"the president thinks you're shallow. And you know that he is right. And you hate him for it."

[babylonsister]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/5/26/102114/680

He Dislikes You Right Back

by BooMan
Sun May 26th, 2013 at 10:21:14 AM EST


Sometimes, I wonder why I so frequently see disparaging remarks in the press about the president's disposition or mien. He's aloof, arrogant, detached, above-it-all, distant, dismissive. The thing is, he doesn't strike me as any of those things. Maybe every once in a while I get a brief hint that he's impatient or frustrated with the stupidity that surrounds him. But, to me, it seems like he hides it well. Watch him console grieving parents or enter into a little child's world or work a rope line, and he's compassionate, intimate, wholly-there.

snip//

The day-to-day clutter of manufactured controversy and faux-scandal is ultimately unimportant to the president. What does he care of critics who want to know why gay rights have not yet been addressed, when he knows he will have laid down the most progress in history on that front by the end of his first term? He's working from a vision. When a Code Pink protester rails against him for the situation as it stands, he can afford to be magnanimous because he's in the process of laying out where we're going.

This is what the press sees as being detached and above-it-all. But, in the context of effective governance, those attributes are virtues. How could he not feel at least some disdain for those who are so absorbed in the now that they can do nothing but quibble and nitpick, attacking him with a million pinpricks while never sensing that his vision is too big to be stymied by such trivialities?

Of course, he pays a price for being unloved by the press. He pays a price for not tending to the narrative of the day with the same intensity with which he tends to the long game. But he's only one man and he can't have every skill that one might want. If you want someone to arouse populist passions, you probably don't pick the guy who excels at keeping everyone calm in a crisis. And if you could look at all the thronging crowds at all those Obama rallies and still argue that the man lacks warmth or is detached or can't arouse populist passions, then maybe your standards are too high.

Or, maybe, you have just enough depth to realize that the president thinks you're shallow. And you know that he is right. And you hate him for it.

[The Magistrate]

1. There Is A Good Deal To That, Ma'am

A man who does not suffer fools gladly will not gladden the hearts of many fools.

[whathehell]

2. I've never understood this supposed "detached, aloof, arrogant" demeanor at all. To me,

his public presence has always seemed rather warm and engaging.

It's funny that you say the press doesn't like him, though, as the Right seems to think they love him.

Oh well.

[JoePhilly]

5. Its part of the "what ever will stick" approach that the press takes.

The press is very willing to push totally opposite negative narratives about Obama simultaneously.

He's abusing his power, and he is in over his head.

He should lead more, but also stay out of the way.

He's an elitist. No, he's a thug.

Socialist! Corporatist!

It does not matter which of the negative narratives you personally chose to embrace, just so long as you embrace one of them.

[whathehell]

6. I never thought of it that way, but you may well be right.

Thank God that the general public never bought it, otherwise we might have a President Romney.

Now THERE's a warm and approachable "man of the people".

I've been disappointed in the president, politically, but the LEAST offensive thing about him, in my view,

is his persona. Hell, he's charming, attractive and witty...I was in Europe during part of the '08 campaign

and I heard people comparing him to JFK, and I doubt it gets better than that.

[Historic NY]

10. They want a Christie gruffness in your face person..........

imagine if he was completely sarcastic. I think they get PO'ed because the POTUS does come back at them only they don't realize it until days or weeks or months later.

[whathehell]

18. Do you think?

I can't imagine ANYONE wanting a president to be like Christie, and I've always wondered why

repukes thought he'd make such a great -- He's flat out rude and nasty.

In terms of directness and/or aggressiveness, the closest I believe we've ever come to that, though he was much

brighter and not at all nasty, was Howard Dean, and I even heard HIM being described as "angry".

Obama could (thankfully) NEVER be like that -- too much cool, too much class.

Maybe there's a double standard for Republican and Democratic presidents.

[Boomerproud]

22. The public doesn't like politicos like Christie-only the media does because his personality

gives them what they want 24/7-drama drama drama. The media only care about the three C's-corruption, confrontation and chaos.

[Historic NY]

23. Yup.

[whathehell]

27. That's an interesting point and you're right, in that he does give them drama and "confrontation".

I think he's a jerk, although I was glad to see him stand up to the worst of his party

when they dissed him for accepting aid for Sandy (and a hug) from Obama.

I'm in my sixties -- I hope to live long enough to see this country regain its sanity.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

12. I'm pretty sure "uppity" is the word they want to use

I mean, imagine....a black guy being President. The fucking nerve.

[whathehell]

29. Sadly, yes. So awful to think that some (many?) people still think that way.

I've had some problems with his politics but NEVER with his style or personality.

I saw him in Illinois in a rather small venue with Dick Durbin when he was running

for the US Senate and he just electrified the room -- A complete charmer in my book.

[Brigid]

3. I honestly don't know how Obama does it.

Dealing with teh stupid all day long, that is.

[lunatica]

4. Being able to go home each night to his highly smart, intelligent and wise wife surely helps

I believe she's his equal in smarts.

[Kath1]

15. That must be soothing.

A very intelligent, beautiful, compassionate woman there in Michelle! Love her too! Such a refreshing change from stiff and cold Laura Bush.

[whathehell]

28. Me too.

I like Michelle a lot...She's smart, great looking, and very down to earth.

[Frustratedlady]

7. I think the "aloof" comments come from him standing proud as he's waiting

for the applause to end. At the camera angle, he might look aloof, but he's also being patient with the people to stop their cheering so he can proceed with his speech. Republicans aren't used to acting that way...they don't get applause that often.

