Growing tired of the omnitopical presidency
Our bitter, aggravated politics has many fathers, from gerrymandering to genuine, deep and abiding differences of opinion about how to move the country forward. But here’s another problem with our politics I’ve noticed lately: We can’t escape it.
I don’t mean the 24-7 frequency of our news media — in the age of Twitter, it’s really 60-60-24-7 — although that bears part of the blame. Rather, I’m talking about the increasing tendency of our politicians, especially our presidents and those who would be president, to pop up everywhere else, too: on Oprah and The View, on Leno and Letterman, during SportsCenter and the Super Bowl and the Final Four.
A friend’s mother calls this “inmaface.” As in, you can do things with which I disagree, just don’t do them “inmaface.” When it’s harder and harder to enjoy the apolitical without the intrusion of the politicos, they’re inmaface.
I think political handlers think this is a way to soften their man’s (or woman’s) image, to make him seem more human, to lessen the polarization toward him. And maybe there’s something to it: Barack Obama, who has taken the omnitopical, borderline-celebrity presidency to a new level, remains more well-liked than his approval ratings would suggest.
Maybe that’s because he complains about the vagaries of the Bowl Championship Series and fills out March Madness brackets — hey, just like me! I wonder, though, if there won’t be diminishing returns to flooding the airwaves this way.
When I watched Obama talk about his daughters and basketball during halftime of the men’s college title game Monday, I was struck again that, for all my and other conservatives’ complaints about his policies, Obama seems like a genuinely good father and family man.
But when he picked his Final Four? Heck, I barely want to watch Dick Vitale pick the Final Four, much less a president with more important things to do and think about. I’d rather hear Obama talk about what he’d do to stop Washington’s red ink. Or, better yet, what he plans to tell Vladimir Putin once his “last election” is over and he has more “flexibility.”
Before the week was up, he was at it again, opining through his press secretary that the Augusta National Golf Club ought to begin admitting female members. And, lest you think my complaints are only about Obama: His Republican opponent from 2008, John McCain, and his presumptive opponent this fall, Mitt Romney, made sure to air the same belief.
Personally, I couldn’t care less what Augusta National does — and have a hard time believing that it says anything meaningful about equality for a woman or two to join a private club for the 1 percent of the 1 percent of the 1 percent. So why do Obama and McCain and Romney have to chime in?
In their defense, often it’s because they’re asked about these topics by my colleagues in the media. And maybe Romney, for instance, would have declined to answer about a private club’s choices if he felt confident it wouldn’t become the latest skirmish in the GOP’s alleged “war on women.” (Promisingly, he declined to prognosticate about March Madness.)
But then, the possibility a non-answer about women joining a country club would become political fodder speaks to our bitter polarization.
We’re electing a president, not a pundit-of-all-trades. The job is demanding and — just as important — it has limits. Maybe, just maybe, we’d have higher opinions of those who would hold that job if they kept their opinions within those limits.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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285 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 7th, 2012
12:35 pm
It would be really nice if we could keep the darker back and forths regarding religious beliefs to ourselves during this Easter weekend, OK everyone?
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
12:38 pm
God is not an abortionist. You lack an understanding of God. God has a reason for everything He does and does not do. We have Bible study every tuesday night at 6:30 est and you are welcome. God presented us with the Ten Commandments. God is the same today, tomorrow and forever. God loves babies and the yet born. He does not kill. You seek knowledge? Join us.
Thulsa Doom
April 7th, 2012
12:49 pm
Is there something about “private club” that people don’t understand. Sad to see Romney and previously McCain say they believe in opening up Augusta. Though I don’t really care myself it seems like the right to freedom of association is under assault. What’s next? Girls that want to join the boy scouts and vice versa?
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
12:50 pm
Tiberius – I spoke of God because of a previous negative comment from the haters of Christian’s on the left – not you. God’s intention is to give every one free will … the choice to believe and not believe. He does not force Himself on anyone. Nor do I.
