The Hollowness Behind Obama's Rhetoric

Weekly Standard: Presidential Hopeful Forges Wow-Factor Words, But No Political Action Plan

(Weekly Standard)  This column was written by Dean Barnett.

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In his many months on the campaign trail, Barack Obama has distinguished himself as the finest orator in recent political memory. With such skills in this area, it's little wonder that Obama and his campaign have put talking on a pedestal. When Obama talks, he does great. Even his detractors can't deny it.

But there's a stark disconnect between the talking Obama and Obama the man of action. Or rather Obama the man of inaction. It says something rather profound about Obama that his most noteworthy campaign-related act to date has been to sit passively in a church pew for 20 years worth of Sundays.

There's a hollowness to Obama's rhetoric. When Obama delivered his famous (and effective) "just words" rejoinder to Hillary Clinton's barbs, the speech inadvertently revealed the emptiness of Obama's rhetoric. "All men are created equal" was indeed more than just words. It was more than "just words" because the men who signed the document that made that claim risked their lives to prove it. They backed their words up with war. In short, their accompanying actions are what made the phrase immortal. If the phrase had emanated from some effete intellectuals in a Boston drawing room who went back to being effete intellectuals after delivering their proclamation, guys like Barack Obama wouldn't be quoting them today.

The question with Obama remains exactly what actions he'll take to give real meaning to his fine speeches. Interestingly, it's not just Obama's right wing critics who have complained about the emptiness of his rhetoric. Until the left finally circled its angry wagons around Obama over the last few weeks, you could find prominent left-wing bloggers complaining about Obama's failure to embrace progressive plans on an almost daily basis.

Of course, there's a certain cleverness to the strategy of combining inspiring rhetoric with no accompanying plan for action. I thought Obama's speech after his victory in the Iowa caucuses was the finest and most inspiring political address I had ever heard. Even though I didn't feel a tingling in my leg like Chris Matthews does on such occasions, Obama surely knows that if he's reaching heartless conservatives like me with his speeches, then he's got himself a launching pad to go after all sorts of voters. Why take the chance of turning off such voters by offering plans for action that they may not like?

My problem with Obama and my fear of a potential Obama presidency is that his ostentatious plans for inaction may be more than just a clever political strategy. If you look at his record, Obama seems to lack much fondness for action. His record is littered with evidence that he's a congenital ditherer who doesn't bother to offer actions that support his words. As a Senator, Obama has talked about bipartisanship but never actually done anything of a bipartisan nature. In the Illinois state legislature, Obama had all those "present" votes.

Still more disturbing are some of the prescriptions for purported action that the Obama campaign has issued. In this month's American Prospect, Team Obama spoke with Prospect senior staffer Spencer Ackerman to outline the bones of what will be the Obama Doctrine. I know, it all sounds very butch for a dovish modern Democrat - a genuine Doctrine! But unlike the Monroe Doctrine or the Truman Doctrine or the Reagan Doctrine or even the Bush Doctrine, the Obama Doctrine mentions nothing so quotidian as backing up foreign policy aims with force.

If blustery testosterone-fueled rhetoric causes you unpleasantness, you might want to skip the following summation of what Team Obama has come up with for the Obama Doctrine:

They envision a doctrine that first ends the politics of fear and then moves beyond a hollow, sloganeering "democracy promotion" agenda in favor of "dignity promotion," to fix the conditions of misery that breed anti-Americanism and prevent liberty, justice, and prosperity from taking root.

Out of an innate sense of kindness and charity, I'll overlook the contradiction between Team Obama's fierce desire to move beyond hollow sloganeering and focus on "dignity promotion." Instead, let's focus on how the Obama Doctrine isn't a plan and promise for action like all the Doctrines that have preceded it, but instead an empty piece of gobbledygook rhetoric.

It's just talk that most people will find agreeable, perhaps even noble. Practically every American supports the idea of "liberty, justice and prosperity" taking root. I bet we can even all agree that "dignity promotion," whatever it may be, is probably a swell thing.

