Barack Obama Gets High Marks for Economics But Not for Rhetoric

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Get used to it, folks. This guy is one very smart dude and he has something to go with it --- maturity. In fact, if I had to sum his character up in just a single word that word would be mature. I will agree with those who claim we've chosen a few very intelligent presidents in the past. But, please believe, none with this man's level of maturity. It virtually oozes out of him --- so much so that pundits like Mathews, Olberman, Brooks and Broder hardly know what to make of it. Chris Mathews seems especially perplexed, even to the point of publicly lamenting Obama's "lack of passion." Translation: why can't the President Elect show more emotion, raise his voice, and get excitedly angry like I do when the situation is particularly alarming? But "there he goes again," low key, totally in command, cool as a cucumber, with nothing seeming to faze him. Plus, he almost invariably makes good decisions when it is only human to screw up big time at least once in a while. Maybe that's it, the guy isn't "human" enough.

But, like I say, learn to deal with it. You elected one smart, exceptionally mature person for president and that is what you're gonna get for at least the next four years.

D.S. Arthur of CA 8:35PM November 27, 2008

"Instead he is focused on getting to work restoring the stability of this country. I don't want to be dazzled. I want hope and reassurance that we come out of this crisis intact and flourishing."

FDR lengthened the depression by 7 years with his bad economic policies.

Here's what we ALL should be doing right now - working to actively STOP any New Deal 2.0 from happening.

If you want an economic future worth calling it "hope" we HAVE to stop the flawed and bad Obama economic policies.

Travis M of 2:30PM November 25, 2008

Give Mr Obama a break. After that grueling campaign he should have a vacation. Instead he is focused on getting to work restoring the stability of this country. I don't want to be dazzled. I want hope and reassurance that we come out of this crisis intact and flourishing.

Z Nixon of CA 12:11PM November 25, 2008

If the masses need to be dazzled maybe they could go to the Colosseum for some bread and blood.

Acting like a prattling academic and assigning grades to someone who we expect to go to work and actually do some heavy lifting is IMHO pretty shallow. Aren't you up for the next round of layoffs?

A thoughtful, detail oriented, practical leader is just what we need, and I appreciate the subdued and serious approach that Barack Obama is presenting.

Tim of GA 10:49AM November 25, 2008

WAS EXCELLENT TO SEE HE HAS SUBSTANCE AS WELL AS STYLE. YOUR COMMENT MUST HAVE JUST TO GET A REACTION. THANK GOD WE HAVE OBAMA AT THIS CRITICAL TIME. WE HAVE A CHANCE NOW.

RICHARD DAVIS of PA 1:58AM November 25, 2008

We're all going to be in the bread lines in a couple of years no matter what inspirational words he has to say. Cut taxes for the wealthy and businesses is the only way to get out of this mess, which he ain't going to do. Anything else is just empty rhetoric.

"Mediocraty for all" should be the official democrat slogan. Thanks to the millions of fools that voted for him, we're screwed. I hope you're all happy now.

Fred D of IL 10:37PM November 24, 2008

I am truly amazed.....you are looking for a toastmaster's rendition of Kumbaya at a time of unbridled economic crisis? You hit the nail on the head....he just came off of a 2 year campaign, he has the hardest job in the world (including Gastroenterologist and Rosie O's publicist) and you want a dazzling speech? SERIOUSLY???

If you want to be “dazzled”, I suggest you go see Cirque du Soleil and let the man do his job....oh wait.... HE HASN'T EVEN TAKEN OFFICE YET.....and he is already on Bush-Cheney Detail! He is actually putting some thought, analysis and perspective as a leader into his selections. He is picking a Dream Team, but you want some pretty words to go along with sound judgement? "I'll take sound judgement for 700 billion, Alex"

Why don't I give you some food for thought....that could be McCain and Palin making these decisions! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of Palin, any luck on recouping that $150K in clothes from her and her family? I am sure there are some members of “Dress for Success”, TAP and orphans who could use some Hermes and Gucci…

MaryE of MD 9:30PM November 24, 2008

Here is the problem The lunitic fringe in congress Boxer, Feinstin, Shcummer, The one from florida, Rangel, Conyers. They have been waiting for years with there crazy agenda's, and they think the man in the White House will rubber stamp them. Take gas people like boxer want to see 9 and 10 dollar a gallon gas, that is why they refuse to drill for oil and have stopped all nuclear power, they are the ones responsible for the co2 and other crap we are putting in the sky. All you have to do is add green at the end of a sentence and it will pass, or children. Many on the left said Bush was an idiot and moron for cutting taxes and spending billions, well Obama is going to spend trillions and cut taxes what does that make him.

What Happened of CA 8:19PM November 24, 2008

Give the man a chance! A little revolution now and then is a healthy thing, don't you think?

Just wait until you wake up January 21... Change will never have felt so good.

PS Obama is not a Marxist, despite the "center right AmeriCAN'T" stories we keep hearing...

PPS He is an AmeriCAN, baby!!!

PPPS Wish me luck with my Republican grandmother this Thanksgiving....

PPPPS What ever happened to Tom Clancy, anyways? Oh, he became a video game programmer... My bad.

Nep of CA 7:15PM November 24, 2008

It's time for action. He already said what here was going to do. He is doing it now.

mitch of WA 4:44PM November 24, 2008

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John A. Farrell

John A. Farrell

John Aloysius Farrell is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report. An award-winning Washington reporter, he has written for The Boston Globe and The Denver Post and is the author of Tip O’Neill and the Democratic Century and an upcoming biography of the great American defense attorney, Clarence Darrow.

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