Obama in Austin: More Confident or Too Confident?

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 10:46:30 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama, 2008 (all tags)

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The New York Times reports on Barack Obama's campaign event in Austin, TX.

A touch of cockiness is discernable in his manner now; he is like a gambler convinced his every dice roll will come up double sixes.

He enumerates his critics' complaints about him. When he gets to "I'm not tough enough" he adds,

“Listen, I’m a black guy named Barack Obama running for president. You want to tell me that I’m not tough enough?” He smirks. “Shoot.”

[More...]

Later in the day:

In Edinburg, Tex., Mr. Obama briefly stuck his head through a blue curtain at the far end of the press room. “Crank it up, guys,” he yelled to reporters bent over their laptops. “Words matter. Don’t listen to Hillary.”

To which he added: “That’s a joke.”

Is this the new Obama or the real Obama? Hard to tell, since he "rations" his words with the press.

When the press approaches, he rations words like gold. He held a brief news conference on Saturday to respond to a passionate attack from Mrs. Clinton, who accused him of distorting her position on trade. But that was his first nonscripted encounter in five days.

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Obama in Austin: More Confident or Too Confident? | 52 comments (52 topical)

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gee (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by irene adler on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 10:57:24 PM EST

close your eyes and it sounds like george bush.

always sounded like Bush to me (none / 0) (#2)
by RalphB on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:03:16 PM EST

I hope this is a joke (none / 0) (#3)
by Seneca on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:05:06 PM EST

Because saying Obama's name in the same sentence as "Bush' is morally blind.


No (none / 0) (#8)
by RalphB on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:15:18 PM EST

: Give or take (none / 0) (#13)
by AF on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:20:28 PM EST

100 IQ points, to borrow someone else's line. If you ask me, George Bush + intelligence = not George Bush.

you just did it (none / 0) (#20)
by demschmem on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:35:22 PM EST

Obama's campaign (none / 0) (#25)
by sancho on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:52:29 PM EST

reminds many people (me included) of Bush's 2000 campaign. If I only thought Obama had the Supreme Court in his pocket, I'd think he was going to win too.


Barack Obama (none / 0) (#54)
by tek on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 01:31:08 PM EST

IS George W. Bush, he's the Democrats' George W. Bush. That's why I'm not supporting him. He can't possibly be ready to run the country, so who do you think will be pulling the strings? Oh, a bunch of people like Dick Cheney who could never get elected to the WH themselves.


I find his similarities to Bush disturbing. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by NJDem on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:05:38 PM EST

Don't get me wrong, I know he would be a far better president.

But they seem to have similar personality traits (arrogance and I think sense of humor), plus the whole outsider/experience doesn't matter/unity shtick/religious overtones message.

Not to mention Obama is now wearing (none / 0) (#38)
by oculus on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 02:20:29 AM EST

a Stetson.


: Folks (none / 0) (#55)
by tek on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 01:33:30 PM EST

From the first, he adopted Dubya's favorite campaign word (after ain't): "Folks" "Now I know how you folks feel about this" "Folks are goin' to get upset if we don't invade IRAQ."

He has a reason to have some confidence (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Baal on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:06:11 PM EST

Since he is the candidate in a Democratic primary in Austin Texas who did NOT say this:

"I've known Joe Lieberman for more than 30 years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for reelection, and hope that he is our party's nominee," the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides.

No (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Shawn on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:18:12 PM EST

He's the one who said this:

"The fact of the matter is, I know some in the party have differences with Joe. I'm going to go ahead and say it," Obama told the 1,700-plus party members who gathered in a ballroom at the Connecticut Convention Center for the $175-per-head fundraiser.

"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he said.


No (5.00 / 2) (#11)
by Edgar08 on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:18:44 PM EST

Not exactly that.

Just this:

"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he said.

he = Barack Obama, you know?

Of course you knew that.


Did you forget Obama Endorsed Lieberman? (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by Jeralyn on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:19:32 PM EST

New York Times, April 2, 2006:

"I know that some in the party have differences with Joe," Senator Obama said, all but silencing the crowd. "I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's the elephant in the room. And Joe and I don't agree on everything. But what I know is, Joe Lieberman's a man with a good heart, with a keen intellect, who cares about the working families of America."
Then, with applause beginning to build, he finished the thought: "I am absolutely certain that Connecticut's going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the United States Senate." That time, people cheered loudly.

Honestly, I never knew he had. (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by Baal on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:28:50 PM EST

But I see that he did. Apologies.


