Obama -- Acting Positively Presidential

In the past week, the media sharks have been swimming around Barack Obama, the Republican vultures and their surrogates in the Clinton campaign flying overhead ready to devour. What has been Obama's reaction? Calm, thoughtful, reasoned responses.

He has not lost his cool. He has looked positively presidential. He hasn't threatened to wipe another country and all of its innocent men women and children off the map, as Clinton has, either.

He has responded to the Wright shitstorm in a proper and dignified manner...just the opposite of the snarling, hate-filled attacks on him. And the attacks are coming from all sides. Why do you think that is?

It is because he has offered hope instead of fear, reasoned proposals for dealing with the problems we face, and a realistic perception of the country and the world.

I know many of us have been despairing one minute and angry the next as the onslaught has escalated. We are up against evil, let's face it. The powers that rule will do anything to prevent change, and I mean anything.

I stayed away from the 24 hour news channels for a day and found myself thinking that their aggregate audience, if applied to one prime-time sitcom or cop show would cause that sitcom or cop show to be cancelled inside of a month. Most people don't watch them. They are a closed circle. One Obama has stepped outside of.

Compare the two news conferences we saw today, the angry, petulant, inarticulate, lie-filled Bush performance vs. Obama on Wright. Which guy looked presidential to you?

Americans made the mistake of voting for a dope they could have a beer with. Many are making the same mistake with Clinton. Obama's cool cuts through all the bullshit. He is calm and reassuring. He doesn't pander. He looks presidential.

Listen to the new talk show "D'Antoni and Levine" featuring me and Huffington Post contributor Art Levine this Thursday 3:30pm PT at BlogTalkRadio. It'll be archived.

Comments

[RKWM]

The republicans are complaining because Obama did not leave for "GD America" but left when he was insulted and called a liar.

Personal insults (infering that I lied) would make me leave something before a difference in opinion or approach to a like goal would, too.

By their logic we would NEVER end a conflict. '"Either agree with me or I am your enemy' is a Bush/Clinton approach---isn't it? As soon as someone said something we fundamentally disagree with we would walk out of talks in a huff! It makes perfect sense that a president would not get in a huff cause someone does not agree but would get serious if attacked!

To me, Obama has stayed true to his principles--'disagree, agreeably'---but if you slap him---it's on!

[MizJ]

With one eye on Rev Wright and the other on the polls, Obama made a wonderful speech in how to sever ties with a man who dared to refer to him as just a "politician". And he did it so graciously to boot. How dare this former friend, mentor, father figure of 20 years reduce him to such low levels! This is "the One" we have all been waiting for who is going to unite us like we have never been united before. What he did to Rev Wright will come back to haunt him. But then, what are "friends" for?

[RKWM]

There it is again.

Doesn't our constitution say that all Americans have the right to worship the God of their choice in the church of their choice? Does a presidential candidate forfeit that right?

Do black churches require the approval of someone to pray as they choose? To sanction their communications with the Lord?

When Hillary was asked if the 8000 others at Wright's church should have walked out and she did not say "NO" wasn't she hedging on their rights, as well? They aren't running for office.

WHY IS IT that those who scream patriotism the loudest are always missing in action when it comes time to stand up and live out the principles upon which this nation was founded?

In failing to allow this principle to govern our conversations and actions in dealing with the Obama/Wright matter---weren't we doing just exactly what Wright criticized the nation for doing? Weren't we failing to live up to the best of what America can be?

That's Clinton leadership for ya! Charge!!!----in the wrong direction!

[Kwaayesnama]

My Grandmother was Polish.
She blamed all the problems in the world on the Jew"s.
She blamed WW2 on the Jew"s because they were trying to take over the world.
I still remember her telling her grandchildren to save our money and buy a house because we should not pay rent to a Jew.
Whenever some staple would go up in price in the store the Jew"s were stealing from us Catholic"s.
Did my grandmother embarrass me?
You bet!
Did I still love my Babchie?
Yep!
Why?
Because she was my Babchie and she made the best Pierogi, Golabki, and breads in the world.
Am I like my Babchie " Hell no " I support Barack Obama.

