There you have it.  Not only is Obama a terrible president in Rove’s eyes, he’s akin to an animal that cannot reason because it’s not in his nature.  Perhaps it’s his black half that’s given him this genetic predisposition to attack his much gentler white counterparts during negotiations.  My God! the man is a brute of the first order!

Isn’t Karl Rove also the one who thinks the North Koreans attacked the South because they perceive the President Obama as “weak?“  Which is it man?  Folks with genetic predispositions to attack can’t necessarily be weak can they?  Or are they just weak when they’re  not attacking disenfranchised white male millionaires?  Are they only weak when they advance some particular agenda or meme you’re pushing?

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”For all our troubles, midterm finds this Administration and this country entering a season of hope. We inherited a mess, we didn’t run away from it and now we’re turning it around … My biggest regret is that because the accumulated damages piled up so high for so long, putting America’s house in order has been a tough and painful task … We’ve got to prove that what we said about it is true – it’ll work,” - Barack Obama November 2010, Ronald Reagan January 1983.

My, my, my.  Change is inevitable in politics folks.  Even the “Great Communicator” knew that.

H/T Andrew

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I remember reading Dinesh D’souza’s End Of Racism while in college.  At the time, my sense of fairness was guided by my self-righteous negativity toward the elitist establishment–and reading a conservative meme written by a conservative about race– only seemed to buffer my arguments of conservative ambivalence toward race and racial identity.

I thought the book lacked soul and solutions in so much as it broke no new ground.  It simply regurgitated empty ideology about perturbed white folks, disenchanted with the black power structure–borne on the back of an overstated racist system.

D’souza’s new book  The Rage Of Obama, strikes me as odd, simply because of D’souza’s false narrative.  D’souza paints a picture of a Barack Obama whose rage is fueled by his Kenyan heritage:

Some people consider Obama very serene because he talks about issues like equality and the poor in a very calm manner. He sounds like he is reading from his tax return. Some liberals are confused, and say that Obama must be a very cerebral guy. But there is an alternative explanation. He sounds bored about these issues because he doesn’t care about them. He isn’t motivated by poverty or inequality. He is motivated by hatred of the rich and the banks and the investment companies and the drug companies. Notice that when Obama speaks about these groups, his lip curls and his face darkens and he shows real passion. That’s when he wants to, in his words, “kick ass.” So there is a sublimated rage in Obama that is reminiscent of the rage of Barack Obama Sr., a man who often sat outside his hut and went into drunken rages against the West for denying him the fulfillment of his anti-colonial dreams. Obama who’s rage toward America is fueled by his African heritage:

D’souza–apparently invigorated by some magical empathic ability to gauge emotion–believes Obama’s hatred of Western invention is based upon the colonialism of his father.  I think his methods here are plainly false.  For starters, he’s assuming the president clings to some typical black rage at the white power structure because of his African roots.  As a result, the President’s developed a grand scheme to defund and expose the American white capitalist system.  What’s with some of these conservatives, and these bold conspiratorial schemes?  Birthers? Marxism? Muslim Sharia law?  Now D’souza’s Kenyan colonialism?

D’souza proves his limited knowledge of racial politics in the sense that he is curtailed by his aggressive hatred of progressivism and racial tolerance.  Perhaps it is his rage that clouds his senses.  Whether he approves or not, there are many in Kenya, and in Iraq, and in France, who do not acquiesce to American exceptionalism, and the bounds by which they may have been subjugated by it.  To assume the son carries the father’s antipathy toward western policy is both wrong, and idiotic.  It’s a false narrative borne of uncommon sense, and an argument most conservatives are using to dispprove President Obama’s American identity.

Shouldn’t common sense tell D’souza that Obama is not the only American frustrated with banks, health insurers, and wall street?  You don’t have to be Kenyan to want accountability from your industries.

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Via Powerline:

Americans increasingly are convinced — incorrectly — that President Barack Obama is a Muslim, and a growing number are thoroughly confused about his religion.I love that “incorrectly.” The AP has evolved into an opinion machine, so it’s rare and a little startling to see it stand up so boldly for a “fact.” He’s not a Muslim, dammit!

More on the poll data:

Nearly one in five people, or 18 percent, said they think Obama is Muslim, up from the 11 percent who said so in March 2009, according to a poll released Thursday. The proportion who correctly say he is a Christian is down to just 34 percent.

The largest share of people, 43 percent, said they don’t know his religion, an increase from the 34 percent who said that in early 2009. …

In a separate poll by Time magazine/ABT SRBI conducted Monday and Tuesday — after Obama’s comments about the mosque — 24 percent said they think he is Muslim, 47 percent said they think he is Christian and 24 percent didn’t know or didn’t respond.

