Bill Maher: Obama 'Has to Give Up Worrying About Looking Like the Angry Black Man'
Barack Obama has given all liberals some pause to consider his personal psychology. I've joked often that he's such a bad negotiator that I would never want him to help me buy a car, because I'd end up paying twice Blue Book value just so everyone could call the deal a "win." And while it's tempting to assume some sort of malevolence or corporatist attitude on the part of Obama, I genuinely think it's something much more deep-seated in Obama's psyche. As the product of a mixed race union at a time when miscegenation was still illegal in some states, raised by white grandparents in the Kansas heartland, with an exotic name and a Muslim Kenyan absent father, Barack Obama literally defines the term "Other."
It is not farfetched to believe that Barack Obama has spent pretty much his entire 50 years trying to make people who find him fearful comfortable. Even his white grandmother admitted to being nervous if an African American male approached her, an attitude that could not help but affect him in his impressionable years. Add to that someone who appears constitutionally conflict-averse (his pre-politician career as a community organizer was to get people to work together, not fight it out), and you have the makings of a person ill-suited for the divisive environment of Washington and the full-contact political battles that have to be fought.
And we've seen that tendency manifest itself as a politician who is always willing to bend over backwards to those who will not trust him, whether from their own innate racism or from their own personal agenda. There's no question that racism plays a much greater role than liberal white America may have wanted to acknowledge, although our minority friends and colleagues would probably say "duh!". One little moment of expressed irritation will give rise to literally hundreds of thousands of reports in the media and right wing blogs/publications/foundations of the angry black man. So rather than play to those disposed to give him the benefit of the doubt, Obama rather tries to win over those who will never do so.
Subbing for the vacationing Ed Schultz, guest host Michael Eric Dyson speaks to this inherent tension with Real Time host Bill Maher, who exhorts Obama to find his spine and be an unapologetic liberal Democrat instead of the watered-down Republican he's being. Whether he can give up the ghost of trying to be liked by those who have no incentive to like him remains to be seen, but Maher's assessment that this path may lead to Obama's loss in the 2012 election is apt.
On a related note, and well worth your time, Peter Daou -- no stranger to the looking glass world of DC politics -- looks at How the Democratic establishment shunned the left, spawned the Tea Party and moved America right.
When did he ever give any indication of being a left wing progressive?
Im surprised Republicans hate him- he's a great Republican president.
Maybe to a leftist, everyone else looks like a republican. In my opinion, nothing looks like a republican but a republican, and that is ugly.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
He's a great corporate president. He's a great president for torturer's. He's a terrible president for anyone who honors and upholds the Bill of Rights and Constitution. He's a great war profiteer's president. He's a great turn the eye towards election theft president.
He should have spoken out about the protests in Madison WI earlier this past year.
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Well, some of the foot soldiers may have actually hated him. The Republican movers and shakers never did.
Once Clinton left the White House Republican financiers immediately dropped their feigned hatred and started lining the Clintons' pockets with many, many millions of dollars.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
No, they truly hate the fuck out of his Black ass. White Conservatives on every socioeconomic level hate Obama.
His birthday dinner party last night was filled with white folks who paid $35,800.00 a plate for the pleasure of his company (and $10,000.00 a picture). I'm sure Goldman Sachs has even more quarter million dollar speeches lined up for Obama when he leaves the White House than they had for Clinton.
The illiterate idiots the Tea Party buses around whenever they need to put a populist face on a corporate astroturf operation are definitely some serious bigots, but the billionaires funding the operation care far more about green than they hate black.
And Obama has made them more money - at lower tax rates - than at any point in the last three quarters of a century. What's not to love?
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Those people paying for expensive plates may be white, but educated whites are usually not conservative. Plenty of liberal wall street types support Obama.
Is it the 21st century yet?
fear. They shouldn't really hate him coz there were more liberal alternatives to him.
That's why they hated Clinton too.
To my Conservative friends, Obama is a raging spend-thrift anti-business Liberal.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
During the election, one of my political science professors, a Hillary-backing Democrat, opined that Obama would be a weak president. He admired the "strong executive" model, claiming that a strong and stern president was needed to force Congress to get things done.
