What Did Obama Tell House Democrats About His Symbolism?

I am worried about Senator Obama. It sounds like he is or is becoming mentally ill.

A symbol of Anti-Americanism. Can ABC please report on Obama’s support of reparations to blacks and American Indians?

Obama is a symbol , that true.
a symbol of how low we’ve sunk as democrats that this empty preening hollow bush-like man is considered anything like JFK

Obama’s campaign is about one thing- OBAMA.
Ask not what Obama can do for you but what you can do for Obama.
He is unqualified and presumptuous.
Can we please get Hillary back. None of these jokers know anything about the economy.
we are screwed without her.

Well, at least Jake told people that the quote is being taken completely out of context. I’m sure Fox News will have non-stop coverage of this non-story for an entire week.

I would guess they will be printing some kind of correction in the post…but I have to say
the proof will be seen by whom he chooses as his vp.
does he choose someone that makes him comfortable and is chosen by his comfort…or someone that makes America comfortable in his being elected.

, “Those people in Germany weren’t excited about me. They were excited by the prospect of America getting back to being all it could be.”
and this is actually more frightening. The people of germany don’t give a rat’s behind about America. they want to tear us down.

It does not matter how you read the quote. It still reeks with egotism. Americans can see through Obama. He is a puppet.

So first we have “I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions,” which then is supposedly out of context to really be “it has become increasingly clear in my travel, the campaign, that the crowds, the enthusiasm, 200,000 people in Berlin, is not about me at all. Its about America. I have just become a symbol.”. So the first is him being what he wants america to be and the other, taking to far deference to the dems, is he’s what everyone wants us to be…..its still all about him from his point of view. As far as it being about him there is no difference between the statements.
As far as ego the second one is even worse. Its one thing to say “I’m god” its another to say “everyone thinks I’m god”

Be afraid, be very afraid, this dude is weird.

Could his ego BE any larger? He thinks he just has to ACT presidential and we’re all such idiots we’ll give him the job, without having to go through a pesky election, first.

So the Germans want to knock us down a peg, and this is what Obama thinks is so great? No offense, but I don’t trust the Germans when it comes to choosing leaders.
They hated Reagan, and they loved… well… I won’t say it.
He is the best the Democrats could find?

Alvin, you can talk all you want about the Republican candidates affiliations with Pastors Parsley and Hagee. While you may disagree with these ministers, they pale in comparison to Rev Wright. They have not preached about God “damning” America.

Interesting that you’re scrambling and spinning more than the Obama campaign to defend this remark. I don’t necessarily want a barrier breaker as president, I don’t want a rock star, I just want someone who can do this very difficult job effectively. That would be a big change!

Truth hurts.
America has sunk to its lowest because of Bush/Chenney policies fully supported by McCain.
The world thinks Obama can make us the America that the world once loved.
There`s absolutely nothing wrong with this.

I think the Obamanation should stand up and demand that McCain gets the press time he so deserves. Word for word that comes from his mouth daily. I am so sick of when McCain cries the press jumps. Just goes to show you how our nation is really being ran and by whom!

Isn’t that explanation worse? Over half the country doesn’t feel he represents anything other than a far-left liberal with extremist friends from one of the most corrupt cities in the world?

Weird how the media hated our partnering with Europe (Northrup/EADS) on the Air Force Tanker deal, but we will let them pick our next president? Obama thinks we are citizens of the world, until it comes to radical union labor unions and lobbyists from Boeing?

What is wrong with being a “symbol”, I ask? That is mostly what all heads of democratic states are, since in a democracy, the People, not just one man, govern! A president is only as good as the team he chooses to govern with, and in this democracy, with the system of checks and balances, all leaders of the three components: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Supreme Court, are (guess what?) symbols of our Federalism! Capisce?

