Obama Visits Marine Corps Base for Christmas

Obama should tell them soldiers that he wanted America to surrender in the Middle East.

President-elect Obama will be a great president. He has already shown that in selecting his team for the White House. I know that it will be a difficult job, especially, being president of the United States, but he knows what he is doing and will do it well. It is time we concentrate on the American people and bring out troops home and focus on issues that matters most.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich

And the soliders all broke into a chant singing OBAMA OBAMA. HE’S THE ONE. Only he could investigate himself concering fraud and illegal activity and the MEDIA SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
HECK OJ Simpson’s lawyer investigated him and said he was innocent.
VOTE OBAMA

Hey Rod Davis, wake up from your fantasy. Don’t be un-American. Don’t you know the overwhelming majority of Americans think we should get out of Iraq and that’s why Obama got elected by near landslide?

Gasoline will go up again over 8 dollars a gallon. Just wait and watch the attack dog media turn on Obama like RABID animals blaming Obama for that.
Forget about the economy. The rich Media will be crying about fuel prices. Unemployed working poeple do not hurt democrats or the Media.

Obama spends Xmas in a 5,000 square foot $4,000 per night luxury home on the beach in Hawaii while our President Bush is spending Xmas calling Troops from Camp David. I guess that shows you which President really cares about our soldiers.
Obama should be ashamed for 1) never serving a day in the military and 2) looking like a rich snob while many Marines in Iraq have been up 72 hours straight now making sure the killers there don’t use Xmas as a chance to kill Iraqi women & children.

Wow, that was big of Obama to visit with the troops. What a man.

“Every one of those fine Marines and Sailors had to show a valid, verifiable and certified copy of their Birth Certificate to enter the Armed Forces of the United States. How ironic that their presumed new Commander-in-Chief seems to be exempt from that Constitutional requirement, thanks to the do-nothings on the Supreme Court and elsewhere in the federal court system.”
Now now Mark…don’t be too harsh with our messiah. He is the chosen one after all.

Sure now that the war in Iraq is now virtually won Obama can pull the troops out and take credit. He was elected for one reason: the economy tanked in Sept & Oct.

“It’s time to pull together as a country, we are far too great of a people to let the last 8 years of hate mongering divide us. You will not tear apart this country that so many of us veterans have died for.”
Where were you when all of you left wingers were bashing Bush at every chance you could get? He couldn’t make a move with someone like you mocking him…and you’re still mocking him. Now we’re supposed to forgive and forget because the messiah is in office? Give me a break. You have just as much to blame in the division of this country as anyone!!!!!!

You’re too late Mr Obama. You failed to visit our wounded troops when you were in Germany and we will never forget it.

Congress has mishandled the government.
Congress has mishandled the economy.
Congress is mishandling the recession.
Congress is a failure.
Congress should be dissolved and flushed with a heap of hot steaming donkey dung and take their new leader with them.
Americans need to rise up and rebel against the abuses of government.
Christmas indeed.

Hey Rod, the military votes overwhelming Republican….like 80%. Obama is a fake and probably not even a naturalized citizen. Can’t wait for the media to turn on their little girly man when they don’t have Bush to make fun of anymore.

Posted by: john billings | Dec 26, 2008 11:22:15 AM
As a citizen of the State of Hawaii Since befor Stathood, And having lived on Oahu all my life.
I want to see The Birth Certicate of Barack HUssein Obama.
I have yet to find one person who can verify that he was born in Hawaii.
———————————
Obama’s grandmother said she was present when Obama was born…in Kenya

John Billings:
You would never forget Obama not visiting wounded troops in Germany? But he was elect president John!!!! He was elected!!! It just has not quite sinked in yet, huh?
If you are so concerned about wounded troops in Germany, then why not you go and visit them….President elect Obama is not the Messiah as I’ve already explained; he can only be one place at a time….
Jet fares may be reduced now because of lower fuel prices……so, get up and go!

The Obamasiah won in November due to the false coverage of his candidacy, and the fact that the majority of people who voted for him are barely able to tie their own shoes by themselves.

“I trust they were happy to see him…..He signed autographs didn’t he? He took pictures, didn’t he? That looks like happy to me…to see him.”
Our soldiers are honorable and would not disrespect Obama. That doesn’t mean they are happy that he is the commander-in-chief.

“You guys hating on Obama probably didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas, huh?”
Yep. That’s it. We didn’t get what we wanted for Christmas. You got us pegged. Sheesh!

SoldierDad:
Who’s “they” in saying that ignorance is bliss? And did “they” include you? I am not ignorant concerning Obama’s place of birth, you appear to be…..
He was clearly born in the state of Hawaii……..Now, I’m a veteran in support of president elect Obama…..
Keep this in mind: He won the presidency without shaking your hand…..

And, just for FYI, were he to extend his hand to me I would not take it.

SoldierDad:
I am a veteran and a Christian…..and yes, I voted for Obama…..and I was happy to do it….and by the grace of God, I’ll vote for him again in 2012.
Hey dude, just look at the people at McCain and Palin rallies……Just look at the people at the RNC convention…..
They almost all were of one race of people…..That’s not America!!!
When I saw folks at the Obama rally, they appear to not only represent what America truly looks like, but, the people there also reflected the world….
Man, wake up!!!! and smell that nice brewing coffee……Change has come to America—So, stop crying and rejoice….

First, I’m not a “dude”, so stop being disrespectful of someone you know nothing about. Second, I payed much closer attention to the rallies of McCain/Palin than you apparently, as I saw plenty of color in those crowds – as opposed to the Obamasiah which were comprised mainly of one color with a little white splashed in for propaganda purposes – you should have paid closer attention to the responses from the Obamasiah’s devotees – comments such as “now I don’t have to pay taxes ever again”, and “Obama’s going to take care of me from now on”, and “Now I won’t have to make my house payments”. Those are the disillusioned fools who voted for this “savior” who will lead them to the promise land. Funny, but the Bible states that the Anti-Christ will come up out of the Ocean – Where is Obama from again?

Obama hates the mlitary. He and other leftists hate everything it stands for. That’s why he wants to eliminate more funding and things like missile defense systems, new weapons and space programs. That’s why he wants a civilian standing army because he knows the military won’t listen to him. The man is a fraud. 63 million Americans are idiots.

SoldierDad, you are right. All of Obama’s supporters are one color. The white people are just thrown in for the cameras. That’s why Obama won Vermont by 38% and RI by 30 points and Oregon by 16 points and WA by 17 points and MA by 26 points. All of those black people.

“It’s great to see you wackadoos foaming at the mouth.”
Just like the Bush haters were peaceful, calm, and non-violent, right Carolinagirl?

