So just how bad was Barack Obama's performance at the Saddleback Church faith-based forum last night? To read the cautious mainstream media reports, such as CNN, on the event you would think that Obama was merely "thoughtful" as reported by Michael M. Bates here on NewsBusters today. However, in a few media outlets a much blunter appraisal of Obama's performance can be found such as in the U.K. Telegraph. The very title of their article, "Barack Obama fails to shine alongside John McCain," gives a good idea of writer Alex Spillius' opinion of the event (emphasis mine):
As a regular church-goer comfortable talking about his faith, Mr Obama is ostensibly better placed than most recent Democratic candidates to win over evangelicals.
But his support of abortion, a non-negotiable issue for many conservative Christians, remains a considerable obstacle, and he drew disapproving noises from the 2,800 audience at Saddleback in Lake Forest, California when he gave an evasive response to the question of when human rights begin for a baby.
"Whether you are looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade," said Mr Obama.
Spillius contrasted what he called an "evasive answer" with John McCain's response:
Mr McCain, who has always been against abortion, in contrast gave a swift response: "At the moment of conception", drawing a loud round of applause.
Perhaps the best measure of Obama's performance can be seen among a group that normally includes his strongest supporters, the leftwing blogosphere. Despite some brave attempts by some in that arena to put a happy face on Obama's appearance at Pastor Rick Warren's forum, even they were forced to express disappointment as you can see in both the Democratic Underground and the Daily Kos. The very title of the DU thread, "I won't win cool points for this, but McCain is doing excellent so far, better than Obama," expresses something less than a vote of confidence for Obama. Here are a few examples of just how disappointed the DUers were in Obama last night:
...I honestly can't remember hardly any of Senator Obama's answers to the questions that were asked, while McCain has had at least SOME memorable answers.
I think it was a mistake for Senator Obama to do this forum.
I've been shocked at how well McCain has done compared to what I was expecting. That very well could be it.
I don't know why Obama went there - he comes across as a poor second to our "McZero the hero".
Meanwhile, the Kossacks tried not too convincingly to believe that McCain didn't really win as you can see from this thread title, "Why McCain's 'win' wasn't really a win at the FBF." The author of the thread might be trying to convince the other Kossacks that McCain didn't win but many others weren't buying it as you can see:
McCain beat our a** tonight.
We have been here before. You don't bring Karate to a gun fight. You bring an Uzzi. McCain brought an Uzzi. Obama brought a pocket knife and got ambushed. It's time to stop this crap.
His answer "above my pay grade" will be in an ad tomorrow. He appeared to give non answers to me. And he must have said uh and um a hundred times!
OBAMA GOT CREAMED...NO OTHER WAY TO LOOK at it.
Try as the MSM can to avoid mentioning just how poorly Obama performed last night in comparison with McCain, many on the left, as you can see, are very upfront in expressing their disappointment. You can see an even larger sampling of leftwing depression over Obama's performance at the DUmmie FUnnies.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.
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Well, I'll be darned, some
August 17, 2008 - 13:35 ET by bigtimerWell, I'll be darned, some on the left at these sites speak the truth...and have to be very worried.
McCain hit it out of the park last night....he was very, very good.
If any of you didn't get to watch it and are curious...watch it ...it is well worth it.
Political ads are going to be rich coming from this last night...for the good side of the aisle.
I'll tell ya' what...this is going to make the convention even more interesting...you can be sure the delegates watched this....Obama was pathetic...he showed himself for what he really is...an empty suited sock-puppet...a pathetic one at that.
Hillary has to still have a big ol' smile on her face today....
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I agree BT - I'm very glad I watched it
August 17, 2008 - 13:45 ET by Dee BunkDid you have the same experience as me of not thinking Obama did that bad (as far as how the uninformed would see him) but then after McCain, it made his performance seem completely pathetic.
Hi Dee... We almost
August 17, 2008 - 13:52 ET by bigtimerHi Dee...
We almost turned it because IMO Obama was utterly pathetic, boring ect....I am glad we didn't though....
McCain beat Obama like a red-headed step child...no doubt about it....