As good as much of Obama’s trip was, it’s going to backfire bigtime for him. It put his ego and pride on display. He looked like he thought himself King of the World, though he’s still just a freshman Senator. In Berlin especially he overplayed his strength, his rock star magnetism and lofty oratory and it came off as runaway ego. Still he’s right on the issues and has alot of potential, but he’s got to stay grounded and humble.

Spiegel Online headlines 7/25: People of the World, Look at ME.
Yes, in his little head, it is about him.
Such a presumptuous symbol of fraud.

Another staged comment. It is all over the blogs and various articles about Obama’s arragance.
Now, we will see a well thought out effort in all of his appearances to say: “It is not about me.”
I thought America was smart, but they fall for this guy’s manipulation everytime.
They gave Michelle a make over – now we are going to work on getting Obama humble (when he is not) but they will work very hard on statements like. “It is not about me.” We are going to hear alot of this from now on.

What is it with the “objective” newsmedia. At last night’s event…
“When Obama walked on stage at the McCormick Center, many journalists in the audience leapt to their feet and applauded enthusiastically after being told not to do so. During a two-minute break halfway through the event, which was broadcast live on CNN, journalists ran to the stage to snap photos of Obama.” The journalists jumped to their feet to give him another standing ovation when he left.
Those people are in the wrong line of work, they should not be journalists.

Great political coverage, but I have two questions:
1. I realized that the media has started using “arrogance” to describe Obama; is this because McCain blasted the media for too close to Obama? this is sad. Just because somebody is confident does not equate to arrogance.
2. I also realized that anytime McCain says something, it does not stick, but when Obama says something, you guys in the media spend days unend dicing and splicing. Is this fair? McCain just flipflopped on taxes, he lied in his ads, and many more, if it were Obama, you guys would have jumped all over him. This is why a recent study suggest that the media gives 72% negative coverage to Obama–this is conspiracy to bring him down.

Obama’s ego knows no bounds. Does America really want a clueless president who thinks he knows everything?

oh no the most egotistical country in the world, with the most egotistical president and all you republicans are soooo egotistical
only you morons would twist ego around to a bad thing when its what you have made america become
so if obama has a huge ego, well YOUR AMERICANS SO DO YOU SO I GUESS YOU SHOULD ALL SHOOT YOURSELVES YOU TERRIBLE TERRIBLE PEOPLE

A Democrat covering for a Democrat! Big shock!

Look at all the Americans who are trying to pick a fleck out of Obama’s eye while a beam is gorging out theirs. He is just too educated, too young, speaks too well, too much of a family man, his wife and children seem to be too intelligent. Heads of state seem to be open to talking about resolving world problems with this Obama. It actually seems like the United States would not have to bear the brunt of fighting for democracy around the world, banking wars while leaving nothing here for the domestic programs. BEWARE THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!Could it be that America just is not ready to face having a man of color, any color, as the next president of the United States? Yes, let’s just stick with the status quo and send America to hell in a hand basket. Better to stay in our comfort area.

As I read these entries I realize Obama has a monumental task ahead of him in promoting hope, and asking all Americans to be the best they can be–as many of you don’t seem to want any part of it.

Cheryll-
I couldn’t disagree more. And I don’t have the time or the space on this note to list why.

Remember in the old days when the media used to check the facts BEFORE publishing the story?

The people of Germany were excited about those rock concerts before Obama spoke. Kinda like one of those “free trips” where you have to hear the “schpeel” about the property you’re stay at so you can stay for “free”.

Mccain Campaign is reactionary. They have stopped discussing the Economy. Their current stock in trade is to wait in the wing and pray that Barack Obama acts. In Obama’s inactivity, Mccain is docile.
My take on the way Mccain’s Campaign twists Obama’s word to sooth its purpose is a Campaign that has nothing to offer but wants to be relevant by calling attention to the words of its Opponent.
They must think that Americans are fools. If for no other thing, the last seven years have taught Americans not to take the ranting of a Politician at its face value.
Mccain and his Campaign are trying to play on Americans intelligence. But we wont let them. Never again!

