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
Linda
April 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
@@ @9:38, At least he’s not two different personalities. He’s at least consistent.
Linda
April 8th, 2012
10:00 pm
Hillbilly@9:48, Don’t ever put something that scary on a blog after dark. Okay? I’m under my covers including my head.
@@
April 8th, 2012
10:01 pm
Hillbilly:
You might be interested in watching this.
Will do. For some strange reason, I find Putin fascinating…a master of the game.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:07 pm
@Linda
April 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
This guy @9;15, is now threatening me. If I knew where he lived, I would call 911 & have him seen about. He is about as delusional as they come. Will we see him this week on Criminal Minds or Dateline?
********************************************************************
Where is the threat?
The truth is not a threat.
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:09 pm
Michael H. Smith: “obumer” “obozo” “obumer’s down sizing” “obumer’s demagogue version” “New and Improved Wall Street obumer” “ primitive sounds made by a common Vladimir Lenin species of useful idiot maggot as it is beginning to morph into another drab mundane Marxist garbage pile gnat.”
In the future if you must lie, as surely it seems common liberal democrat marxist trash must do, then I demand you take full accreditation for any and all additions of your own words to any of my comments. Plagiary is flattering, your contaminating isn’t.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
April 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
“If Obozo Built The White House********************* Then It Would Be The First Thing He’s Ever Accomplished-”
You gotchyur pen and paper ready? I’m fixin to let fly with some more materials for ya.
Be sure not to let this one slip by.
obozo is a tard. Our little tard.
Just sayin….
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:21 pm
And get a quote on this one you oduma disciple, after the political crucifixion of your obamessiah I want all you marxist apostles of “Social Democracy” to hold your breath waiting for his resurrection.
Oh yeah know what they say about pay back… well, it’s going to be obama’s fault for every bad thing that happens no matter how badly the GOP screws things up for you Bush haters.
Linda
April 8th, 2012
10:25 pm
Republican Believe totally misquoted me. Anyone can go to the blogs & see what I wrote. Pitiful, just pitiful. Deranged is more likely.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:30 pm
@I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…
April 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
“If Obozo Built The White House********************* Then It Would Be The First Thing He’s Ever Accomplished-”
You gotchyur pen and paper ready? I’m fixin to let fly with some more materials for ya.
Be sure not to let this one slip by.
obozo is a tard. Our little tard.
Just sayin….
****************************************************************
The FIRST thing he has accomplished is that he has EXPOSED hidden RACISTS.
The SECOND thing he has accomplished is he has off PEOPLE like you.
But you will GET OVER IT in November when he is president AGAIN.
heeheeheeheeheehee
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:33 pm
@Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:21 pm
And get a quote on this one you oduma disciple, after the political crucifixion of your obamessiah I want all you marxist apostles of “Social Democracy” to hold your breath waiting for his resurrection.
Oh yeah know what they say about pay back… well, it’s going to be obama’s fault for every bad thing that happens no matter how badly the GOP screws things up for you Bush haters.
***************************************************************
GOT IT.
Thank you for the “QUOTE”.
This goes in the Obama Haters File.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:39 pm
@I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…
April 8th, 2012
10:12 pm
“If Obozo Built The White House********************* Then It Would Be The First Thing He’s Ever Accomplished-”
You gotchyur pen and paper ready? I’m fixin to let fly with some more materials for ya.
Be sure not to let this one slip by.
obozo is a tard. Our little tard.
Just sayin….
****************************************************************
CORRECTION
The SECOND thing he has accomplished is he has TEED off PEOPLE like you.
heeheeheeheeheehee
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:40 pm
Good, verbatim this time I hope.
Oh and how’s that winning streak of 2010 working for ya? Got over it yet? Hope not, cause when elections fall on the 6th of November the Republican wins.
hehehehehehheehehehehehehe haw… bary on lil dunkey, bray on.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:43 pm
@@Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:21 pm
And get a quote on this one you oduma disciple, after the political crucifixion of your obamessiah I want all you marxist apostles of “Social Democracy” to hold your breath waiting for his resurrection.
Oh yeah know what they say about pay back… well, it’s going to be obama’s fault for every bad thing that happens no matter how badly the GOP screws things up for you Bush haters.
****************************************************************************
Maybe I should forward this to:
http://www.secretservice.gov
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
April 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
The above is what happens when you feed the trolls.
Linda
April 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
Republicans Believe is the poster child of the Democratic Party. People like this are the examples of the minions that will believe anything Obama says, a very dangerous sector that is imbedded into our culture.
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:51 pm
By all means their swifty you can bet I’m looking forward to innuendo in your comment taking place. If only you knew as much about the law and politics as your ego has you believing you possess.
What the matter can’t you get those secret service agents to bust my doors down any sooner, my bedtime is approaching, stop wasting the taxpayers money. I’m waiting – NOT!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:54 pm
@Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
April 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
The above is what happens when you feed the trolls.
*****************************************************************
The above is what happens when you deny women birth control.
heeheeheeheeheeheehee
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:55 pm
@Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
10:51 pm
By all means their swifty you can bet I’m looking forward to innuendo in your comment taking place. If only you knew as much about the law and politics as your ego has you believing you possess.
