# Barack Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 28, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207 "2004-07-28T02:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/81 "2004-07-29T03:24:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Obama seems like a personable fella with an oratory gift and strong convictions. Presidents have been made from less, certainly. His speech was expertly crafted (by whom?) and delivered and his fans are many, apparently. I suspect he could be the first serious minority contender for the White House if he can continue to package himself well and doesn’t get caught felching a small animal. His speech has the key telltales of a major-league speechwriter, which is to be expected at that level. Frankly, I doubt Ron Reagan, Teddy Boy, Billy Boy, or the Two Al’s penned much/most of their speeches, either. Obama impressed me a great deal, but he needs more seasoning. As you might imagine, the GOP will be gunning for him big time. Let’s hope he stays on the straight and narrow. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/82 "2004-07-29T10:15:23Z")
If by Ron Reagan, you mean the former president, you are mistaken. Otherwise, carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/83 "2004-07-29T12:34:43Z")
> [@](#): > > His speech has the key telltales of a major-league speechwriter, which is to be expected at that level. As has been mentioned a couple of times already, Obama claims to have written the speech entirely on his own, subject to minimal editing by his staff and the DNC. He could be lying, I suppose, but that seems like an odd assumption to make. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/84 "2004-07-29T12:50:11Z")
Why? He’s a politician. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/85 "2004-07-29T12:54:23Z")
This name “Obama”…. It keeps reminding me of someone else, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on it….??? The only thing I get are these odd associations of twins, goat fucking and 72 virgin camels. Boy has that man been saddled with an unfortunate name! If ever there were a politician that needed a stage name, this is the one. How about “Bob”? [http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/](http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/86 "2004-07-29T13:19:05Z")
**Lib:** > [@](#): > > Why? He’s a politician. …And your faith in the innate peacefulness and honesty of humanity shines through again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/87 "2004-07-29T13:30:03Z")
> [@Gadarene](#): > > **Lib:** > …And your faith in the innate peacefulness and honesty of humanity shines through again. 🙂 Apples and Oranges **Gadarene**! Lib spoke of politicians, not humans. Everybody knows politicians belong in a different species entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/88 "2004-07-29T13:30:27Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > This name “Obama”…. It keeps reminding me of someone else, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on it….??? The only thing I get are these odd associations of twins, goat fucking and 72 virgin camels. > Boy has that man been saddled with an unfortunate name! If ever there were a politician that needed a stage name, this is the one. How about “Bob”? > > [http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/](http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/) Could you elaborate on all of this a little bit, please? I’d like to hear more of what you have to say on this topic, what you think it means, how it reflects other aspects of your thinking, and how consistent it might be with others who share your political affiliation and points of view. ---
**Author:** ![Razorsharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Razorsharp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razorsharp)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/89 "2004-07-29T13:47:38Z")
> [@](#): > > “What a speech!!” > > “Wow!!” > > “What passion!!” > > “Was that speech something, or what?” Comments overheard from patrons leaving the Hofbrauhaus, Munich Germany, 24 Februrary, 1920. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/90 "2004-07-29T14:00:26Z")
That may be the funniest post I’ve ever seen on the SDMB. Although not, perhaps, for the reasons its author intended. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/91 "2004-07-29T14:05:52Z")
> [@](#): > > “What?” > > “Huh?” > > “What nonsense!” > > “Did he just actually just compare appreciation for Barack Obama’s DNC speech to the worship of Hitler, or what?” Comments overheard from Dopers reading **Razorsharp** ’s bizarre contribution to this thread, July, 2004. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/92 "2004-07-29T14:11:49Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > Could you elaborate on all of this a little bit, please? I’d like to hear more of what you have to say on this topic, what you think it means, how it reflects other aspects of your thinking, and how consistent it might be with others who share your political affiliation and points of view. It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people – probably as a result of internalising all this anal retentive political correct bullshit. Nothing in this world so great as being proven right. I was having a little immature and lame fun on his name, not a deep political analysis. Though I think any man having a name resembling nothing so much as a satire on Osama Goat Laden of nearly Monty Pythonsk proportions is faced with a bit of a handicap. How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/93 "2004-07-29T14:26:29Z")
