Observing oneself is a difficult if not an impossible exercise

[burythehatchet]

but it is critical if one is to understand one's own behavior, emotions and actions.

The Barack Obama phenomenon has been one of the most interesting subjects for introspection in a long time. Why/when do I like him? Why/when do I dislike him?

After long periods of introspective analysis, here is what I have gleaned about my feelings about this president.

Why/when do I like him?

I like him...

1. when he talks about grand ideas with little or no detail
   
2. when he interacts with people on a 1 to 1 basis
   
3. when he gives a speech on difficult issues like race relations
   
4. when he is being a father
   
5. because he never attacks an opponent
   
6. because he rarely tells lies
   
7. because he inspires regular folks who are politically disenfranchised
   

Why/when do I not like him?

I dislike him....

1. when he appoints a treasury secretary
   
2. when he appoints a commerce secretary
   
3. when he appoints a defense secretary
   
4. when he tries to appoint a flawed HHS secretary
   
5. when he appoints a proven enemy of Democratic ideals as his Chief of Staff
   
6. when he tossed aside Howard Dean (this is emotional)
   
7. because he continues to believe that Republickans are decent people
   
8. because he continues to push for the TARP scam
   
9. because he is going to give away more tax cuts in the new economic package
   

So it seems to me that I love the man in the way that a subject might love a King. But in the ways of governance, in the ways of surrounding himself with competent policymakers, he is the same old retread as Bill Clinton, possibly worse.

So... :shrug:

[sandnsea]

1. Awww, he recognizes you don't have all the answers

:cry:

That's what you said there, seems to me. You don't like him because he doesn't agree with you 100%.

Rahm is not an enemy of Democratic ideals. TARP is not a scam. There are great tax cuts in the economic package.

It's just as possible to be guilty of black/white thinking even if you're not a rigid republican.

[burythehatchet]

2. I can always expect a thoughtful reply from you.

:thumbsup:

[sandnsea]

3. Awww, you don't like being told the truth

:cry:

I can always expect that response from whiny-ass DUers.

[burythehatchet]

4. the brilliant use of emoticons is awe-inspriring, especially from one in sole posession of The Truth

see you on soup line

[sandnsea]

5. As opposed to you

who has broad-brushed the entirety of an Administration based on a few actions that You deem to be "The Truth".

[burythehatchet]

6. I think the challenge you are dealing with is that you don't really read to understand.

My entire post was an expression of feeling and introspection. If you perceive that as my having stated it as the truth, I'm afraid that's your failure. I don't know you but you are obviously not a very thoughtful person. My mistake was to take your bait in the first place.

[sandnsea]

7. Introspection? "I love the man in the way that a subject might love a King"

Seriously?? You say that and you think *you* are a thoughtful person??

*sigh*