[Kwaayesnama]

Do you ever wonder why so many people are getting on the Barack Hussein Obama bus?

Could it be that this nation is becoming colorblind and does not care if a good person is black, white, red or tan?

Could it be that the American people don"t care if a person worships as a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or Jew?

Could it be that people remember the scandals of the Clinton years?

Could it be that the American people know that if it was not for the Clinton"s filth and scandals that Al Gore would be completing his second term in office.

Could it be that the American people remember Bush and McCain looking into our eyes and saying, "believe me there are weapons of mass destruction"?

Could it be that the American people are shell shocked that over 4,000 precious lives have been lost fighting the wrong war in the wrong country against the wrong enemy?

Could it be that the American people have noticed that the people that know the Clinton"s best are working on the Obama Campaign?

Could it be that the American people have noticed how mean spirited the Clinton"s have become " and will no longer tolerate their type of campaigning?

[Roshi98]

W has set the bar so low, I guess Obama being semi-articulate in his pauses, stammering, and fumbling must come across as positively godlike. It just proves the point that Obama on the fly sounds like an awkward rookie not quite ready for the big time. Talking a good game from the podium is one thing, but a leader proves themselves when faced with adversity in the smaller moments. Obama has much to learn.

[Vern58]

Right. Just because he tries to frame his words carefully- a lesson he has learned through sad experience- and not going about like some cut rate Valkyrie sloshing any untruth or filth without batting even an eye. Sorry, but give me a man who tries to think carefully about what he is saying, understanding their gravity, than a beer and shot slinging good old gal who talks about bombing an entire nation of people to smithereens and not missing a beat. That should be an easy one.

[CeciliaBertrand]

Rock On Tom D'Antoni, you've got insight and a good intellect. I for one appreciate your taking the time to share the truth.

Peace and Happiness!

[Retrofuturistic]

Yes. Obama acts like a gentleman. Someone who thinks before he speaks. He has not slandered Rev. Wright the way he has been slandered. It is a fine thing to see, when someone takes the high road. And it seems so rare, in our present society, which is run by thugs.

[Vern58]

Barack Obama's obvious anguish brought me to the verge of tears- Yet he was self possesed,calm, and dare i say it- Cool and collected. I know that this is the kind of person i want on the other end of that 3am phone call!
Obama 08

[bentenrai]

My take is perhaps we should create a TV media outlet debate in which CNN, Fox, ABC, MSNBC, PBS and others news sources are being asked questions by the people. That's feasible, and relatively inexpensive given our current technology.
If that happened, what questions would you ask them?

[Sanity01]

The only thing you forgot to mention is that he walks on water,too,

[MPeter]

He might as well. The truth is that D'Antoni is RIGHT. Obama is calm, diligent, poised and well-reasoned. He is too darn Presidential!! Thank you for a good piece.

[lainey]

Beautiful article. I have nothing to add except thank you for your thoughtful piece. I

[americanwhocares]

The rich and the ultra rich control the media (and use it as their propaganda tool). They do not want Obama because he is dedicated to a fair society, where everyone has a chance to enjoy life. That means redistributing some wealth from the rich and ultra rich to average Americans. They will not stand idle and allow that to happen, and for the most part Americans are too stressed out trying to survive day to day to understand it. That is what republicans love. American voters have a great opportunity in November 2008 to really change the direction of America. We will see if they take it or just vote for more of the same (McCain/Clinton).

[Sanity01]

It's taht wealth re-distribution thing that is worrying me and I think a few more. I am not rich, certainly not super rich- really not even middle class. But what is mine is mine! If I can accumulate more, I don't want you, Mr. Obama or anyone else re-distributing it to someone else.

[valkyrie607]

Don't look now, but you've already been distributed!

Eeek!

