Is Obama Playing Chess?

[Soylent Brice]

Poll question: Is Obama Playing Chess?

the argument has been floated for more than a month now. some here believe Obama has been playing chess, while others have argued against that.

in light of the news in the last 3 days, how many now believe there is a chess game afoot?

[Deja Q]

1. The media will damn President Obama either way. Never mind the politics he's stuck in.

There is more logic to suggest he is "playing chess".

His detactors might have a point and all that too, but we're not going to know... but then, why release torture memos and things, then say "No we will not prosecute"?

Or maybe it's a double double-bluff.

In short, I have homework to do for classes and the President HAS come through on a number of issues so far. And change cannot happen overnight. And I am willing to give him more than 3 months. And he has to work with the entire 'world community'.

[Soylent Brice]

7. damned either way is very true.

[babylonsister]

9. The media? Look around-look at this poll, in fact. nt

[Soylent Brice]

19. this poll isn't damning

i think he's playing this very carefully. i wouldn't call it chess, but folks here have. i used the metaphor "chess" as it is something DUers identify with.

the poll options identify with the two sides that have made themselves visible on DU. i intended to see if anyone's minds have changed in light of recent events.

[babylonsister]

21. It was when I posted that. Yes, it's improving. nt

[Soylent Brice]

26. just got back in to check results.

it appears recent events may be persuading a few "negative nancys"...

[Starry Messenger]

2. I've just never liked the metaphor that much.

Chess is a game with a lot of strict parameters. Reality is messy. It involves humans. :D

[Deja Q]

4. So is sex, but I don't think we're getting fucked right now...

:shrug:

[Soylent Brice]

6. i agree with no tliking the metaphor

but it does appear that he's not just bumbling through this.

the more things don't make since in politics, the more there's a reason for it. or so it seems.

[Starry Messenger]

11. Yikes!

I don't think he's bumbling through it either. No. I just mean there are always a lot of factors that might come up that you wouldn't expect in a game. And that constantly employing the phrase "Obama is playing chess" doesn't allow us to fully explore teh whole picture at times.

[Soylent Brice]

14. agreed.

[B o d i]

22. Well, there's chess, and then there's chess

I think he's playing a mean game of some sort of chess, metaphorically speaking, fwiw.

[Starry Messenger]

24. And that's fine, too.

I just think it's always good to be mindful of language. There are a class of phrases called "thought-stopping" phrases that can shut down dialogue if they are over-employed. I think the 'chess' one could get to that point if we aren't careful. But that's a discussion for another time. I don't want to hijack the thread anymore than I have. I voted for "I like polls". ;)

[Cary]

13. Yes but there are realities here.

Politics is the art of the possible.

[lutefisk]

3. If he is, I would liken it to the version of the game Harry Reid plays...nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. No. He's responding to pressure politically by trying to appease all sides.

Which is what politicians do from whatever part of the spectrum they spring from.

Which is also why politicians are highly overrated as agents of "change".

[JuniperLea]

12. I think that is his "poker face"

That he wants it to appear he is trying to include all sides of the discussions. He is actually listening.

[Schema Thing]

8. he's had to give that up. Sacrifice and all that rot, you know.

[KG]

10. silly mortals. the power of obamas' brain is beyond the comprehension of mere men!

[Dollface]

17. Mind reader. This is so much more interesting than watching Bush try to play checkers.

[dipsydoodle]

15. Covering up crimes

is generally referred to as conspiracy which as far as I'm concerned is what's happening now. Only the mentally challenged would not grasp that including those in power.

[Echo In Light]

16. No, since he's likely following instructions re how to proceed, which is...

...being determined behind the scenes as to just 'how far' to take the Hold The Architects accountable ruse so that it affords the illusion of "justice" within a self-correcting system, yet doesn't go too far in opening a can of worms that would expose ill fitting data involving hallowed institutions and various orgs of the phony National $ecurity State apparatus - cause then way too many would be guilty, and it would open things up for waaaaay too many questions that those beholden to those systems protect above and beyond all else, including accountability/justice.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Obama is Presidencying.

That involves playing politics.

[yoyossarian]

20. To Obama, I Am a BOOT!

I'm just kidding. It's a palindrome.
I think he's playing chess. I hope he's playing chess.

And UNLIKE Nixon, he's not simply playing chess with Checkers... I hope.

Great gift tee shirts, mugs, buttons and other
cool stuff with images such as the above at


Laugh City!

President Evil Online has risen from the grave!

[islandgirl808]

23. nope

he's surfing 12 ft. waves off Oahu's northshore hardly breaking a sweat.

lol :D

idk about chess, but i have faith in that he is the type to look just a little bit further in the distance than the average person or politician would.

[walldude]

25. No he's just playing politics.

But he's doing it better than anyone we have seen in 30 years, so it looks like he's playing chess. Shit, next to Bush playing Tiddly Winks and Rock Em' Sock Em' Robots, I look like I am playing chess.