So, what is going on here? First, we are seeing fallout from the Jeremiah Wright affair. I would never presume to pass judgment on Obama’s spiritual life. But one thing I will say with confidence: Jeremiah Wright is no Christian. His ideology of hate disqualifies him. So many millions of Americans, learning that Wright was Obama’s spiritual mentor, must have wondered where Obama himself was coming from. I think that is the main source of confusion, coupled with Obama’s lack of connection to any identifiable Christian tradition.

And these people would know a lot about being Christian (the emphasis is mine).  After all, real Christians hold Quran burning rallies, and shun those whose religious affiliation differs from their own.  I don’t know how this guy has the guts to put forth such drivel–especially when it’s easily rebutted.  There’s a difference between opinion and ignorance.  Powerline’s got a whole lot of ignorance happening here.

I’m convinced there is no changing the minds of those Americans on the president’s faith, or nationality.  We’re too far in the woods for that now.  What is important though, is to hold those who command influence accountable for their smear attempts.   You all know what Powerline is about:  The perpetuation of hate speech, not conducive in any form or fashion to bridging gaps, or solving problems.  Perhaps I’m the fool for thinking anything otherwise.

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“An enormously complex and emotional issue — but ultimately the right thing to do. A president is president for every citizen, including every Muslim citizen. Obama is correct that the way to marginalize radicalism is to respect the best traditions of Islam and protect the religious liberty of Muslim Americans. It is radicals who imagine an American war on Islam. But our conflict is with the radicals alone,” - Michael Gerson, former speech-writer for George W. Bush.

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The auto industry was on the verge of collapse.  Hundreds of thousands of jobs were on the verge of disappearing.  The government auto bailouts–much like those given to the banking industry–were used as political fodder by conservatives, and castigated as more big government, and the nationalization of private industry.  Sometimes tough choices need to be made–and despite the political consequences–this president made the tough choices.  A year after their implementation, it looks like he might just have a winner on his hands for the American people:

Both companies (GM, Chrysler) and Ford each posted profits in the first quarter, the first time that has happened in a quarter since 2004. G.M. has already repaid a $6.7 billion loan and it is talking about going public in the fourth quarter, a move that would give the government a way to slowly sell its majority stake in the company’s stock.

Nine of G.M.’s 11 plants, including the Hamtramck, Mich., facility that Mr. Obama is to visit on Friday, canceled the usual summer shutdowns to keep up with consumer demand, and G.M. and Chrysler have added shifts.

It would be hard to dismiss the success of the auto bailouts– unless you’re simply arguing in pure political terms– as most opponents are.  The bailouts saved jobs, streamlined the industry for 21st century innovation, created new opportunities for the big three to be competitive globally, and saved a region of the country from desperation and collapse.  This sounds like a winner in my book.

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Save America!  Elect Glenn Beck president of the United States.  In one of the creepiest spots I’ve ever seen, a group called Main Street Bites Back is organizing a petition to get irritating, alcoholic, crybaby curmudgeon Glenn Beck to run.  The front woman for the group Robin Potwora, showcases her terrifying skills before the camera to make their case.  It’s like watching a circus clown talking about politics–only the clown has a thing for point of view close-ups.  Watch:

George Washington indeed.

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The winding path that led to health care reform was maddeningly vicious– due mainly to the intense rhetoric and numbingly personal attacks on the product, and the people responsible for it.  The fact that this legislation was even crafted and signed into law at all was miraculous, considering the most polarizing political climate in 50 years.  But there was a clear, determined focus that steadied the reins of the rapidly sinking ship.  Barack Obama has secured his place in history as one of the most resilient, and potentially successful presidents in American history.  This fact is beyond dispute.  And the manner in which it was accomplished is as remarkable as it is American.

Examining the achievement from a distance does not quite allow for the examiner to adequately recognize its significance.  Health care reform has been contemplated for decades, yet it’s always managed to find itself left on the political scrap heap.  The number of special interests and lobbyists to overcome– as well as the sacred cow that is the employer provided system– represented a hellish Gordian Knot, not likely to be untied at any time.  Previous administrations–democrat and republican–have been left gasping for air, drowning in a pool of their own sweat hustling to reform this system.  Obama staked his claim to taming the beast, and did so by daring to think outside the box–imagining what could be, as opposed to what could not.  He dared to restart America’s dynamism.  This quote from James Fallows represents his thinking perfectly:

America has been strong because, despite its flawed system, people built toward the future in the 1840s, and the 1930s, and the 1950s. During just the time when Frederick Law Olmsted designed Central Park, when Theodore Roosevelt set aside land for the National Parks, when Dwight Eisenhower created the Pentagon research agency that ultimately gave rise to the Internet, the American system seemed broken too. They worked within its flaws and limits, which made all the difference. That is the bravest and best choice for us now.

