Barack Obama has been under a lot of criticism for his NCAA picks and his appearance on Leno. People have criticized him for spending too much time on his his NCAA picks and his Leno appearance while not focusing enough on the economy.
Anybody who's been following Obama's presidency has seen how active he has been. He posts his daily schedule every day and seems to have put enough work for himself on his plate. All presidents have had hobbies, whether it be golf, sailing or stamp collecting. There has never been a president who devoted all of their time to being President and rightfully so. I filled out my bracket in 5 minutes and I doubt Obama canceled any budget meeting to fill out his bracket.
Millions of hardworking people fill out March Madness brackets every year. Its nice to think of Obama as regular American guy with regular habits despite his extraordinary responsibilities.
Where was the outrage when President Bush took 166 vacation days in his first three years despite 9/11 and the Iraq war? What about when his dad took 543 vacation days in his 4 year term? What about when Bush's football watching habit became so bad he choked on a pretzel?
Barack Obama has already shown a very disciplined work ethic that he has applied to both his presidential campaign and his 2 months tenure as president. The fact is that he took 5 minutes out of his schedule to take part in what has become an American workplace tradition.
I'm also disturbed to see the amount of criticism Obama has received for going on Leno. I thought it as a great move for Obama to speak to the nation about the economy in an informal way to the country. Many presidents before have appeared on Meet the Press before which gives the opportunity for political nerds like me to see what is going on with our commander in chief but by appearing on Leno, Obama had the chance to address the whole nation and discuss very important issues to Americans who might not watch Sunday morning talk shows. Obama was not wasting time on Leno but for the most part discussing serious political issues that concern the nation.
Where was the outrage when George Bush appeared on the Rush Limbaugh show? Rush is a sexist, racist bigot who has managed to offend 3/4 of the country and Bush appeared on his show several times while president. If Bush can appear on the show of a partisan racist hack like Limbaugh, surely Obama can talk about the economy on Leno.
George Bush famously did not give many interviews to the press and was able to avoid media scrutiny about his actions. It's good to see Obama opening himself up to questions on his intentions for the country. One of the great things about Barack Obama is how he was able to make people who didn't pay close attention to politics pay more attention. By appearing on Leno and disclosing his NCAA picks Obama is continuing to do that.
Ever heard the expression "they wouldn't be happy if you hung them with a new rope"? Sounds like rethugs to me!
sen. conryn criticizes prez obama for going on leno. this is the same sen that missed the stimulus vote so he could go to new york for a fundraising dinner.
sen. alexander criticizes prez obama for filling out the ncaa bracket. where where sen. alexander when prez bush sat on his behind for several months without doing anything about the financial crisis? not to mention prez bush months of vacation.
let's face it: these are petty criticisms by petty gop operatives, the same people who have ruined our country for the last 8 years. what have they done constructively for our country? nothing! what a bunch of hypocrites.
I'm proud of our first family..for the first time in a long time.
"No class"
"Tacky"
"B-Ball freak"
"Slacker"
"Doing too much"
Yes, right wing America, I hear you loud and clear. We are taking notes and not checking your names at the voting booths. Keep it up, back asswards, hicks. Keep relying on your southern strategy. it seems to be working very well for us.
There are a couple of exceptions such as my alderman, who is an "old school" Republican who I adore, and my county coroner (why does a coroner have to dictate a party anyways??). The rest can kiss my beautiful red, white, and blue bottom until they actually do something other than spew hate language, spin outlandish lies, and twist the truth. I'm fed up with it!!
On a nicer note, I do think it is quite cool to actually WANT to see my President more often and know that he is real enough to appear on Leno and want to make basketball picks. It's not below the office - it's connecting with the American people. Remember, this was all about US.
in bad moments i think of what might be happening if she were pallin' around with those washington folks now.
As for filling out his brackets... is there an office in America where people don't fill out their brackets? He works in an office, so why shouldn't he do it too.
This is all so ridiculous. Who here works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? I don't see any hands flying up our there.
Maybe we shouldn't let the president sleep or eat dinner, either. We can pump him up on some caffeine pills and feed him intravenously. Then pry his eyelids open like they did to Alex in A Clockwork Orange. I bet he'd be able to solve the financial crisis in like 3 days if we forced him to do that!
A nation of ignoramuses, I say.
It's also important to remind repubs who insist on RE-writing history about the FACTS, and until repubs accept the TRUTH, Dubya's antics will be commented on.
If we leave it to the repubs, Dubya would be portrayed as the 2nd coming.
Remeber Don Imus' Comment?
Obama said: “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America. The notions that as young African-American women — who I hope will be athletes — that that somehow makes them less beautiful or less important. It was a degrading comment. It’s one that I’m not interested in supporting.”
Therefore, the lack of reaction from Obama’s remarks suggest Americans have a set a rules for race, class and gender: If you touch them you will pay.
And another set of rules for individuals that have a mental or physical disability: If you touch them, it’s ok if you appologize. Oh, and by the way, it’s okay to laugh at the jokes that come at the expense of the latter.
It is just cruel.
http://www.butasforme.com/2009/03/19/obama-the-insensitive-makes-a-joke-on-leno-at-the-special-olympics-expense/