I'm starting to see what he meant now.
The book of the year...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058KSKHW
Like Bush? The imperial President? Obama went to Washing to re-instate the balance of powers.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
I don't think there's any way to know that things would be any better than they are if the President had been less diplomatic and compromising than he has been. Things might have been a lot worse than they are now. Rather than simply being bullies, the republicans are raving mad, greedy, anti-societal, and most have now revealed that they are in fact racists. The republicans are like a vicious bramble bush. To get out of the bramble bush we need the votes - the representation in congress. There's only way to get out of a bramble bush - very carefully.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
paper tigers. The Repubs are not that scary. If President Obama had done what many on the left wanted him to do for a long time, they would have folded like a cheap suit. President Obama has never-or at the least very rarely, done that.
Not being a black man, I'm not sure that, coming from a white man, it's what Obama wants or needs to hear. But I'd be happy if Obama fuckin' got angry. His color is immaterial as long as he keeps rewarding those who only care about the green.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
C'mon Bill, there's also the possibility that he knows exactly what he's doing and getting exactly what he wants. All these intellectual gymnastics are nothing but an attempt to square Obama's actions with your inner faith in his good intentions.
He's not a bad negotiator, and even if he were, he could still call in the best negotiators in the world. He's not an under-confident black man - they don't make it into Columbia, then Harvard Law, then Law Review, then the Senate, then the White House. He's not worried about bigots' knee-jerk reactions to an angry black man - he beat them handily in 2008, and it's not like he thinks they're gonna come around if he moderates his personality.
Believe it or not, Barack Obama might be exactly what he seems: an extremely smart, tough, accomplished guy who became President by age 50 and is getting these repeatedly conservative results because he wants them.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Nice theory fiver. I have taken note of it, but I still think he is only guilty of being an arbitrator instead of a dictator, while the republicans attempt to destroy the economy, in order to destroy a President.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
fwiw-- i agree, completely
...President Obama open a big can of whup-ass on the teabaggers.
smarter than Bill Clinton.
I think Bill Maher is right about everything except what Obama should do about it. Wingnuts like Limpbaugh are back on the attack already. They are going to attack Obama with spears and arrows until he is out of office. He must continue to be a diplomat, and sometimes an arbitrator, but he must also set the agenda - forget about the republican talking points.
He can't simply get angry and bark orders and issue vetos and signing statements without losing respect, and without the wingnuts gaining mainstream support. If that happens America loses big time. What he has to do is forget about appeasing the republicans , and above all, he must stop buying into their talking points. He has to ignore them and set the agenda, forcefully, consistently, and immediately. Just my 2c.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
That video 'consumed' my computer and I had to reboot.
far left loon >.<
well thank you to bill maher for explaining to barack obama on how to get elected to high office as black man in america....here is an idea...spend more time winning arguments, "Bill", with the conservatives on your show and less time explaining how the president can get elected...when "bill" gets his ass handed to him by amy holmes and ann coulter he should focus more on his role in moving the discussion forward....he is more famous but has been less relevant than andrew brietbart...get ahead of the news "bill"...be the trend setter...youre failing the president...
Some folks kinda feel it's the other way around.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
I wish he worded it better.
The GOP works off fear, fear of something big, that government is so big they're the little rebels, and they're struggling like hell to change from the "outside". This is likely because they want to blame problems on government.
The last thing they want their party to know is that they control the government, and they're not the defenders of an ideology, but the aggressors of others. Their braindead followers need to feel like they're still the "little guys" in the fight, akin to Fox News versus the ENTIRE LIBERAL MEDIA, aka, anyone not Fox.
Yep. All they know how to do is bitch, bitch, bitch, and play the victim. This will never, ever change.
Meanwhile they are buying shorts, default swaps, and raking in money while they destroy the economy, and the middle class/working class, all to destroy a President.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
I doubt that the idea that Obama is acting the way he is, is because he has a fear of appearing an angry black man. If he really does then he has some serious psychotic problems given the outcomes of almost everything that he has done so far.
For anyone who thinks he is accomplishing anything that is of a benefit to the average American, look around you. He might be reelected just because people will be frightened of the alternative, but nothing good will come of it if he is.