This is a non-story. Any Presidential candidate would feel that they are a symbol of restoring the best in America, and they all say it, whether directly or indirectly.
This “arrogance” theme could so easily be applied to McCain. He is incredibly smug, even when he’s making lying attacks against Obama.

First I want to say Jake Tapper has become a source of the latest Obama news. Very interesting stuff and you let folk comment too
Obama is always two steps removed from reality. The symbol of the possibility. His motto is ‘hope for change’. Yet hope is always for change, otherwise you don’t have to hope for it.
The biggest problem is his mentors, friends, and church all hope for specifics. Rev. Wright in writing admires Farrakhan and in speech hopes God will damn America.
I hope Obama does not become a cheap symbol like the American flag lapel pin
All American candidates should hold big rallies overseas. We are Citizens of the World. We can do no less
His German speech mentioned improbable hope. This is also two steps from reality. By walking away from the common expressions Americans use for hope he set up a double meaning of hoping for something improbable, or something it is improbable anyone would ever hope for.
Obama just couldn’t get himself to stick with the common American expressions and created a double entendre
Obama, the man of improbable hope

I’m fully confident that all of the outraged commenters in this thread were thoroughly explaining the “context” in McCain’s “hundred years” remark.

Obama quote of the day (UPDATE: QUOTE DISPUTED)

Via Dana Milbank (emphasis added on the quote):
Barack Obama has long been his partys presumptive nominee. Now hes becoming its presumptuous nominee.
Fresh from his presidential-style world tour, during which foreign leaders and American…

So, the democratic mutual admiration society, i.e. his highness, Barack Obama and his democratic cronies met behind closed doors … and, then upon leaving the meeting, graced us with glowing reviews of Obama’s humility and his inevitability to win in November. Then, for the umpteenth time, Obama told us how his 6 countries in 9 days photo op, proved how he is now a qualified expert in foreign policy. Then, he refused to acknowledge that the surge worked. Yes … I would call Obama a presumptuous arrogant empty suit, who is being packaged and agressively marketed to the American people. What a grand deception. I urge all Americans … if you really love this country, and you don’t want to see it turn into a third world country … make sure you … and everyone you know, vote for Senator John McCain in November!!!

He’s not so egotistical to believe he can cure all that is wrong with America with a wave of his hand. Read the rest of the quote.
He was just telling you what everyone in the rest of thew world thinks. Claiming to know the thoughts of the rest of the world is perfectly reasonable…
…at least for the Obamessiah who will heal the world and stop the oceans from rising. For the one who will promote unity and love between all peoples and nations, for the one who … is that too much? I can never tell.
Sorry, I’ll quit reading his speeches, they obviously don’t show how he feels either.

Mccain’s supporters are so so pathetic.
Trying to convince them to wake up to reality and truth is like beating a dead horse. They view everything from a different prism.
I leave them to continue with the spins and lies. It will definitely come back to haunt them.

Change? Ha—the only change you’ll see is what’s left in your pockets if “Symbol” President Obama gets elected

“His entire point of that riff was that the campaign is NOT about him,”
Sure.
Ever get the feeling that even these guys have trouble believing what they say?

You have to admit it is grandiose. Seems to me he is developing a real problem with being seen as a celebrity rather than a substantive leader. He is acting like a president and not a candidate. Americans like to vote for their presidents the last time I checked.

Obama’s statment was an expression of how he views himself in this political arena to another colleague, after debriefing the Democractic party as that gave him a send off back to the campaign trail of the states, nothing more. This is another example of how his every move is being watched. It a wonder that someone’s not keeping record of how many times he uses the men’s room or blinks his eyes or draws breathe.
Obama is staying on tasks as a one who would be President should be. Obama has no time to mirror McCain’s childish behavior, as he understands that being a presidential candidate is serious business and he is showing by engaging in mature reflection and activities that require his working with others that he appreciates the enormity of the job. We need someone like Obama at the helm right now.