Only it's upward, not downward. Your hard-earned dollars have been siphoned into the pockets of the already-rich.

Oh, well, that's okay then.

[PennP]

I have never heard Obama advocate socialist doctrine. In fact, the other day he remarked that he liked the idea of market solutions to regulatory issues, something I did not see get any media play. That's a relatively conservative, definitely capitalistic perspective. He has also been endorsed by the Financial Times. Can't see them doing that with a Marxist. Rest easy, Obama will not take your stuff, and you can go ahead and have lots more.

[edgraham]

Good stuff, naturally - - I seem to agree with most of what you write, every time.

Being married to an Irish racist, I get to hear all of the reasons why Obama should never be president. There are still too many hateful white Americans. I really think they will go crazy when Obama is elected. Hope they count the votes this time.

Ed Graham

TD back on the radio. Is this a great country, or what?

[bentenrai]

Perhaps you ought to tell the Irish racist a little about how the WASP Englishmen packed Irish workers in the slave quarters with the blacks and started a biased treatment of black skinned and white skinned servants to keep them from ganging up. Racism trickled from the top down and is rooted in ignorance.

[edgraham]

Yes.

What you say is true. Her racism was also fueled by growing up in a very poor, all white, area. It is sad, but really cemented in the brain. It's as much generational as familial her family are true Dixiecrats, but this time they'll vote for McCain.

[mydogshakespeare]

Actually, I have NEVER thought of George W. Bush as "presidential". Sure, he has the title, and all, but "presidential"? Not for a poser like him; no way!

[MinneapolisBob]

We have a Presidential candidate in Sen. Obama who looks the part, can present himself extremely well, can represent OUR country better than any of the thee left running for the office, and will be respected around the world by our allies; and friends of the U.S.

On the other hand, we currently have a man who is still learning on the job (after over seven years). He still doesn't look the part, can't present himself well if his life depended on it, and embarrasses us when he tries to represent OUR country. He virtually has no respect from citizens around the world.

The irony: If Sen. Obama was white, he would win the candidacy in a landslide. If george w. bush was black, he wouldn't be president. This is what it means to be black or white in America.
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VOTE! Our freemdoms, rights and liberties are in danger. Remember the Supreme Court.

[scarlett3]

I agree totally. Obama has it all! He is poised, articulate, cool, calm and collective. Isn't that what we want in a president during a crisis? Or, do we want someone like we already have, who gets us into a never-ending war because he reacted without considering the possible outcome? You are correct in stating that if Obama's was a white man, he would be leading substantially and there would be no question who the nominee would be. It is so tragic that people are blinded by the Clinton's who offer the same old politics from the 90's, instead of tsomeone who offers true change. Let's not harp on experience either. He has experience. Hillary has only been senator for 2 1/2 years longer than Obama! How can you count her white house year's as experience? My sister has been married to a surgeon for 25 years. He often comes home and discusses his patients and how the surgery went with my sister. I don't think anyone would want her to operate on them!

[elderly]

Agree with everything you said except for the part that we have a man still learning at the job after 7 years. You give him far too much credit. He is incapable of learning anything.

[ohbomba]

Barack,Michelle, the Rev.'s Wright,Sharpton,Jackson and Farakhan...all racists.
Thefact that Barack said with regards to Rev.Wright,"This will change our relationship".
How about, This will end our relationship.

[BryantG]

A poor old black "racist" and a rich white CEO "racist" are like apples and oranges. Can blacks really be racist?

[nolalily]

Because it's too dramatic and childish. A wise person always leaves a door open if possible.

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L-!

[knighthowl]

Excellent observations. One caveat: Bush is not still learning on the job, HE NEVER BEGAN TO LEARN.

[useyourbrain]

They were both terrible, both stammering, stuttering and not knowing what or how to say it. It's just one has a better vocabulary. Neither is of Presidential stock. Get real. Open your eyes. Obama proved he cannot make a simple declarative statement. He was so unsure of himself he was practically falling off to one side. Not very inspiring.