Is it just me or do most people here dislike Obama?

I have been reading several different pieces on Barak Obama written on ATS and the majority appear to be negative. www.abovetopsecret.com...

Why is that? I am from England and it appears from this side of the pond that he is by far the best candidate still on show. He came from a single-parent family with financial difficulties and through his intellect and ambition got into Havard and graduated with a Law degee. And instead of fighting for the big companies that scout these gradutes he choose to fight for the impovrished in his native city Chicago.

This surely is more appealing than Clinton who inherited her staus from her Husband and a hawk like John MCcain with a questionable war vet record and a clearly inept knowledge of the economy.

Obama has had to curtail more of his so called 'ambitious' policies like negotiating with America's 'enemies' in the face of a hostile media onslaught. And to defend himself over the views of his former pastor who bought up many valid points which were ignored in favour of one the snippet from his sermons ' America's chicken's are coming home to roost'.

And not to mention his apparent Islamic name and allegations that he is actually a Muslim. He has rode these well and come out on top which is admirable for a man of limited political experience. To the rest of the world he appears to be America's only hope. He actually appears and has proven to care about his fellow Americans, instead of wearing a pointless pin on his jacket.

I personally favoured Kucinich at the beggining but he was clearly never going to get through with his 'radical' policies of inditing the war criminals in the current administration and spending the government funds on the people of America instead of abroad on pointless imperalist wars.

He may have some qustionable contributors within the Lobbyist falcrum but who hasn't and the majority of his funds are coming from samll doners. In conclusion i hope and pray for his victory in Novemeber and can ain enough support and courage from this to make the changes that are needed at least start to be realized.

What do people really think on Obama? Especcialy Americans from all political spectrums? Is he going to help the ordinary folk?

reply to post by Peruvianmonk


There's a lot to like about Obama the person, but as a candidate, I simply have far too many policy disagreements with him to consider casting a vote for him.

To me, he just looks like another Democrat from the far left wing of the party. No thank you. Additionally, by extension, and perhaps a bit unfairly, I also base part of my opposition to Obama on the fact that it is extremely likely that Congress will be controlled by the liberal wing of the Democratic party. The last thing I really want is to see those people run unchecked and, with the help of an equally liberal president, be able to ram who-knows what kind of garbage down the rest of the country's throat. Again, that's not entirely fair to the man (granted, I would not vote for him under any circumstances due to policy opinion differences), but it plays a role.

reply to post by Peruvianmonk


PeruvianMonk, I'm inclined to agree with you...

I think that there may be some members who are having a hard time dealing with the fact that a black man could be the next President of the United States, and that the reason for their discomfort is simply because he is black.

The rage, insecurity, and bigotry I've seen from a select few is discouraging to me...I expected better, but I suppose even ATS isn't immune to having at least a few wingnuts included in the membership.



[edit on 1-6-2008 by ezziboo]

Ditto on that ezz. The insecurity of a few are evident. Quite telling and unfortunate. We could certainly do worse for a pres, shrub?

First, I do not like any of the presidential candidates. Second, I personally find Obama as a charismatic, likeable person. But I view some of his policies rather in disagreement with what I am hearing from the other two presidential candidates.

Originally posted by pikypiky
First, I do not like any of the presidential candidates. Second, I personally find Obama as a charismatic, likeable person. But I view some of his policies rather in disagreement with what I am hearing from the other two presidential candidates.

But that's no bad thing, why do you want 3 people saying the same thing? Then you don't have options. Furthermore, the idea that McCain (Republican) & Clinton (Democrat) think the same is disturbing! We want and need change in America, so from that standpoint we not going to get either from these 2. The people sent a loud, and what they thought was clear, message to the politicians by voting in Democratic control of the Senate to get our boys home, and the Democrats haven't done squat since they've been in. The US people asked for change and none was delivered. At least Obama is different, and we need that more than anything, more than the first black president, or the first female president, or the oldest president, we need change, and for someone to do what they actually say they will do. McCain will keep us in Iraq, and Clinton is a snake in the grass.

The 'like' or 'dislike' of Obama is a function of media. It's really that simple. Americans have been conditioned to respond to political propaganda quite predictably. This is not about the person, it's about the person we are being 'told' is Obama, or Clinton, or Paul, or whomever.

I would disagree wholeheartedly that his race is a factor, except insofar as the media delivers the prepackaged case.

His policies and those of the majority of the candidates is 'window dressing' as it is in MOST ALL political campaigns. Most of these people are talking out their butts and delivering messages they are informed the 'people' want to hear. When the reality of execution hits them, there is no telling what they will do (except maybe for McCain who has surrendered himself as a meat puppet for the neocons whos agenda has been telegraphed by their own indiscretions and hubris.)

Originally posted by Peruvianmonk
He came from a single-parent family with financial difficulties and through his intellect and ambition got into Havard and graduated with a Law degee. And instead of fighting for the big companies that scout these gradutes he choose to fight for the impovrished in his native city Chicago.

