Pot, Kettle, Bevan

Interesting you should bring this up. I was just noticing David Gregory on Race For the Whitehouse pushing the Obama is Arrogant meme 3 or 4 times today.

and then there is this:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/371650_vennochi22.html

I thought it was funny (not) when this author used Obama being president of the Harvard Law Review as an example of arrogance.  Heaven forbid we should actually elect anyone intellectually qualified to be president in this country.  Or anyone...gasp...inspiring.

The realclearpolitics poll average is cited all over the place but it seems to have some obvious flaws -- among them that there is zero transparency regarding its methodology.  They don't say if they prefer to use likely voters or registered voter numbers, if there are polls they exclude, and what time period they cover.  This is a big problem because it leaves the average open to manipulation by including some polls and not others in the average simply by cutting short or enlongating the time period used in the average.

One case in point: Last week's ABC/Washington Post poll had Obama +3 among LV but +8 among RV. Which did rcp use?  The LV one with the smaller gap.

And last week the time period used in the average was one week. Now it appears to be two weeks, allowing for a number of relatively lower numbers to be included.  The result from both of these is that Obama's numbers look worse.

This does not matter at all except for the fact that so many media outlets and pundits look at the rcp average and report those numbers.  But there's a level of sloppiness if not intellectual dishonesty in the poll average -- unlike fivethirtyeight and pollster.com.

The 'arrogance of Obama' thing is spreading quickly.

How arrogant of Obama to be a brilliant candidate and hit the Right right where it hurts, on national security and foreign policy.

I can't wait until they start shaking their fists and yelling such villainous phrases as "that sniveling fool!" and "I'll get you next time!"

Interesting YouTube interview with Bevan here:

Bevan, in the interview, claims: "We often get attacked for being too liberal and we often get attacked for being too conservative. That means we're somewhere in the right place."

That reply was an attempted dodge of a question about bias in RealClearPolitics' coverage. It's worth noting Bevan and the other co-founder of RealClearPolitics (John McIntrye) were both classmates at Princeton and each came to their Web gig with business-world backgrounds — Bevan as a former advertising exec and McIntrye as a former securities trader [Chicago Board Options Exchange]. 

But a big push for the site's meteoric rise to notoriety from its launch in 2000 is due to the free marketing provided to it by star-quality neo-conservative voices, as U.S. News & World Report seems to verify in a story published in December 2007:

 Apart from a few thousand dollars spent on marketing in 2000, RealClearPolitics has relied on the communicative strength of its users, often bloggers and journalists with a significant audience like the Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes and National Journal's Charlie Cook, to become a go-to news source. Conservative talk-show host and blogger Hugh Hewitt says he heads to the site at least twice a day. "I can't imagine being a broadcast journalist and not doing so," Hewitt says.

So, there you have it ... two conservative, white business professionals with Ivy League educations and Chicago roots with no prior journalism news-reporting experience who happened to make it big in the blogging world with a wet kiss from the neo-conservative movement.

Bevan claims RealClearPolitics is only interested in putting "quality above all" on its site, according to the interview on YouTube. And that may be true, within a certain range.

But as to Bevan's claim that the site is "somewhere in the right place" ... well I think that has to be taken quite literally, and any criticism Bevan makes of Barack Obama or Latin American politics placed clearly in that context as well — despite Bevan's polished advertising efforts to the contrary. 

That's simple Journalism 101: Consider the source.

I'm far from the first to make this observation, but don't forget that the "arrogance" meme is a thinly-veiled way to call him (and his wife! especially his wife) an uppity Negro. Of course they can fall back on the hallowed tradition of (US) American anti-intellectualism if they were ever questioned on it (unlikely). This would of course have the ring of plausible deniability to it because it is an element as well... but I think the race-baiting is paramount.

Carl Walker, thanks for pointing out that "arrogance" and before that "elite" are racist codes for "uppity", that is not knowing his subordinate "place".

Yes this arrogance theme is now being pushed hard by the McCain campaign and its lapdogs.  Witness McCain's comment today about how he would rather win a war than win an election, but Obama would rather lose a war to win an election.  And on McCain's website there is now a huge headline banner with McCain's profile and the words "Country First".