But the real trick isn't agreeing on such basics. The real trick is enacting policies that make them a reality. If the Obama Doctrine held that President Obama would send a fleet of Navy vessels to the shores of every country where dignity wasn't being adequately promoted, that would at least be a Doctrine worthy of the name. It would be a stupid Doctrine, but at least for once Obama would be matching his rhetoric with a plan for action. As it is, the Obama Doctrine is of a piece with the rest of his campaign. It's an attractively outlined set of worthy goals unsupported by any apparent plan of action to realize those goals.

The Obama Doctrine dovetails nicely with Obama's promise to begin an aggressive round of - what else? - talking with all our enemies. Once again, no clearly expressed goals preceded Obama's promise to talk. Almost needless to say, Obama has offered no elaboration on how the talking will advance specifically defined American interests. The talking is itself the point.

Not that there’s anything wrong with talking. Having a president who is willing and able to communicate as well as Obama would be a refreshing change of pace after the last seven years. The problem is Obama's apparent allergy to action. The fear isn't that Obama merely prefers talk to action, but exclusively opts for talking over acting.

Obama's racial reconciliation speech was particularly disturbing in this regard. Although it's a little implausible that Obama long ached to give a major speech on racial matters and yet only did so when his relationship with a fiery pastor began to seriously damage him politically, let's give Obama the benefit of the doubt and concede that he would like to play a constructive role in America's race relations. And yet what does he offer as his prescription? You guessed it - a conversation.

Obama has observed American race relations for years. Certainly some policy proposals have bubbled to mind. He has said some provocative stuff about our public schools, sufficiently provocative stuff that he fell into disfavor with the teacher's unions. And surely Obama has reached some conclusions about affirmative action, inner city crime and economic opportunity that would warrant a central role in his plan to move America forward on racial matters.

But focusing on such things would require political action. And it's Barack Obama's way to prefer a good conversation instead.

[clovisbuford]

Hagee, citing a planned "homosexual parade," had previously told National Public Radio that Hurricane Katrina was God''s punishment of the people of New Orleans for "a level of sin that was offensive to God." Hagee long has been denounced by Catholics for labeling the Vatican "The Great ***" and blaming Hitler''s genocidal policies on his having "attended a Catholic school as a child." SF chronicle 3/26/2008
this iis Mccains advisor who says Mccain sought his endorsement

[ajmarine1]

The only reason the Republican''''s are making such a big deal out of Wright they a thousand wacko ministers just like him backing up McCain! Some of them have been in the news but it was instantly hushed up by the right wing media. Who if given half a chance would make Wright look like Mother Teresa!


Posted by grumpas at 09:22 AM : Mar 27, 2008


Farrakhan''''''''s October 16, 1995 Million Man March ranks among the events about which Rev. Wright has written most extensively and passionately. Wright attended the rally with his son, and has described it as "a once in a lifetime, amazing experience." When a number of prominent African Americans counseled fellow blacks to boycott the demonstration because of Farrakhan''''''''s well-documented history of hateful rhetoric, Wright derided those critics as "''''''''Negro'''''''' leaders," "''''''''colored'''''''' leaders," "Oreos," and "house *******" whose most noteworthy trait was their contemptible "Uncle Tomism." "There are a whole boat load of ''''''''darkies'''''''' who think in white supremacist terms," added Wright. "%u2026 Some ''''''''darkies'''''''' think white women are superior to black women%u2026. Some ''''''''darkies'''''''' think white lawyers are superior to black lawyers. Some ''''''''darkies'''''''' think white pastors are better than black pastors. There are a whole boatload of ''''''''darkies'''''''' who think anything white and everyone white is better than whatever it is black people have."



He does sound like Mother Teresa doesn''t he.

[clovisbuford]

I applaud the theme of this article , action is mesured in deeds ,not speech.When the republican party advertised itself as the party of fiscal discipline , it almost doubled the deficit between 2000 and now. When Bush as the nominee promised a "humble foreign policy and an end to "nation building " we have Iraq. When the republican party assumed power in the house and senate with its "contract with america" it promised term limits , and a government that was responsive and less corrupt . In 1994 when they took power earmarks were at 1400 ,2006 the year they lost their majority the number of earmarks was 14,000. The republican party says its all about state rights and the individiuals rights, the US congress and pres.Bush intervened in the Schaivo case over the state supreme court and the womans husband . The katrina response , essentially the government was off signing guitars in calif , and buying shoes in new york ,while an american city drowned and the US government sat around with their thumbs buried .We are in the fith year of an unpaid for war put on a chinese credit card paid by our grand kids. We have domestic spying, government corruptiuon endemic ala Abramoff, from contracting ammmunition to the continuing KBR scandals .The housing bubble , oil being $20 a barrel when bush took office to near $110 a barrel these days .Indeed lets judge by results come Nov. and vote accordingly

[it_oldtimer]

Obama''s "Political Action Plan" is very well laid out in great depth on his web site. Maybe the Weekly Standard hack that wrote this article just can''t read.