Another secret meeting with Liberals huh,
just imagine with the giant military size police force Obama wants to create so he can put in jail people who do not agree with him politically see speech in Colorado!!

Whatever ignorance and selfishness blinds you who seek to continue down with McCain the same destructive path that Bush has “led” our great nation toward, I hope you each of you reap ten times the suffering in your lives that many average American families have as a result of their policies and deciet.
The world understands how truly important the POTUS affects their own countries–so they have a sincere and legitimate desire for the best POTUS possible. They see Obama is clearly intellectually, physically, and politically superior to McCain–as all of you do, in your heart of hearts.
Should McCain become elected as a result your insular view– your ignorance will no longer be bliss–but will be our counties continued burden.

Dorothy, what you and so many Obama supporters fail to understand is that the vast majority of Americans have moved past any lingering racism to the point that we won’t be bullied into electing a black candidate simply to prove that we aren’t racists.
To me, each candidate was just that: a candidate. They weren’t The Black, The Woman, The Elder, The Mormon, The Hispanic. They’re candidates. To vote for Obama on the basis of skin color would be a giant step backward. The truly colorblind have nothing to prove.
The racist label is simply a cheap shot, and frankly, most of us couldn’t care less about it. It says far more about the one who says it than about the intended recipient.

David: Very true. But that’s where the “yes we can” part of the campaign comes in. Obama, and those voting for him, are hoping to spark a social revolution that gets everyone involved – and gets them all contributing to the cause. They’re backing on the idea that him becoming president would spark grassroots movements and cooperation that was holding back before – but now feels supported enough to happen. And they may be quite right on that.
Whatever Obama’s ability at running the country might be then is made up for. In this case, his lack of a rock-hard stance on most issues in most issues is actually a plus – because it frees him up to do whatever the best option is regardless of previous pledges. And at any rate, he’s highly unlikely to do any worse than Bush – or do much differently than McCain (they’re both really centrists, compared to past elections).
The point: Obama is no messiah, and any supporter of his with any substance knows this. Nobody’s expecting he’ll do everything. But they are expecting his election to be a symbol of social change that will signal them to start contributing towards social unity. That’s what pushes him over the top and makes his supporters so excited: it’s not just him, it’s the entire movement.

Mary Lou– actually, what’s truly laughable is that McCain is the best that the GOP could come up with!
I don’t think it is any secret, by the way, that Bush’s inept leadership is clearly the reason for Senator Obama’s success. Real Americans that are suffering and care about their families futures, not oil execs and lobbyists who care about how much fatter their pockets can get, are the ones who are supporting Sen. Obama.
WE WILL be taking our country back–one way or another.

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Who Is The Most
Nauseatingly Arrogant Narcissist Of Them All?
This is the momentthat the world has been waiting forI have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions.
- Barack Obama
…

Posted by Warren:
The point: Obama is no messiah, and any supporter of his with any substance knows this. Nobody’s expecting he’ll do everything. But they are expecting his election to be a symbol of social change that will signal them to start contributing towards social unity. That’s what pushes him over the top and makes his supporters so excited: it’s not just him, it’s the entire movement.
“Social Change” “Social Unity” This is scarily European to me, and if you ask my opinion this (along with gas prices) will finish him off in November. “Yes we can” Should be “No we can’t”, “We can’t win in Iraq” “We can’t drill our own oil” “We can’t keep taxes low”

Obama is a paper doll candidate cut out by the DNC and dressed by the network media. He is two-dimensional and has no depth of experience. I don’t care what crayon you use to color him, black, white, or red. He is still inexperienced and will move this country further into socialism and economic ruin. When will we stop electing politicians who steal our hard earned money through taxes and give it to other people in order to get them re-elected? When?

Well, you don’t symbolize that to me….

Irma jealous much?
What is wrong with everybody? Why so much hate towards Barack. First of all, you have you facts wrong about him. He is definitely for women’s rights and his record speaks for it’s self. That’s more than I can say for John McCain who once called his own wife the C word. You sound like one of those disgruntled Hillary/Rush supporters(cough! cough!)
Don’t you have somebody’s debt to help out with instead of trying to bash Barack.