> [@](#): > > It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people This is turning out to be quite the entertaining thread! I love the “normal people” bit; you slipped it in effortlessly. 😃 > [@](#): > > Though I think any man having a name resembling nothing so much as a satire on Osama Goat Laden of nearly Monty Pythonsk proportions is faced with a bit of a handicap. How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points. But wait… 1. You say that Obama is faced with a handicap because of his name. 2. You say that how much of a handicap depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. 2a) This implies that the more of a handicap one thinks Obama faces, the less faith one has in the intelligence of the American people. 1. You say that faith in the intelligence of the American people is not a strong point for liberals. Now, let’s say I don’t think Obama faces any handicap at all because of his name. (True, actually.) This must mean that I have greater faith in the intelligence of the American people than you do (as “a bit” is more of a handicap than “none”). Does it also follow, then, that you’re more liberal than I am? Damn, the things you learn. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/94 "2004-07-29T14:37:02Z")
> [@Gadarene](#): > > Now, let’s say I don’t think Obama faces any handicap at all because of his name. (True, actually.) This must mean that I have greater faith in the intelligence of the American people than you do (as “a bit” is more of a handicap than “none”). Does it also follow, then, that you’re more liberal than I am? Touché! But wait! If I’m more liberal than you, then you must be more conservative than me. And if you’re more to the right than me you’re a slave holding Nazi that eat little immigrant babies at full moon, probably you drive a suv. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/95 "2004-07-29T14:38:54Z")
> [@](#): > > If I’m more liberal than you, then you must be more conservative than me. And if you’re more to the right than me you’re a slave holding Nazi that eat little immigrant babies at full moon, probably you drive a suv. That’s a scurrilous lie! The babies aren’t immigrants. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/96 "2004-07-29T15:11:32Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > If by Ron Reagan, you mean the former president, you are mistaken. Otherwise, carry on. Carry on, then - Ron, Jr. gave an impassioned speech about the necessity of embryonic stem cell research (in which he didn’t mention Alzheimer’s or his father once, by the way). ---
**Author:** ![Razorsharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Razorsharp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razorsharp)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/97 "2004-07-29T15:22:34Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > “Did he just actually just compare appreciation for Barack Obama’s DNC speech to the worship of Hitler, or what?”. No, it was a comparison of people who are easily swayed by nothing more than rhetoric, while in search of a savior. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/98 "2004-07-29T15:36:03Z")
**Rune** : > [@](#): > > It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people – probably as a result of internalising all this anal retentive political correct bullshit. Compare Al Franken and Michael Moore to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Ann Coulter. Compare “Doonesbury” to “Mallard Fillmore”. Liberalism and satire mesh nicely together. When conservatives try to be funny, they just come off sounding mean (or in the case of GWB, pathetic). As for political correctness, conservatives have roared past liberals in that departent in the past few years. What is patriotism if not a form of political correctness? And look at the reaction to gay marriage, the challenge to “under God” in the PoA, the removal of 10 Commandment monuments, etc. And what kind of reaction would you get if you criticize a Republican candidate or appointee for being too religious? [quote] How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points. [quote] You’ve got to be friggin’ kidding! Conservatives have this black-and-white view of things while liberals struggle with the complexity of the real world. One look at Bush canpaign ads and it’s clear that conservatives have placed their faith in the _lack_ of intelligence of the American people. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/99 "2004-07-29T16:11:08Z")
**sqweels** , not sure how you managed to get into my head and post on every point I was going to make, and somehow do it more eloquently than I could have, but stop it, okay? Please? Damn liberals, with their frickin’ telepathy…_grumble, grumble_ ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/100 "2004-07-29T16:25:58Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people You’re probably right. Normal people, as opposed to liberals, would never flip out over someone making a lame joke about Bush’s name, such as remarking on how it is the same as a slang term for a portion of the female anatomy. I’m glad to know that those normal people wouldn’t do something so stupid such as call for the release of videotape to prove that lame jokes about someone’s name had been made. Thank you for both your lucid and thoughtful observation about the nature of liberals and humor, and your sparkling wit! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207.md?page=6)