I have two pages of notes I haven't even got to on the forum last night....
We were both happy we watched it...and I wasn't going to...sure glad I did now.
My husband is now going to vote for McCain....so this had to help McCain in more ways than we know...
One thing about it...the left knows...that's for sure...the are very worried, as they should be....
I posted on the other thread about this subject a bit ago...(haven't been here all that long yet....most likely going to have to go pretty quick too...just wanted to get my two cents in about all of this real quick...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT - I thought about giving up to because Obama was so boring
August 17, 2008 - 14:15 ET by Dee BunkI did think he came across as likable though and thought that McCain would do even worse.
What a pleasant surprise and it's really made me think a lot differently about McCain and his past "Maverik" stuff that irritated me so much. Now I see him as more of an honest person who I just disagree with on some issues.
A person who turned down release from a torturous prisoner of war camp on principal is certainly more likely than the average politician to keep his word to voters. Obama showed himself to be a completely average politician. If McCain does become President, no doubt he will do things we don't like, but I think he'll keep his word on judges. I've always liked him on National security and even though he made some not so flattering comments about Alito in the beginning, he is really the one most responsible for getting both Roberts and Alito confirmed.
Whenever a liberal actually
August 18, 2008 - 03:13 ET by Andrew H.Whenever a liberal actually agrees to answer questions (rare), the liberal usually sounds confused and has to resort to general (empathetic, careful, deceitful) language because--he's a vacuous liberal.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Too bad he didn't think to
August 17, 2008 - 13:51 ET by motherbeltToo bad he didn't think to use a "lifeline" to call one of his speechwriters!
LOL!
I found this site that has the video and transcript of the forum, for anyone who missed it and wants to see it. That includes me...I will be watching it as soon as I get caught up here.
There is one comment on the page; a guy who said he loves them both! (LOL...how is that possible??) and would love to see them on the same ticket!!
Yeah, I can picture The One offering the old guy the VP slot, out of pity....in honor of his 50 years of service....
Hey, I take no responsibility for the page's content!....I"m only there for the video!!
Thanks mother,
August 17, 2008 - 13:53 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI knew I could count on someone on this site having a link to the debate. I did miss it and am not surprised that bho apparently did so poorly-there was no teleprompter, how could he do well?
All of us here know that is why he would not do any townhall meetings with McCain. I guess we could entertain ourselves in the next debate counting his "ummm's".
obama performance and left wing blogs
August 17, 2008 - 13:36 ET by charlietexasI'm shocked that they are so honest. Maybe, that ought to be depressed and upset. They're critique's are right on. Hillary would have been a much better opponent of ours. She is right, too that Obama cannot win. There has to be much more dirt in his file coming that the Clinton's have on him. She wants McCain to win so she can run in 4 years.
McCain really did a super job last night. He was honest and knew his answers many times before Warren could get the questions out.
I agree -Hillary would have been much better as far as knowledge
August 17, 2008 - 13:53 ET by Dee Bunk(she's smarter) and experience. She could have gone toe to toe with McCain on that. I still think her answers would have come off as disingenuous on many things though. McCain came across very very authentic and has even won me over. I don't have any blind admiration like these Obama bots but I see him more as an honest forthright person that I just disagree with on some issues.
I really do believe that he will pick much better and more qualified judges and will protect our National security interests much better.
Hillary in the wings?
August 17, 2008 - 21:45 ET by Mike BatesHillary would have been a much better opponent of ours.
She still could be.
Thank you, Michael Bates!
August 17, 2008 - 21:58 ET by R D HelmNice to see at least one contributor around here thinks it possible that HRC just may yet be the dem nominee.
Lol, as only myself and a couple other members seem to think this a possibility.
I think buyer's remorse is far more serious among the dems than they are letting on, and I am gauging that in part based on what several of my dem friends are telling me, most of which were ardent Obamatons early-on.
-Dave.
One more chance for Mrs. Clinton
August 17, 2008 - 22:14 ET by Mike BatesOh, no, Dave. Thank you.
Smart Hillary bides her time
Nice piece, Michael.