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
12:56 pm
Thulsa – Next is males changing their sex artificially and suing to be in the Miss Universe Pageant…. sorry that has already happened. Maybe next will be PETA wanting the right for humans to marry their pets and grant them “survivor’s rights”.
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:06 pm
gone today – here tomorrow
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:12 pm
Some members of PETA want the right to legally marry their pet and grant them survivor’s rights. If in favor please give your reasons here.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
April 7th, 2012
1:16 pm
carlosgvv
April 7th, 2012
12:27 pm
————
Maybe God doesn’t do anything about miscarriages for the same reason He doesn’t do anything about that sparrow falling to the ground.
Think before posting.
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:18 pm
Oblama is an expert of the photo op …… promises that mean nothing …. speeches that are clueless.
carlosgvv
April 7th, 2012
1:18 pm
Oblama
You believe in a God that is omnipotent, omniscient and perfect. And yet, you cannot deny that 15 to 20% of pregnacies end in spontaneous abortions. There is no way your perfect God can be unaware of this therefore, he approves of these abortions. No amount of Bible study will change this. It is appallingly clear that logic and critical thinking are as alien to you as the backside of the Moon.
By the way, the Old Testament actually lists 613 commandments. So, don’t lecture me on Bible study as I know far more about the Bible than you ever will.
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:19 pm
Barry – AMEN!
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:26 pm
Get in this century – God’s Promises today are in “The New Testament.”….. His covenant’s changed with the sacrifice of Jesus for our Sins. Yes God is aware but to be aware does not mean He is in agreement with abortions, murders, etc. Just because you can google doesn’t mean you know or understand the Bible. When you give a
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
1:29 pm
When you claim God is an abortion provider you obviously don’t know as much as you think you do and your words are not in line with the Word of God. You should seek help.
saywhat?
April 7th, 2012
1:30 pm
Don’t worry Kyle, you and your sycophants only have to put up with 4 and 1/2 more years of the current omnitopical president. Happy Easter!
Just saying..
April 7th, 2012
1:41 pm
I TOLD Richard Nixon not to “Sock it to me” on Laugh In.
Kyle, 40 zillion outlets compete for content, and curiously enough, Presidential and Presidential aspirant content produces more revenue than you or I can produce.
Linda
April 7th, 2012
1:50 pm
There are social liberals & social conservatives.
There are fiscal liberals & fiscal conservatives.
How could any American not be a fiscal conservative on April 7, 2012?
Do fiscal liberals actually want the country to fail or are they missing something?
td
April 7th, 2012
1:57 pm
Never thought I would ever agree with anything Jimmy Carter said but I agree with this statement:
“I never have believed that Jesus Christ would approve of abortions and that was one of the problems I had when I was president having to uphold Roe v. Wade and I did everything I could to minimize the need for abortions. I made it easy to adopt children for instance who were unwanted and also initiated the program called Women and Infant Children or WIC program that’s still in existence now. But except for the times when a mother’s life is in danger or when a pregnancy is caused by rape or incest I would certainly not or never have approved of any abortions.”
“I’ve signed a public letter calling for the Democratic Party at the next convention to espouse my position on abortion which is to minimize the need, requirement for abortion and limit it only to women whose life are in danger or who are pregnant as a result of rape or incest. I think if the Democratic Party would adopt that policy that would be acceptable to a lot of people who are now estranged from our party because of the abortion issue.”
you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free
April 7th, 2012
2:40 pm
Easter weekend?
My theology does not mix the darkness of paganism with the light of Christianity. I celebrate a empty cross, an empty tomb and risen savoir, who sits at the right hand of God making intercession for my prayers and “CONFESSIONS”.
