Juan Cole: The Cheapening of American Politics: Why Did Obama Reward O’Reilly With an Interview?

[libdem4life]

53. I disagree. I don't at all admire people who are Dominants. Christie and Republican

bullying come to mind. I think they are mostly weak. And even though not an avid fan of PBO or Hillary, I voted for him and have cheered him on many, many things. I'm way to the Left of all of them, apparently.

But the Superbowl...he felt he needed the stage of the Super Bowl to elevate his status as President, in a schoolyard fight with a Known Bully? No. What would have been appropriate to his office would have been to have his family bundled up as non-partisan fans in the crowd, shivering and eating popcorn or whatever...and he would have gotten a lot of family friendly poses and approving publicity from the cameras on all the stations. Hell, Fox wouldn't have even shown his face, they detest him so much.

He has done that to great success on many occasions...the selfies and all are so cute...as is the warmth of his family. Frankly, that's how most Americans want to see him...an average guy with a great family who represents himself and us well on the national and global stage. Because of his race, it has been a much more difficult battle, but I feel he has broken through that bigotry and done us proud...for the most part.

I don't need your snark that "I didn't get it". I got it. I just have a different opinion. To we Liberals, different opinions are OK and don't reflect deficient or obtuse thinking. It was a cheap publicity trick...and it should have been better thought out. At least an MSNBC interviewer, then let Fox and their Right Haters scream to high heaven. They do anyway.

We don't want him to even like Bill O'Reilly, (or Huckabee/Sugar Daddy/women's libido or Hannity or Beck...) let alone present himself in O'Reilly's Special Fox Den-Receiving Room. They and their ilk are offensive to our sensibilities. He made us watch O'Reilly and that was upsetting. In fact, I turned it off shortly in disgust after it started. Perhaps he did better later on.