KD

The carefully manufactured "arrogant Liberal" theme has been used for years.  It was big in 2004 with Kerry, in 2000 with Gore, somewhat during Clinton elections, big with Dukakis and I've seen it applied in several local races.  Lush Limpdick and Conglomerate Media has been drilling it into Americans heads for a generation or two now.  It's really tired in addition to being incredibly hypocritical.

Obama has proven that he understands how to breakdown many of these false frames, so look for him to dismantle this one soon.  I'm confident he had a response for this old one even before he ran.

The Repubes are running out of their old tricks, and not a moment too soon.

A main syndicated column in my little Boulder, CO town paper, by one Charles Krauthammer from WaPo, at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/03/24/LI200503..., (free registry required), even had this blatant subtitle on his column: The question about Obama used to be: Who is he? The question now is: Who does he think he is?

And the column was serious- I thought for sure it must be a satire or something, but nope. It was one long string of made-up inexperience/arrogance meme-creation attempts.

I think the McCain strategists must be trying to take advantage of Obama being gone, hoping he can't answer as quickly as he would, otherwise.

On the arrogance meme being brought out against Obama, I can’t help but smile to myself, recalling my youth, and black and white TV, and those famous words: “Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee.”

Confidence, pride, an iron will, intelligence, raw talent, and practiced skill are not the same as arrogance. They are the attributes of a winner.

Muhammad Ali taught us that lesson long ago.

Obama’s critics, if they persist with the arrogance meme, will simply have to learn it all once again: the hard way.

In this ring, it’s not a question of arrogance; it’s all about being the best boxer.

First, I have been behind/donating to Obama since he first announced.

That said, I think he does have a weakness.  When he feels he is doing well, he gets a little cocky (remember the debate before the New Hampshire primary?  "You're likable enough, Hillary".....).  And please don't shoot the messenger, this is just my opinion, and I still support Obama.

On the other hand,  you won't meet a candidate for the presidency who isn't full of ego.  That includes Kucinich, who sat across from me at a Kucinich dinner fundraiser in Seattle, during the primaries for the 2000 election, and I thought he was pretty dang full of himself, too.  It comes with the territory.

Still, I hope that Obama "gets" that appearing arrogant or cocky is not helpful.  There is a difference between cocky and presidential, self-confident and arrogant.  I will, though, always believe he's not only a great candidate but that we're very damned lucky to have someone like him running.  He's just not, um, perfect or without flaws.  Any more than Hillary was.

I suspect the Rovian 'pugs hope to accomplish two things with this one.

One, obviously, is to perhaps turn some people off who are undecided about Obama.

But really, since Al brought up kettles and pots. When has arrogance ever turned off a repug-lickin voter? They love that shit, the more arrogant the better. Exhibit A: Dubya pumping his fist into the air when starting a premptive war, exclaiming that it "feels good". Primitive gestures like the fist pump, give the rightwing orangatangs orgasms. Like a pubescent punk who has discovered porn on the Internet, these rightards can't get enough of the arrogant spasms from their grunting leaders. So, I think it is safe to conclude, that this arrogance meme is not going to change squat. Undecideds, who might be leaning toward Obama, aren't gonna fall for this. Maybe it will even backfire, and some authority worshiping, brain-dead wing-a-dings will believe it, and be turned on by it like a pimply faced submissive meeting his leather daddy.

On to another possibility. Perhaps the rovian brain trust is hoping Obama starts internalizing a concern about appearing arrogant. And in turn, starts appearing wishy-washy by overcompensating for a mistaken belief that maybe he really does come off as arrogant. Which he doesn't. Excepting the occasional rare moment as mentioned above. But such rare moments are just that - rare. The only thing such moments prove is that he is human, and these moments themselves are exaggerated, and the supposedly consequential importance is blown way out of proportion by clucking heads afraid that the stratosphere is sinking.

My hope is that Obama just keeps on being who he is, and doesn't pay any attention to this so called "arrogance" bullshit that's being bandied about.

Sorry Mary, when he said that comment to Hillary she was mocking his popularity when she was asked that dumb question and was pretty provoking, he just counterpunched her.

It's funny how when he does defends himself in a strong and firm comment he is perceived as "arrogant". And when he does not he is perceived as "weak"

We do not think Obama is perfect nor does he as he stated so many times in his speeches, we are all aware they are human like everyone else.