What the matter can’t you get those secret service agents to bust my doors down any sooner, my bedtime is approaching, stop wasting the taxpayers money. I’m waiting – NOT! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
*******************************************************************
Knock knock
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
10:58 pm
@Linda
April 8th, 2012
10:47 pm
Republicans Believe is the poster child of the Democratic Party. People like this are the examples of the minions that will believe anything Obama says, a very dangerous sector that is imbedded into our culture.
****************************************************
Linda, Lil Barry and Michael H. Smith are the poster children for the GOP.
a very dangerous group of people that are imbedded into our CIVILIZED culture.
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
11:02 pm
Best check your doors, no one is standing outside of mine and there won’t be either. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
a very dangerous group of people that are imbedded into our CIVILIZED culture.
Yeah and the very dangerous mass murdering group always appear on the socialist left of politics: Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 8th, 2012
11:18 pm
@Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
11:02 pm
Best check your doors, no one is standing outside of mine and there won’t be either. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
.Michael H. Smith
April 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
a very dangerous group of people that are imbedded into our CIVILIZED culture.
Yeah and the very dangerous mass murdering group always appear on the socialist left of politics: Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot.
*******************************************************************************
Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
heeheheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheheehee
heeheheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheheehee
heeheheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheheehee
heeheheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheheehee
Today’s Rebellion News – April 8th 2012 | Rebellion News
April 8th, 2012
11:22 pm
[...] Growing tired of the omnitopical presidency [...]
Linda
April 8th, 2012
11:31 pm
Kyle & the AJC need to get a handle on this problem.
Republicans Believe Its OK If Obama Built The White House - But How Dare He Live In The White House
April 9th, 2012
12:12 am
@Linda
April 8th, 2012
11:31 pm
Kyle & the AJC need to get a handle on this problem.
***********************************************************************
I agree.
I can contribute to the discussion whenever they want me to.
They need to get a handle on all of the disrespect against the President of the United States.
It is one thing to disrespect other bloggers but some bloggers have gone to far.
There are many of us who have documented and keep up with all of the negative comments on this particular blog.
If some are allowed to say what they think then everyone should be allowed to say
what they think.
There should be no discrimination or singling out certain bloggers.
I repeat there are many who have witnessed as well as documented negative comments
from this blog.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 9th, 2012
6:46 am
“There are many of us who have documented and keep up with all of the negative comments on this particular blog.”
There are many people who should be prosecuted for being internet stalkers as well.
You’d be one of them, Republicans Believe.
MarkV
April 9th, 2012
8:29 am
Good news: Now the quality of the comments can only go up.
UGA 1999
April 9th, 2012
8:56 am
Because for the past four years all he has done is campaign for his next term. This is why NOTHING has gotten done.
April 9th, 2012
9:23 am
“Its is so sad Kyle to finally have a young vibrant President who
knowsdoesn’t know whats going on in the real world, and not having some stiff like the last President who had no clue whats going on with the common man.Kyle, welcome to the world of the 21st century where the President
cancan’t run the country and still keep up on current events.”Fixed that for you.
Not sure what you’re smoking, but for those of us who are honest, sensible, tax-paying & positive contributors to society, it’s obvious that this man is not a good president.
Carry on.
April 9th, 2012
9:24 am
“There are many of us who have documented and keep up with all of the negative comments on this particular blog.”
A: This is ridiculous
“There are many people who should be prosecuted for being internet stalkers as well.”
A: This is even more ridiculous
saywhat?
April 9th, 2012
9:31 am
“Republicans believe” sure has Kyle’s hateful bunch in a tizzy now, doesn’t he? I am looking forward to the wailing and gnashing of teeth from them come November’s election day, or as Romney will call it, Tuesday.
Jefferson
April 9th, 2012
9:51 am
It will be ok, it will pass in about a week and you won’t be quite so grumpy.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
Many don’t realize, but Internet stalkers start off just like pedophiles. First it’s a look at a pic, then it escalates. Same with stalkers. First it’s saving your comments, then it’s working at getting more information about you. The most deranged ones like Republicans Believe eventually start issuing you death threats after they’ve driven by your house to tell you something about your lawn or your car to show they know where you live.
I know from being the target of one.
Dusty
April 9th, 2012
12:50 pm
Well, It is Monday but Kyle will get going here soon I’m sure.
In the meantime, Gingrich never gives up and he does have some good ideas. Here’s what he would like Republicans to keep in mind for “planks” for a new president.
1-Strong commitment to the 10th Amendment i.e. more power to the states
2-A balanced budget provision that would include a fund for debt repayment financed by royalties
from oil & gas
3-A plan for energy independence
4-A science research project to map the brain (to aid in Alzheimers’ and Parkinson’s study projects),something important to our aging citizens.
This information came from AJC’s Sunday edition in a reprint from Washington Post by Karen Tumulty. Gingrich may never be president but he will always have good ideas. It may help us to consider them.
Dusty
April 9th, 2012
12:59 pm
Tiberius,
I really hated to read your last line that you had been “stalked” by an extreme blogger. That is really sad. I am sorry to hear that happened.
Blogs can be a lot of fun and most interesting at tmes. I wish we could keep them at that level.