Everything is About Obama–they are always working to recreate original impulse for political expediency. Obama is NOT yet the nominee. No One received the 2/3 majority.
Please take a look at a site that is beseeching the DNC to provide an open convention—NOT a Coronation of Barack the King. Check out thedenvergroup.blogspot.com

He said clearly that he was “just a symbol.” That didn’t sound like ego speaking to me. I’d say he’s predominantly a symbol of a much longed for change from the last eight years. But being a symbol for change, certainly doesn’t guarantee he’ll bring it about significantly.

Oh, give Obama a break, the mainstream media always does, we should too :)

Wow, Sen Obama is a big mouth. He hasn’t done anything to prove to America.

Obama loves Obama, if you don’t believe that, just ask Obama.

“Pride goes before the fall”

Obama says nothing I agree with.
Too far out with his thoughts
and beliefs.

About America? This from the presidential candidate who stands before a throng of 200,000 Germans and declares himself a citizen of the world. This from a guy who intentionally allows the media to releaese the ‘solemn, earnest’ prayer inserted into the western wall. This from a guy who pushes ideas and philosophies that are completely out of touch with the reality of the majority of the US citizenry and will destroy the economy and what’s left of US strength. Please. At least it seems like some are breaking free of the cult of personality. Finally.

WAKE UP AMERICA!! These quotes you’re complaining about are all out of context. You’re all blinded by partisanship. Obama wasn’t on some ego trip – he was saying the point of his election isn’t because people love him – but that they love what he represents. i.e. a symbol.
Honestly, get your facts straight before you start posting conservative agenda all over these articles, sheeple.

I think Obama is forgetting the fact that he and his campaign paid for a free concert in Berlin with two very popular bands that cause two hundred thousand people to attend the event…All those young people were not there to hear his 25 minutes no substance/empty speech. Now they are making it look like they were there just for him. THEY’RE NOT FOOLING ME… If there is a “wall” it’s between Obama and reality, so please tear down that “wall” and wake up!!!!!

WOOOW! Of all the places to get a 10-1 negative post ratio… an ABC NEWS BLOG! Obama’s people are probably looking at this and are scared to death!
Lord Almighty (and, no, I don’t mean Obama Almighty), please let this catch fire and sweep the nation!
…and no, McCain’s no better. Where Obama’s a not-so-heavily-disguised socialist with Marxist tendencies, McCain’s an incremental socialist with circa 1930′s Democrat tendencies.
Either way we’re going to hell. It’s just the question of which is better, the tortoise and the hare?
…and to the guy who said “It really doesn’t matter who or what you elect as President,” and suggested we take a history class, I suggest YOU take a GOVERNMENT class.
The President nominates the members of that third branch of government, and unless you have been sleeping the past several years, that third “equal” branch has become a little MORE equal than the others. AAccording to Article III Section 2, their job is to look at challenged laws and rule on whether said law squares with the OUR constitution. Lately, they’ve been citing OTHER nations’ laws, where they think American opinion is HEADED (not where it is right now, mind you), and can read the Second Amendment and FOUR of the NINE can’t see that the people have a right to bear arms.
Of course, the next question is “bear arms against who? In short, against our own out of control government. Read the entire Third, Fourth, Sixth, and also last phrase of the Fifth Amendment if you don’t believe it.
Go ahead, fool yourself into thinking the Presidency is unimportant because everything else will take care of itself. Not too long afterward, this nation will be run by a very select few (nine, to be exact). Look around the world and tell me you think that’s a good thing… It’s sure working out well in Iran!

Isn’t that part of the problem though? Since when were judges intended to be law or policy makers?

i wonder how did obama remebered his speech word by word. did he cheated when he was saying the speech? and did he really wrote his speech himself? i am wondering if obama is cheating in his speechs