August 17, 2008 - 22:56 ET by R D HelmEither Barry-O is fibbing, or he hires people for reasons other than their qualifications.
If its the latter, it doesn't say much for his management skills.
-Dave.
Gracias, Dave
August 17, 2008 - 23:02 ET by Mike Batesas they say in Chicago. . .
Dream on RD
August 17, 2008 - 22:24 ET by Cool ArrowI also hope her visions of grandeur still reach into this next election.
Obama didn't fare so well last night. He was evasive and disingenuous throughout his interview and it showed. Possibly he could have looked more foolish if he'd had a big booger hanging from his nose, but not by much.
I ♣ my seal
...and just may
August 17, 2008 - 21:58 ET by bigtimer...and just may be....
...we better be careful here....
Obama cannot make it to be the Prez nomination for the dems IMO...she just may.
I'm looking forward to watching their convention....but who really knows what may happen, plenty of delegates watched last night...don't tell me there isn't some very worried realistic people in the leftist party burning the phone wires....lol.
Politics is a blood sport....and it is heading that way....the long knives are coming out.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I have suits in my closet with more stuff in them
August 17, 2008 - 13:54 ET by Iowa BoyI watched this event, between innings of listening to my Cubs loose to the Marlins. God help me, I hate fish but, I digress. Senator Obama is an fantastic orator. Yet without a script, he's out of ammunition. Senator McCain actually had me feeling like I had reasons to vote FOR him rather than AGAINST Senator Obama.
"Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain." Official Motto of the State of Iowa
I agree. I just watched
August 17, 2008 - 15:17 ET by motherbeltI agree. I just watched the video.
My opinion, which is free and worth every penny!:
McCain was comfortable in his skin; comfortable with expressing his thoughts, because they ARE his thoughts.
As I said before I even watched it (and I was proved right in the viewing) while Obama spoke slowly and "thoughtfully," you could almost see the wheels turning furiously inside his head: Should I say that? How about this? What sounds better? What should I say next; have I said enough?
Big Mistake, Barack
August 17, 2008 - 14:17 ET by neighbSeems as though Oblahma is taking a page out of the John Kerry playbook: nuance, nuance, nuance.
Didn’t work in ‘04 and won’t in ‘08.
The problem is that that’s all Obomba has. Nothing but an empty suit who’s every other word is, “ah, ah, ah, er, er, ah, ya know, ah, er, ya know, ah.”
How ’bout just giving us a direct answer to a question….ANY QUESTION.
It is IMPOSSIBLE to be a logical, rational thinker...AND a Democrat
I took a peek at some of the DU threads.
August 17, 2008 - 14:21 ET by TeeDeeFor many, to them it was "clear" that John McCain had gotten the questions in advance and that is why he did so well.
Anyway, I was LMBO last night at the hand-wringing and histrionics. They're really quite entertaining.
"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so" - Ronald Reagan
I didn't watch the entire
August 17, 2008 - 14:32 ET by GregEI didn't watch the entire thing. I saw half of Obama, then came in a little late into the McCain portion.
McCain, at one point said something like "I'd like to get to the Supreme Court Justice" question. Did he say get "back to it" or "get to it?"
What I'm asking is, had it been talked about at all before he mentioned it?
Greg - it came up when they talked about abortion and Gay
August 17, 2008 - 14:42 ET by Dee BunkMarriage and McCain asked if he could talk about judges or would there be other questions on it and Warren told him they'd get into that in more detail later.
Ahhh ok thanks. The reason
August 17, 2008 - 14:55 ET by GregEAhhh ok thanks. The reason I asked is as I read a liberal blog's comment section (the blog is mentioned in another NB topic today), someone mentioned that McCain mentioned getting to the question about judges, a question that hadn't yet even been asked, so there was no way for him to know that question was coming if that were true. That made me curious.
Thanks for the reply.
The Truth Hurts
August 17, 2008 - 14:53 ET by Lee BoggsThe pain in the MSM's voices were audible after the forum. It hurt them to see McCain waxing Obama, and then have to talk about and the best compliment any of them could give to BHO is that he was "thoughtful."