I pay no homage to a mythical pagan fertility goddess or graven statuesque images.
nelson
April 7th, 2012
3:30 pm
being a good father gets votes. He is whatever will get him reelected
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 7th, 2012
5:11 pm
@Oblama
April 7th, 2012
10:07 am
So you can use spell check – congratulations on small accomplishments my SMALL minded friend. I have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UGA, a PHD in Physics from The Albert Einstein School Of Medicine NYC and a M.A. in Business Finance from Duke University. Does that qualify me to be President?
***************************************************************************************************
BUT you DON’T HAVE COMMON SENSE.
david green
April 7th, 2012
5:17 pm
Rafe and Tiberius…
In John 16:2 Christ told his followers that there would come a time that those who persecuted them would think that they were doing the Father Above a service. To put it bluntly the self centered ideology of conservatism promoted by Ayn Rand, an avowed atheist, was created to deceive the unwary and those ignorant of the “Word of God” {the Bible} during the time of the end spoken of in the book of Revelation. Those Christians who walk down the path of conservatism thinking that they are doing the Father Above a service will in the end {when it is too late} find their destiny in the lake of fire created for Satan and his angels.
SheeshLouise
April 7th, 2012
5:33 pm
@david Green.
Isn’t it crazy how true evil can be so shallow as to not realize that enlightened souls (e.g. people wigh a shred of intelligence) have no problem whatsoever recognizing and exposing them for the frauds they are?? But that is what’s so glorious! The very God that they lie about so valiantly serving knows they are frauds and will punish them. They STILL do their dastardly deeds and make a mockery of God by putting His face and name on it! It has never been clearer. They are OF Satan, and they KNOW it!
MarkV
April 7th, 2012
5:49 pm
It is gratifying that Kyle, for a change, could not find anything more to attack the President for than that the President, like most people, had and expressed his opinions on a variety of subjects. Kyle admits that people like Obama often express their opinions because the journalists ask them, and that at least in case of Augusta National the opinion of the President (incidentally the same as Mitt Romney’s) was only drawn from his press secretary by a member of the press. Still, none of that dissuaded Kyle from writing a whole article about that fascinating piece of political matter.
But Kyle does not have to worry; he can always rely on the cohort of his sycophants to fill the blog with insults to President Obama, calling him moron (what does it say about the writer, who is certainly a less accomplished person that the President of the US?), raving about a vile community organizer “set about to change or destroy the Constitution,” (I must have missed Obama’s effort to change the Constitution; the author of that comment must have been foaming at the mouth), and even suggesting that Obama is a good father just to get votes – a truly pathetic fantasy, again telling more about the writer than about the President.
Linda
April 7th, 2012
6:10 pm
david@5:17, Where in the passage you quoted or anywhere else in the Bible does it say to give to the poor by first giving it to the fed. govt. so that the fed. govt. can waste it on green energy companies, i.e. mega bundlers to Obama’s campaign?
Where in the Bible does God smile on liberals running up a now almost a $16 T debt & presenting a budget that runs up another $11 T in debt, which will lead to the demise of our country?
Where is the Bible does it indicate that God did not want us to conserve, rather than to be wasteful?
Why is it that almost every Christian church in America today only asks for 10% but the fed. govt. can’t get by on 40%?
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
6:48 pm
David Greene, there is nothing lower than using selected verses plucked from the Bible and using them against those with whom you disagree. I believe the Bible says something about judging others, I could quote, but then I would be as sophomoric as you. Grow up!
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Sanctimonious people drive me crazy!
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
I have read several Ayn Rand books, in none of which she discussed religion. So, why do the liberals keep bringing up her lack of faith.
She lived through the Russian revolution and reported its affect on the people and she accurately predicted the types of problems we would encounter if we allowed the government to take over the economy and restrict our freedom. Rather than argue against the individual responsibility, liberty, and economic freedom she espoused, the liberals try to shock us with “she was an atheist.” What does that have to do with our respect for her ideas.