“SoldierDad, you are right. All of Obama’s supporters are one color. The white people are just thrown in for the cameras. That’s why Obama won Vermont by 38% and RI by 30 points and Oregon by 16 points and WA by 17 points and MA by 26 points. All of those black people.”
Liberals who are guilty for having come from families that worked hard for what they have live in the infected areas of which you mention.

Susie Brown says: “And, just for FYI, were he to extend his hand to me I would not take it. I would have gotten up and left the room”
If, if, if. If they put your brain in a bird, he’d fly backwards. If a dog had a square butt, he’d crap bricks. Nobody cares about your “ifs.” LOL

I see the right-wingnuts are out in force. Still telling the same lies and spreading the same hatred. I’m ashamed for you.

>>I guess he has nowhere to go but down>>
Isn’t that what you said two weeks ago when he was at 67%?? Ha, ha, ha!!!

SoldierDad:
Dude: informally defined as a man who is very fancy or sharp in dress and demeanor.
After reading your post, that does not appear to describe you……So, I’m sorry for calling you a dude….That you are not…
Further, stop disrespecting both Christ Jesus and Obama. Christ is the Messiah…..Obama is president elect….Big difference…
Only Jesus can save you…..

Nicky:
Thanks…..you are absolutely right about Obama’s rallies…….amazing…..

“SoldierDad:
Dude: informally defined as a man who is very fancy or sharp in dress and demeanor.
After reading your post, that does not appear to describe you……So, I’m sorry for calling you a dude….That you are not…
Further, stop disrespecting both Christ Jesus and Obama. Christ is the Messiah…..Obama is president elect….Big difference…
Only Jesus can save you….. ”
Dude, as it is used today, is not a compliment. And, don’t preach to me regarding your Obamasiah. I know who he is, and he’s not “The One”.

Barry is a man who brought his children to hear….
“godda** America”
“America is the worst terrorist nation in the world”
“America created the AIDS virus”
in that ridiculous church he went to for 20 years. Now he gets to hang out with our brave men and women and pretend to show his appreciation for their work.
Barry is a liar, a fake and probably appreciates America about as much as bill ayers does.

“Where were you when all of you left wingers were bashing Bush at every chance you could get?”
Ain’t it the truth Michelle. Now I’m not a Bush fan, but when Bush was elected, he reached out to Ted Kennedy and the Democrats. He promised to be a uniter and not a divider. He even signed Democrats’ bills and spending skyrocketed. So what did he get in return? He got bashed daily in the liberal media, in Hollywood, and on Capitol Hill. Bush got blamed for everything. Now these stupid libs want to talk about “coming together” and “healing?” FORGET IT! Like Eli & Peyton Manning said to Venus Williams, it’s on like Donkey Kong!

>>everything. Now these stupid libs want to talk about “coming together” and “healing?” FORGET IT! Like Eli & Peyton Manning said to Venus Williams, it’s on like Donkey Kong!>>
Perhaps you should tell that to the 61% of Republicans who like Obama and think he’s doing a great job. They know a good thing when they see one!
Pretty lonely on the island of Bitter Delusion, eh? LOL!!!

My vote for the best post as on now:
SoldierDad has an explanation for everything:
The white people at Obama’s rallies are only for show.
The 67 million people who voted for Obama are stupid.
The 82% who like him now aren’t reading their Bibles.
The white people who voted for him are guilt-ridden.
Keep ‘em coming. I enjoy reading comedy and farce!
Posted by: Carolinagirl | Dec 26, 2008 12:32:29 PM
WOW!!!! Way to go Carolinagirl….Way to go!!!

Carolinagirl, about that propangda the medai feeds you. There are not 60% of republican’s who think Obama is doing a good job! ROFLOL!! He is unemployed right now and doing nothing! He dosn’t take office until Jan 20th until then he is “former Senator”, and isn’t truely “president elect” until after Congress ratifies the electoral college votes on or about Jan 10th.

What a disgusting display of political arrogance!
President Bush went to Iraq and actually took the place of one of the chow liner servers to feed our troops then spent over an hour sitting, eating, talking and taking pictures with them when they asked him to.
President elect Obama walks into a mess hall uninvited to take pictures of himself with the troops, interrupts their meals with their families, then has the audacity to refuse to sit down and eat the same food they are eating.
His presense there during their dinner was a disruption and an insult to Our Marines and Sailors and their families simply because he was not man enough to sit down and eat what they were eating.

Here are some words that you Obamasiah supporters may want to know of:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to distruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only few find it” Matthew 7:13
So, being a member of the “Sheople may not be all that it is cracked up to be -polls will lead to your destruction.
And:
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them”.
Matthew 7: 15 – 20
What kind of fruit did the Obamasiah come from? What kind of fruit did McCain come from? Since we already have the Obamasiah as the next President, now we must decide whether to follow him – I’ll stay on the narrow path through the narrow gate, thanks. You who think that polls have real meaning can go ahead and follow the Obamasiah.

Republicans are not too bright! You Republicans believe in voodoo economics(trickle down theory)and that you can grow the economy by fighting wars and messing in the internal affairs of other countries. I am an independent voter but democrats always make more sense than Republicans..I normally do not respond to Republicans because they don’t have a clue and the average Republican would look you in the eye and try to justify why its more important to spend 10 billion dollars a month to support a baseless,unjust war in Iraq than to invest that same money in Education, healthcare and in growing the economy..God bless Barack Obama and his cabinet and God bless America! The Republicans are about to go! What a sigh of relief! Thank you Lord!

Amen to that Carolinagirl those so-called Christians are the most bitter of them all, and would use scriptures in a warped way to justify their hatred.

“SoldierDad claims he’s a Christian but that’s a joke. No true Christian would ever bastardize the word “Messiah” in such a disgusting way just to bash a politician. True Christians respect Christ too much to tarnish him and that word in this way.
While they “claim” that Obama supporters think he’s the savior, only Obama haters ever refer to him as the Messiah, which shows you that all of their Bible-quoting is a sham. No God-fearing Christian would ever dishonor Jesus by using that word to describe any human being.”
This is the best you can come up with? A Strawman argument? Pathetic.

BertieW – That was a great response to their ignorant rantings.

I repeat, SoldierDad, you’re not a Christian. No Christian would take the Lord’s name in vain like that. Call it strawman if you want but it’s true.

Has he produced his birth certificate yet?

SoldierDad is a blasphemer!

Eat your heart out, wingers!
Barack Obama is the most admired man in America. The first prez-elect since Eisenhower.

Carolinagirl: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” Matthew 7: 1-2
You don’t like how I am pointing out who the real Obama is. I understand this. But that does not give you the right to cast judgement upon me. Who is the blasphemer?

