The Politics Thread

[Lord Kangana]

Watching this on BBC, but someone mentioned CNN's coverage. After one minute, I had to switch over. There's an information overload all over the screen. It's how I'd imagine being a pilot. And they have people reporting as holograms, for God's sake. Not live link-ups. They pop in the hologrammed form of the reporter into the studio. Dear God.

Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope....

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Well, I genuinely hope Obama turns out to be the man the world thinks he is.

He's certainly got the job at a difficult time.

[Lord Kangana]

Some not-right on the radio this morning was dismissing Chairman Obama as "pseudo Marxist". I don't think there are enough of these in the world to describe that statement. He's the best of a bad bunch, but the rejoicing in America (and the world) shows how desperate the majority have become for change. Its a hell of a burden.

[Puskas]

Who is this Obama chap?

What's he won - is he a racing driver?

Has something happened?

[Worthy4England]

Well, I genuinely hope Obama turns out to be the man the world thinks he is.

He's certainly got the job at a difficult time.

I suspect that's the same with most changes of Government. People will often retain the status quo if they're not really felling the pinch.

I'm still not convinced that most electorates vote for "Party A/Candidate A" because they think their policies are X or Y, rather than because they think they could be no worse than "whatever the current mess is perceived to be".

As for what the world thinks he is, I'm not sure that's relevant. They know he's not the current incumbent, who will probably be noted in history (rightly or wrongly) for entering a war that couldn't be won and presiding over the largest financial crisis since the Wall Street Crash.

[thebish]

Who is this Obama chap?

What's he won - is he a racing driver?

Has something happened?

no - don't be daft - he's a golfer... keep up

[Verbal]

Well, I genuinely hope Obama turns out to be the man the world thinks he is.

He's certainly got the job at a difficult time.

there was a good line on the bbc live text thingy, quoted from the Arizona Star - John McCain's home state paper.

"No new president has faced so much since Franklin Delano Roosevelt - and even he didn't have two wars on his plate."

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Who is this Obama chap?

What's he won - is he a racing driver?

Has something happened?

As the intellegencia on Wanderers Ways have said:

"With all these black voters it's like Mandela a few years ago- America is going to the same way as South Africa"

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Well, I genuinely hope Obama turns out to be the man the world thinks he is.

He's certainly got the job at a difficult time.

I suspect that's the same with most changes of Government. People will often retain the status quo if they're not really felling the pinch.

I'm still not convinced that most electorates vote for "Party A/Candidate A" because they think their policies are X or Y, rather than because they think they could be no worse than "whatever the current mess is perceived to be".

As for what the world thinks he is, I'm not sure that's relevant. They know he's not the current incumbent, who will probably be noted in history (rightly or wrongly) for entering a war that couldn't be won and presiding over the largest financial crisis since the Wall Street Crash.

It's not just the present incumbent's policies - but his ability to appear utterly and (given his position) depressingly stupid, which is difficult when you have got hundreds of people devoted to make you look as good as you can be.

[superjohnmcginlay]

Obama did it

This is a great day for the world!

The world has an intelligent and articulate leader, who ahead of his time, has achieved something that America was barely ready for.

Black Americans have the inspiration they so badly need.

It is the beginning of the end of mindless bigotry and racism, in the land where those regrettable human traits were first established on a large scale.

The world can now respect America.

I for one feel inspired today. The world is a better place today than yesterday.

Wish I had your psychic abilities.

All I see is some fella who talks a good game. Time will tell.

[KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab]

Obama did it

This is a great day for the world!

The world has an intelligent and articulate leader, who ahead of his time, has achieved something that America was barely ready for.

Black Americans have the inspiration they so badly need.

It is the beginning of the end of mindless bigotry and racism, in the land where those regrettable human traits were first established on a large scale.

The world can now respect America.

I for one feel inspired today. The world is a better place today than yesterday.

Wish I had your psychic abilities.

All I see is some fella who talks a good game. Time will tell.

That statement right there puts him in the same bracket as Blair. I'm slightly confident that Obama isn't Blair Mark II, but I'm holding judgement at this moment in time. The wars and stuff won't happen, for that I'm sure, but I fear one or two empty, yet quite fundamental, promises.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Obama did it

This is a great day for the world!

The world has an intelligent and articulate leader, who ahead of his time, has achieved something that America was barely ready for.