Foresight, and the power to nurture it are testaments to American power and greatness.  We don’t aspire to be incrementalists– we dare to be innovative giants– pushing forward and moving higher in the face of fear and uncertainty.  Obama’s tests were and are many.  He is navigating the waters against a strong tide of opposition.  Today’s republican party is more unified against his policies ( not a single republican voted for the health care bill, even though it is far from a  liberal construct) and most of them freely admit that there will be no cooperation from them on future legislation.  He is governing in an age where partisan-fueled rage grows mightier by the day, urged on by talk radio and grass-roots activists.

Yet in spite of these constraints, President Obama thrives.  Why?  Because democracy is messy, and it sometimes makes for uncomfortable work.  But the work must go on.  We don’t have the luxury of giving in to the uncomfortable, and straying from the fight.  Not if we are to remain exceptional.  Barack Obama,  understands this.  He embraces this.  Andrew Sprung puts it succinctly:

The country passed this test because we have a leader who understands how broken our governmental machinery is and works simultaneously to fix our politics and our policies. We elected a President who appreciates how messy democracy is and understands the manifold constraints as well as the multiple levers of presidential power.  His acknowledged errors notwithstanding, Barack Obama moved this mountain because he knows how to prioritize, strategize, execute and communicate.

And he subscribes to the theory that we must be as bold and dynamic as America herself.  Barack Obama is well on his way.

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A look at the aftermath to history.  Whether you praise it, loathe it, or are indifferent to it– A new thread in the American tapestry has been woven.

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On July 30th, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the epic legislation call Medicare into law. President Johnson’s historic achievement was not without significant contention and venom. Many on the other side of the aisle opposed it as nothing more than government intrusion on the rights of liberties of free people. That idea has been the clarion call for those who demonize major social programs for more than a century. Johnson knew it, embraced it, and challenged it successfully:

“The doubters predicted a scandal; we gave them a success story,” he crowed a month after the law took effect, as hundreds of thousands of patients entered hospitals for treatment covered by the government and some 6 million children and needy adults began getting benefits.

“Where are the doubters tonight?” he asked. “Where are the prophets of crisis and catastrophe? Well, some of them are signing their applications; some of them are mailing in their Medicare cards because they now want to share in the success of this program.”

President Barack Obama, the nation’s first black commander-in-chief, stands on the cusp of making history.  Whether or not his achievement is as successful as Johnson’s remains to be seen.  But in crossing  the Rubicon, he has taken health reform initiatives further than any of his predecessors ever could.  And whether you agree or not with the idea of reform– or the means of achieving it–Obama’s gambit is a remarkable achievement, borne from shrewd calculated strategy and bold, determined leadership.

President Obama, in the face of growing opposition and an unforgiving political climate, decided to eschew an incrementalist approach for more broader sweeping reforms.  Although this bill comes up shorter on some of his aims, it nonetheless will transform America as we know it– A sobering thought quickly becoming reality to those in staunch opposition.   But the reality is government is already a major centerpiece of health care for American citizens:

In 1930, citizens paid nearly 80 percent of the nation’s medical costs from their own pocket. Government at all levels covered a mere 14 percent, with industry and philanthropy picking up the few remaining crumbs. Insurance was barely in the picture.

Federal and state programs now cover half the cost of health care purchased in the country and are expected to go over 50 percent in the next year or two, even absent Obama’s plan. By that measure, the government takeover of health care that opponents warn about is happening regardless of what’s about to happen next.

If the worry by some is about socialized medicine– then your fears have been realized for some time now, even without “Obamacare.”

Senator Edward Kennedy’s lifelong mission was to initiate health care reform.  He came relatively close in the 1970′s, with the help of then President Richard Nixon– who ironically, championed universal health care coverage–much to the dismay of his fellow conservatives.  That effort failed, much like every attempt to reform the system over the last 100 years.  Senator Kennedy did not live long enough to see his dream realized, but his efforts and dedication over  the years, have driven this president to the brink of seeing it through.

The idea that the first black man to live in the white house could be the first president to achieve national health care is startling.  History begets history.  These are definitely changing times.

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