Carolinagirl: 32 percent of respondants admire Obama; that means that 68 percent do not. That’s not a statistic that I’d be putting any great faith in.

Shalom
Were you a member of trinity church along with the obamas?

I find it amazing the amount of projection these zealots of the Obamasiah demonstrate – projecting their hate upon others. Pity.

Soldierdad”Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” Matthew 7: 1-2
SoldierDad why don’t you use that same scripture when your judging Obama who hasn’t even taken the office of Presidency yet.

I’d rather put my trust in a man who will not stick his finger into the air (as did your President Clinton) in order to find out what he should do about an issue. Polls mean nothing when leadership is called for. You should pay closer attention to where your great Obamasiah came from (Chicago) and the type of politics he was school in. Get ready for a real rough ride girly. This man is going to ride the country hard and put her away wet.

Carter won the election in 1976 too. Recall how that turned out?

Carolinagirl:
You’re welcome……And please keep your post coming……
It’s nice to read words of wisdom….
Thanks…..
P.S. Hopefully, after Obama performs exceptionally well as president, perhaps he may win some of those losers out there……The Audacity of Hope.

disgusted:
I am a member of the Body of Christ…..the only true and living Church of our Lord Jesus Christ…..
Now, you cannot join this church…..You have to be born into it…..And you cannot choose the leader of this church, He chooses you……
Once He chooses you, all you would have to do is believe on His name, repent of you sins, and receive the Spirit of God into you life…..and get baptized in His name……
Acts 2:38

I guess the food was not good enough for Obama after he ruined the Marines meals with his star appearance.

“The only people who ever called Obama a “prophet”, false or otherwise are Obama-haters. His supporters don’t think he’s a prophet or a savior.
Well, at least you are correct on that point. Obama supporters don’t think.

I would of voted for OJ Simpson.

” His supporters don’t think he’s a prophet or a savior. ”
Obviously you have missed all of the signs and portends.
Your fellow Democrats have been more on the ball as reported by the Chicago Tribune:
“EAST POINT, Ga.—The day after Barack Obama was elected president, Larry Younginer knelt in front of the congregants at his suburban Atlanta church and offered a prayer of thanks.
“Lord, we have again come to you in prayer, and you have heard our cries from heaven, and you have sent us again from the state called Illinois, a man called Barack to heal our land,” said Younginer, a 62-year-old retired information systems worker at Coca Cola in Atlanta….
“It is powerful and significant on a spiritual level that there is the emergence of Barack Obama 40 years after the passing of Dr. King,” said Carter. “No one saw him coming, and Christians believe God comes at us from strange angles and places we don’t expect, like Jesus being born in a manger.”"

There’s apparently something to be said for being “Stuck on Stupid” as these people have shown themselves to be. I invite them all to take a college course in statistics if they really are interested in learning just how unimportant these polls really are.

Oh yeah here are some more portends of the Messiah.
Louie Farrakan, on his Chicago neighbor:
“”Brothers and sisters,” the Nation of Islam leader said, “Barack Obama to me, is a herald of the Messiah. Barack Obama is like the trumpet that alerts you something new, something better is on the way.”"
and of course the Lightworker himself
“”… a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany, and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama.”"
A Obama headquarters in Florida had this sign in the window:
“”To God be the glory. Great things he has done. Obama
. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”"

We should appoint Caroline Kennedy as senator of NY State,. She deserves it because of her last name

Carolinagirl:
I must say, I’ve not seen anyone handle Obama haters like you have…..
Way to go Carolinagirl!!!
You bring to mind the legend, Bruce Lee, in the way you are handling these Fox and Friend folks….

Wonder if the white house will have purple walls and shag carpet????

Hey shalom, you don’t win debates by employing strawmen arguments and insults while failing to provide counterpoints to the arguments presented to you. Win? You and Carolinagirl didn’t even compete.

cupidsrevenge
No, I don’t have a crystal ball. Unlike you, however, I listened and read and paid attention to what the man said he was going to do if elected. Now the proof will be in the pudding, and this man will not be able to deliver upon all that his “faithful” followers will expect from him (in the way of entitlements they all expect – you should really listen to the people who voted for this man because they believe that this one man will make all their lives better while taking away that which working people have earned). Do you believe that the U.S.A. should weaken our Military? Obama does, and has stated so. Do you believe that there should be a re-distribution of wealth from those who work to those who don’t? Obama does, and has stated so. But, you will again provide a strawman argument of attack against me instead of responding to these points.

Watch was I conduct my own poll-
Hey, SoldierDad-
Do you approve of PEBHO abandoning his defeatist Iraq position that he campaigned on and keeping Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense?

BertieW, the problem with your question is that I trust Obama as far as I can throw him – since he is not yet actually in office, he can make any statements he wants to. It will only be after he is sworn in and actually making decisions when I will know which direction he will take. So, I cannot answer your question in any valid way. Unlike people who accept polls which support their position, I choose to judge what people actually do, not what some poll alledges they will do.

“Now you tell me he is unemployed!”
An unfortunate temporary situation – that is unless there is more to the Senate Seat for Sale scandal taking place in Chicago. I hear that two of Obama’s top aids will be subpoenaed to testify by Blago’s attorney. Get your popcorn ready. This could get interesting yet.

SD,
What is odd is that Obama’s supporters seemed to think that ” wealth redistribution” was a good thing. Kind of like Maxine Waters thinking that nationalization was going to bring speed and efficiency to private business.
You think these people would have enough knowledge of economic and history to know how nutty that is. But apparently not. Obots are pretty politically ignorant, except when it comes to smears on McCain (he’s old!) and Palin- in which case they have heard them all.
I am much more sanguine than Kit Lange. Just like when he was in the Senate, Obama does seem interested in actually governing. All ready he has dropped most of his stupid proposals since they were there to attract ‘a new wave of voters’. He will probably be content to let the government be run by Clinton III. His real interest is is making speeches and elaborate trapping of office. At some point he will probably make a speech to a WWF style entrance with fireworks, a cape, bare chest and ‘Requiem for a Dream’.

Ana- I didnt mean that you didn’t pay attention to what I had typed.
What I ment was that for a voter to know which party controlled Congress all they had to do was pay attention to the news at any point during the last two years.
My contention would be that the bulk of these Obama supporters really dont know much about him beyond his $1B marketing blitz Things that didnt get covered in the ad blitz, they dont know about- hence I said that they are “pretty ignorant”. ‘Ignorant’ means that they are lacking in knowledge- for instance CarolinaGirl doesn’t want to google news stories because she might find out they are true.
After the election there were a couple of surveys of people who had actually voted. Should be an easy non-partisan question.
“Before this past election, which political party controlled both houses of Congress?”
Democrat: GOP 45% to 38%
Strong Demo: GOP 48% to 37%
Republican: Dems 64% to 26%
Strong Rep: Dems 66% to 24%
That’s about a 30% point gap in basic knowledge in the Obama voters. And these are the people picking who formed his margin of victory.

