O'Reily & O'Bama

[BeyGon]

I just saw a snippet of the talk when O'Reily was hammering him about wealth redistribution, O'bama said, Teddy Roosevelt did it, Bill let it go.
Come on O'bama, the world has changed A LOT since then, haven't you noticed?

[TheMentat]

I've watched both segments that have been aired so far. I have to say, that while I differ ideologically with Obama on a number of issues (and agree on others), this interview has (so far) come off as a net positive.

It certainly dispels the commonly held view that he is lost without a teleprompter. At the very least, it was great to see the two of them getting into a more substantive banter than we usually get to hear from the "political analysts", or even the presidential debates.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by TheMentat

I've watched both segments that have been aired so far. I have to say, that while I differ ideologically with Obama on a number of issues (and agree on others), this interview has (so far) come off as a net positive.

It certainly dispels the commonly held view that he is lost without a teleprompter. At the very least, it was great to see the two of them getting into a more substantive banter than we usually get to hear from the "political analysts", or even the presidential debates.

He hasn't been given anything hard yet or that he wasn't expecting.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

He hasn't been given anything hard yet or that he wasn't expecting.

That's because he's so smart that he set his expectations perfectly in advance!

Seriously though, anybody has the potential to get all verbally "bunged up" when thrown a curveball. I ton't think that Obama is any more susceptible than the next guy.

[jkarolyi]

Think what you will of O'Reilly, but at least he asks Obama some hard questions. Obama is a slick attorney, and he handles himself quite well considering the softball interviews he is used to. He avoided most of the hard questions well, and came off very comfortable and confident and, dare I say, presidential. Still doesn't have my vote, but you gotta give him props for even agreeing to do the interview. Can you imagine McCain doing an interview with Al Franken?

Check out the YouTube videos if you missed them...quite informative to watch.

[kang]

Originally Posted by jkarolyi

Think what you will of O'Reilly, but at least he asks Obama some hard questions. Obama is a slick attorney, and he handles himself quite well considering the softball interviews he is used to. He avoided most of the hard questions well, and came off very comfortable and confident and, dare I say, presidential. Still doesn't have my vote, but you gotta give him props for even agreeing to do the interview. Can you imagine McCain doing an interview with Al Franken?

Check out the YouTube videos if you missed them...quite informative to watch.

Al Franken? I want to see McCain on Colbert.

[speeder]

Watch the whole first two parts on youtube and then tell me that Obama doesn't have an A-game. Anyone who thinks that Gramps is gonna beat-up on him in the debates has their dick in their hand.

[TheMentat]

To be honest, my impression of Bill improved after that interview as well. He wrote an article on his website with his afterthoughts, and gave credit where credit was due... a classy move:


http://www.billoreilly.com/newslettercolumn;jsessionid=0D044CD5C52A094BC837E1 7C4C50DF3E?pid=24183

Like him or not, you have to give Barack Obama credit for waging a smart, focused campaign. Destroying the Clinton machine was a major achievement and so was putting together a successful convention in Denver. Obama is now firmly a part of U.S. history, no matter what happens in the presidential election.

The problem some Americans continue to have with the Senator is that he is long on charisma but short on detail. This frightens some voters. Who the heck is this guy, anyway? So when Obama finally agreed to speak to me this week, specifics were on my mind.

First, the man. The Barack Obama I witnessed is self-confident, determined and driven. He was acutely aware of his surroundings from the moment he entered the room. He looks you in the eye and touches your shoulder. He understands how to connect one-on-one.



As far as philosophy goes, Senator Obama is convinced that the federal government should be in control of income distribution and, to some extent, should regulate the free marketplace. That is a classic liberal position, and Obama promotes it well.
The Senator also believes that poor Americans have a basic right to free health care and monetary supplements from the government with no strings attached. The American substance abuser, for example, would derive the same benefit as a hard working, laid off worker would. Again, classic liberalism. No judgments made regarding entitlements.

So, if Barack Obama does become president, there will definitely be change. His left-wing base will demand it, and he will come through. You can decide if that's change we should believe in, but keep in mind that the unintended consequences of government interference in the marketplace are impossible to predict. Free markets have a way of chafing under government imposition.

On the foreign policy front, Obama has convinced me that he is tough but cautious. He rose up quickly because he vehemently opposed the Iraq war. But now I see a man who understands the victory that has taken place in Iraq. I don't believe he wants to screw that up. I could be wrong.

After going mano-a-mano with Obama on television, I am also persuaded that he is a sincere guy-that he wants the best for all Americans. He's an ideologue, but not a blind one. He understands that his story is incredible, and, I have come to believe, he is grateful to the American system for allowing it happen.

It is true that we don't know whether Senator Obama has the ability to solve complex problems, but you can say that about all presidential contenders.

Like most politicians, Obama has used guile and good luck to accumulate his power. He can be ruthless, kind, unfair, and generous. In short, he's a real person trying to achieve an unreal position-that of the most powerful person in the world.

God help him.