: lol, are you sorry you asked? What a lineup (5.00 / 2) (#19)
by Teresa on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:31:10 PM EST

of answers. Good for you for being honest.

No you're right (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by rebecca on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:22:40 PM EST

He's the guy who said this

"The fact of the matter is, I know some in the party have differences with Joe. I'm going to go ahead and say it," Obama told the 1,700-plus party members who gathered in a ballroom at the Connecticut Convention Center for the $175-per-head fundraiser.
"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he said.

: Booby prize (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by tree on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:30:25 PM EST

goes to me for the slowest response time to type the same rejoinder!

well, if we're going (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by tree on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:27:48 PM EST

to reach back to 2006, remember that Obama supported Lieberman in the Democratic primary as well.

"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf," he(Obama) said.


are you confusing Austin with the UT campus? (none / 0) (#9)
by RalphB on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:18:07 PM EST

Was (none / 0) (#56)
by tek on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 01:37:16 PM EST

she supposed to come out against the Dems VP candidate? The progressive blogs LOVE Al Gore and he CHOSE Lieberman didn't he? But by all means, let's dig up antiquated stuff and twist it out of context to support BO.


This really turns me off (5.00 / 3) (#14)
by Lena on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:21:26 PM EST

If you are not already a committed supporter of his, this attitude plays pretty badly.

Or, to paraphrase Michelle Obama, "I don't like [his] tone."

One has to wonder (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by jen on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:39:13 PM EST

how the press would react if Hillary came across this way -- arrogant and cocky. Would they find it cute and funny? Would O supporters see any humor in it? :/


No (none / 0) (#28)
by manys on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:07:10 AM EST

This "cocky" business with Obama is just dog-whistle for "uppity nigra." If it were Hillary the adjectives would be more of the "moody" and "stern schoolmarm" bad-mommy words.


Jeez I hope not! (none / 0) (#29)
by RalphB on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:09:53 AM EST

That's sad if it's true.


Put your hopes in a bonnet (none / 0) (#49)
by manys on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 11:21:14 AM EST

Of course it's true. Not only that, but the Hillary part of my comment is confirmed by the SNL piece last night.

McCain is from Arizona. Do you know the name "Evan Meacham?"


: Evan Meachum? (none / 0) (#51)
by RalphB on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 11:29:56 AM EST

Sure, but I don't know what he's up to now. And the SNL skit was pretty close all right.

: Why do you bring up Evan Meachum? (none / 0) (#53)
by delandjim on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:37:35 PM EST

Could be right (none / 0) (#31)
by Democratic Cat on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:14:06 AM EST

Bush behaved similarly when he was running and I recall that the media just described him as confident and sure of who he was.

Personally, I think they're both arrogant SOBs.


My mother says "he always seems so (none / 0) (#22)
by Teresa on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:40:03 PM EST

pleased with himself". He certainly isn't lacking in self-confidence. I guess most politicians aren't but I prefer them to at least pretend to be humble.


: Thanks for reminding me (none / 0) (#40)
by kenoshaMarge on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 06:28:22 AM EST

of the words "he always seems so pleased with himself." My mother used to say that too and I'd forgotten all about it. It really does describe him quite well. Mostly I've given up listening to or watching him because I dislike him so much I get much the same reaction I used to get listening to Bush.
Yes, yes I know smarter and more ,oh-oh, I almost called him articulate and we all know, as does Joe Biden, that that's a racist slur. Funny how times change cause being told you were articulate used to be a compliment.

: I blame his grandparents for this (none / 0) (#47)
by annabelly on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 09:46:53 AM EST

Can't you just see him as a four year old, acting "on stage" for his grandparents in their living room?

LOL even in the last debate he said (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by athyrio on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:43:52 PM EST

"Well I have to admit, I give a pretty good speech" .....a bit of an ego I would say...

Maybe I've got this upside down (5.00 / 4) (#24)
by Anne on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:43:53 PM EST

but I would think that on some basic level, knowing that millions of people were placing their trust and hopes and dreams in you, and there was a distinct possibility that you could end up having the fate of the nation in your hands, you would be humbled, not cocky and smug. Cocky and smug is what we've had from George Bush, and no one that I know thinks that's turned out well.

Obama may not only be a little ahead of himself, he may just be revealing the kinds of traits we ought to run screaming away from.

What will happen to the cockiness... (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by citizen53 on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 01:19:49 AM EST

when adversity strikes or he has to do things that the public is not enamored with?

: We don't know (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by diplomatic on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 03:10:50 AM EST

that's a big part of the problem nominating him without knowing how he would hand the REAL assaults from the right.