SoldierDad, I still have hope for this country as long as people like you still exist.

Which is worse, candied yams or having your dinner interrupted by someone who doesn’t like you?

Obama – Total train wreck of a President and accident about to happen. He’s not even a natural born citizen. Someone from the military should arrest him.

“As Obama entered the room, it was absent the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping.”
Ms. Miller, what on Earth are you talking about?
I’ve had the privilege of dining at several NCO and Officer Messes in my life. On all occasions, I was never the recipient of clapping or cheering when I entered the Mess.
Now let me make some clarifications. I, like President-Elect Obama, have never been a member of the United States Military. I, like President-Elect Obama, am not currently a Constitutional Officer; please remember that after the November election he resigned his position as Senator (you can cross reference it with Gov. Rod Blagojevich [D-IL]).
Please inform us Ms. Miller. Where in the military rules and regulations does it say that non-Military visitors to a Mess get such acknowledgment? Please cite the particular segment?
My suspicions are either:
Ms. Miller believes that President-Elect Obama, a person who is not a Constitutional Officer, be given the same status as President George W. Bush, current POTUS.
Or,
President-Elect Obama wished for a low-key visit at the Mess and Ms. Miller didn’t get the message.
In either case for some reason Ms. Miller decided that such a “snub” where none exists should be pointed out.

“Now, the press is afraid to cross him because they’ve belatedly figured out he’s a mob-friendly fake fronting for corporate totalitarians … for fear of a career-ending … plane crash, or whatever.”
Belle, are you saying that Barry O is going to act like, like,…
A CLINTON!?

Unlike Obama, the Marines have been doing their jobs for the last eight years. Who should applaud whom?

Well don’t feel bad he to eat that government dinner. The unemployed BHO went back to $4000 a night beach home to have fancy dinner with his family and his celeb friends.

Mike, you’re right on, my man! Whenever Bush took his family vacation to Crawford, he always went to visit the troops on the military base nearby. There are pictures all over the Internet of him using his personal family vacation to visit the troops.
It’s been a while, so I thought I’d drop by Mr. Tapper’s site to see how things were shaking. I started reading this thread and was waiting to get down to a post where “carolinagirl” provided some much-needed erudition, since so many posters were praising her to high heavens. Well, I’ve gotten to the bottom and have only seen stock statements (from both sides, to be fair)in the same repetitive “Obamaniacs vs. Obama Haters” verbal sparring we’ve seen here before. Guess I haven’t missed much in recent days, huh?
I did see one Obamagirl, er, Carolinagirl post to which I wanted to respond, however, because it revives that tiresome old “Obama is amazing but George Bush is scum” charge that I find so dismaying. I am waiting to see what Obama will accomplish– I want him to be a successful president, despite my deep misgivings that this will happen. In the meantime, I witness what Bush accomplishes, which is ignored or twisted by folks like Carolinagirl, and I can’t figure out how the “hope and change” that Obama fans keep telling me his fans are thirsting for can be developed when they are only “open-minded” and supportive of Obama but not of other leaders.
For example, Carolinagirl attempts to contrast Obama’s drop-in on the Marines with Bush’s relationship with the military during his years in officem by writing:
“Mike, you’re right on, my man! Whenever Bush took his family vacation to Crawford, he always went to visit the troops on the military base nearby. There are pictures all over the Internet of him using his personal family vacation to visit the troops.” Sorry, Carolinagirl, but Crawford is not conveniently located so near a military base as you might suppose. But yes, on Christmas morning, President Bush spent hours on the telephone calling members of the American military stationed around the world to thank them for their service and wish them a Merry Christmas. He has done this ever since the War of Terror began. It is a quiet, honorable way to pay tribute to these great men and women, like the thousands of personal letters he has written to the families of soldiers lost in the war. Bush was taking time out of his “personal vacation time,” just like Mr. Obama. And of course, he recently visited the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as he has done several times in the past. He has visited the troops in military hospitals, on bases, and in the field throughout his years in office, and I think he should be praised for doing so, as Obama is being praised here for also showing his respect to our military.
Carolinagirl snidely suggests instead that “Oh, wait. He didn’t, did he? He spent his vacation clearing brush. Well, that doesn’t matter.” Perhaps she is mistaking Bush for Ronald Reagan, who used to famously clear brush, and in the process clear his head, at his secluded ranch in California. Yes, Bush works on his ranch, which I find admirable. We want a president who values physical labor and stays in good shape, right? Or, wait, is that only praiseworthy in presidents-elect like Obama, who spend so many much-celebrated hours working out at the gym and playing basketball? Both men are in excellent physical shape (and one of them, Pres. Bush, even has the released medical records to prove it *G*). And that would be at the Crawford ranch, which is a masterpiece of green technology that is seldom appreciated by Bush detractors, who don’t want to give the man credit for building in an environmentally sensitive way.
I see no reason to run down President Bush in the process of cheerleading Mr. Obama.

So?
More Chicago palm-greasing politics, thuggery and lies will soon hit the fan!

Being a Military wife…. This is sooo telling….
These troops did they support him at all would have cheered him.
You will see for years to come troops standing and cheering for President Bush.
You will see clapping for Obama after he is in office. But you will not see the same reaction as with President Bush.
There is a difference between doing a duty as a sworn military member and pay tribute to a greatman..
I only hope that our troops can learn to trust him. But the trust of our troops towards civilian’s is NOT easily won..

Obama has been working non-stop, finaly takes a vacation (xmas time)and you guys resent him for it? He makes a great gesture even thought he isn’t president yet and you guys don’t think that was nice of him? Most people eat Christmas dinner with family members, often go from house to house of friends and other family members. Some of you expect too much of him and need to chill. Did you send our men and women in military a card wishing them happy holidays? Hope you all enjoy the rest of the year.

None of the soldiers are looking up at Obama with exception of the man shacking his hand. I wonder if they feel obligated to Bush still until Obama is Commender in Chief. They may have been surprised and didn’t know how to react since Bush is still president for 3 weeks. Obama may have felt little uncomfortable also, which is reason I give him so much credit for caring enought to still go there and say hello and wish them all happy holidays. Military is very direct and loyal until last minute. When Obama becomes president they will show their joy and continue to be the most repectfull people on our earth today. Always loved the miliatry and respect their sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe. Wished my age didn’t stop me from being one of them and another reason why I’m gratefull to them also. Have been surrounded by military all my life and these men and women are the bravest, loyal, decent human beings and to be gone for long periods of time without family is remarkable and hurts to think of what they go thru. They are the bravest of the bravest and I also wish i could have said hello. If they can read blogs, just know we want you all safe and stay strong and we try to also for your sakes. Wish i could say, please come home for Christmas. Hopefully soon.