She has been far more accurate with her predictions, than the government propagandist, who assure us that everything will be wonderful, if we just get on board with their next great scheme to achieve fairness, which effectively limits our freedom and liberty.
td
April 7th, 2012
7:21 pm
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
They keep bringing it up because she has the playbook of the socialist in this country down to a tee and they are trying to discredit her before too many people learn their true agenda.
@@
April 7th, 2012
7:24 pm
Some blogger called me sanctimonious once. I took it to mean I’m not allowed to talk about my church’s outreach programs. Haven’t discussed them since.
Getting The Word out is tantamount to outreach.
Oh well…never again when liberals are about.
@@
April 7th, 2012
7:31 pm
Families Blend Easter & Passover
It’s Eastover!
Kewl.
Linda
April 7th, 2012
7:31 pm
Sheesh@5:35, Ditto to you what I said @6:10. Who is enlightened, who is intelligent & who is a fraud?
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 7th, 2012
7:31 pm
@Linda
April 7th, 2012
6:10 pm
Why is it that almost every Christian church in America today only asks for 10% but the fed. govt. can’t get by on 40%?
****************************************************************
Use your COMMON SENSE.
Churches get more than 10% from their members.
IF Romney were president you are going pay 40%.
And his 1% BUDDIES are going to pay LESS.
Use your common sense and not your biased feelings.
Romeny will scr*w you and everybody else.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 7th, 2012
7:32 pm
“Those Christians who walk down the path of conservatism thinking that they are doing the Father Above a service will in the end {when it is too late} find their destiny in the lake of fire created for Satan and his angels.”
David Green, your statement above is called an “opinion”. It is not based in fact, nor is it supported by any evidence.
It is just your opinion, and as such can be, and shall be, treated as an ignorant one based on a contrived notion that you actually know anything about the subject of religion or Ayn Rand.
SheeshLouise
April 7th, 2012
7:52 pm
Like I said…NEVER has it been clearer! You can deflect all you want. There are basic “Christian” tenets,and the Bible speaks to NONE of the BS points you try to make, as far as what “goverment” takes from anyone and gives to ANYONE. See, that’s your problem, trying to place Christ’s teachings within a political or economic framework. He does however make it clear about how you treat your neighbor and the “least of” is how you treat and view Him. Nothing else needs to be said. Hell is waiting..
td
April 7th, 2012
8:10 pm
Republicans Believe,
You do understand that no matter what your pay scale is today that when the formally known Bush now Obama tax cuts expire you are going to pay an additional 4 to 5% Federal tax and if you have children will loose some good tax credits?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 7th, 2012
8:16 pm
SheeshLouise, I find it is almost always the liberals on this blog who try to bring up what the Bible (falsely) says about the role of government in an effort to denigrate Christians (as is their goal in life apparently). However, Christians hardly (if ever) bring up the immorality of government EXCEPT in it’s role in allowing abortions to occur.
In my mind both sides are guilty of attempting to push a religious spin on what are personal and private matters with individuals whom they will never meet. Both sides should just stick to the topic at hand, and keep religion out of political discourse.
Linda
April 7th, 2012
8:17 pm
Republicans Believe/ Mr. Capital Letters@7:31, Despite the fact that you do not deserve my time, let me tell you that I have oodles of common sense, much more than you seem to have. If church members pay more than 10%, it’s from their own free will, not a mandate, compared to the fed. govt. Your assumption of my tax bracket is presumptive on your part & none of your business.
I have vetted Romney & feel that a businessman with his accomplishments is exactly the answer to the crisis we are experiencing in the fed. govt. today.
If you are trying to sway ladies on this blog with your inappropriate language, not only are you wasting your time, but you are proving without a shadow of the doubt that liberals are the foul-mouthed thugs that they are.
Writing in all capital letters indicates that you seek attention & is an indication of a deep-seeded problem from your childhood. Hope that treatment will be helpful.
No one on this blog is impressed with your comments, intelligence, common sense, opinions, speech, etc.
Keep it up to show how low the liberals are willing to go. See ‘ya.
