Politics with Marc Ambinder

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Apr 27 2009, 4:17 pm by Marc Ambinder

Obama's Just..... Different

It's 100-Day pollapallooza this week, so we'll be highlighting only some of the more interesting findings. CNN highlights the now CWish finding that Obama is more personally popular than his policies. (Rahm'll take that.)   And CBS News/New York Times's surveyists found that nearly 70% of Americans believe Obama is different from the average politician. Of those, 4 in ten say it's his style of governing.  There's a partisan split, of course, but -- and this will cheer the White House, which watches the same number in its DNC-sponsored polling -- the vast majority of independents think Obama behaves differently than the average politician.

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Comments (6)

24AheadDotCom

As always, there's a huge difference between what BHO actually says and does and how the MSM presents it. For instance, he's presented as a cool intellectual, when it's clear to me that if he were finally pressed on something by an experienced person he could be easily rattled and some of the things he's said wouldn't stand up to basic questioning by someone familiar with the topic. Here's my categorized 100 days summary; see the links for things the MSM won't tell you about his nominations and policies.

ottovbvs (Replying to: 24AheadDotCom)

"he could be easily rattled and some of the things he's said wouldn't stand up to basic questioning by someone familiar with the topic."

Self delusion. The besetting sin of today's GOP. What all these polls show clearly and unequivocally is that President Obama is by a mile the most trusted man and institution in the country. What's clear to me is that 24AheadDotCom has little or no contact with reality.

24AheadDotCom (Replying to: ottovbvs)

Thank you for your highly intelligent reply, please stop in again sometime.

For the rest of you, looking at the BHO/McCain debate footage might be instructive. McCain never really pressed BHO on anything, and in at least one case where he came close, BHO stammered for several seconds trying to think up a reply. Those who are familiar with dealing with BHO's personality type know just how fragile he is.

Regarding his vaunted intellectual capabilities, any top level trial lawyer or similar who's familiar with a specific issue and who wanted to make BHO look bad could do it if given a chance. For instance, by calling BHO on one or more of his many lies and misleading statements, or by pointing out his absurd, anti-American reasoning.

Blue Shark

...He is different. Very Different. Cool, Competent, and Whip-smart.

...That is why the blanket stereotypical name calling by the wing-nuts sounds so desperately un-reality-based.

jb

I absolutely agree with CWish. Right now Obama is surviving on the power of personality. As his policies become more apparent the popularity will only slide.

investorscooter

24AheadDotCom: I went to your links, and appreciate your workmanlike efforts at justifying your positions. Unfortunately, so many of your brethren who post blog comments do not share your diligence and prefer to perform what I call "drive-by snarkiness". As an ex-Republican (because I'm moderate) and a newly registered independent, I will no longer listen to any voices who cannot or will not give Obama his due when he performs well - and by many measures, he has performed well on at least a few fronts. My biggest beef with him is Geithner (who needs to resign), but I can say he's working hard to improve the country, otherwise, and making strides in the correct direction.

As to the original question, undoubtedly he IS a different type of politician - he's statesmanlike and seemingly above the fray. He IS a game changer, which puts the conservatives on a continually defensive mode. He's unpredictably more conservative than the Lefties want, but too liberal for the Bushies, so he can't be painted with a broad brush (which is the tool of choice for the intellectually lazy). He believes he's the leader of ALL the people, not just of his party (essentially how Bush alienated the country). And he is sooo busy! I cannot recall Bush/Clinton/Reagan ever doing as much as he is accomplishing. I think he's also a leader by example, which is sorely needed.

By all means, be true to your positions 24ADC, if you can back them up with "truly vetted facts". This era is a cautionary tale for those who are just partisan and not realists.

Remember the old adage: there are those who make things happen (Obama, thus far), those who watch things happen (Bush - Katrina, 9/11, Wall Street meltdown, etc.) and those who wonder "what happened?" Many members of your community are in danger of becoming the third type.