The trooops do not have respect for Mr. Cut N Run President Elect. They didn’t vote for him and will not trust him.
The biggest risk we will face is the experienced and qualified people getting out due to Barry’s disdain for the military. JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED UNDER CLINTON!
Don’t expect a lot of military meals with Barry and the troops.
I wish him well – but don’t expect a lot of spontaneous applause from the troops in the next 4 years for the POTUS.

It’s too late as word has gotten around in the military circles where some gestures of honesty and caring toward the soldiers would circle the globe quickly if there had been an example.
But instead those that protect our liberty at home and abroad found out that the self-anointed One had no time for them at all, only for self promotion.
When he traveled outside the US, the truth of his actions probably traveled among every person serving the globe before Obama landed back in the US.
And now he’s reaping what he sowed. The reaction merely reflected the indifference Obama showed the troops. And in a time of war mind you, what greater disrespect is possible?
It’s not that Obama went out of his way to offend the troops. It’s just who he is and part of his mindset. The troops don’t matter.
And they all know exactly what he thinks of them.

I’ll thank all of you who Are NOT now or have Never Been Marines to shut yer yaps about WE would regard an Informal visit from a POTUS-elect!!! I can’t speak for the Squidlies but I imagine that most Bluejackets would take umbrage too!! Like the general populace we are Democrats and Republicans and I resent the Hater who assumes that only Dark-Green Marines would like Mr. Obama. As for his never having served, WE Few look at other qualites than just Military Service. Especially since Mr. Bush was A.W.O.L from his Air Guard posting, a stunt that would have him in a “Leg” Infantry Battalion in Vietnam if he wasn’t the C.I.A. Director’s Son!! And in my Considered Opinion he started a useless, profitlees was and then ran it as well as most Republicans did in The Civil War!!
As for the Leathernecks at dinner, they were respectful of a soon-to-be C.I.C. and didn’t make a fuss since it WAS Informal! When your future Commander In Chief doesn’t want a fuss you don’t fuss! And a Grandstanding, Jock-Padding, Draft-Dodging, GoldBricking,War-Profitteering,Lying, Cheating, Fortunate Son of a TinHorn Tejas Drug-Store Cowboy probably was so insecure around Real Heroes that he ordered every military post he visited to make a fuss. Just like that bogus carrier trap where he bounded out with the double-roll of socks in his pantywaist!! Mr. Obama, despite being 3 times as smart, appears to be 3 times more humble than our soon-to-be erstwhile Commander-In-Thief. Take that to your Rush-Room and csmoke it with the other old E.D. sufferers!!

I guess Obama Wanabee wearing a Marines t-shirt during a pickup basketball game while he was campaigning failed to win them over.

probly they were folks who cling to their GUNS and religion.
It was their Christmas dinner he interrupted.

There is no doubt in my military mind that Obama is not the legitimate President-Elect. A 6% difference means a 3% swing would have put McCain, despite a terrible campaign, on top. I know and you know and I know that you know that there was at least 3% accounted for by ACORN fraud, 3% accounted for by Chicago style corruption and vote fraud, 3% accounted for by SOROS and his criminal conspiracy to slander and subvert, 3% accounted for by foreign money from the Middle East funneled into the Billion Dollar theft of an American election, 3% accounted for by other foreign control, such as by Saudi Prince Talal ibn Abd al-Aziz, of the US media.
The military are in a hard spot. With the economy being driven into the toilet by the Democrats they feel trapped. My guess is that everyone with under 10 years in will get out as fast as possible, if they can. Those with over 10 years will try to finish their retirement and those who can retire will leave en mass.

NavyVet – Or it could be that the Marines and Sailors found out that their combat pay would become taxable under Obama’s Tax plan. Like I said earlier, these wonderful Military Men and Women are a lot smarter tha 52% of the Electorate.

A sergeant friend of mine currently serving with a brigade in Iraq lovingly refers to our new president as Saddam Hussein Obama. This young man, who has loved the military his whole life and joined while all his hipster, MTV-raised friends took the easy route, is genuinely devastated that Obama is his Commander in Chief. Sure, he fights for America. So he’ll serve with honor. But his estimation of what he is fighting for is significantly less now. For an idea, imagine some cool-kid joining the Peace Corps to plant trees only to find out Patton was the head of the Peace Corps. Well, that’s exactly what happened to my friend, in reverse.

armygal ? explain why the military votes overwhelmingly Republican and did so this election .

We are not Haiti. In USA the president rules not the military althought I respect the military tremendously. Countries are run by Kings (were), Church (were), military (some still are) and presidents or prime ministers. We have a democracy and commander in chief is a president. Sorry to hear so many don’t trust him yet, but we are here and voted in your best interest. We want our fathers, brothers and sisters home. We would like peace for a change. Every generations says they are fighting for their kids freedoms. We would like to take this burden away and give a generation a brake. I would like the next generation to not have to go to war. This world needs a brake and we need to focus on economy or we won’t be able to have much for military spending. How about fighting for our kids future. Without money they can’t be educated, or feed their families. We all have to sacrifice these days and as much as I love and respect our military they need to know the country is hurting financialy and huge reason Obama won. Obama will be generous in taking care of those who sacrificed. We need to rebuild, millions don’t have jobs. Miss some friends in the service and also wish them happy holidays.

That I don’t know, maybe they thought that because McCain was a vet he supported them?
the record shows the truth
Tax Rate Extension Amendment which sought to support the health needs of our veterans and military personnel and reduce the defiit by making tax rates fairer for all Americans (2006): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Additional Funding For Veterans Amendment (2005): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Health Care for Veterans Amendment (2005): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Both times that the GI bill went before congress, Obama voted Y, and McCain did not vote.
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization (08/02/2007): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Financial Relief For Hurricane Katrina Victims Amend (2005): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Hurricane Health Care for Survivors Amendment which sought to “provide emergency health care and other relief for survivors of Hurricane Katrina” (2005): McCain – N; Obama – Y
Congressional Commission on Hurricane Katrina, which sought to examine the Federal, State, and local response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Region of the United States especially in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and other areas impacted in the aftermath and make immediate corrective measures to improve such responses in the future” (2005): McCain – N; Obama: Y

dlc, try looking up facts instead of keeping rumors and lies alive
On the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007, Barack Obama voted yes, and McCain voted no. This bill essentially asks for a bunch of money to spend in a whole litany of different methods, including additional support to the troops in Iraq (though some of that funding would be dependent on whether or not the Iraqi government would meet certain benchmarks), large sums of money to aid in Katrina recovery, large sums of money to aid the “War on Terror”, tax credits for businesses, and raise for the minimum wage. A further provision of this bill is that it “Requires certain federal agencies to develop plans to minimize the use of no-bid and cost-reimbursement contracts.” This bill was vetoed by President Bush

