Comments on: Biden: ‘Average Americans Don’t Want An Average American President’ http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:03:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Art http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4972404 Art Wed, 21 May 2008 19:09:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4972404 Considering what we have had the past 7 years... Average would be a hugh step up. Considering what we have had the past 7 years…
Average would be a hugh step up.

]]> By: galmud http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4972306 galmud Wed, 21 May 2008 18:43:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4972306 Well spoken Mr. Biden Hope he steps in often this campaign to debunk McCains foreign policy nonsense Well spoken Mr. Biden

Hope he steps in often this campaign to debunk McCains foreign policy nonsense

]]> By: House of Roberts http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4972130 House of Roberts Wed, 21 May 2008 17:56:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4972130 DallasNE at 1:03pm That has been my biggest concern about McCain, that Admiral Daddy and Admiral Grandaddy got the boy into Annapolis, much as Daddy Bush got lil' Bush into Yale. Then McCain joked and partied his way to 894 out of 899. Bet the five guys who ranked lower were legacy appointees also. DallasNE at 1:03pm
That has been my biggest concern about McCain, that Admiral Daddy and Admiral Grandaddy got the boy into Annapolis, much as Daddy Bush got lil’ Bush into Yale. Then McCain joked and partied his way to 894 out of 899. Bet the five guys who ranked lower were legacy appointees also.

]]> By: DallasNE http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971948 DallasNE Wed, 21 May 2008 17:03:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971948 McCain is really emerging as a lightweight in the mold of fellow college legacy and under performer George W. Bush. This is indeed shaping up as a Bush third term run. McCain is really emerging as a lightweight in the mold of fellow college legacy and under performer George W. Bush. This is indeed shaping up as a Bush third term run.

]]> By: ForTruth http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971898 ForTruth Wed, 21 May 2008 16:41:48 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971898 America has been dumbed-down. They don't know any better, and are uncomfortable with someone smarter than they are. America has been dumbed-down. They don’t know any better, and are uncomfortable with someone smarter than they are.

]]> By: hussein toasterhead http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971872 hussein toasterhead Wed, 21 May 2008 16:28:59 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971872 <i>ralph the wonder llama Says: Good point. There’s a real resentment among many conservatives against “intellectual elitism” (read: intelligence and contemplation). It ties into that “attack the strength” mantra they embrace. If someone’s intelligent, mock them for it. The logical extension of that is that you make stupidity a virtue. Hence, the Chimp. May 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm</i> ______ In schoolyard terms, conservatives are the bullies who beat up the smart kids and take their lunch money. ralph the wonder llama Says:

Good point. There’s a real resentment among many conservatives against “intellectual elitism” (read: intelligence and contemplation). It ties into that “attack the strength” mantra they embrace. If someone’s intelligent, mock them for it. The logical extension of that is that you make stupidity a virtue. Hence, the Chimp.

May 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
______

In schoolyard terms, conservatives are the bullies who beat up the smart kids and take their lunch money.

]]> By: ralph the wonder llama http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971864 ralph the wonder llama Wed, 21 May 2008 16:27:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971864 <blockquote>Evergreen2U Says: I think that there has been a focused pattern of propaganda fed to the American public by the right that equates intelligence to being a sissy…unable to act; unable to act forcefully.</blockquote> Good point. There's a real resentment among many conservatives against "intellectual elitism" (read: intelligence and contemplation). It ties into that "attack the strength" mantra they embrace. If someone's intelligent, mock them for it. The logical extension of that is that you make stupidity a virtue. Hence, the Chimp. Part of it is that, in general, the more educated one becomes, the more liberal their politics. Puts the Right wing in a real quandary -- they can't disparage the concept of "education" since that's long been accepted as a cornerstone of a civilized people. So they do the next best thing: claim that "too much" education is bad for you.

Evergreen2U Says:

I think that there has been a focused pattern of propaganda fed to the American public by the right that equates intelligence to being a sissy…unable to act; unable to act forcefully.

Good point. There’s a real resentment among many conservatives against “intellectual elitism” (read: intelligence and contemplation). It ties into that “attack the strength” mantra they embrace. If someone’s intelligent, mock them for it. The logical extension of that is that you make stupidity a virtue. Hence, the Chimp.