@@
April 7th, 2012
8:20 pm
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration and its European allies plan to open new negotiations with Iran by demanding the immediate closing and ultimate dismantling of a recently completed nuclear facility deep under a mountain, according to American and European diplomats.
That negotiating position will be the opening move in what President Obama has called Iran’s “last chance” to resolve its nuclear confrontation with the United Nations and the West diplomatically. The hard-line approach would require the country’s military leadership to give up the Fordo enrichment plant outside the holy city of Qum, and with it a huge investment in the one facility that is most hardened against air attack.
Nevah gonna happen.
European allies, especially the French and the British, say they are concerned that Mr. Obama will want to keep the negotiations going, however unproductive, through the November presidential election to avoid the possibility of a military strike if the talks fail.
Israel and some European leaders fear that tendency would play into what they perceive as Iran’s strategy to use the talks to buy itself time while its centrifuges keep spinning.
Nuthin’ new in that. Looks like a lose/lose to me. If he provokes them to act, he loses. If he puzzyfoots around, he loses.
Weird timing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/world/middleeast/us-defines-its-demands-for-new-round-of-talks-with-iran.html
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
8:31 pm
td
The Oblamer Tax Cuts for the wealthy will not expire. His true believers will excuse him once again, when he extends them. To let them expire will cause even more problems for the economy. He doesn’t need that headache, he can’t manage the economy now. As is the case with this failure, his words never match his deeds. He will campaign hard, rail against the rich to stir his base, and then if he unfortunately fools the folks again and gets re-elected, he will ask his bud Hairy the Reid to pass the bill to extend the cuts.
Rafe Hollister
April 7th, 2012
8:37 pm
@@
You are right he is playing for time to fool the folks one more time. Re-election takes precedent over everything else it seems.
If he was serious he, the one famous for coming up with withdrawal dates, would say give it up by X date or we are going to take it out.
SheeshLouise
April 7th, 2012
8:49 pm
Here is where your logic fails Tiberius. The current political discourse starts with the Conservative claim that this is a “Christian nation” founded on “Judeo-Christian principles”. ANY doubts? See Fox, conservative talk radio, and the Evangelical Christian preachers who twist the church into politics. With that, the idea MUST become then – what does Christ teach? How did Christ live? What did He command of His followers? It’s that simple! There does not even have to be a debate on any Scriptural interpretation. That is where those who SAY they are “Christians” are exposed as frauds. I don’t major in the minors – the abortion debate being one such minor. I see it for what it is.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 7th, 2012
9:02 pm
“The current political discourse starts with the Conservative claim that this is a “Christian nation” founded on “Judeo-Christian principles”.”
And it is largely a nation made up of Christians, and WAS actually founded on Judeo-Christian principles. So? Just because principles are borrowed as being a good idea doesn’t mean we are a theocracy, as we have the 1st amendment to keep that from happening. Are you really going to quibble about the wordsmithing of “We are a Christian nation”?
‘Cause if that’s the basis of your “logic” you don’t know logic.
And as to what Christ taught, while I am the furthest thing from a theologian, I do not recall anything in the Bible about bending over and taking whatever government makes you do in the name of helping your fellow man, rather that you should be willing to do so on your own if you are able.
Linda
April 7th, 2012
9:02 pm
Sheesh@7:52, I’ve been on a lot of blogs for several years & I don’t ever remember a self-professed Christian ever coming on any blog & using profanity like you did tonight. BS? Where do you go to church? I also don’t remember a lady using such language. May I submit that you are neither a Christian nor a lady?
YOU & the Democrats are the ones who are twisting the teachings of the Bible into an evil justification for social justice, an unconstitutional & secular bending of the foundations of which this country was built.
How we treat our neighbors has absolutely NOTHING to do with the fed. govt. Obama has wanted from day one to take away the tax deductions for charity. How evil is that?