It is really scary to read some of these comments, and see how ignorant and mean-spirited some Americans are. _____________________________________ While some of you are stuck in a biased, pro-George W. Bush outlook, the world is sinking into a rising sea of Global Warming, and Bush’s friends on Wall Street have taken all our money & run. —— Yes – I do know about global warming – I’m a water specialist: human-caused global warming is real, and is real, potential disaster. _________________________________________
I’ve voted Republican in the past, but was appalled by George W. Bush. __________________________________________
We all need to try to take a different outlook and work together, or the world’s current mess will get worse instead of better.
In WWII, we all came together. This is what we need to do now. Try to find common goals, and focus on those. ________________________________________
Obama is not in office yet, Bush is lying low — so it’s a time when we can just look around at our fellow citizens & try to find the best in eachother. OUR CHILDREN OUR DEPENDING ON US TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND SAVE OUR PLANET.

obama should have had his sorry behind in iraq and afghanistan on christmas eve and christmas day. one day per war zone, with the troops whose cic he will be shortly. bush, for sure, should have been in the war zones. instead both sorry commander-in-chiefs spent the holidays in complete comfort with friends and family. were i cic, i would have spent it with the troops in the war zones. both are sorry leaders, specifically commander-in-chiefs.

Obama can take off all the faces on American coins to put himself on, then
he wouldn’t have to go to many places he’s not wanted which is getting to be
several as people are waking up to find
they voted for the wrong one.
Obama is a liar,a raciest and a citizen of Kenya. He will never be my President.

“Maybe if the military required reading skills and a degree. Some of the inlisted would understand that Obama wants only the best for them.”
What an arrogant thing to say. Your words speak volumes about the way you really feel about our military. Those people you look down your nose at are the very people who keep us safe.
By the way – it’s “enlisted” not “inlisted”. I guess your reading skills and degree never covered that.

My heartfelt props to the servicemen and -women who were “graced” by Barak HUSSEIN Obama’s photo-op visit on Christmas.
Free hint to the president elect: when you decide to pop in to say “hey” to service personnel, at least have the grace to either eat a bit with them or to serve them as they serve our country. That would go a long way in rebuilding bridges in the relationship with them that your cry for our bailing from Iraq all but destroyed.
They truly did a magnificent job of honoring the office when they couldn’t honor the man. This is what all service personnel are taught in boot camp.

No applause from our soldiers?
I’m not surprised. With all the fist jabs, hanging with shady people in Chicago, showing off his body to photographers–he doesn’t seem like a president.
BO will learn he has to earn respect from the troops.
He lifts weights to be tough they risk their lives everyday for our freedom.

BO is not even eligible for President because his father was not a US citizen. Just because BO was born on US soil does not make him a natural born citizen – you must have US citizen parents, too. BO knows this – he’s insulting everyone by testing the system…screwing with the Presidency is the last way to do it.

The interesting thing here is that all the comments from the right assume that the miltary is somehow more ‘red’ than ‘blue’. The truth is that campaign contributions from military personnel for Obama were 50% higher than for McCain (in number, not amount).
Seems to me they didn’t stand and clap because they knew they were in the presence of ‘one of them’ and the officialese was unnecessary.

armygal ? explain why the military votes overwhelmingly Republican and did so this election .
The Republican lead in the military is decreasing – even among the officers, who used to be much more active trying to influence the enlisted vote in a Republican direction. “overwhelmingly Republican,” at any rate, isn’t currently supported by the facts.

It was nothing more than a photo op.
I agree w/an earlier post, if he had eaten the meal w/them or had served them plates of food that would have gone a long way. But to just pop in and grace them w/his presence…no…just doesn’t cut it.
I am waiting to see if Obama has Marines at his door at the white house or if he will pull a Hilliary and have them removed.
I don’t care who you are, color, race, gender, age, religion, you want respect then you have to earn it.

I will show the same respect to Obama the chosen one, as all the left liberals showed to Bush. That says it all for me. They chose to show no respect to Bush. Obama deserves nothing less.