Part of it is that, in general, the more educated one becomes, the more liberal their politics. Puts the Right wing in a real quandary — they can’t disparage the concept of “education” since that’s long been accepted as a cornerstone of a civilized people. So they do the next best thing: claim that “too much” education is bad for you.

]]> By: hussein toasterhead http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971854 hussein toasterhead Wed, 21 May 2008 16:26:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971854 <i>Zimzone Says: Thanks, Sen. Biden, for <b>articulating</b> above average. May 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am</i> _____ Pun.... intended? Zimzone Says:

Thanks, Sen. Biden, for articulating above average.

May 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am
_____

Pun…. intended?

]]> By: ralph the wonder llama http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971828 ralph the wonder llama Wed, 21 May 2008 16:20:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971828 Joe Biden has never made a very good presidential candidate, but he's a fine leader and a smart man. Joe Biden has never made a very good presidential candidate, but he’s a fine leader and a smart man.

]]> By: RUCerious http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971826 RUCerious Wed, 21 May 2008 16:20:48 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971826 However, the idiot 28%ers do enjoy having an idiot chympident. However, the idiot 28%ers do enjoy having an idiot chympident.

]]> By: Evergreen2U http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971824 Evergreen2U Wed, 21 May 2008 16:20:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971824 Gunmitch says: <em>My personal opinion is that a lot of people (or at least a lot of Americans) are not comfortable with people who are smarter than they are </em> Close...but I think it is much more complex. I think that there has been a focused pattern of propaganda fed to the American public by the right that equates intelligence to being a sissy...unable to act; unable to act forcefully. It is a wedge issue of sorts and being used like religion to derail the American public from voting in their own best interests. Gunmitch says: My personal opinion is that a lot of people (or at least a lot of Americans) are not comfortable with people who are smarter than they are

Close…but I think it is much more complex. I think that there has been a focused pattern of propaganda fed to the American public by the right that equates intelligence to being a sissy…unable to act; unable to act forcefully.

It is a wedge issue of sorts and being used like religion to derail the American public from voting in their own best interests.

]]> By: gummitch http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971778 gummitch Wed, 21 May 2008 16:06:08 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971778 <em>mary Says: I think most Americans are suckers for a candidate who they think they could sit down and talk to without feeling like they’re being looked down upon. One would certainly hope though that along with a candidate being approachable that they would also be smart, educated and well-versed in foreign affairs. None of which Bush is.</em> I think there is, unfortunately, a lot to this. My personal opinion is that a lot of people (or at least a lot of Americans) are not comfortable with people who are smarter than they are and for some bizarre reason prefer the idea of a president that they'd be comfortable hanging out with rather than one who is prepared to think through and deal with the complexity of governing. How else to explain the popularity of a lunkhead like Reagan? Or the country's rejection, years back, of a real egghead like Adlai Stevenson? Or, really, how else to explain the parade of real idiots sent to Congress every year? mary Says:

I think most Americans are suckers for a candidate who they think they could sit down and talk to without feeling like they’re being looked down upon.

One would certainly hope though that along with a candidate being approachable that they would also be smart, educated and well-versed in foreign affairs. None of which Bush is.

I think there is, unfortunately, a lot to this. My personal opinion is that a lot of people (or at least a lot of Americans) are not comfortable with people who are smarter than they are and for some bizarre reason prefer the idea of a president that they’d be comfortable hanging out with rather than one who is prepared to think through and deal with the complexity of governing.

How else to explain the popularity of a lunkhead like Reagan? Or the country’s rejection, years back, of a real egghead like Adlai Stevenson? Or, really, how else to explain the parade of real idiots sent to Congress every year?

]]> By: Buckie Boy http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971770 Buckie Boy Wed, 21 May 2008 16:02:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971770 Grampy McSame says - My friends back in the day everybody was average, yep, none of this elite above average stuff, if we found one of them we would throw lemons at them, yes sir, lemons, then when the lemons got hot in the sun we would step on them to make lemon pies, foreigners didn't like lemon pies, so we would throw them at them, that was our foreign policy back then...I hope that is creamed corn and potatoes in my pants. Grampy you should stick to shuffle board, not foreign policy. Grampy McSame says – My friends back in the day everybody was average, yep, none of this elite above average stuff, if we found one of them we would throw lemons at them, yes sir, lemons, then when the lemons got hot in the sun we would step on them to make lemon pies, foreigners didn’t like lemon pies, so we would throw them at them, that was our foreign policy back then…I hope that is creamed corn and potatoes in my pants.