Just like last time.
on delivering those shovel ready jobs he seems to have forgotten about.
No one, not even Barak Obama himself, has ever said he is a "liberal". Based on his pattern since President, Obama is a consummate corporatist. There is no jobs program since job stripping enables greater profits for corporations and Wall Street. He really fooled the electorate with his "change" malarkey. Now look where you are, suckers.
is like the worlds biggest slumlord. Don't want to fix up the house and think they are helping the poor by charging rent for them to live in squalor.
.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
president camacho and we'd all be in better shape. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zAAASsuyk
---
what is worse, ignorance or indifference?
I don't know and I don't care!
..."The angry Black man" many of you people have had nightmares about and as if there won't be any racial repercussions if the President snaps.
You're scarin the pilgrims.;)
What is your conceptual, continuity?
I remember the over the top uproar when Obama slammed those cops who arrested Professor Gates for breaking into his own house. There is a portion of White America just waiting at the starting blocks for Obama to go "Angry Black man".
What would they do that they haven't done already?
Fight! Why is it that the only legislation or appointments to office that take 60 votes is legislation or appointments that are a benefit to the American people. Elizabeth Warren anyone?
What I want to know is this: where the hell are the Democratic members of Congress? They're the ones who need to stand up and emphatically--angrily, if need be--call "bullshit" on the hostage-taking, the lying, the game-playing that Republicans are doing.
We all know the Republicans are liars and would sell their own Grandmas if it netted them another twenty bucks in tax cuts. The Democrats are just weak. Weak-willed, and weak-kneed. Where's their fire?
What would you like to see the President do differently, if anything? If attitude changes would just scare too many white folk, how best can he win back at least some who've abandoned him?
(Meant as a reply to L&L.. Damn fingers...)
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Unfortunately his message would be lost and it would scare the Hell out of elderly White people Nationwide.
Obama reminds me of baseball great and civil rights activist Jackie Robinson's first few years playing Major League baseball...he's eaten a lot of shit.
Yeah but Jackie Robinson was a success. So if Obama is Robinson than he must be succeeding at what his agenda is.
him;
i think he sees the roadblock and simply interprets their actions as rhetorical political posturing needed to gain the upper hand, no matter how dirty and ugly that posturing may be.
but while his open bar solicitations to get some dialog generated with the opposition backfire, he accepts compromise with an extreme right, but can not even engage in compromise with the leftest of the left of his supporting base, and they only seem the leftest of the left if you believe the newsiness of the cable channels, blue dogs, and the people who don't like him--the people who are all things colored republican.
and to that i ask, where was the compromise on single payer?
Personally, I think Obama would really like to do more than he's been able to do. And sure, all of us here would like to see him get more done, but we white folks all assume that the playing field is equal for all who reach the Presidency when it probably isn't.
(OK, this is twice I've replied to L&L and my reply goes to the bottom. I think I'm being discriminated against by the site... ;))
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Obama is getting everything he wants. When will people, Bill Maher included, get this through their heads. Obama is a Disaster Capitalist Republican. No one forced him to create Simpson Bowles. No one forced him to put Social Security on the table as part of his "GRAND BARGAIN". No one forced him to fame every debate in Republican terms. Obama is a corporatist, Lanny Davis, Third Way PIG!
There is some truth to the notion that an assertive Obama will be perceived as "angry" and "dangerous." That very point was made in a blatantly racist article that was recently featured on Fox Nation. I took it apart here:
Shuckin And Jivin: The Kind Of Obama Fox News Racists Like
These people are determined to turn any trait of leadership into a symbol of a dictator. Obama simply can't win with this crowd.
dick.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
I've done my fair share of speculation about what's going on inside Obama's head, even wondering whether he were anti-social, participating in a conversation about whether he has Asperger's, etc. Now it's the fear of "angry black man" image.
But honestly, who cares?
The only times I really want to know the psychological reasons a politician takes the actions he does is when those reasons can help convince me that they were the right actions or demonstrate how to convince him that they were the wrong ones. I don't think either is in play here.