They call it thoughtful. I call it wordy, rambling, unfocused, afraid. His rapid blinking about gave me a seizure.
Left Wing Depression...and...
August 17, 2008 - 15:35 ET by BlondeThe power of positive panicking.
Excellent!
Those comments are a riot, thanks!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Did you see the KOS posting
August 17, 2008 - 16:36 ET by motherbeltDid you see the KOS posting about why McCain didn't really win?
Kristina40 says he only gave a stump speech, and Obama came across as....wait for it.......thoughtful! LOL
She also said
Remember McCain pronouncing "America" as "Amuurica"? How many times do you figure we'll be hearing that in an ad soon?
I'm guessing not as many times as we'll be hearing Obama say "Above my pay grade."
Also, I can't wait for Rush's next montage of Obama's "uh"s and "um"s....probably a full two minutes' worth, with no repeats!
McCain cheated...
August 17, 2008 - 15:58 ET by Parker1227...by having a carefully considered center/right philosophy of life from which to draw on for answers.
I almost feel sorry for Obama and everyone else on the left who has been saturated with the leftist hysteria, hate mongering and cult-o-victimization coming from the Reverend Wrights and Phlegers of the world. Just look what this "philosophy" has done to many of our nations major cities.
Obama got creamed?
August 17, 2008 - 16:20 ET by goldenthroatAnd it was all Geoge W. Bush's fault!
"I think we're all bozos on this bus!" - Firesign Theatre
Town Hall meetings!
August 17, 2008 - 16:22 ET by Parker1227If Obama's numbers slip another 5 or 10 points, he will be forced out of desperation to agree to some town hall debates, where "McCain the Wrecking Crane" will repeat last night's performance.
(Election night with NBC's Brian Williams: "We have been trying to avoid the negative stereotypes of past history, but it is now becoming clear that history does indeed repeat itself, and when the American public perceives a candidate as being too far left of center there is a political price to be paid. One word, one name comes to mind, and that name is - McGovern.")
Dee
August 17, 2008 - 17:01 ET by DelsaMy brother called me from Alaska and asked if I watched? I said not and he made me promise to watch the replay at midnight.
My brother is a reluctant voter for McCain and thought he was GREAT!
I did what my brother asked.
First SOBama was up. Honestly, with few exceptions, I couldn't follow a single answer. It was just incredible how the non answer answers droned on and on?
I figured he had done what he needed to do just because of his GOD complex and all but THEN McCain.
He was GREAT. My brother was correct. I did not agree with all of his points BUT He proved he has a Core and Core Beliefs that guide him.
He made me proud of him and he showed SOBama to be what he is MA-HOLLO-MAN
Delsa - It was such a pleasant surprise - I was a reluctant
August 17, 2008 - 21:22 ET by Dee Bunkvoter also, now I feel good about voting for McCain (even though I'd rather have had someone more conservative).
I may even contribute some money to his campaign now.
Fly on the wall
August 17, 2008 - 17:33 ET by BarrackWouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall at the Andrea Mitchell / Alan Greenspan dinner table?
Andrea: I can't believe they think I'm biased towards Obama!
Alan: Are you?
Andrea: Yes, but I can stay objective
Alan: Whatever, pass the biscuits.
www.benbarrack.com
I guess "ole George
August 17, 2008 - 18:21 ET by RMRI guess "ole George Clooney" have his work cut for him, huh?
George Clooney: "Hi Barry! Substance is not your strong suit! You have got to woo them with your "messiah-personality"!
"One - two- three - now woooo - and wooo- and ..."!
Substance
August 17, 2008 - 18:22 ET by BarrackGiving the crowds "A" Substance is a better idea...
www.benbarrack.com
What Clooney really told him....
August 17, 2008 - 19:15 ET by motherbeltWhen you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with Bull$hit
Lately, I have been
August 17, 2008 - 18:45 ET by gopsteveLately, I have been somewhat warming to McCain (agreeing to drill), even though I have many misgivings about him.
I honestly was not expecting much from him, but I was impressed with his answers and how he delivered them with conviction.
