Comments on Barack Backlash

Yes, folks, people change their positions on issues as the situation changes.

I love flip-flop accusations, like you're never allowed to change your mind on anything ever.

Uh, Annie….here’s the problem: you note that he opposed the war before, and now thinks precipitous withdrawal isn’t a good idea….and then you say “Funny, he’s just about the only politician I can think of who mirrors my opinions both then and now.”

Are you joking? That’s the position of a sizable minority of the elected members of the Democratic Party!

Charisma? Check. Electable? Check. Decent on most issues? Check.

Substantively better than your average DC Democrat? Sure, but barely.

The hype far exceeds the quality of the goods.

Naive to the point of preposterousness.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.

If Brendan Kiley owns Harper's Magazine, why does he work at the Stranger? And why does he scribble in the margins? Hasn't his design staff heard of sidebars?

Elenchos: I think that the copy of Harper Magazine that Annie Wagner was reading was owned by Brendan Kiley, NOT the magazine as a whole.

UNITE BEHIND OBAMA! ALL DISSENT WILL BE SQUASHED!

Let's not all nominate the guy yet--the Republicans all united behind GwB in 2000 because they thought he was a golden boy, and look where that got them.

Obvious: Why would Annie Wagner lie about a think like that? It makes little sense that a magazine mogul would need a job at an alt weekly, but it makes even less sense for the Stanger to claim he owns a magazine when he really doesn't. It isn't like funny or anything, and what would Wagner have to gain by promoting such a tale?

I guess printing magazines with margin notes from the owner is kind of hip. Maybe Brendan wants to liven up the venerable Harper's image. Maybe he got ideas like that from his stint at The Stranger.

Let's not all nominate the guy yet--the Republicans all united behind GwB in 2000 because they thought he was a golden boy, and look where that got them.

Control of Congress and a green-light for all their policies for the next 6 years?

If Obama, a centrist, looked like Clarence Thomas, we wouldnt be reading this post. Im just saying.

Wellstone was wayyyyyyyyy more progressive, but I dont recall this celebrity style worship.

I don't think Obama necessarily changed his position on Iraq. He didn't want to rush headlong into a dumb war, but now that we're in the midst of it, what is the best way of ending it? To him, the answer is not just rushing headlong out of the war, but rather trying to establish a functional government, no timetable, yada yada. You can agree or disagree with his current position, but I don't think it's any kind of a flip-flop or change of position from his first opinion.

Elenchos: I can't tell if you are messing with me or not, so just in case you are having a serious misunderstanding with the language here, I will clarify.

"Brendan Kiley, the owner of the magazine, who was prompted to scribble notes about Darfur in the margin"

When Wagner says "the owner of the magazine" she is saying he purchased and owns that one copy of the magazine, not to be confused with him owning the entire company that publishes the magazine. I do not believe Wagner is lying, I think you are misinterpreting what "owner" is making reference to.

Also, if you pick up a copy of Harpers's, please don't call Wagner a liar when you notice there are no notes in the margins by Brendan Kiley. There are only so many copies of the magazine he can personally scribble in.

I saw Obama this evening. He did a good job. There were something like 2,000 people there. He didn't pander to the obviously enthusiastic crowd with any barn-burning, fist-waving, or anything like that. He was calm and easy-going. He spoke for about 30-40 minutes and then took a couple questions (there was no fancy set-up, just Obama calling on people) and then he signed books for an hour. People LOVED him.

I didn't go last night (had class) but if Obama runs in 08, he has my vote. If he can avoid getting capped, that is.