Grampy you should stick to shuffle board, not foreign policy.

]]> By: PatrioticLiberalChristian http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971718 PatrioticLiberalChristian Wed, 21 May 2008 15:49:30 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971718 Take 911 from Bush and what do you have? A one-term President whose approval ratings tanked and disapproval ratings soared. We've gotten there as 911 is further away in time. Take his prisoner of war status from MCain and what do you have? A Senator who sold his principles to run for and will fail to achieve the presidency. We will get there as the campaign progresses. Take 911 from Bush and what do you have? A one-term President whose approval ratings tanked and disapproval ratings soared. We’ve gotten there as 911 is further away in time.

Take his prisoner of war status from MCain and what do you have? A Senator who sold his principles to run for and will fail to achieve the presidency. We will get there as the campaign progresses.

]]> By: mary http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971700 mary Wed, 21 May 2008 15:42:58 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971700 I think most Americans are suckers for a candidate who they think they could sit down and talk to without feeling like they're being looked down upon. One would certainly hope though that along with a candidate being approachable that they would also be smart, educated and well-versed in foreign affairs. None of which Bush is. I think most Americans are suckers for a candidate who they think they could sit down and talk to without feeling like they’re being looked down upon.

One would certainly hope though that along with a candidate being approachable that they would also be smart, educated and well-versed in foreign affairs. None of which Bush is.

]]> By: Paul W http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971670 Paul W Wed, 21 May 2008 15:32:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971670 <em>McCain dismissed the important distinction, arguing that “any average American” thought of Ahmadinejad as the Iranian leader, and so he would, too.</em> This is classic conservative smoke and mirrors where <em>reality</em> never enters the picture, only <em>perseption</em>. Sound like anyone we already know? http://progressiveworldreview.com McCain dismissed the important distinction, arguing that “any average American” thought of Ahmadinejad as the Iranian leader, and so he would, too.

This is classic conservative smoke and mirrors where reality never enters the picture, only perseption. Sound like anyone we already know?

http://progressiveworldreview.com

]]> By: Zimzone http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971658 Zimzone Wed, 21 May 2008 15:28:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971658 misshusseinmolly Says: It’s my understanding that Michelle is offering some kind of bounty to anyone who catches Barack lighting up. <em>Interesting. I had not heard that. 'Obama Mama' is not someone whose wrath I would care to face. You just get this feeling that Michelle can take care of herself quite well...</em> misshusseinmolly Says:
It’s my understanding that Michelle is offering some kind of bounty to anyone who catches Barack lighting up.

Interesting. I had not heard that. ‘Obama Mama’ is not someone whose wrath I would care to face. You just get this feeling that Michelle can take care of herself quite well…

]]> By: Badmoodman http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971654 Badmoodman Wed, 21 May 2008 15:25:52 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971654 #12: <em>Obama is an ex-smoker who quit well over a year ago (a promise he made to Michelle when he decided to run for president).</em> - - I've read in the past that Obama sneaks smokes like Jed Bartlet used to. #12: Obama is an ex-smoker who quit well over a year ago (a promise he made to Michelle when he decided to run for president).

– - I’ve read in the past that Obama sneaks smokes like Jed Bartlet used to.

]]> By: Zimzone http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971650 Zimzone Wed, 21 May 2008 15:24:49 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971650 On average, Bush is well below. On average, McIIIrd is far below. On average, Obama is far above. <em>Thanks, Sen. Biden, for articulating above average.</em> On average, Bush is well below.

On average, McIIIrd is far below.

On average, Obama is far above.

Thanks, Sen. Biden, for articulating above average.

]]> By: Luis M http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-4971646 Luis M Wed, 21 May 2008 15:21:23 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/21/biden-average-americans/#comment-4971646 <em>misshusseinmolly Says: I don’t want him to just be an “average” guy I could have a beer with (although if he enjoys a beer once in awhile, this is fine). Is this asking too much?</em> Well you did get a President who drives you into drinking... is that close enough? misshusseinmolly Says:
I don’t want him to just be an “average” guy I could have a beer with (although if he enjoys a beer once in awhile, this is fine). Is this asking too much?

Well you did get a President who drives you into drinking… is that close enough?

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