He is not a native of Chicago.. he was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia. He moved to Chicago as an adult. His mother was middle class.. not poor, his father from Kenya.. his stepfather from Indonesia. He was raised the last part of his youth by his white grandparents in Hawaii.

This surely is more appealing than Clinton who inherited her staus from her Husband and a hawk like John MCcain with a questionable war vet record and a clearly inept knowledge of the economy.

Hillary did not receive her status from her husband. She actually had a name for herself before she married Clinton. Most forget that though because her husband was President before. In my opinion, that gives her a one up on the other runners because she knows first hand what the job entails. She has been there, seen it. (Do not take this to mean I am a Clinton fan. I am not).

As for McCain... I dislike him so much I have not bothered to learn much about beyond the fact that he represents 4 more years of Bush politics. Something I am sick to death of already.

And to defend himself over the views of his former pastor who bought up many valid points which were ignored in favour of one the snippet from his sermons ' America's chicken's are coming home to roost'.

Please research this statement more before commenting on it. There is SOOO much more than what was said in that sound bite. Rev Wright damns America and blames the whites for everything. For a religious man, it seems all he (and Bishop Pfleger and Otis Moss III) seem to preach is hate against America and the white people. And he has not distanced himself from these people. As a matter of fact, he has refused to denounce their hate rhetoric. Listening to 20+ years of hate "sermons" by anyone who runs for President should be an automatic boot out.

And not to mention his apparent Islamic name and allegations that he is actually a Muslim. He has rode these well and come out on top which is admirable for a man of limited political experience. To the rest of the world he appears to be America's only hope. He actually appears and has proven to care about his fellow Americans, instead of wearing a pointless pin on his jacket.

I could care less about how his name sounds. Islamic, Jewish, Russian, Indian.. I do not care. What I do care about is IF he is Muslim .. is he an extremist. Other than that... his religious beliefs is none of my business, just like mine is none of his.

As for the pin comment. Please understand what the fuss about that is. This man refuses to salute our National Flag. He has stated he can not "get behind" our national anthem and if it was a song from a stupid Coke commerical he would support it. He has stated that our National Flag is a symbol of oppression in some lands so he cannot salute it.

How would you feel if someone was running for office over there that said similar stuff about your flag and your national anthem? Would you not be incensed? This man wants to represent our country to the world but he cannot salute our flag or stand behind our anthem?? In my opinion, if you have those issues.. get the hell off the platform and go home! You do not deserve to represent this country!

I do not think Obama will help anyone but himself and those he has already sold his soul to in order to get where he is at. He is a puppet and he will have to satisfy his masters.

VV







[edit on 1/6/08 by ValhallasValkyrie]

I've noticed it.

Seems a lot of people are coming here with an political agenda, overwhelmingly conservative and using Free Republic style tactics to smear him with fraudulent claims, hoaxed images and quotes taken out of context.

I think it goes so far that people PRETEND to be an Obama fan, sign up and just make outrageously ridiculous threads to unnecessarily generate drama and make his supporters look foolish.

I don't buy it.

I've yet to see the same thing done to McCain and Clinton so extensively.

Perhaps we need a fake McCain fan to sign up and post a thread stating that he can't wait for McCain to continue to shred the constitution like our last President because we are too simple to have rights. That he supports McCain because he's white and anyone that doesn't is a bigot.

The kind of thread not worth opening because the intent is too obvious.
Some folks just have a lot of time on their hands.

- Lee



[edit on 1-6-2008 by lee anoma]

reply to post by Maxmars


I think we have a winner, folks! You hit the nail on the head. Almost all of these arguments are BS originating from the campaigns themselves, as you say, based upon what they think we want to hear.

[edit on 1-6-2008 by vor78]

How many people on this site are actual true, God fearing Americans. I see many anti-Americans and some wanna-be Americans.

This is a multi-national web site and it has a very diverse groups of individuals, some of whom I agree with and some who I do not.

Even when discussing this only with real Americans, some may be an enlightened Republican or some may be Hilliary demoncratic supporter.

I happened to an enlightened Republican who is an Obama supporter.

For the most part, you will see more and more smears on both candidates from a variety of media outlets. Regardless of what McCain or Obama says in public about keeping the champaign clean, they will have people at the ready, to sling every bit of mud they can find.

Originally posted by hinky
How many people on this site are actual true, God fearing Americans. I see many anti-Americans and some wanna-be Americans.

This is a multi-national web site and it has a very diverse groups of individuals, some of whom I agree with and some who I do not.

Even when discussing this only with real Americans, some may be an enlightened Republican or some may be Hilliary demoncratic supporter.

I happened to an enlightened Republican who is an Obama supporter.

For the most part, you will see more and more smears on both candidates from a variety of media outlets. Regardless of what McCain or Obama says in public about keeping the champaign clean, they will have people at the ready, to sling every bit of mud they can find.

So in order to be a real American I have to be God fearing? It's got nothing to do with where you were born or who your parents are? If I live in America , have a US passport, but don't fear God, I'm not a real American? Give me a break.

