Friday, February 29, 2008

Meet "The Prince": Niccolò di Bernardo dei Obama

Some refer to Karl Rove as the "Mayberry Machiavelli." What do you call a political manipulator from the south side of Chicago?

Yesterday, we noted the important New Republic piece which proves (not "argues": Proves) that Obama's campaign has deliberately fostered untrue charges of racism against Hillary Clinton and her husband, thereby undercutting her former support among black voters.

Old Niccolo made clear that the Prince must never let his true inentions be known to the mob. Obama, alas, got sloppy.

While delivering some harsh anti-NAFTA rhetoric, Obama quietly had a supporter tell the Canadian ambassador that the presumptive Democratic standard-bearer didn't really mean what he said. Canada's CTV got wind of the story and reported it. The Obamites denied the story. The Canadian embassy denied the story.

Ticked off, CTV decided to name their source as the memorably-named Austan Goolsbee, an economics prof at the University of Chicago who may or may not be an adviser to the Obama campaign. (He denies having an official position in the campaign, but don't be surprised if he gets one in an Obama administration.) The discussion was with the Canadian consulate in Chicago, not the embassy in D.C., the entity which issued those denials. Goolsbee has not denied the story.

Even though the Obama cultists are muttering darkly about Clintonian disinformation, the truth of the matter should be obvious to all but the most tranced-out disciples. Progressives have fallen in love with an Obama created by their imaginations; the man is, in reality, just a politician.

Would he be a better president than McCain? Unquestionably. But will he "remake society" and usher in the New Jerusalem, as his supporters hope?

My ass he will.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"...who may or may not be an adviser to the Obama campaign." How do you know Obama asked him to speak to the Canadians?

Anonymous said...

remaking society is just awish for progressives. real progressives know it will take a lot more than an election win in order to change society

AitchD said...

Today is the last day of Black History Month where I live. It was a pretty good Black History Month this year. Did you see Dick Gregory (a favorite American) at the Black State of the Union last weekend?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAcN5iKArQU

Tomorrow Women's History Month begins! I ♥ Hillary!

Then April showers bring May flowers, when I get to vote on the plantation here.

Joseph Cannon said...

"...who may or may not be an adviser to the Obama campaign." How do you know Obama asked him to speak to the Canadians?"

Because CTV said so, and I cannot for the life of me think of one reason why they should lie about such a thing. (Unless you are going to posit some inane conspiracy theory about Clintonian control over Canadian media.)

Also because he refuses to deny it.

Hyperman said...

It's all over Canadian news that Obama and Hillary have a tough anti NAFTA discourse, like Bill Clinton had. Most pundits (right and left, we still have both up here) dismiss this as the usual pro-union discourse a candidate flirting with the union vote in Ohio must have.

Like Clinton before them, nobody up here really believe that they will really do something about it, so no need to reassure the Prime Minister, it's like obvious.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, who has indicated they expect Obama to "usher in the New Jerusalem"? You are starting to sound like one of those "purists" you are so anxious to talk about.

As much race baiting and insensitive commentary as Obama has had to endure in this campaign, you want to make this into an issue?

I guess evaluation based on how reliable someone is when it comes to taking a stand on something like the War, or Telecom Immunity are just non-starters, if you can selectively tar the guy with some third-degree associate's conduct like this.

That article only proves something of significance when preaching to the choir - clearly the case here. I had no idea you were such a fan of the New Republic. What's next, Spotlight?

Anonymous said...

yeah- University of Chicago gave me some suspicions...and sure enough Goolsbee does profess to be a free market economist (which would completely fall in line with NAFTA-that's who we have to blame for this mess), and Goolsbee has been named as an advisor to Obama back in September.....so.....
I would have to agree with Joseph.
Damn I miss Edwards!!
I might just stick with my protest vote next week.
kc