LOL - Obama "I call myself a dancing bear," he jokes of his campaign life."

[Pirate Smile]

"I call myself a dancing bear," he jokes of his campaign life. "They let me out of my cage. I do my dance. They let me back in my cage. They feed me occasionally. They let me work out. And every once in awhile I break lose, before they get the tranquilizers." '

Obama the Dancing Bear?

March 01, 2008 9:24 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Aboard Barack Obama's press plane, the senator strolled back and chatted casually with the press corp somewhere in the air between Providence, R.I., and Cleveland, Ohio.

Obama spoke of the rigors of being a candidate in the limelight and of a campaign trail that he’s said has been significantly harder since the Iowa caucus in early January.

"I call myself a dancing bear," he jokes of his campaign life. "They let me out of my cage. I do my dance. They let me back in my cage. They feed me occasionally. They let me work out. And every once in awhile I break lose, before they get the tranquilizers."

The senator, whose last day off was Valentine's Day, said that doing the consummate candidate’s photo opt of kissing babies on the ropeline makes his day.

"Although I’m worried about the parents ... passing them over like it’s a mosh pit," Obama laughed and demonstrated parents passing babies with their arms outstretched high.

Obama confirmed that that he has never dropped a child in these situations.

"I suspect that would not be good for the vote totals," he said. "I can see that on Youtube."

The father of two talked about missing his own children, and told the story how his oldest daughter, Malia, had recently been Betsy Ross in a school presentation. He recalled how she told him, "I had to do this like 40 times, I just kept saying the same thing over and over again" to which Obama said he can relate.

"I said it’s like running for president," he said.

Obama said that he wouldn’t be running if his children -- 9 and 6 years old -- were in their teenage years.

"Parents are embarrassing enough, right?" the candidate said.

The dancing bear campaigns throughout Ohio this weekend before heading back to Texas on Monday.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/obama-the-danci.html

The most recent example I can think of where he broke out of his cage:

Obama's Visit to the Border

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Barack Obama took a break from the usual campaigning today, making a stop at the Texas-Mexico border and a local neighborhood festival. He was in the southern Texas town of Brownsville, courting Hispanic voters and addressing issues affecting the community.

-snip-
Obama and Texas state representative Eddie Lucio, made a brief stop at Hope Park, where they stood near the bank of the Rio Grande River and looked across the Texas-Mexico border. Reporters asked Obama if he had ever been to the border before.

"This is the first time that I've been this close here, in Texas. I've been in Mexico when I was in college and was going to school in Southern California. I can't entirely talk about it," Obama joked.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/29/politics/fromtheroad/entry3895117.shtml?CMP=OTC-RSSFeed&source=RSS&attr=FromTheRoad_3895117

He broke free - where are the tranquilizer guns!

I love his sense of humor!:loveya:

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. I heard him lecturing parents today ... shouldn't he wait to find out

how his own kids wind up first?

[dkf]

3. Oh those kids sound like they have their heads on straight.

Though I'm sure Michelle has a lot to do with that.

Those kids are going to be brilliant!

[Fredda Weinberg]

7. So you don't mind being lectured to on your personal habits by Obama

but if * even thought of telling you to turn your TV off, you'd howl.

[Bluerthanblue]

9. just because you don't like hearing the message, it is still a good

one-

And that fact wouldn't change regardless of who delivered it.

peace~

[Fredda Weinberg]

11. We disagree on the propriety of Obama's message as well as his

authority to deliver it. Do you really want to discuss our mutual viewing habits?

[Bluerthanblue]

25. the encouragement he gave about turning off TV sets, spending more time

with your kids, reading to them, helping with homework etc. is something I'd be more than willing to discuss with you- anytime.

As for 'authority' to 'deliver' his perspective on parenting is called the first ammendment.

What "authority" do you have to determine his 'propriety'???

:shrug:

peace~

[dkf]

10. If he makes sense I don't really care.

I'd love it if he told us all to save money and not use our houses as piggy banks.

And I have turned my TV off. I'm mostly on the computer at home anyway.

[Fredda Weinberg]

12. No, you don't care ... and that is your problem. I won't lower my standards n/t

[dkf]

16. Well I am certainly not offended by what he says.

I guess if you feel he is attacking you for not doing things properly then maybe you are.

I don't know. :shrug:

[Fredda Weinberg]

18. I never said he attacked me. He lectures parents ... I simply helped

others raise their kids.

[Bluerthanblue]

26. have you ever raised any "kids" of your own?

