He was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama – a ‘light-skinned’ African American ‘with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,’ as he said privately.
Journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann • In their new book, “Game Change,” regarding Harry Reid. Reid, of course, is the Senate Majority Leader, and a line like this could hurt his political career. Reid obviously and quickly apologized. “I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans,” Reid said, “especially African Americans for my improper comments.” The book itself covers a the 2008 presidential race and how Obama was reportedly pressured to run. Awesome. source
We dodged a bullet but just barely. It was averted by brave individuals, not because the system worked, and that is not acceptable.
President Barack Obama • Speaking with his staff today in the White House just before he made a speech on the Christmas terror attack – the one where he got the Underwear Bomber in his stocking. Obama pulled no punches and totally admitted it was a screw-up by his staff, one that they’re working on. source
2004 GOP candidate Jack Ryan had to drop out due to a sex scandal. They brought Alan Keyes to run against Obama instead. That didn’t work out too well. Obama won.
2010 A year after the Roland Burris appointment saga, GOP Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (a fierce Obama opponent) is being dogged by rumors that he’s gay. Oy. source
Talk about killer PR for James Cameron and crew. The First Family went to go see Avatar today, which has made $268 million already in box-office receipts in less than three weeks. But so as not to disrupt filmgoers surprised by the sight of the president, they got their own screen in Honolulu to watch it on. The president gets some pretty sweet treatment, guys. souce
criticism Former veep Dick Cheney’s take on Obama: “He seems to think if he gives terrorists the rights of Americans, lets them lawyer up and reads them their Miranda rights, we won’t be at war.”
smackdown The administration’s take on Dick Cheney: “It is telling that Vice President Cheney and others seem to be more focused on criticizing the Administration than condemning the attackers.” Ouch. source
Aww, it’s a love-in! Departing Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine’s closest confidante in D.C., Barack Obama, gave Kaine a call yesterday, referring to himself as “Barry from D.C.” It’s a too-cute-for-words moment that the right is going to try to find a reason to jump all over.
When it comes to effort,
[Obama] should get a straight A. He’s out there with tremendous energy and he’s selling his ideas. And he has great enthusiasm there. He’s a great speaker, a great communicator.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger • Stretching his big, muscular arm across party lines in giving Obama a pat on the back for his first year in office. Schwarzenegger says that Obama has to “be tough, just continue on, never give up, eventually he’s going to get all those things done.” You know, like the Terminator does when he’s trying to save Sarah Connor. source
Mr. Obama has put a high value on process and keeping things moving, recognizing that history generally does not remember the to and fro, only the big sweep of presidential accomplishments.
New York Times reporter Peter Baker • In an analysis piece on the recent pushes he’s made to get stuff done, even if it’s meant that the ends – particularly on climate change, although health care is the same way – don’t look anything like the means. The downside of this, of course, is that he’s had to compromise to achieve basic goals instead of more complex ones. Are these victories worth the paper they’re written on? We’ll find out. source
He came. He did a quick deal. He left. That was how US President Barack Obama intervened in the global warming conference in Copenhagen and whether he saved it from total deadlock or condemned it to issuing a powerless piece of paper depends on your point of view.
BBC Correspondent Paul Reynolds • Discussing the nature of Obama’s quick deal-making in Copenhagen. A few interesting things about the conference: Obama dealt with China and a few other large but unexpected countries – India, Brazil, South Africa – but left Russia and the EU out of it (shockingly). Also, the forum may have just been the wrong choice for something this monumental. Family reunions this big tend to fall apart due to lots of infighting. source