However, if you believe he can get "cocky" or arrogant and has this problem like so many pundits want to push that down our throats he would NEVER EVER be this popular with everyone other then his opponents, locally or abroad. To see this type of fawning globally and locally is usually reserved for celebrities let alone politicians. 

Someone who is TRULY arrogant is NEVER liked and is not popular at all! Behaviorally to be genuinely cocky and arrogant and be liked and popular is an oxymoron. And Mohammad Ali does not count because he always used HUMOR to get away with his high-self confidence. I mean when you portray such arrogance SERIOUSLY, you are never popular. 

I believe Mcain and Hillary are genuinely arrogant and that is why they are not as popular and liked as Obama. That is why I see this as HUGE projection from Mcain now, Hillary then, when they toot that Obama is arrogant. 

Thanks Bill Conroy:

"Confidence, pride, an iron will, intelligence, raw talent, and practiced skill are not the same as arrogance. They are the attributes of a winner."

Tara:

"Heaven forbid we should actually elect anyone intellectually qualified to be president in this country.  Or anyone...gasp...inspiring."

Yes, I can imagine electing someone we respect, admire - who doesn't 'drop his g's' before some audiences, or assume a 'southern accent' in front of others.  We've managed to survive as a nation, but it's time for a President, we and the rest of the world can respect for all those qualities Bill & Tara refer to.

It's time the MSM allow candidates to express themselves, without 'reporters' (qualifed or not) trying to codify, simplify complexity trying to sound clever themselves.  Imagine, listening directly to the words of a President - without the 'talking heads' comments.

YES WE CAN!

Al, Thanks for the background on RCP. I have been checking it daily for the past year AND wondering at all the garbage posted at its site. Lately, I just read the names and titles, hoping something good will show up, but usually that's enough to tell me to move on. Now, with your info, I know why.

Arrogant is absolutely the "uppity n-word, out of his place" hidden behind a very thin veil.  Blacks aren't suppose to be brilliant and  successful, and if they are, they'd better be as meek as a mouse so as not to offend.

We have to understand that many people are invested in perceiving blacks and others as inferior and when they see that they have the capabilities and capacity for achievement of any other human being, they are put into the uncomfortable position of having to find self esteem from a real place instead of a false sense of superiority.  This is why putting someone like Barack back in his place works for many people.  How they perceive themselves is based in great part by who is perceived to be less than them.  We have to stop investing in stereotypes; our or any other groups stereotype.

Barack is not any more arrogant than any of the other presidential candidates, he just has the audacity to be a black man running for an office that has been only held by white men.  This arrogant meme will work on another level, feeding into the  "they are going to take over and take all of our jobs and enslave us" reactionism that is at the root of racism.  Them against us.  It's meant to fan the flames of racism and make whites feel threatened and angry at Barack for threatening their livelihoods etc.

Barack is trying to bring us together as one America.  The opponent has to go in the opposite direction. This is the divide and conquer that has plagued our politics for generations.

It is up to us to see this in these basic terms and not get bogged down in trying to over analyze every move the opposition makes. John McCain wants to keep us at each other's throats perceiving each other as the enemy meanwhile corporations aided by our corrupt polarizing politicians are robbing us all blind and sending all of our children regardless of race to die in wars for profit.

We have been victims of this kind of politics for centuries literally.  Barack is trying to end  this.  We are not each others  enemy.  When one of  us is weak , we are all weak.  May we all live up to our God given potential for the sake of our country and the world.

We have to value education again and hold examples out of what an educated mind can achieve, any mind from any walk of life.  No more of this education is only for the elite.  Our forefathers ensured that we could live the lives we worked for and no one has a place here beneath anyone else.  We must not be alright with slipping so far back to a peasants mentality deciding that education and success is for the elite because here in this country that our forefathers created, any thing is possible for each and every one of us.  That is the greatness of our country.

Barack reminds me of what is great about this country.  We must work to restore this country to what it was intended to be.  We have been bogged down, manipulated and lead astray for the profit of a few; all of us black, white, hispanic, every American.  We have to take this country away from the Bushes and Cheyneys and their ilk.  They are the enemies of all Americans.

This arrogance leitmotif. A puny punch against the powerful photos and videos coming out of O's middle east tour--no arrogance there, just someone looking and behaving so presidential(ly) it is absolutely gobsmacking.