You call what he said "lecturing"- I call it encouragement.

peace~

[Fredda Weinberg]

45. I started looking after other womens' children when I was 12. I've learned

a lot and believe it or not, the boy I married is coming home this spring.

I don't mind encouragement, but the message Obama delivers is totally out of touch with the reality of parenting in today's mean economy. Maybe he's thinking of a middle class home in the 50's, where mom and dad had time but just didn't get their kids.

Sorry, but I'm doing what I can in the real world and this doesn't help. Let Obama stress his credentials to be president, not parent-in-chief. And I don't think you'd tolerate it from the GOP.

[cali]

36. You don't have children, do you?

And helping others raise theirs is NOT the same thing. If you don't have kids you don't know what it's like to raise them. Maybe you should keep your mouth shut on a subject you know zip about.

[Fredda Weinberg]

44. I should keep my mouth shut when I've raised hundreds in the ghetto?

You're not just vicious ... you're stupid. My program continues to helps mothers do what has to be done ... my mother was there with me the first day, so I'll measure my bonafides against your sorry anonymous bottom any day.

[Kittycat]

28. Obama was a community organizer.

Helping get kids off the streets, back in school, out of gangs, away from drugs - and getting parents engaged in their children's lives again. And in between the very worst situations and the very best, the advice he gives is solid. I can't believe you would even begin to argue with that? What is wrong with shutting off the TV, and sitting down to do homework with your child? Limiting video games - or *gasp* sending them outside to play with the family, instead of sitting plugged in all day? I think we cold all use a little of that reality in our own lives.

[cali]

5. back to attackiing him as a parent?

Pathetic.

[Fredda Weinberg]

Back to seeing everything in violent terms? Pathetic n/t

[cali]

14. Where oh where did I use a violent term?

Perhaps your education is faulty. If you think that using the word "attacking" in the context I used it in, is violent, you desperately need some remedial English classes. And most people here are aware of your repugnant comments on Obama's wife and children. You can't get away from that.

[Fredda Weinberg]

17. You find questions repugnant because you must. Pathetic, but not

my problem. You see, I had fine English teachers who raised rhetoric to a deadly art.

No, I don't have to attack your delicate candidate ... the GOP will savage him if he survives. I've pointed out, even before he began lecturing parents, that his own family was suspect. An oldest son who bullied his younger sister 'cause he knew what he was right ... he doesn't deserve my support. There are better ways to motivate - my candidate has done a better job in her substantial career.

[Pirate Smile]

20. Boy, did this humorous anecdote thread run into an off topic tangent.

Focus people - he called himself a dancing bear!

LOL

Maybe this will provide Colbert with another angle from which to attack him. BEARS!

:D

[goclark]

38. Wednesday can't get here fast enough

It is crazy here.
Now Sen. Obama does not have the right to encourage parents to help their children to learn.

His entire message is about everyone having to work to make this world a better place,yes, even parents that are checking on their darling children when they are in bed at night.

Recall that Billary wants to tell America who should answer the phone at the WH. That said, surely OBAMA can remind parents how to help their little darlings with their homework.

America, please show us how caring and beautiful you are on Tuesday.

[DUyellow]

8. where did you hear him lecturing today?

[Fredda Weinberg]

13. Here's a link

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/819177,CST-NWS-sweet29.article

And here's my point: I grew up in an urban slum. Where I come from, mommas don't have time or the education themselves to sit down and help kids w/homework. That's why I started after school programs.

So as far as I'm concerned, Obama has no cred.

[karynnj]

15. The things he spoke of are pretty basic

The idea that you can directly relate how the children succeed to the values in the home ignores that it is never that simple. Of course, a child raised in a warm supporting home has a better chance than one raised in an abusive one, but beyond that you see some kids who fail, though they genuinely had everything (and I don't mean material goods only) and some kids persevere through the worse situations to succeed.

This was ONE speech and it is not the basis of his run. I doubt you made the same claim when HRC wrote her book when Chelsea was still a teen.

[Fredda Weinberg]

19. It takes a village? I have no problem w/that. Why do you remain

willfully ignorant?

Where I come from ... and I still live near some pretty poor folk, single moms work two jobs to keep their family together. They need help, not lectures from some kid who grew up near wealth and thinks he's with it 'cause his skin is dark. Sorry, but I suffered more from racism than Barry did.

[Bluerthanblue]

27. oh, now I understand- you "still live near some pretty poor folk.."

