Is Obama Too Honest? I think that is why I like him - but not

[leftyladyfrommo]

everyone likes that in people.

I found that out the hard way when I worked at a bank. Bank employees have a "social face" they wear while at work. They might as well be cardboard cutouts sitting at desks.

No one there ever gave any clues at all as to what their real persona might be. Just wasn't done. Wasn't acceptable.

[Kagemusha]

1. He's charismatic to boot so it comes off well

If he was more, Clintonian shall we say, maybe he could pull that off too in principle (though it wouldn't be his character it seems). Perhaps he's of the, what worth is the world if you lose your soul to gain it, type.

[GenDem]

2. After the past 6 years --

with the shadiest administration probably in the history of the republic....I'ld say we're ready for Obama. He is the polar opposite of *.

[justice1]

3. No, and I just read an MSNBC article about his past.

It's our attitudes that keep "good" people out of politics. We want candidates to pass litmus tests, that most of us would fail. People here on DU have admitted that skeletons in their closets, have prevented them running for office. We pressure candidates into lying to make them electable, and than act surprised when we find them to be corrupt.

[GeorgeGist]

4. He voted to confirm Condoleeza...

so obviously he isn't too honest.

[beaconess]

6. How does that make him dishonest? Did he lie about how he voted?

[beaconess]

5. Washington Post front page: "Effects of Obama's Candor Remain to be Seen"

The story ponders whether Obama's candor about his past will help or hinder him in the race.

Excuse me?

Have we reached the point where a politician's CANDOR is a PROBLEM?

I seem to recall the press beating up on Clinton for what they insisted was his lack of candor. They fell all over themselves loving Bush because he was supposedly such a "straight shooter" (yeah, right). And their lovefest with McCain continues to this day ostensibly because he's Mr. Straight Talk Express.

So now we have a politician who is truly truthful about his past and all they can do is speculate about whether this will HURT him?

Of course, the only people it will hurt him with is those who are pissed off because Obama has completely pre-empted any "gotcha" games at his expense.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. I don't think we value candor much. We expect people to convey

the proper facade - one of being squeaky clean with no history of any kind.

It bothers me a lot. We force people to be phony. We force people to lie about things. And we shouldn't. We have become the people of the lie. And I hate it.

[Mikey929]

7. Honesty or agreement?

While I welcome your good thoughts on Obama, I doubt if it's his honesty that really attracts you. For example, David Duke could speak as honestly as he could and you would find his opinions to be rightfully despicable. You wouldn't be praising his honesty. So it's not the honesty you value; it's that you agree with his stated position. Those are two different things.

All politicians -- from both sides of the aisle -- have to put on a public persona to work this game. That's just the plain truth about politicians. They say what they think they need to say to get people to like them. It starts in 8th grade when they're running for class president and it goes from there.

The problem is to find the guy who LEAST hides his true values, and who mostly agrees with your views on the world.

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. Personally, I like honesty.

I think it makes people really interesting.

I don't care for David Duke but he would be a lot more dangerous if he wasn't honest about who he is and what he believes.

Look at Bush. He didn't turn out to be what people voted for at all. They thought he was against Nation Building. He claimed he was against Nation Building. They thought he was a religious man - he isn't. They thought he was a compassionate conservative - he isn't unless you have wealth.

Nan. I like honest people. Those facades worry me.

[DrFunkenstein]

13. No, I Like Pat Buchanan For His Honesty

I think he is a candid speaker, extremely knowledgeable on most issues, but he just happens to be slightly loony.

Nevertheless, I appreciate candor for its own sake, regardless of ideology. I think it is a cornerstone of civil discourse.

[PresidentObama]

10. I don't think you can be too honest?!?

Obama is a very honest man. As are many of our candidates running. Honesty is one of the first characteristics I look for in a candidate, and honesty should serve Obama and many of the other 2008 Democrat candidates well if they win the nomination.

[ItNerd4life]

11. He is honest, doesn't conceal his weaknesses

That's the problem I have with Hillary. Is she for or against the war in Iraq? If she doesn't think the voters will agree with her, she hides what she really believes.

Maybe another way to put it is Obama says 'here I am, take it or leave it'.

[dajoki]

Delete -- Double post n/t

[dajoki]

12. Although I haven't decided...

who I will support in '08 I find his honesty refreshing, especially while we are suffering through the most dishonest administration in history. The question is, will the majority of voters feel the same way about honesty? I hate to say it, but, I don't think they are.