Black Americans have the inspiration they so badly need.

It is the beginning of the end of mindless bigotry and racism, in the land where those regrettable human traits were first established on a large scale.

The world can now respect America.

I for one feel inspired today. The world is a better place today than yesterday.

Wish I had your psychic abilities.

All I see is some fella who talks a good game. Time will tell.

That alone is a step forward.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'd wager that they'r interviewing Gervais because thy're scared that people haven't heard of the other guests, and that he has a film out.

I was more taken by his answer to the question "who would David Brent vote for?". His answer was a very dismissive "Obama, because he would want the change." Not playing in the slightest. Treated the question with the contempt it deserved.

That said, it's Ricky Gervais. He's not really qualified to answer a complex sociopolitical question. He shouldn't really get the nark at people referring to his most famous creation. Is he having a laugh?, etc...

[enfieldwhite]

Lest we forget. From the BBC.

Over the past eight years Bush has provided us with endless amusement as a result of his faux pas or ‘Bushisms' as they've been dubbed. Here are twenty of our favourites.


20. "Those who enter the country illegally violate the law." - Nov. 28, 2005

19. "We don't believe in planners and deciders making the decisions on behalf of Americans." - Sept. 6, 2000

18. "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." - Dec. 19, 2000

17. "Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness." - Aug. 30, 2000

16. "I think we agree, the past is over." - May 10, 2000

15. "I understand small business growth. I was one." - Feb. 19, 2000

14. "This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating." - April 23, 2002

13. "I want everybody to hear loud and clear that I'm going to be the president of everybody." - Jan. 18, 2001

12. "One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." - Jan. 3, 2000

11. "I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will." - Oct. 5, 2002

10. "I just want you to know that when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace." - June 18, 2002

9. "I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein." - May 25, 2004

8. "I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society." - Aug. 13, 2002

7. "There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." - Sept. 17, 2002

6. "The truth of that matter is, if you listen carefully, Saddam would still be in power if he were the president of the United States, and the world would be a lot better off." - Oct. 8, 2004

5. "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - Sept. 29, 2000

4. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Aug. 5, 2004

3. "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" - Jan. 11, 2000

2. "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." - Jan. 27, 2000

1. "They misunderestimated me." - Nov. 6, 2000

[ratbert]

Well, that's the end of that rollercoaster ride. I wish Obama well, like all new leaders he has a blank page and shouldn't be judged until the story's written on it. He sounds very impressive and has charisma in spades, now he has to act on it.

Think the Republicans could be caught in the same trap as the Conservatives here were pre-Cameron - retreating into a far-right comfort zone until their own Obama comes along and wakes them up. The Reaganomics era is certainly over.

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

I did enjoy Cameron asking Brown today whether he had, in his little phone call this morning, told Obama that "this is no time for a novice".


As an aside, the general spectacle of British politicians of all stripes falling over themselves to hang onto Obama's coat tails is an unseemly one.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Watching this on BBC, but someone mentioned CNN's coverage. After one minute, I had to switch over. There's an information overload all over the screen. It's how I'd imagine being a pilot. And they have people reporting as holograms, for God's sake. Not live link-ups. They pop in the hologrammed form of the reporter into the studio. Dear God.

Help us Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're our only hope....

Well, they had live link ups too. A blond from Chicago was the first hologram - said she felt like Princess Leah - I thought it was kind of cool to see it for the first time on live tv.

[Lord Kangana]

I did enjoy Cameron asking Brown today whether he had, in his little phone call this morning, told Obama that "this is no time for a novice".


As an aside, the general spectacle of British politicians of all stripes falling over themselves to hang onto Obama's coat tails is an unseemly one.

Can't be any worse than Blair's sycophancy.

[ratbert]

We overstate our influence on the US far too much. I doubt Obama will get to hear Brown's warm welcome until sometime tomorrow and won't hear any of the others ("Get me Nick Clegg on the phone, that guy's endorsement means so much to me!").

Cameron's quip was good but Brown's jibe about the Tories only offering change in terms of them changing their minds every day was a good 'un.

[H. Pedersen]

It is the beginning of the end of mindless bigotry and racism, in the land where those regrettable human traits were first established on a large scale.

What the fcuk? Have you ever heard of the Crusades?

On another note, thank God. But when McCain was running such an amateurish campaign it was always in the cards.