I’m hoping Obama will be a better president than I expect but I doubt it.
IMHO, he got elected because:
1) the MSM would NOT report the news.
2) because of the hundreds of millions of campaign donations (AFTER he said he would accept public financing) … he won by 6 million votes so it took about $100 MILLION per 1 million votes to cinch the election.
3) because ACORN was well organized and pushed voter registration (fraudulent as well as legal). Do you remember that ACORN was scheduled to receive a massive $200 BILLION of the first bailout package monies before that package was rewritten?
The ignorance of the American public is distressing to me. Nobody seems to care about the origin of the economic mess we’re in and just blame our recession on the Bush administration because things have gotten worse in the past few years.
PLEASE do a little research. The Community Reinvestment Act which was started under the Carter Administration and strongly supported by Bill Clinton is primarily responsible for the subprime housing meltdown and the subsequent credit crisis.
Granted, it was started with good intentions… ie: to allow a greater number of Americans to have the “American Dream” and own their own homes. Research was done and it was found that the two impediments to home ownership for the poor were coming up with a down payment and the ability to afford monthly mortgage payments. The down payment problem was solved by allowing 100% financing which meant that these people had no equity in their homes. The monthly payment problem was addressed by allowing ARMS… Adjustable Rate Mortgages, with low teaser rates for the first several years before the rates were “reset” and the mortgage payments increased significantly. (The HUD site had damning words to this effect on their website that was erased recently). Many people took advantage of the push for greater homeownership: new homeowners, people moving up to larger homes, speculators who “flipped” homes, appraisers who were “incentivised” to appraise homes at higher values, mortgage brokers, real estate brokers, COUNTRYWIDE, ACORN (who would hold demonstrations on lending institution’s properties to force them to make risky loans to the poor) as well as other lenders. Banks were FORCED to make these risky subprime loans under the Community Reinvestment Act MANDATES. These loans have subsequently been called NINJA loans: No Income, No Jobs, No Assets. They have also been called Liar Loans and No Doc (or no documentation) loans. Apparently, no one understands history or physics very well… ie: gravity – what goes up must eventually come down. It was ludicrous for lenders to believe that these subprime loans would be fine because housing values would continue to climb. The CRA helped create the “housing bubble.”
Under the Clinton administration, subprime mortgages jumped 39% from 1993 – 1998 while other loans increased by just 17%. Prior to the CRA, home prices increased almost in parity with inflation. But because our DEMOCRATIC government was trying to get more people into their own homes, housing prices climbed dramatically and people were still buying homes at these higher prices. Once the adjustable rate mortgages were reset and people defaulted on their mortgages (remember, with NO down payments they had no skin in the game) many people now owe more than their homes are worth. Therefore it becomes easy for them to default and just walk away allowing real estate values to plummet even more.
Also, under the Clinton administration, these subprime loans were FIRST allowed to be packaged and resold as investment vehicles (and were GUARANTEED by Freddie Mac with a AAA rating) which have ended up being owned by banks, brokerage firms, hedge funds, retirement accounts, other countries etc so that this has now become a global crisis.
Under the CRA mandates, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were also forced to lend to support subprime loans.
It’s interesting how people pay no attention to history and credit Clinton for the great economy during his reign and attack Bush for our current housing meltdown and subsequent credit crisis which actually began BEFORE he was elected into office.
Countrywide began their business under the Clinton administration and was allowed to sell mortgages WITHOUT HAVING ANY ASSETS TO BACK THOSE LOANS!
The Bush administration and McCain both tried to warn that Fannie and Freddie were potential problems. Bush in the early 2000s and McCain in 2005. The MORONIC democratic Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (who, btw had a homosexual relationship with Herb Moses, an executive of Fannie from 1991 – 1998.)
In September 2003, Frank, as the ranking Democrat on the Republican-led Financial Services Committee, denounced the Bush administration’s proposal for creating a new agency to oversee Fannie and Freddie. The main stated concern of Democrats was the potential “weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing”. In October 2008, Frank called Republican criticism of the Community Reinvestment Act in light of the nation’s housing crisis a veiled attack on the poor that’s racially motivated. And again, in 2005, Barney Frank repeatedly said that Fannie and Freddie were financially fine and should not be regulated.
Another fact that is rarely mentioned is that Democratic Dodd received the most money from Fannie with Barack Obama receiving the 2nd largest dollar contribution from Fannie Mae…. ie OUR TAX DOLLARS!
If our government had regulated Fannie and Freddie in 2003, most if not all of the financial crisis we are currently in could have been avoided.
Obama is a smooth talking, thin resumed man with ties to Ayers (unrepentant bomber and recipient of 50 MILLION to brainwash our children in the public school system), Reverend Wright (G-D America hater), Tony Rezko (convicted of fraud and bribery. Obama helped his firm get more than 43 million in government funding, and Rezko helped Obama raise more than 14 million staring in 2003) , Rashid Khalidi, Franklin Raines (paid 90 million as CEO of failed Fannie Mae and who committed fraud by cooking the books at Fannie), Farrakhan, Quadaffi, Raila Odinga (Obama campaigned for him in Kenya in 2006, and Odinga was accused of murdering 50 blacks by barracading them in a church and burning it down).
Understand that the Bush administration is NOT the bad guy here and is NOT responsible for our current economic crisis.

Of course they didn’t stand up and clap. This wasn’t a staged photo op, it was a spontaneous action on Obama’s part and the soldiers showed respect towards him. Also, all the pictures I saw showed the soldiers smiling, shaking his hand and people in the background standing waiting to see if they can get in on the action.

I will show the same respect to Obama the chosen one, as all the left liberals showed to Bush. That says it all for me. They chose to show no respect to Bush. Obama deserves nothing less.
——————
If Obama does something that deserves your disrespect, please feel free to disrespect him. The disrespect shown towards Bush was well earned. He did little for this country that can be respected.
And you know what, if Obama were to do half of what Bush did to earn that disrespect, the Democrats will disrespect him also. Because, unlike the lemming Republicans who defend their politicians to the death, no matter how scuzzy they are, Democrats hold their politicians responsible for their actions.

The U.S. military loves George Bush. He allowed and inspired them to prevail in battle and in their mission. Obama does not inspire the warrior spirit and in my opinion, conspires to submit to our enemies. He is the third nipple.

I applaud the gesture of Obama interrupting his vacation to show appreciation for service of the troops.

“unlike the lemming Republicans who defend their politicians to the death, no matter how scuzzy they are, Democrats hold their politicians responsible for their actions.”
Kate that’s a pile of horse feces and you know it. Whenever Republicans get into trouble, we conservatives call on their immediate resignation. Democrats get into trouble? They lie, bribe, deny, and blame the Republicans and stay in power.

The govt sponsored sub prime mortgages are but a small percentage of the banking and financial crisis.
Greed on the part of mortgage bankers, investors, real estate speculators and the complete lack of oversight from govt was to blame. When the market got overheated, they needed to raise rates and caution lenders. They didn’t Republicans believe that regulation is unnecessary and that profit is king.
I hope that you’ve all learned a hard lesson. It’s too bad it’s too late for our country and our economy. It’s going to be a long time, if ever, before we dig our way out of this one.
If you believe propaganda without actually looking up the facts, you get what you deserve when the elite rob our treasury blind and sink our economy.
Look up facts once in a while instead of believing what you read in wingnut email, blogs, and on Faux No-News and talk radio. They are not your friends.

Troops not enthusiastic about Obama, huh? How would you know? I am so tired of the corporate media BS. Why don’t you do a little research? Senator Obama was with the troops for 68 minutes. The press were allowed in for 7 minutes of that period.

The men the American public admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth.

Mary, Mary, Mary, what on earth inspired you to insult the military as you did, when you wrote: “Maybe if the military required reading skills and a degree. Some of the inlisted would understand that Obama wants only the best for them. …”
I am a college professor with two sons in their early 20s, so I know my fair share of young men who have grappled with the decision of whether or not to join the military. I am actually pleasantly surprised by the individuals I know who are currently serving. While I know that the military does indeed include many without a high school diploma, my sons’ friends in the military include a young man with a language degree from Stanford and another who dropped out of a doctoral program at Harvard to join. I know a dozen or so– it surprises me that the number is so high, since I never before stopped to add it up– and all have not only high school degrees but at least two years of college. They are also from the solid middle class or upper class of our community– the sons and daughters of judges, college administrators, and small business owners, for example. These are not dead-enders with no options. These are young people who proudly serve. They do not deserve your contempt.
Oh, and they are for the most part excellent followers of current events with mixed reactions to Obama. Most of them, for the record, are not terribly impressed by him so far. Only one, so far as I know, voted for him. They all, however, have tremendous admiration and respect for their current CIC, George Bush. I sincerely hope that in four years time, Obama has earned the military’s respect as well.