Sheez Louise
April 7th, 2012
9:21 pm
So I will ddress both Linda and Tiberius in one shot (because it is so easy to do), I will first ask where in the Declaration, Constitution, Federalist Papers or any of that is “Jesus Christ/Christ/Jesus” mentioned?? Please provide the verbage for us ALL to see. You have no “Christian” of ANY type without “Christ”! Why even waste time responding to the idea of my “professing to be a Christian”. You see Linda, I KNOW it’s all for show. Here’s good Christian Rick Santorum dropping the unadulterated long version. It’s about 45 seconds in. Let me know what you think? Yeah, “Christians” don’t curse, drink, fornicate, etc. We know, we know (rolls eyes):
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=kPCQOaxYqAU
But then again, that’s why I am (no longer) a “Christian”. Oh, I believe and serve God. I simply choose to not buy the BS so-called “Christians” (who are really of the devil) try to push, when nothing in their lives reflect “Christ”. If you don’t look like them, live where they live, how they live, go to their church, believe all they believe, they look down their noses at you and pass themselves off as holier than thou. I don’t waste my time trying to convince people how perfect and supreme I am morally. I do believe in letting them though that I and others see the fraud in them of which your are one. Miss High and Mighty. Enjoy your “holy rolling” in the A.M.
Oblama
April 7th, 2012
9:25 pm
Confucius sez: some people that say others don’t have any common sense aren’t in a position to judge because they wouldn’t know what common sense is if it ran over them!
Linda
April 7th, 2012
9:27 pm
Liberal Christians, which I don’t think exist, could beef up on their teachings tonight by watching the movie, The Ten Commandments, again, paying super attention to the one about coveting your neighbor, Obama’s pretense to social justice.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 7th, 2012
9:41 pm
“I will first ask where in the Declaration, Constitution, Federalist Papers or any of that is “Jesus Christ/Christ/Jesus” mentioned?? Please provide the verbage for us ALL to see. ”
Nowhere, SheeshLouise, however, the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” do appear in the Declaration of Independence.
Yet your point is moot, anyway. Again, you rely on the wordsmithing of “We are a Christian nation” to try to justify a false impression that everybody should be Christians in order to enjoy the fruits this nation can offer. NO ONE has made such a claim, despite the oft-used term, “We are a Christian nation”.
When using the term “this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles”, that is without a doubt true. Our laws state that murder is wrong. That it is wrong to steal from another. That the choice to live free is held in high esteem. These are, in fact, Judeo-Christian principles that this country was founded upon.
Yet through all this, the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution specifically keeps government from instituting a national religion or interfering in the free exercise thereof, making sure that we will never be a Christian nation, but rather a nation containing Christians who just happen to be in the majority today, making the “we are a Christian nation” statement easier to say, but factually incorrect.
“If you don’t look like them, live where they live, how they live, go to their church, believe all they believe, they look down their noses at you and pass themselves off as holier than thou.”
I do believe that your above statement qualifies as “hyperbole”.
SheeshLouise
April 7th, 2012
9:43 pm
We’re waiting Linda… But that’s okay, you have already blown the dog whistle. “Social Justice” – say no more, we know what your beef really is LoL!!! Boy it’s going to be an exciting 2012-2016 in the YTBUS of A!
Linda
April 7th, 2012
9:48 pm
Sheesh@9:21, I’m not ever around people who are as incoherent as you have been on all your comments tonight.
The Declaration of Independence states that our life, liberty & our pursuit of happiness comes from our Creator/God. Jesus was God’s Son.
Your youtube video did not come through.
I still have no idea where you are coming from. May you wake up tomorrow better able to communicate.
Happy Easter!
SheeshLouise
April 7th, 2012
9:52 pm
“but factually incorrect” And that is exactly my point Tiberius. By the way, you do realize that “factually incorrect” is synonymous with “distortion/untruth/misrepresenation/LItE” right? Just saying. Being angry with me is one thing, but truth stands above all. Can’t be angry with that. Not saying you are by the way.