If you really want to talk about a man without a plan, just have a look at McCain - his plan is to just keep doing what Bush has been doing. Doh! He can''t even get basic facts straight without ex-Democrat Joe Lieberman whispering corrections in his ear as he speaks.

[dmgenet]

Is this article saying that he is sounding just like GW Bush did when he ran for President? Hmmm. Like this is a new criticsim of Obama.

Nit pickers should have nit picked at Bush''s reason(s) for war and his continued reasons for war. Hollow bunker thinking at its best. Only Knight-Ridder had Bush''s goat during the run-up to the Iraq war. No one listened and no one paid attention.

Want to know what Obamas ideas are? Go to his web site.

[rickynyc1]

there will always be a level of uncertainty we will have in anyone running for president. BUT i think that shallowness is a welcome compared to outright lying by Hillary Clinton...if she is LYING about things( dodging sniper fire) now,how in the world could we trust her in a postion of power.

[wakeup60]

Obama has Not Condoned this Minister...He is his "FORMER" Pastor///Gone...wouldn''t you dismiss him yourself...??? Yes!!! This so-called friend opened his big mouth to cut a throat-not build a bridge. But no one is responsible for what someone else says...Big mistake for having him be his Minister to begin with...but this one particular service where all this vial was spewed...He should be removed from ever preaching anything again!!!...But, you see Religion is a bad word usually!!! Every time the word is used it has a horrible outcome/People think they are better than any other...and kill spirit and flesh in it''s name!!! Look at all that encombases the term Evangelical...what it that word makes anyone above someone else/angelic?...Not the Republicans..for sure!

[blueisblue-2009]

the young have fallen in love with obama, unfortunally they dont vote when it comes election day.

[crater7]

HEY !

DID ANYONE NOTICE THE PHOTO IN THIS ARTICLE?

IS THAT REVEREND WRIGHT IN THE BACKGROUND?

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D " AMERICA.

Funny...that the majority of supporters for Obama are white: college students, adults and men. Blacks overall support Obama, but are only 12.4% of the US population. The majority of whites who don''''t support Obama are uneducated or republican (millionaires or suckers).

Without really studying the facts on the candidates, people are repeating Fox News & CBS (republican supported sites) which are not balanced. Therefore, the real story is not coming across. These same people say Obama''''s minister committed "Treason" but when white ministers say the same thing, they''''re republican heroes. For those who want the truth:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister -committe_b_91774.html

http://www.msnbc.msn. com/id/22425001/vp/ 23726367#23726367

Don''''t worry about Rev. Wright''''s statement:
God *** America, because America has already
damned itself:

http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p =42344&s2=24

(remove spaces in links above to view)

test

a href="http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p
=42344&s2=24" http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p
=42344&s2=24 /a

Funny...that the majority of supporters for Obama are white: college students, adults and men. Blacks overall support Obama, but are only 12.4% of the US population. The majority of whites who don''t support Obama are uneducated or republican (millionaires or suckers).

Without really studying the facts on the candidates, people are repeating Fox News & CBS (republican supported sites) which are not balanced. Therefore, the real story is not coming across. These same people say Obama''s minister committed "Treason" but when white ministers say the same thing, they''re republican heroes. For those who want the truth:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister-committe_b_91774.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23726367#23726367

Don''t worry about Rev. Wright''s statement: God *** America, because America has already damned itself:

http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=42344&s2=24

[crater7]

jstrong8;

AND GOD BLESS YOU ALSO jstrong8. WE ALL NEED A LITTLE
BLESSING NOW AND AGAIN.

AS FAR AS HOLDING OBAMA ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT HE DOES AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT MAY TAKE SOME TIME. AMERICANS WILL NOT ELECT MR OBAMA PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA." NOT G D AMERICA."