The "pay scale" answer can work to show how Obama avoids taking a stand on a big issue. I think that was his "voted for it before voting against it" (or vice versa?) comment.
I did not see this, but the
August 17, 2008 - 19:14 ET by muh-oonI did not see this, but the pay scale answer does sound pretty bad. It sounds like he is trying to relate to the common man, but has only been around government employees his whole life.
Above my pay grade
August 18, 2008 - 00:27 ET by Cool ArrowObviously Obama doesn't think he has the right to evaluate, as a rational thinking human being, when life actually takes on vested worth.
And when he said it was a matter of perspective, I wondered aloud if "eliminating a carbon emitting threat to the environment" could someday be successfully employed as a defense against first degree murder charges.
I ♣ my seal
Where's Biff?
August 17, 2008 - 19:11 ET by CobraManBTW, Where's Biff McCain? I was going to suggest that he change his signature line to: "I know how to win debates"
Cobra.... ROFL! ...Now
August 17, 2008 - 19:20 ET by bigtimerCobra....
ROFL!
...Now that's a humdinger........
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
They should be disappointed
August 18, 2008 - 00:56 ET by Cool ArrowBarabas Obama came across as the kid who stayed up all night playing video games rather than studying for an oral exam.
I'm beginning to wonder if Obama isn't a product of "The soft bigotry of low expectations". Unless I miss my assessment, this was not a true Harvard Law graduate we saw last night.
Hey, there's lots of illiterate athletes out there too. And George Clooney is also imputed wisdom as a result of dialogue and mannerisms scripted for him.
Yes, I think the Dems are involved in something very sinister here. Obama's handlers left him hanging out there, may6be to prove to him he needs to memorize his lines better and stay on script.
I ♣ my seal
Maybe he got into Harvard
August 18, 2008 - 04:18 ET by Jack BauerMaybe he got into Harvard on a basketball scholarship. He did shoot that hoop pretty good in Afghanistan!
So in case you were wondering why the President of the Harvard Law Review didn't clerk for a high profile Judge, but became a "community organizer," now you know.
"above my pay
August 18, 2008 - 04:14 ET by Jack BauerMost things seem to be above the Nowhere Man's pay grade.
Number one being President of the United States. That's not only above his pay grade, it's way above his abilities.
Obama Performance at Saddleback NOT a surprise.
August 18, 2008 - 14:49 ET by jrichFor anyone who has been
slightly objective in watching Obama's performance for the past several months, his poor performance at
Saddleback comes as no surprise.
Why?
He had no teleprompter, and
he had to, more or less, answer specific questions without the benefit of someone feeding him the answers.
The man is an EMPTY
SUIT. He has no more ability that the news reporters who read the news from teleprompters. They mostly
look good, usually beautiful; they sound good, but they
have no real depth of comprehension concerning WHAT they are reading,
or its implications.
Such is Obama. A
pleasant looking and pleasant sounding teleprompter reader.
I think the best
metaphor for Obama is the Wizard in the Wizard of OZ.
But the scenario has to be modified a bit.
In the Wizard of
OZ , the person behind the curtain controlling the Wizard was actually
the same person speaking for the Wizard.
Not so with Obama.
With Obama, the person
controlling the Wizard (Obama) is not Obama,
but David Axelrod, a Chicago political consultant; and the person(s) speaking for the Wizard (Obama) are a motley assortment
of 300 political handlers.
The Wizard (Obama) in
this case is more like a modern science fiction split-personality cyborg, amalgamated from 300+ different individuals
into a hologram who appears to
be striving to be an integrated person who is all things to all
people--thereby maximizing total votes received (hopefully). He stands on no fixed
principles, and strives to offend no one (other than conservatives).
I have just argued
myself wrong.
Obama is NOT an EMPTY
SUIT. He is a SUIT EMPTY of himself, and
EMPTY of Principle; a SUIT filled with a
concocted split-personality, devised by puppet-string-pullers, calculated to allow the best
opportunity for political back-roomers to ascend to political power.
Jerry Richardson
Pearland, TX