Obama is probably the warmest POTUS we've ever had. Republicans aren't used to acting that way, either.

[PatSeg]

16. I remember during the '08 debates

sometimes he looked a bit arrogant and condescending. It was mostly a body language thing and I think it was when he was in situations that were tense or difficult. I think he may have been trying to look more confident than he felt. The rest of the time he was warm and engaging, but I think that pisses his opponents off even more.

I was just thinking about this as I watched him on TV and tried to understand what there is about him that makes some people hate him so much (aside from the racists that is). I can understand disagreeing with his policies, but this is so obviously a good decent person. How can anyone see a monster or a dictator or the anti-christ. I know people who see him the way I see Dick Cheney or GW Bush and that is so perplexing to me.

[Frustratedlady]

17. I think part of it is that they can't figure out how the son of a single mother

and black got as far as he did without help from Affirmative Action. For years, AA was despised by young whites who missed a chance at certain colleges in favor of a black...particularly in the south. Don't give Obama any credit for brains and ambition, for heaven's sake.

Too many unanswered questions in their point of view. Of course, the fact they didn't want to believe anything good about the guy shouldn't enter into the equation. Mercy me!

The Republicans in congress are simply jealous, bigoted and hateful. They will end up eating their own...they should know enough never to touch Obama or the country would come down on them so hard, their heads would spin right off their neck. In all my years, I've never seen such a hateful and spiteful bunch of yokels. They aren't even smart enough to be ashamed.

[PatSeg]

20. When I get disgusted with the way they treat Obama,

I remember how they treated Bill Clinton (Hillary too). They just can't stand losing the White House to a Democrat and if that Democrat is young, smart, charismatic, AND good-looking, that drives them insane. I think of it as a high school mentality, where the losers resent the "cool" kids and tear them down. Most of the republicans in Congress are as uncool as you can get. Not to mention the world's worst losers!

You know that time that Obama sang on camera must have pushed them over the edge.

I'm thinking that Nixon probably felt the same way about JFK. Petty envy is so unattractive.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

24. It always warmed my heart when he landed a kiss

on Hillary's cheek and pulled her chair out for her before each and every debate.

[Scuba]

8. The say "aloof, arrogant, detached, distant and dismissive" because they can't say "uppity"

[freshwest]

19. ^^^This^^^

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

25. Arrogant=Uppity Black Negro who won't stay in his place!!

[ReRe]

9. Look it...

... sociopaths always accuse their foes of what they themselves are guilty of. Always remember that. He doesn't exactly "welcome their hatred," but he's damn sure not intimidated by it. The man can walk right into the lions den, right into the fire, and always comes out unscathed. He has no fear. And yes, the media and the wingers hate him for it. What his detractors say does not bother me and no one else should be bothered by it either. We have something the detractors don't. We know that he has the strength of his convictions and the TRUTH on his side.

[Kath1]

11. You outdid yourself with that post, babylonsister!

He is right. They hate him for it. I love him for it and support him 100%!

[Chaco Dundee]

14. right on

Can't argue with the truth,

[Raine1967]

35. Welcome to DU!

Keep on interacting!

[ewagner]

13. Putting it another way...

Obama is speaking intelligently to an audience which has been exposed to deliberate, manipulative "dumbing down" for the past three decades...by asking his audiences to rise above the shallowness of pop-culture politics, he is forcing people to face the consequences of their bumper-sticker politics and reason together for a higher vision....they resent and resist by immersing themselves in the protective cocoon of ignorance.

[Cha]

21. This is the definitive indictment on the shallow press, babylonsistah. Booman

has the "press" nailed.

Or, maybe, you have just enough depth to realize that the president thinks you're shallow. And you know that he is right. And you hate him for it.

This should be Viral so maybe even just one of those vapid twits accusing the President of being "aloof" could look in the mirror.

Our "aloof" President from today..


President Obama hugs grieving families in Section 60

http://theobamadiary.com/

[Doctor_J]

26. He's TOO even=keeled for my taste

I wish he would treat the right-wing terrorists with less aloofness and more contempt. And his vision has been stymied by those trivialities.

[babylonsister]

30. We 'get it', Doctor J. You don't like him. Gotcha. nt

[Safetykitten]

31. A cottage industry of explainations of our Presidents behavior, basically it's us, not him.

I must admit this is one of the most creative of the "fuck you/you don't get him" thingies.

[babylonsister]

33. Ha! A cottage industry because you're not of this opinion?

Trust me, there are far more negative articles about Obama then positive.

But take it personally.

[Hekate]

32. Great article, Babs. I've never seen him as aloof, but then...

... I am attracted to highly intelligent men. And I remember the social dynamics of high school all too well.

I love it that he does not talk down to the American electorate. Instead he will lead the listener through his thought process step by step, fully explaining the background, the past, present, and future of it.

You can disagree with him, but anyone who wants a faux populist given to grandiose gestures can have Bush Jr. back, or hang out with Gingrich. You're not going to get that from Obama, because it's just not who he is.

KnR!

[babylonsister]

34. I am also, Hekate, and

love your comments! All very true; I just hope he knows there are people like us who do so appreciate him for being a smart, thoughtful adult despite all the strife he deals with.

[Skittles]

36. I think Obama's demeanor is fantastic

very even-keeled and he seems to show displeasure only with people who would "try the patience of a saint" - yes INDEED

[cntrfthrs]

37. Bravo...