I remember the American flag being flown 'upside down' in the days following Iraqi war. That is not good. Remembered like yesterday. Hinky can we get that poo flinging mod in on this? I think he would be a great help now. You know, the one with the chimp in the reading glasses. Ya him. We need him.

[edit on 6/1/2008 by jpm1602]

reply to post by Maxmars


I like your excellent points. Star

reply to post by lee anoma


You are absolutely correct. Star

Now...

It's hilarious that, on the one hand, a few members will tell you that there is no discernable difference between the three remaining candidates - all "tools of the CFR". Then, in the very next breath they will decry Obama as a racist, socialist, anti-Christ who Jesus or a vague feeling told them not to vote for.

If you try to have a thread about the drawbacks of John McCain or Hillary Clinton, they can't argue the counterpoints. They can only bash Obama with rumor, innuendo and lies.

It's so laughable. Really they just reveal their socially backward ways and their own ignorance.

Many are just mad because Ron Paul is no longer an option. Believe me, I am too. But get over it - do you want change or do you just give it lip service? No replies please about Obama not being for change, how the hell would you know? You are not objective enough to make that determination.

[edit on 1/6/08 by kosmicjack]

But Obama smokes cigs kosmik. Certainly he must be the devil. This topic is not for satire. There truly are agents here that want to taint the voting pot. I personally don't care if you write in tinky winky.
The more they hate on him, the more I know he is our best chance.
sp
who knew?


[edit on 6/1/2008 by jpm1602]

[edit on 6/2/2008 by jpm1602]

Originally posted by Peruvianmonk

What do people really think on Obama? Especcialy Americans from all political spectrums? Is he going to help the ordinary folk?

I used to like Obama very much. Then as I got to hear him more, and read his positions, it became apparent that he was simply parroting the intellectual elitism he learned at Harvard. I honestly believe he's sincere about doing the right thing, but what he thinks is right is very problematic.

He plans on walking away from Iraq, which will allow Iran to become the main influence in the region. I don't think he understands the economy at all. What economic experience does he have? He's a lawyer for God's sake.

And on a personal level, the comment that REALLY bothered me is when he said the thing about if his daughters got pregnant he wouldn't want them "punished" with a child.

Think about that one for a second. Suppose abortion was illegal, or suppose his daughter decided to have the baby. What type of mentality allows a man to think of his grandchild as "punishment" in any sense? To me that's a sick and twisted way to look at the world. For all the talk about him attending church for 20 years, apparently he didn't really get the message if he could call a newborn baby "punishment."

Originally posted by ValhallasValkyrie
This man refuses to salute our National Flag.

Why should he salute the flag? Only military in uniform are supposed to salute the flag. Source

He has stated he can not "get behind" our national anthem ... National Flag is a symbol of oppression in some lands so he cannot salute it.

Where does he state this? Unless you have a source, you're making stuff up and believing lies. Snopes

False

To the OP: I don't know if there are a lot of people who dislike Obama or if they are just the most vocal of the bunch. I suspect the latter. But if they continue to make up negative stuff about him, it's no wonder they don't like him. LOL And I thought ATS members were more informed... :shk:

I like Obama a LOT.

[edit on 2-6-2008 by Benevolent Heretic]

Sometimes I leave ATS dreading asteroid impacts and mega quakes etc. but this thread has been a great and refreshing read. I handed out many stars and found something to agree with among almost all the posts. I would like to see Obama rise above the mud slinging and even expose the roots of the mud slinging for what it is: an attempt to derail (what is left of) our democracy. All three candidates are better than Bush and Co. Don't forget to pay attention to your local elections as well. They are argueably more important.

I'm not impressed with the guy. Not impressed with any of them, actually.

Obama promises money to the poor, the children, the old folks, the vets (cool:up, health care for everyone; you name it.

Just where is he going to come up with the cash? Simply leaving Iraq (bad move) isn't going to free the money he needs.

That means, we'll all be paying higher taxes.

Energy independance? How? He doesn't want nuke, no more drilling, and no coal? What's his big plan, freakin' gerbil wheels?

He resigned from his church. That's cool, but the reason he gave was that he had come to the conclusion that continued membership in the church was a problem.....as long as he was running for President.

I think the word choice was accurate and honest, because it reflects that his disassociation is not for reasons of conscience or belief, but rather is only for political expediency. In other words, he is still in agreement with their words and the beliefs, but it hurts him politically so he'll bail for now.

Originally posted by jerico65
Just where is he going to come up with the cash? Simply leaving Iraq (bad move) isn't going to free the money he needs.

We're spending $5000 per SECOND in Iraq and Afghanistan... That would go a looooong way.

I think the word choice was accurate and honest, because it reflects that his disassociation is not for reasons of conscience or belief, but rather is only for political expediency. In other words, he is still in agreement with their words and the beliefs, but it hurts him politically so he'll bail for now.

I hate to keep defending the guy, but I heard him speak on this. Did you? He said one of the reasons was because of the publicity it was bringing on the other members of the church. He didn't feel that they deserved the negative attention they were getting because of him.