:rolleyes:


pretty telling-

pretty frickin sad-

peace~

[Fredda Weinberg]

47. Telling? I grew up not far from here ... and enjoy that all strata mix

I spent time in a gated community in South Florida - had to drive downtown to offer lessons. When I lived in Queens, I just walked to the subway station ... there was a police precinct downstairs where the Explorers met.

This is much more comfortable for me. But the Obamas ... well, they needed their dream house, didn't they? Don't see poor folk within walking distance of their place, do you?

[Kittycat]

29. And he spoke to those situations as well.

About community and neighbors getting involved and helping that child, so the parent can stay above water. I know you're not blind, but it's clear you choose to ignore the message, and try to find an argument where there is none to have.

[karynnj]

30. I was addressing your comment that he couldn't speak to this because his kids are young

and we don't know how they will end up. I did NOT attack HRC's book. It wouldn't have worked as a counter example if I criticized it. The point - that YOU just made is that she could comment on raising kids before it was completely clear how Chelsea would turn out. Would you value that book less had Chelsea done something you didn't approve of?

There is also NOTHING in what Obama said that says a supportive community is not needed. If he thought that would he have chosen twice to work to support the community on the south side of Chicago.

PS calling people ignorant never wins people over. I know single moms who have or are raising kids as well - I'm related to some. Don't make assumptions.

[MadBadger]

21. here ya go

[jakem]

2. not the main reason why i will vote for him

but thank god obama has a genuine sense of humor.

[Pirate Smile]

4. I thought it was pretty damn funny but a sense of humor seems to cause an allergic reaction by some

supporters around here lately.

[jakem]

6. just watch, some on here will now make the allusion to bush's 'humor'

but obama has a genuine humor, and it will go a long way in governing this mess of a country.

[Cha]

23. Because they none..just like hilary's

jokes that go over with boos.

[Cha]

22. Precisely.. and so many of his supporters

here on DU, do too. It's one of the best parts of life..the part that makes bad times more tolerable.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

24. Even the Hillbots have to admit . . .

the guy does have a great sense of humor. And it's always self-depricating humor, unlike Hillary, who always seems to try taking Obama down a notch with her oh so "witty" comments.

How refreshing to have someone who can truly laugh at himself, rather than his opponent.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

31. to aviod talking about issues he gives parenting tips and dances....can I get an "AMEN" here?

[tokenlib]

33. Did you see the town meeting??

It had plenty of substance. In fact, when Barack has a town meeting he shows a lot of depth on the issues. These "lighter moments" are a lot more fun to report.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

35. of course I'm paying close attention and I do not see much of what you claim .....

sorry

[tokenlib]

32. And I'm still laughing about the Popeyes for Breakfast stuff...

All I did was insert cold pizza into the equation, thought of my kids and grandkids--and laughed...

[ClayZ]

34. I played Betsy Ross in a school presentation,

48 years ago. I remember practicing my parts with my brother at home.

Hadn't thought of that in 48 years. ha!


K and R

Go Dancing Bear!

Yes We Can

[Cubanito]

37. Obama

Obama is just not a regular me and you I think he is a bless man send from God to help us all as one . There has being to many inocent children dying in wars, to many homeless people and to much but way to much racist people . Is time to make this country the old USA as one nation under God. Love you all vote Obama you cant go wrong. Look for what he stands for and hes policies . Yes we can change and we need a change.

[Cubanito]

39. Obama yes we can

Obama is just not a regular me and you I think he is a bless
man send from God to help us all as one .  There has being to
many inocent children dying in wars, to many homeless people
and to much but way to much racist people . Is time to make
this country the old USA as one nation under God. Love you all
vote Obama you cant go wrong. Look for what he stands for and
hes policies . Yes we can change and we need a change.

[Straight Shooter]

40. "I've been in Mexico ... I can't entirely talk about it," Obama joked.

Oh, ha ha ha. How funny. Either a sly reference to drugs or a reference to Mexican women? Yeah, that Obama, he comes up with some real knee-slappers, doesn't he?

[blogslut]

46. Honey, that's your fantasy

Stop projecting. :)

[here_is_to_hope]

48. See, to me, this alone makes him human...

That and he mentions "mosh pit", endearing, hell I would twist a fattie up and burn it with him!
(I have not nor have I ever been to Mexico for just hookers and beer...)

[quantass]

41. LOL! This guy is HILARIOUS!!! More Presidents should be human like Obama.

[stillcool]

42. one of my favorite pics...so far..

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., plays with Eric Hansen, 11 months, during a visit to Nicky's Cruisin' Diner Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, in Bangor, Me. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

[Yael]

43. Awesome!

Thanks for posting!