"Obama the most polarizing figure" Bullshit

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Last night Frontline had a special about Obama's presidency.

Dan Balz (WaPo) was quoted, along with others as saying "Obama is the most polarizing figure"

This meme implies that Obama himself polarizes which I don't believe is true. As the show depicted well - Obama made every attempt to reach out, to compromise, and was rebuffed and stonewalled.

I know this is semantic argument. And, I am not sure how you would better state the situation. But, it is obvious that the right (in the House and Senate, and media) created or exacerbated the polarization.

[Scuba]

1. Well he does keep being black.

[stultusporcos]

6. Yeah there is that pesky problem...........

Funny how when it is a first for a non-white male doing anything, all the rules seem to magically change on a daily basis.

[MrScorpio]

2. To the racists who hate the very idea of a black Democratic president

Their reaction is purely visceral, which is the stand that they must take against him, along with all of their other little racist pals.

[BeyondGeography]

3. If Santy Claus were a D-President, they'd say that about him, too

Doesn't anyone remember the Clinton presidency? Seven years of Whitewater and impeachment over a stained dress. The Republicans are destructive, whether they have the White House or not.

[rightsideout]

5. I agree

The main purpose of the Republican party is to have their person in as President. If their person is not in there, it's their job to make it as difficult as possible for the Democratic Prez.

Republicans are bullies.

[BeyondGeography]

7. And they're never called to account for it

Certainly not by PBS, which lives in fear of them.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. No, that's what's so unfair. The situation is like...if everyone in a classroom said

"Just for the hell of it, Let's shun Billy. Don't speak to him." And then Billy was labeled someone who doesn't get along with people.

Obama did not cause the polarization. He is a victim of it. That is a finer point that no one in journalism is recognizing. I do have to give Frontline some credit though. At least they brought up the meeting the repukes had on inauguration day. But, the only repuke to defend it was Gingrich who, of course, spun it brilliantly. He made it sound so altruistic...that they met to strategize the future of their party. He didn't say the only way they could survive was by demonizing Obama.

[redgreenandblue]

4. Obama is not polarizing.

He is a centrist, just like Clinton.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. You are probably right. However, watching this show, it struck me that he

is very non-ideological...almost like he is the outsider overseeing the right and the left and just trying to make it work, rather than pushing ideology. That has its good side - but, disappointing to us on the hard left who miss the bleeding heart liberal passion, say like a Ted Kennedy.