Newsweek's Howard Fineman: Obama thinks he's all that
September 28, 2009 3:12 pm ET by Eric Boehlert
This must be one of the stranger White House critiques I've read in quite a while [emphasis added]:
Obama can seem a mite too impressed with his own aura, as if his presence on the stage is the Answer. There is, at times, a self-referential (even self-reverential) tone in his big speeches. They are heavily salted with the words "I" and "my." (He used the former 11 times in the first few paragraphs of his address to the U.N. last week.) Obama is a historic figure, but that is the beginning, not the end, of the story.
Does Obama constantly refer to himself as an historic figure? Not that I can tell. But maybe Fineman's hearing something else from Obama.
As for Obama's speech to the U.N., which Fineman claimed was way too self-referential, let's take a quick look at the text:
I come before you humbled by the responsibility that the American people have placed upon me, mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history, and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of justice and prosperity at home and abroad. I have been in office for just nine months -- though some days it seems a lot longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around the world. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted, I believe, in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems.
Yeah, Obama just needs to get over himself.












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Sounds like to petty-obsessed right wing theme is already permeating the MSM ...
How many people have heard about the recent college grad from Miami University that could not afford health care and thus recently died from the swine flu and that she was in Boener's district? Would not writing about that heart wrenching story be more productive to society than a holier than thou report about how many pronouns are in Obama's speeches?
Fineman needs to get over himself.
Speaking of someone who needs to get over himself: I think that would be Fineman. The Grand Poobah of Beltway Punditocracy.
It's all about the chatter and gossip and good food/wine after all. Pity, I used to like him.
If only Obama was never on T.V. he would have solved all our major issues.
If only Obama had written the bill we would have healthcare.
Obama is so different from many other Presidents in that most if not all Presidents solved all the problems America faced within the firts 8 months of their Presidency.
Most importantly Obama loves himself, way, way too much.
Our corporate media in action.
Whatever he does, he will be criticized. "Why does he chew on that side of his mouth?! He's [insert patronizing/insulting adjective]!"
If it's this bad in only 8 months, what are the next few years going to be like?
He is young and naive. Let us all-knowing DC insiders tell you how to act, what to say and when to say it.
When you don't listen, we'll just call you egotistic and naive.
"one of us" and how he'd be out of place in the White House?
He was actually quite able and routinely out did the idiots in the press
room with thoughtful and on point statements that usually became muddled
slop through the words of idiots such as Mr. Fineman.
Now President Obama brings his brand of intelligent humor and insight to
our national stage and he isn't understood by the twits in the village.
Fortunately the public has better things to do than get involved with
the mess in the playpen that is the Washington D.C. press corps.
Really the Press Corpse.
They are always doing something on behalf of or to 'the American people'. Why aren't they including themselves in that? Or do they always see themselves as ABOVE us, the mere 'American people'?
Obama has SET the agenda, PUSHED his policies and Congress is dragging its feet.
So if Fineman REALLY cared about these issues, he should have written a hit piece on Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell ...
It's interesting to note how much the liberals love Howard Fineman during his non-stop appearances on MSNBC and his normal Obama worshipping/bush hating commentary. Now that he has dared to "speak truth to power" to Mr. Obama, the left is suddenly attacking him.
Okay, that's a definitive statement. I can't wait for the examples to prove that statement. I am sure that they will be coming soon.
He claims it is not "all about me", but watching the arrogance he displays daily, it is all about him.
Okay, still waiting for some examples of his arrogance.
He loves the trappings of the presidency and he loves reading prepared speeches off a teleprompter...
Okay, he uses a teleprompter so that he's not looking down at notes. So do newscasters, awards ceremonies presenters, Sarah Palin and John McCain and Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and every other world leader, but somehow it's wrong for Obama to do so?
...but he seems to not like to actually work at his job of governing.
Okay, still waiting for a single example, much less several so one could detect a trend!
It's interesting to note how much the liberals love Howard Fineman during his non-stop appearances on MSNBC and his normal Obama worshipping/bush hating commentary.
Actually, liberals didn't love Howard Fineman, and eventually he got run off from MSNBC because of his distatesfull commentary.
Now that he has dared to "speak truth to power" to Mr. Obama, the left is suddenly attacking him.
Nothing sudden about it, first off, and secondly, only people like you on the right think that you must praise everything that comes out of the mouth of people from your side. See, liberals recognize that not everyone on our side is right 24/7, and we are comfortable criticizing people for things they do wrong and praising them for things they do right. We don't have to make blanket generalizations about people until they show a serious pattern of offensive behavior.