On Joe Leiberman (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by glennmcgahee on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 07:40:43 AM EST

Funny, you will not find anywhere on the so-called progressive blogs that worked against Leiberman's re-election telling their readers that Obama supported Leiberman's candidacy when they worked so hard against him. TPM?, Americablog?,Media Matters?,Huffington Post?. Show me at least one that talks about this. I would think its an important issue that their readers should know about. This is the first time I've heard this information.

You have hit on something that's been (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by RalphB on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 09:19:25 AM EST

discussed here for a long time. Those big blogs are just as much in the tank for Obama as the MSM. Why is anyone's guess but they have zero credibilty now to me. Media Matters is the exception but they usually deal in other matters entirely, so I don't know about that one. I've seen an awful lot of the RW talking points from the '90s recycled against Hillary so it feels like '97 to me on some of them. Sheesh.


ugh. (none / 0) (#45)
by mindfulmission on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 09:19:58 AM EST

Sure... his support for Lieberman may be relevant, if Clinton did not also give very similar support to the same guy.

Pointing out something you don't like about a candidate doesn't mean much when the other candidate does/did the same thing.


: It was used as an attack on Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by RalphB on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 09:43:04 AM EST

here last night. That's the point. It's routinely used to attack Clinton, when Obama did pretty much the same thing. Got it?

NYT changed (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by PlayInPeoria on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 09:03:41 AM EST

heading from

On a Roll Electorally, Obama Injects His Manner With a Bit of Cockiness

To this

On Center Stage, a Candidate Letting His Confidence Show

A little heat form the Obama camp?

I could see that (none / 0) (#5)
by Sumofall on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:06:10 PM EST

There's a part of me that just wants to him to win. That way when his words aren't enough to run a country, I'll feel vindicated. But that's just a small part of me.

The line about being a black guy (none / 0) (#7)
by AF on Sat Feb 23, 2008 at 11:12:21 PM EST

named Barack Obama running for president is actually pretty good.

Yes, it is (4.00 / 0) (#27)
by Democratic Cat on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:04:32 AM EST

From what I see, I think he'd be great to have as a friend. He's charming and arrogant in that way a woman's first college boyfriend is charming and arrogant.

But I dumped that guy at the beginning of sophomore year, and I'm not interested in the President being my friend.

Still, it was funny.


: I thought it was funny as well (none / 0) (#32)
by RalphB on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:14:33 AM EST

I also think he's got to be an incredibly warm and charming person.

: It is not funny (none / 0) (#37)
by PennProgressive on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 01:55:47 AM EST

giiven the context. Everything has its time and place. The line in itself is not bad. But I would have liked it if a friend of mine had said that in college among other friends. You don't say this in a rally. Particularly when he says at the end "shoot". That can be totally misinterpreted. Also, why do it in Texas where even a few years back the nation witnessed a horrific racially motivated killing. In this statement he comes across as cocky. But he has always been cocky. In New Hampshire he said in a rally, if he wins there he will be the nominee!
Granted, he has every reason to be confident--may be super confident. But show some judgement,because you know words do matter.

Really? (none / 0) (#26)
by LatinoVoter on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:04:10 AM EST

I find that line the most annoying of them all. Yes he's a black guy named Barack Obama running to be the nominee of the Democratic Party.

What he's implying is that Democrats are racist and xenophobic and won't vote for a black guy named Barack Obama.

It isn't like he's running for the Republican nomination or to be the Grand Wizard of the KKK where his skin color and name would be a hindrance.


it's cute (none / 0) (#30)
by Nasarius on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:13:30 AM EST

But it does absolutely nothing to demonstrate "toughness" in the sense that his critics mean. It demonstrates ambition and daring perhaps.


no, not a bit of an ego, but an overblown (none / 0) (#33)
by hellothere on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 12:25:14 AM EST

ego indicating that he is very naive about the world out there which troubles me deeply.

anyone who is foolish enough to demonstrate being cocky at this point in time has very bad judgment. do we really want him as president?

this is silly (none / 0) (#48)
by white n az on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 10:22:42 AM EST

you aren't gonna get far in a campaign for President if you're not smug, cocky, whatever.

The characterizations of course are by the opponents but the effect has to be there nevertheless.

Heck, I'm a Clinton supporter but I think that criticizing Obama for being confident, in whatever form you wish to label it is just plain silly.

Obama in Austin (none / 0) (#57)
by MOMO on Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 10:53:05 PM EST

Can't blame him for his confidence, but his arrogance is really annoying.