[neonink]

I want to add one point, I just read Michelle Obama''s thesis about being Black at Princeton. And she states she doesn''t fit it because she''s black and doesn''t ever feel like she''ll fit in.

Does she even realize that 99% of the people in America feel they don''t fit it. That isn''t a black phenomena, that is a human experience of this generation. Reading everything about the Obamas, I just don''t understand why race is a predominant force to the point of obsession? I''m afraid Michelle Obama and possibly Barack just don''t get "typical humans" more than they don''t understand "typical whites".

In my world, from my experience the last 20 years, every white person I know will bend over backwards to make everyone inclusive. Of course, I''m just a typical white middle class person.

[jstrong8]

Crater7

There have been Presidents of this Nation who has previously own slaves, there has been Presidents of this Nation who has openly discriminated against Women, Asians-Americans, African-Americans, there have been Presidents who have refused to give equality to Women and other minority, Senator Obama has done none of these things or anything close to it. If Reverend Wright run for the Office of the President, then I am with you, but until then, Hold Senator Obama accountable for what he has stated or done, not for others. Let God judge the others for what they do. We will hold Senator Obama accountable for what he does as President of the U.S.A. GOD BLESS AMERICA and you Crater7.

[crater7]

jstrong8;

YOU MAKE A GOOD SPEECH/COMMENT. YOU COULD BE A WRITER FOR OBAMA''S SPEECHES.

MR OBAMA, IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AMERICA WILL NOT TOLERATE A CANDIDATE BLACK OR WHITE, THAT CONDONES SOMEONE WHO HAS PREACHED TO THE WORLD, AMERICA BE DAMMNED.

THIS IS THE UNITED STATES, PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR AND DYING FOR THIS COUNTRY EVERYDAY. THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT BE DAMMNED. BY MR WRIGHT, OR ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS HIS ANTI AMERICAN BELIEFS.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT " G D " AMERICA.

[searover3]

I agree with you. Its about time someone spoke out about this.

[jstrong8]

The article is an attempt to discredit someone who in my opinion can bring this country out of the doldrums it%u2019s in. We as a nation - because of the current administration - is viewed as duplicitous and self righteous. We need someone who can bring this Nation together. we will continued to be hated. I am proud to be an American and so are the Obama(s). There are those who act so outraged because of words stated by a man out of the past, if we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that we have set under, worshiped and worked with those that were anti everything that was not like them. If not; how did discrimination last so long? Hate the sin, not the sinner. The 90''s were a good period but it was over eight years ago and much has changed since then, so must we. I agree with Eric Hoffer, we must change. %u201CIn times of change the learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists.%u201D In watching and listening to James Carville, it reminds me of why we can''t go backwards to those days. The younger generations will not tolerate such behavior, and it is one of the reasons they gravitate to Senator Obama; some people write out of hate, others out of the past and those like myself try to look to the future and say WHY NOT...YES WE CAN. I am looking ahead to an America that embraces other Nations, an America that embraces Diversity, let%u2019s demonstrates less hate and more tolerance. GOD BLESS AMERICA

[sanfelz]

No comment on Bush'' mindless garbled drivel today? No comment about Bush'' bragging about the Iraqi economy? Certainly the Weekly Standard or National Review will find a way to blame the US economy on Rev Wright and Michelle Obama.

But the price of gas is near $4.00/ gallon. Mission accomplished.

[crater7]

hungry1968at 10:32am; Please tell us;

HUNGRY, OBAMA FOR TWENTY YEARS SAT IN THE PEWS OF THE REV WRIGHT''S CHURCH AND CONDONED HIS PREACHINGS AND RACIST ANTI AMERICAN, ANTI WHITE, ANTI JEWISH RANTS.
BY NOT DENOUNCING THE RACIST CHURCH, AND THE RACIST ANTI AMERICAN REVEREND, HE IS GUILTY OF NOT ONLY ASSOCIATION, BUT ALSO GUILTY OF PARTISAPATION. THAT IS PROMOTING THE SAME RACIST PREACHINGS OF HIS FRIEND, MENTOR, UNCLE, FAMILY ARE WHATEVER HE IS.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D AMERICA."