Just like I didn't care whether Bush was incompetent, evil, both, retarded, had a daddy syndrome or really was, in fact, a chimpanzee, I don't really care why Obama does what he does. It's enough that he does it.
So, anyway, our country's dead. How are y'all doin'?
Everyone is equally entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Wasn't that once self evident?
please! dont apologize or make excuses for another democrat turning corporate sell-out
that is apparently the ONLY way to get elected now
The budget definitely needs balancing, just end the military empire and teh billion dollar checks to foreign countries. Public works projects can't be funded while we're sending boatloads of borrowed cash to other nations.
President Obama is obviously very intelligent and if he wants something, I've very little doubt he's 100 times smarter than the mouth-breathing corporate whores on the other side and can get it. As Dennis Green (football coach) said in frustration about a team who his team had lost after not preparing appropriately to face them, "They are who we thought they were."
"When you look at this final agreement that we came to with the white House, I got 98 percent of what I wanted. I'm pretty happy."
Well, you horse's ass, I'll be happy when the GOP gets 1% of what they want, the Democrats get 1% of what they want, and the middle class and the poor get 98% of what we need...
Seen the markets , the jobs / unemployment report ? What's happening in the European markets and economy ? Don't get me wrong , I like the man , besides the Reich wingers , how can you not like him ? That is the personalty that sucked us all in . As President Obama has been a disaster , is a disaster , no experience in politics , weak , naive and in way over his head , the Republicans have been dictating to Obama and leading him around by his nose and he just takes it and kisses their asses ! Don't do it Eric , don't call my bluff , they call his bluff , he caves . Any bill must be balanced . spending cuts with tax increases and closing of loop holes , must carry us through the year and to after the next elections , caved and caved again ! Empty words by a spineless President who I would swear has been neutered except for the fact that he has two daughters .As empty and meaningless as his campaign speeches now are . Does Obama think he was just kidding ? McConnell has literally announced to the entire country , to the entire world that the Republicans are traitors and saboteurs , their mission and number one priority is to make the President of the United States fail , undermine ,sabotage , put up road blocks , take hostages , black mail , not only prevent any recovery by this country but try and make things worse ! As you may have noticed they are having much success , things are getting worse ! What a time for a weakling who obviously doesn't know what the hell he doing , for a politician who does not understand what a politician is and what they do ,for someone who cannot admit that there are bad people with evil intentions who have no conscience whatsoever to appeal to and that sometimes you have to fight back with all you've got ! Has he read a GD history book ? I am done , I have had enough , can only accept it , what will be will be, there is nothing that I can do about it , nothing that we progressives can do about it , NOTHING , we are powerless and screwed.
Insanity , it is what it is , there is no understanding it .
whether he is actually a corporatist or whether he's fearful (which to me, seems unlikely, given his success in life). In life we have challenges. If, by age 48 or whatever he is, he isn't facing up to those challenges, he's failing. Yes, the challenges for him are of a greater scale than for all of us, but no one made him run for President. He should be judged on what he does or doesn't do.
The chocolatemilktoastman is playing to a predetermined script. No super progressive is going to jump out of Obama's skin. He's Bush lite and a corporate puppet fuhrer of fascist USSA. There are no choices only dictates by the likes of Goldman Sachs, Kock Bros. and the Rothchilds.
The Democrats can mount a progressive challenge to Obama, but that is not likely.
So, assuming Obama is the Dem candidate, it's Obama vs: (#Republican)
From there, do the calculus on the Rep. field - Bachmann? O wins. Palin? O wins. Huntsman? O probably wins. Romney? O probably wins, but not by much.
OK, so, now you have Obama AGAIN. With a Republican House and likely a Republican Senate. What do you think will come of that?
Likely outcomes:
1. Obama continues being a good Republican. I see that as the most likely outcome, which means an economy that will stay in the toilet, and once global oil production goes into decline around 2015, so will the economy, on a permanent basis.
2. Obama is forced to use the 14th Amendment to prevent default in mid 2013. He is impeached and convicted by the Republican congress, and Biden becomes president.
3. Obama presides over a hollow Democratic party. Unable to lead or govern, the country begins to disintegrate around 2015 - 2016.
What should be done?
