Obama's Faults Lead to Ron Paul?

I'm not as much of an Obama fan as I used to be. And after reading The Big Picture's rant about all of the repugnant things that Obama has either done or has allowed to continue under his watch (hint: he's no friend of civil liberties or holding Wall Street accountable for their maleficence), it's hard not to be disgusted by how far the reality of the man differs from the hopey-changey image that he so expertly built in 2008. I say this in full knowledge that I'll be voting for him next year since he's far and away better than any of the options that the Republicans are attempting to throw in the ring. However, I agree with the post in that he needs to start being held accountable for some of his poor decisions. Which is why this idea is so intriguing:

So register as a Republican for one-year only to ensure that Ron Paul gets the GOP nomination.
Even if you’ve never done so before and never will again (we all know how bad the mainstream Republican party has been!), register one time as a Republican to vote for Paul in the primaries.
Why?
If Paul gets the nomination, then he will debate President Obama in the election itself. Then 3 of the issues that are important to all of us – ending the stupid wars, restoring freedom on the Internet and in the real world, and reining in the out-of-control Fed – will finally be discussed.
Whether or not you want President Obama to be re-elected, we all want him to be forced to answer tough questions about endless war, the ongoing drift towards a police state, and the unaccountable Fed.
Helping Ron Paul get the GOP nomination is the way to do so.
Click here for state-by-state instructions.
Note: While many progressives and liberals like Ron Paul, this essay does not focus on actually trying to elect him, only to force a real debate of the issues so that President Obama has to address them.

I'm having a hard-time buying the argument completely - voting is a serious responsibility, and i'd have a hard time knowing that I put someone whose views I disagree with so close to a leadership position - but I have to admit, the idea has merit. Despite his faults, Ron Paul does come from outside the military-industrial complex, and for that reason alone sounds better than 99% of the politicians out there. He brings issues up for discussion that otherwise would never be discussed, and for that reason alone i'm glad he's running.

Underrated, It Is

Obama's sense of humor, I mean. Grab a Mop, willya?

Nobel Now?

Like many if you, my first reaction upon hearing that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize was "for what?" Digby, as always, puts it best:

I guess this Nobel Peace Prize is more about intentions than accomplishments, although the symbolism of the first African American ascending to the presidency is a sign of peaceful progress in America to be sure.

It's also pretty blatently a knock on recent American leaders. It's like they're saying "Thank God you got rid of Bush and didn't elect McCain."
It's dangerous though: it puts a lot of pressure on Obama to actually follow through on all of his promises: ending the wars, closing Gitmo, etc.

Urgh

I bust on the Republicans a lot around here, so it's only fair to do the same when Obama does something stoopid and awful and sickening.

Holding innocent people without trial. How has it come to this?

Dylan on Obama

I've never heard his radio show, but if it's half as entertaining as the interviews i've read of his thoughts on Obama, i'm missing out.

So, How's He Doing?

Andrew Sullivan's take on how Obama's doing so far.

Quote of the Day

Andrew Sullivan points to an old Obama quote to emphasize that his consensus building isn't going away anytime soon just because the Congress continues to play political games:

"The political debate is now so skewed, so limited, so distorted... What if a politician were to see his job as that of an organizer, as part teacher and part advocate, one who does not sell voters short but who educates them about the real choices before them? As an elected public official, for instance, I could bring church and community leaders together easier than I could as a community organizer or lawyer. We would come together to form concrete economic development strategies, take advantage of existing laws and structures, and create bridges and bonds within all sectors of the community. We must form grass-root structures that would hold me and other elected officials more accountable for their actions."
- Barack Obama, 1995.

So Refreshing

God, it's nice to have a president that goes about his business in a sane and dignified manner.

"A Teachable Moment"

This article reminded me why I have so much hope for Obama. If all goes well, we'll have an adult in the White House for the first time in eight years.