>>About that change … Did the change you were looking for include 2/3′s of BHO’s cabinet being Clinton administration retreads? (everything old is new again…)>>
Obama never campaigned on WHO would be in his cabinet, only on the policies they would enact. If he brings the troops home, closes Gitmo, stops torture, protects the environment and looks after the middle class, he could appoint you and Bertie and I wouldn’t care!

Sudsy, Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th president-elect of the US.
He has an 82% approval rating.
That means 82% of the country has not only moved on from the campaign, they’re happy with our new president.
Life is too short to spend rehasing the campaign, especially when there’s nothing you can do about it. Join the party. You’ll be so glad you did!

Look what PEBO said he will and won’t due with Iraq. He will bring the troops home but not in the time frame he promised. He won’t pull the contractors out of Iraq because it’s not ‘reasonable” Outside contractors make up two-thirds of our footprint in Iraq.
The soldiers PEBO visited for xmas lunch know he’s changed everything he promised about Iraq.
PEBO has changed his position on numerous important issues …Iraq, FISA, corporate tax cuts, removing lobbyist from DC,health care, nuclear power,LGBT issues,welfare, NAFTA, telecom co.imunity and on and on.
He’s proven to be an empty suit with no backbone in a very short period of time. He is corrupt. He is a liar.
It’s impossible to know if he will be a good leader for the country.

Very telling indeed. The silence of these military guys and their families speaks volumes. There’s obviously not a whole lot of respect for obama. The guy is a poser, that’s all. He should have spent the time serving them their dinner, and showing them the respect they deserve. Being humble is not an attribute to which he subscribes.

Great going guys. Hope he got the point the jerk.

When Clinton couldn’t get a majority of the popular vote in either of his elections, all the democrats wanted to talk about was the Electoral College win. When Gore won the popular vote in 2000 but lost electorally, democrats wanted to do away with the Electoral College. Now that BO got a bare majority of the popular vote, they’re back to talking about the electoral vote again.
John Murtha (D) is talking about reinstating the draft. Charles Rangel (D) wanted it reinstated during the Bush presidency. Both know that the draft will most likely be needed during a democrat presidency. Reinstating it during Bush would have allowed them to blame him for it. Didn’t work out that way.
If the draft is reinstated under BO, he will have no one to blame but himself. The Left bashes the military unmercifully, all the while expected that it will protect their worthless hides if necessary.

Roxanna said “Now that BO got a bare majority of the popular vote, they’re back to talking about the electoral vote again.”
Bare majority? He defeated McCain by 7.3% and 8.6 million votes. 5% and 5.5 million more votes than Bush in 2004. In what world does that qualify as a “bare majority”?

One sunny day in 2009, an old man sitting on a park bench opposite the White House, got up, crossed Pennsylvania Avenue and said to the U.S. Marine standing guard,
‘I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.’
The Marine replied, ‘Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer
president and no longer resides here.’
‘Okay,’ said the old man and walked away.
The following day, the same man walked over to the White House and said to the same Marine, ‘I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.’
The Marine replied, ‘Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.’
‘Okay,’ said the old man again and walked away.
The third day, the same man walked over to the White House and said to the very same Marine, ‘I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.’
The Marine, understandably annoyed, looked at the man and replied, ‘Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr.Bush. I’ve told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don’t you understand ?
The old man smiled and said, ‘Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it.’
The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said,
‘See you tomorrow sir.’

Carolinagirl,
I’m glad you responded to my post before it mysteriously disappeared. I think we are making a similar point but having very different approaches to that point. As you say, the approval rating at this point is for the transition, which is his current “job.” My point is that this “job” is not the same as the job he will be called upon to do once sworn into office and is not a terribly difficult job to get good numbers for doing. Having an extremely high approval rating right now, in part, is not surprising because the tough part hasn’t kicked in yet.
I am perfectly happy to concede that this is an extraordinarily high rating for any president-elect. I will also concede that a great deal of it does come down to popularity for the man himself– a lot of folks who gave him high marks for handling the transition have no clue what he’s doing, who the people he is appointing are, or even what is involved in the transition.
As an aside, I would actually argue that the job approval rating of any president is never purely a reflection simply of the job he is doing as president, for forming an opinion is a complex thing and many people cannot separate their feelings about an individual’s personality, past actions, etc., from their perception of how he (up until this time, at least, but someday s/he)is currently executing the job of president. So asking someone to give a job approval rating of President Bush at this late stage in his presidency, for example, triggers a congeries of associations and the response is related to how the respondent feels about how he has handled a variety of issues over the years, from the war in Iraq and the war on terror to the environment to education, as well as how the respondent has come to perceive the president’s personality and temperament. The question of job approval seems simple, but is not. The same will hold true of Obama as president, as it currently does of him as president-elect. Many people will respond at this stage (favorably or unfavorably) to the potential he represents, to his personality, to the fact that he is not President Bush. His high approval rating tells me more about the mood of the American people than it does about him as a leader.
I am not saying that is a good thing or a bad thing. I am not criticizing Obama in making that statement. I am simply reminding you that Obama having a high approval rating at this moment in time is not a hugh surprise, nor does it have the significance for others that it clearly has for you.

Where the hell is ‘Kaneche Bay’ ?
MSgt Ken HUCK USMC (Ret)

“As Obama entered the room, it was absent of the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping. The diners were polite, staying seated at their respective tables and waited for the president-elect to come to them to stand up.”
—————–
This is different than Dubya’s presidency already. All GOP politicians try to play up their support of the military. If this trip had been by Bush it would have been a pre-planned, canned photo op with shots of cheering troops and plenty of flag-raising and maybe even a prayer or two. Fortunately, I’m confident that Obama will do more for this country than just wave the flag and pray for the next 4 years.

No surprize here if you know ANYTHING about the Marine Corps and our Marines – and I guess the chow wasn’t good enough for him (no friggen lobster).

I served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1969. I was with Task Force 117 during Viet Nam. That being said, none of you people are taking into consideration that SCOTUS will be hearing Philip J. Berg v Barack Obama et al on Jan. 9, 2009… the day after the electoral votes are cast. At that time, Berg will have standing to raise the issue of the Obamination’s eligibility to hold the office of POTUS. The certificate of live birth (undoubtedly a fake) in no way proves the place of birth. Only that he was living when he got to Hawaii four days after being born in Kenya. His refusal to produce a valid, long form, certified birth certificate lends proof to the fact that he has something to hide.
Sit back and watch… The One will NOT take office. He’s a fraud and a ursurper.

What Obama supports and voters heard was, “I will give you money, you won’t have to worry about anything because I will take care of you” and that is why they voted for him.
And they refused to look into his background to find out why that was such a lie. Obama takes care of his rich friends, not the people who vote for him.