1. nationalise the banks.
2. disband the Fed.
3. get rid of the electoral college.
4. publically finance the elections.
5. defund the Empire.
It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
-George Carlin
Your list is rational, but I'm not sure it is possible for the US to do any of it. There are too many of you who are strict adherents of the free market and individualism - and too many who despise allowing the public any voice through their government. You'd have to become Canadian before you could do any of those things!
and, of course, he has a right to his opinion. BUT while we enjoy the irreverant truths that show up in NEW RULES it might just be time for Bill to take himself a bit less seriously as a pundit! He likes the brand of COMEDIAN, and that it what he is. I think this president has the smarts to BE WHO HE IS...and doubt that much time is given over to worrying about appearing too much "like an angry black man"! In an interesting world some of these clowns (and not all are comedians) should have to wear the hat of responsibility for JUST ONE DAY and then I'd like to hear their advice. We have moved a long way from constructive criticism towards you MUST do and be what I want or I'll stamp my feet and throw another hissy...
To its core. Obama needs to move beyond such racism, and prove to America we are indeed in a post racial era.
Is it the 21st century yet?
http://www.inlander.com/spokane/article-16810...
Using reason and logic is fine -- if you are dealing with reasonable and logical people. Obama repeatedly assumes he is doing so. This despite all evidence to the contrary. It is either arrogance or stupidity on his part to think that it would be any other way when McConnell told everyone publicly that Job One for the GOP was to make him a one term president and that their strategy would be to simply say 'No' to everything. McConnell has been true to his word.
So, the results of Obama's dealings with the GOP show he is either incompetent or duplicitous. Judging from the structure and personnel of his Cabinet and his policies, I'm convinced he's duplicitous.
...I CRAP bigger than you.
Oh, screw this.
Unless you WANT the entire house to blow up, I want a person who can bring people who hate each others guts to come to the table. Do you want total annihilation? Then bring a brawler but consider this: if you have a BLACK MAN beat the crap out of these wussies, you will have a revolt on your hands that would make the Civil War a slight disagreement.
Do you REALLY want that?
I want a man of color who has a mature long vision for my beloved country to stand in teh gap and take the sh!t that has been coming at him all his fvcking life. He is the person like no other to take this current environment on. Romney, Pawlenty, God forbid Bachmann cannot lead this country anywhere other than deeper into this mess and I don't see anyone on the left with a snowball's chance in Hades of getting past a primary let alone take the nomination away from Obama. No one on the left is that insane. Who would WANT this job?
Obama is too concerned with being liked. He's never going to have a Sally Field moment where he can proclaim to the world, "The GOP likes me. They really like me." Won't happen. Say what you will, racism is alive and well in the GOP, especially the Teabagger wing. Look at the make-up of the GOP leadership. It's largely southern, white, male, and over 50. They grew up in a time when using Ni**** was common and accepted. They may act all decorous in public, but I'd wager a pile that their words are not so nice in private when discussing the President.
It must gall them to no end that there is 'one of them' in the White House. Obama must realize this on one level, but he still tries to deal with them as a peer. They will never consider him as such. He should give up the attitude of trying to be so accommodating. Instead of acting like Steppin Fetchit, he should be acting like Charles Barkley when dealing with these ass-hats.
...I CRAP bigger than you.
First of all, it would be a good idea if our President, who was voted in, was shown respect!!
He was voted as a Democrat and has to be more tough with the wrong, Rights!! And has to stop going along with their immature actions
Secondly, he has to know there is no way he can please the Conservatives and the racist!! He is damned if he does and damned if he does not! Regardless, there is not one (1) Republican that can beat him out
for the next election!!!
The Teapotheads are in a class by themselves ... They are from the bottom of the heap!
Obama has a gigantic job, turning the economy around, whatever it takes! He also has to
go after getting to Tax the Wealthy over the $250,000. Tax Big Corporations and get after Wall Street
Corruption! Medicare Fraud! Cut down, all the over the top subsidies. He has got to hire and reward superior Trouble-Shooters, to successfully bring to justice the fraud and thievery that is Costing Trillions and is destroying our Nation! If he is successful - he will have a treasured legacy.
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