Does Obama "Misspeak"?

[demwing]

Early on in the primary season, Obama took some flack over his oratory skills--as if the ability to communicate, encourage, and inspire was somehow an obstacle!

We all heard how polished Obama was, how much of a slick communicator he was, and how his speeches were high in feel-good emotionalism, but ultimately devoid of substance. Initially, it seems that Obama was being set up by his detractors as an empty suit.

Compare that to the current views expressed by Clinton and McSame. Listen to those two, and you may walk away with the impression that Obama can't say ANYTHING correctly, and that every other word out of the man's mouth is a misstep, an error, and evidence of his unelectability.

So consider the options...is Obama a gifted speech-maker, or a clumsy, but good-hearted, fool? Will the real Barack Obama please stand up?

I don't know for certain the answer to that question, because I don't personally know the man, and I'm not claiming some astute gift of insight. But I don't believe that Obama is making communication gaffes at all. I propose that Obama is in the process of rewriting his image, and is methodically casting himself as a regular joe.

What's my evidence? Honestly, it's all circumstantial. I admit it. Starting with a disbelief that the same man who was once hailed as a master speech-maker, who earned degrees from Columbia and from Harvard (graduating magna cum laude, to boot), who has written three books, taught and lectured at the University level, and who has held office for years at both the state and national level, would make what have been hailed as "rookie" styled errors. I don't buy it. It's out of character.

But more important than my disbelief, is that FACT that all of Obama's so called gaffes have opened doors of opportunity for him, allowing him to discuss big-picture issues that play to his strengths, and against his opponent's weaknesses.

What kind of a candidate consistently makes "errors" that benefit him so well? What kind of a candidate actually improves his standing every time he gives his opposition another odd-statement, to seemingly use against him like a club?

A damn canny one, I say. And when all is said and done, the last thing that the voters will remember about Barack Obama is that he's a likable, smart guy who gets the issues right, and who cares about "we the people", but who sometimes harmlessly puts his foot in his own mouth.

That quite a bit of a different Obama than the too-slick and too-polished word-smith we once thought we knew.

So you answer the question, from your heart, and from your head. Does Barack Obama "misspeak" or does he say exactly what he means to say, even when he's apologizing for another gaffe, and simultaneously watching his poll numbers climb?

[TheDonkey]

1. This isn't the first time he's made a gaffe and it won't be the last time. He is human.

and he is STILL winning.

[Skittles]

2. LOL

are you saying he does this shit on purpose? Any political candidate will say stuff they mean but is taken the wrong way -things that REALLY could have been worded better. The sheer amazing thing is that with the amount of words politicians are speaking, it does not happen more often. Obama has a remarkably low misspeak rate considering the man has been at it non-stop for some time. The average person, myself included, would be speaking complete gibberish by now - yes INDEED.

[demwing]

3. I don't know if he's doing this on purpose

But I know that every time it happens, his numbers go up, and Hillary looks like a buffoon. Hell, I believe that Bush screws up on purpose. Helps him connect to his illiterate, red-neck base.

I also believe that Obama is very smart, and uber aware, and extremely on message.

You do the math.

[Skittles]

9. the media absolutely despises HRC

if you haven't noticed, they've been trashing her since 1992. While they occasionally dump on Obama, they never stop dumping on Hillary. Funny, the same can be said of DU.

[demwing]

10. This doesn't relate

to Obama's "errors" somehow playing so well for him, or opening so many opportunities for him.

Surely you're not saying that the only reason Obama is doing so well is because the media is biased aganst Hillary?

[Skittles]

11. it's one reason and you know it - and I am a fan of NEITHER

[demwing]

15. Actually, I think the reason Obama is beating Hillary

is because he's the better candidate, has run a smarter campaign, and is just more likable. Sad, true.

But that's just me. And I don't watch television, so the media bias you believe exists can't explain my vote.

[Blue State Bandit]

16. Neither... Sure...

[Skittles]

17. honestly, it is true

I cannot support a candidate who supported IWR (and her being in bed with TATA is ugly to me as an IT worker) - but Obama simply does not, has never impressed me. We could have - should have- done so, SO much better than this. I have resigned myself to supporting whoever becomes the nominee but either one I will hold my nose for (although any Dem is 10,000 times better than any repuke). This idolization/demonization - none of it is called for - NONE OF IT.

[glowing]

4. I think I figured it out finally..

I'm listening to the religious session replay on CNN... I've been wondering how in the world does he have liberals eating out of his hand; his policies aren't progressive and his actions during his carreer aren't exactly bold and noteworthy. Its sarcasm. Without a doubt, he could clearly write the top 10 Cons or step in for John on the Daily show. And its catchy. We use sarcastic humor a lot. How many sarcasm tags appear on just one thread alone? Its quirky, catchy, and insider.. and really--not everyone catches it or gets it. Is it in their for progressives? Its the gottcha, wink-wink. That wink-wink is the Hope that he's "campaining" in the Red Nation and does the Blue thing when he gets there. Will he? Will he bring us the great progressive movement we need? Will he pick up the Universal Healthcare plan when he gets there. Will he push for Unions and fair trade and min wage increases and reign in the banks? Are progressives Hoping that wink-wink is a promise?

[blogslut]

5. I don't believe his "gaffes" are planned

I think that he has chosen to address people both personally and collectively at the same time. This is not easy and mistakes will be made. Those mistakes are then highlighted by his competitors and the drama-loving media.

The beauty of this man is his fearlessness in defending his statements and misstatements. He is a master at turning a crisis into an opportunity to have a national discussion. He does not run away from these challenges. He faces them head on and works them through until the outrage over them has dissipated.

[flor de jasmim]

6. He has told us to hold his (& the Congress') feet to the fire

(that'll be some bonfire!). If we build the grassroots movement and he CONTINUES (it's already been started) the move towards greater transparency, we will have the power to shape the country we want. It's up to US to take that on.

This is the fundamental aspect that keeps getting lost in so-called "20th century thinking" or "old style politics". Most politicians prefer that you just stay out of their kitchen and let them "get on with" the business of running the country. He is challenging us, urging us, to interact with government.

Do I agree with all of his policies as stated now? No, but I believe he will listen to the word of the people. Not only that, but he knows that WE THE PEOPLE are the ones who can demand change--it's not the single congressman or group of congressmen that will always be able to prevail.

Compare that stance to Hillary or McCain: they aren't asking us to anything more than VOTE.

[dkf]

7. Its because the thought process behind his words is sound, but sometimes

he words them a little awkwardly.

Further explanation only exposes how well thought out the underlying premise was.

[demwing]

8. Does anyone doubt that Bush's errors are often contrived?

Am I alone in that sentiment?

[Blue State Bandit]

12. The .22 caliber mind in a .357 world?

A trap left for McCain and the Rethuglicans? Could be.

But if this trap was left for the Rethuglicans, why did they catch a Clinton?

Now that's a question!

[Life Long Dem]

13. No gaffes or misspeaks.

Though hill would like you to think so. They'll continue with their lies and talk about their faith, but they are only fooling themselves.

[johnnydrama]

14. if you told Obama

Seriously. If you told Obama that based on something controversial he said, his Democratic opponent would start taking Whiskey Shots & going on and on about her hunting experience, and you gave him a time machine to take it back, i think he'd pass.