tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post3297239822487906114..comments2023-11-02T06:58:54.782-04:00Comments on Dissection and Introspection: Embarrassing Obama?MediaMavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12548519999729515206noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post-3549369656835530732008-07-20T08:53:00.000-04:002008-07-20T08:53:00.000-04:00People tell me that I'm a picky eater, but I don't...People tell me that I'm a picky eater, but I don't think anyone would ever call my food choices "elitist" because a) that's a retarded charge, and b) the meals I eat are very traditional. <BR/><BR/>Being "picky" doesn't automatically make you an elitist, but telling Iowa farmers that you're a big fan of "arugula" will probably turn a few heads. <BR/><BR/>Having said that, I still agree with Pet. I care far less about Obama's eating habits and far more about his policy initiatives.mikhailbakuninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158822054353654203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post-40454619618623761232008-07-18T17:54:00.000-04:002008-07-18T17:54:00.000-04:00I'm pretty much against candidates going onto talk...I'm pretty much against candidates going onto talk shows to garner votes and show the American public that they (the candidates) are just like them (Americans). They're not like regular Americans. I hate the need to vote for someone who would be a good next door neighbor. That's how you get Bushes in the White House (though I have less issues with Bush Sr. than a lot of liberals; that whole throwing up on the Japanese prime minister was blown way out of proportion). Anyway, I don't know if Obama should have put his daughters out in the limelight, simply because it makes it easier for the press to go after them. Overall though, I think that it is now all part of the game. I do sort of question the decision to go on Access Hollywood though; The Today Show would have been more... ...on the level.<BR/><BR/>"I've also read comments that said that by being so picky about food he's only reinforcing that label."<BR/>I just flashed on The West Wing episode where it comes out that the president doesn't like green beans and that became a huge issue!<BR/><BR/>Other than that, I can't see how being picky is very elitist; obviously it is kind of elitist, but I think picky eaters transcend political/economic/social boundaries. And it seems silly to say that something a kid in middle class America is doing probably right this second is elitist behavior, you know?petplutohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01053307189721906583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post-4868229163668059592008-07-18T11:55:00.000-04:002008-07-18T11:55:00.000-04:00Pet, reading the Newsweek article a few weeks ago ...Pet, reading the Newsweek article a few weeks ago I did get the feeling that Cindy McCain that she fawns over her husband, that he can never do no wrong. While I prefer people to criticize (obviously), I've just found some of Michelle Obama's comments a little much. <BR/><BR/>I do agree that the Access Hollywood interview was meant to counter the elitist association that has cropped up around him (it was in an earlier draft of the post), but I've also read comments that said that by being so picky about food he's only reinforcing that label. <BR/><BR/>It actually never occured to me that the remarks could be scripted, a huge oversight in my thinking. Do you think Obama made a mistake in doing the interview, as he claimed (or that he should have given the interview to another outlet, possibly one more prestigious, like Today)?MediaMavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12548519999729515206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post-49127162467660703682008-07-18T10:11:00.000-04:002008-07-18T10:11:00.000-04:00I kind of agree with Jer here, though I did find t...I kind of agree with Jer here, though I did find the comments about Obama's snoring habits and smell to be a bit much. I think Michelle Obama has been handling the campaign season exceedingly well; Cindy McCain has too. There have been some gaffes and some missteps by both of them along the way, and they (especially Michelle) have been torn into by the media way more than they have ever deserved.<BR/><BR/>I think that the Access Hollywood thing was supposed to show that Obama is very much an everyman, to combat the accusation that he is an elitist (and can I just say that I hate we even have to do that?). I would also think that Michelle's comments aren't strictly off the cuff, that there has been some vetting of some kind -even if only she herself was doing the vetting. That kind of takes the spontaneity -and the affection- out of a playful comment.<BR/><BR/>For myself, I would much rather vote for the man who seems to see his wife as an equal -and a wife who believes she is an equal- than the man whose wife seems to be something of a subordinate. I may be completely off-base, given that I have no idea what happens in either of their marriages- but Cindy McCain, as much as I like her (and I really do), gives off the impression that her husband can do no or very little wrong in her eyes. She's not quite Nancy Reagan, but she's more in that field than Michelle Obama is.<BR/><BR/>I also think it is important to note that Cindy McCain said the same thing in 2000, that if her husband didn't win she didn't want him running again. And yet, eight years later McCain's wishes are being fulfilled.petplutohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01053307189721906583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8694040304727321463.post-45632307873372048072008-07-17T22:27:00.000-04:002008-07-17T22:27:00.000-04:00I think you're way off base here, Steph. Michelle ...I think you're way off base here, Steph. Michelle Obama is ALWAYS building her husband up. She rarely critiques him at all. . . and, when she does, it's typically to complain that "he works too hard" or "he cares too much." The Access Hollywood interview was a total anomaly, and even there I didn't detect any hint of vitriol. The "attacks" all seemed pretty playful--and even a bit contrived.mikhailbakuninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158822054353654203noreply@blogger.com