic gesture. What to think?

Answer 2

First of all, Chicago isn't one of the murder capitals, it is THE MURDER CAPITAL of America right now per capita. Obama can't deal with the war in Iraq, Obama couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. he doesn't seem to be able to handle just what's going on in Illinois. We have about 13 states here in Dixie, I don't think we need another democrat taking away our guns and giving more rights to the criminals.

Answer 3

No President can represent ONE group of people. A Senator may represent a state, a representative may represent a county. But in the end the President must represent the people. Obama has a black culture that he has tried to reconnect with in his adult life. He is the child of white parents which means he can not neglect one or the other based on race.

The President must speak for the majority to represent the will of the majority, but he must also protect the rights of the minority. The President must when elected in some ways cease to simply be republican or democrat and instead embrace all groups and faction and bring them together. The President does not have time to just be black or white or Latino or Jewish or Catholic or Mormon. Though these groups have impacted their lives they must be resolute to being employed by more than those groups.

Obama speaks about protecting minority rights. But some groups would prefer he only protect their rights and not recognize a bigger picture. To fight for equality for all groups none more superior in need than another is betterment for all people. Martin did not say Black equality alone. He spoke of invisible lines of Black and White and Jew and Gentile.

Obama has been found as being weak in spirit. But since every candidate espouses being in touch with Christianity, how soon they forget that Jesus was a Child of 12 speaking to the Rabbi's. What we are really seeking to know here is not is Obama two faced. But does he have multiple faces. This is not to say does he play both sides of the coin, but he seeks to unify the disparate parts that have been wallowing in this conflict to the self destruction of this nation. In effect, he is every person and no single person. He wants to live by example and spread the message of hope by example. Now he may slip. He may not be every at once (He is human), but that is not for neglect.

Instead I ask why do you ask this question? Do you feel that certain points are driving you away from prior support? In the end ask yourself this...is it truly better to elect a black president because he only represents blacks? Is that truly an American ideal? Instead would it not be nice to weigh the life of this person and note how he has been abroad and fought near to home. That he brings both a common man appeal and a hope to the youth of america you can make a difference? Not just a woman thing, or a race thing, or a establishment thing.

I dunno maybe I am willing to be led by the nose, but there isn't much else out there inspiring me right now.

Answer 4

If you really want to know about him, read his book, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE. It's very thorough. He does represent minorities and the disenfranchised. He spent much of his legal career working for the indigent in Chicago. He also spent ten years teaching constitutional law at Harvard Law School. As a student he was president of the Harvard Law Review. Everyone's looking for some trash on him, but so far nothing real has surfaced. He admits to early drug use in his book. I think he tried to tell his side of the story before someone else did, and since Hillary found out about his kindergarten essay (I Want to be President), they're digging pretty hard and deep. I think he's for real. I'm voting for him.

Obama in '08.

Answer 5

much of what he advocates conflicts with his actual voting record. He spoke out against the Patriot Act then voted in favor of reauthorizing it, he cannot commit to withdrawing the troops out of Iraq by 2013, possibly later.. He hasn't ruled out using strikes against Iran, not to mention the same vote he criticizes Hillary for, he missed himself and sponsored the exact same legislation designating the IRG a terrorist organization in back in April.. He implied that he would invade Pakistan, without the consent of their government.. He made votes making it more difficult for average citizens to sue big corporations.. He has no consistency on the issues of social security and taxes, in the very beginning he was for raising the cap, then having all options on the table, then appointing a bipartisan commission, now he's back to raising the cap.. He receives contributions from lobbyists, corporations and interest groups, despite his denials..He promises "change" but he has neither the substance, the experience, nor desire to deliver this change.

Answer 6

"Hard to say yet. It's just that right now half of his face is Oprah. The top of his head is Michelle. His policy issues are just talk yet, as he has not much to show as accomplishments. I think Hillary still has a good chance to beat him if she acknowledges some of her weak points, shows that she is a good mom, tell of a clear action plan to halt corruption in politics & corporations (no more pardoning criminals), no more blunders or fibs by her staff, stop being too liberal in some issues."

Answer 7

He doesn't really represent minorities, he just represents the American people.

He stands and has stood against the Iraq War since its beginning.

He hasn't contradicted himself. That is Hillary Clinton's job.

I don't see any two face in him.

Answer 8

There';s no way this man is qualified to be the choice for the Democratic party. The Dem's are throwing out some real stinkers this election.......I might just end up voting Republican this time around.

Answer 9

He is Black and that is the main reason why Oprah is backing him.

'W' Smoked Pot as did The Clinton's.

Truth be known, Bush is currently smoking pot. That would explain his inability to speak clearly and lose his train of thought and being unable to read notes or teleprompters.

Answer 10

Well, I know enough about him to decide whether or not I will vote for him. He wont salute our flag, and that says plenty. Still, I think he is more honest than Hillary, who salutes the flag, but mysteriously does not know whenever people who are working for her do something bad, like getting thrown in jail for stealing campaign money. If she cant pick any better characters to manage her campaign, I wonder who she would pick for her cabinet..cell mates of her campaign manager?