Right on the money!!

And may I add...McOld is not only fuming and fumbling, but he is (happily) making the same mistakes that HRC did in underestimating Barack and overestimating his own qualifications and support; and he will end up the same way she did.

Has anyone else noticed that just about all of McShameful's public appearances and recent advertisements are ranting and raving against the (99% right on just about everything) Barack Obama?  I almost feel a little bit sorry for him and those who do support him...as they try to justify his positions, gaffes, and upcoming burial in an electoral landslide of Hope and Change.  (OK, I'm over that emotion...no more feeling sorry for MCSame Repugs!  It is pretty pitiful to watch, though...)

There is a difference between arrogance and confidence, and because people expect and subliminally demand that Barack cower to their supposed "superiority", they are even more angry and upset when he doesn't.

Remember the way HRC often talked to Barack, like he was her child or something?  "Shame on you Barack Obama!"  Ex-CUSE me??!?!??

This is Barack's party (and Party as in Democratic), and he's continually letting everyone know that.  Americans are so used to a "C" or lower president who got where he is only because of privilege and shady dealings, they don't know what to do with someone who is actually "A+" caliber and worked hard for everything he has!

Even McSorry graduated fifth from the bottom of his class (he's admitted as much), he only got as far as he did in the Navy because of family connections, and it shows!  (But he is a war hero who got shot down in Vietnam while the rest of us stayed home and danced and smoked pot...I hate that commercial!)

waterprise2 AKA Pam

Liberal with a Capital L!

Truer words were never written.  Thanks for your contribution!

Joy: thank you for writing such powerful, wise words.  You put into words what many are thinking, feeling - and expressed yourself far, far better I than ever could. THANK YOU.

What Joy said.... then what Pam said...

and I might add, Craig Hickman in his own blog, and commenting in others' has often said that one of Barack's strengths is that he is "comfortable in his own skin." Folks are not ready for a Black man in the public eye who is so comfortable in his own skin...

What you're all saying. And thanks, Joy!

I am so tired of the atmosphere of fear in our politics and everywhere. It takes this glimmer of sun through the clouds that Obama and his campaign provides, for me to feel suddenly really tired of putting up with dumb politics for years and years and years.

To be fair with that particular phrase, one of the factors that has been said to have hurt both Kerry and Gore was their inability to "be comfortable in their own skin."

While I think there is a definite racialized aspect that can be gleened from that phrase, I think it is also a legitimate way to characterize Obama when compared to the two previous Dem candidates. It all depends on who says it and what argument they're making. But I understand that racial undertones get mixed in with other arguments not meant to be racial, and so it's good to be aware of when it might be happening - so thank you for pointing it out!

Thanks, Helen.  Funny, huh?

And how is it that Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran can in any way be construed as peaceful??  I'm waiting for that clip to make it in to an ad.

All I can't think is, my God, if Obama had created something so self-aggrandizing he would be skewered. We would hear about his cult, about his messianic complex and his arrogance, etc. etc. etc.

Real Clear Politics is a fast, well designed site with good links to polls for each state, race, etc. I read one blogger there who leaned so far right she fell off reality. Now I just check out the polls. I wish somebody who wasn't pushing an agenda could have such well-designed poll summaries.

About arrogance- it ain't that bad.  I want somebody confident and educated and smart to have my country's back. If they want to call it arrogant, fine. Even if true its nowhere near a deal breaker and I doubt it will be for swing voters. For that matter, neither is skill at political scheming, as the New Yorker article described. Obama needs his flinty skills.

Don't misunderstand me.  I don't think becoming a little cocky is all that big a deal, and I still maintain that anybody who runs for president has a supersized ego (and I misstated re Kucinich, it was in 2004, not 2000, a friend of mine was his Washington State campaign chairperson).

For those who think that the arrogance meme is about uppity - well, maybe you're right, though I usually pick up on that stuff pretty quick.  I do think that Obama shows it when he's done poorly (debates, etc.) and also shows it when he's done well.  It's not that big a deal, but it is a behavior/attitude I feel he might want to work on.

And I still think we're very lucky to have someone of his caliber running for president.  America has caught a lucky break.  Unless we're all wrong about him.