Michael Barone Meets Barack Obama

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This is pretty much his modus operendi. This is just another way to ensure that there won't be any honest media types out there. I really love Barone and I will expect his dispassionate presentation of facts and thoughts. I do have some reservations because of this dinner. I will always have a suspicion now how honest and dispassionate Barone, Wills, and other conservative media types are. I have seen enough slavish idolatry at the Obama shrine.

joy of SC 11:06AM January 20, 2009

Michael, daahhh, the purpose of the dinner was to influence (neutralize) your future writings. Mission Accomplished. Thanks for letting us know you will no longer be objective in your reporting.

Frank Hulton of PA 9:39AM January 17, 2009

But my observations will affect my writing in the weeks, months, and years ahead." In what way? Were you pleasantly surprised or disappointed? Do you think he will do a fine job or did you think he has much to learn and thinks too highly of himself? Your readers are not interested on what was said but we are interested in what way it will affect your writing. Please expand on your comment. I respect your opinion inmensely and would feel better if I had a sense of how you feel about him.

MDSM of CA 7:10PM January 16, 2009

I can only assure you that there is an enormous gulf between us. I again disagree with almost every word in your second post: not only your opinions, but their premises, and the unspoken premises leading up to those premises.
The point I'm trying to make in this thread is to recognize that our differences cannot be fully resolved through reason and debate, and therefore require tolerance for peaceful coexistence. I don't demand that you see things my way, nor would I inflict my opinions on you unless you were interested. I'd expect the same from you, if there was to be a dialog between us. Be further assured that I consider my opinions to be well thought out, as I'm sure you do yours.
The important thing is that there be friendly, non-dogmatic discussion between parties with differing political points of view. President-elect Obama has taken a significant step in that direction. It certainly seems that the people attending the dinner were appreciative of the opportunity, and I look forward to Mr. Barone's future posts.

KBK of NH 5:53PM January 15, 2009

Schaeffer from California, what is your problem? I'll bet you see only the value in an unborn human life but not the lives that Bush sacrificed to supposedly save Iraq from itself. You also live in a state that values the comfort and the lives of chickens more than you do a taxpaying segment of society to whom YOU denied the right to marry. So you are a typical Christian Conservative hypocrite. Just exactly why do you think Obama does not value unborn human life anymore or less than Bush and you value mature human life? It is because like the rest of the Christians in this country you think you have been assigned the duty to judge everyone else because you're so bloody perfect? What did Jesus say about he who is without sin?

DavidBronx of NY 2:51PM January 15, 2009

Obama has asked for others to offer their plans to rejuvenate the economy and we have put forth a plan last week. We have received many e-mails on the plan and I have been on the Mike McConnell (700 WLW radio) show to discuss it.
The Plan will:
- Revive our economy
- Increase average worker pay
- Stop corporate Executives from robbing shareholders
- It is not only short-term, but will provide benefits for the long-term.
Please take time to read our plan. It is neither a Democrat plan nor a Republican plan, it is an American plan. We know it is a workable plan because both liberals and conservatives have told us how much they love the plan.
Visit the plan at: www.thorplan.com

James E. Gore of OH 10:57AM January 15, 2009

I read all of your columns and depend on you for clear thinking. As a conservative, I have been struck by Obama's ability to state the conservative point of view without erecting straw men. However, that doesn't imply sympathy. On his way up, perhaps he was able to mimic Ayer's and Wright's point of view without holding it, also. Given this facility, maybe one heart to heart shouldn't impact your reporting all that much.

Dale Richardson of MI 10:48AM January 15, 2009

Did you post this little anecdote simply for its name-dropping effect?

Wondering of CO 8:31AM January 15, 2009

Only goes to show that conservatives have secret gay crushes on Obama and EVERYBODY hates our outgoing war-criminal-in-chief.

Awake of AL 2:17AM January 15, 2009

The media won't even allow us to say Barack Hussein Obama's full natural name without being edited from blog commentary 95% of the time... it is his name... he is our president,why not embrace it, right?
As for Barone not telling what happened, that was part of the agreement of being invited.
Besides, he said it will affect his future commentary... that is a good an clever hook to read Barone in the future for the curiosity of readers on both the left and the right... it's about the future.

David of FL 1:23AM January 15, 2009