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DEL.ICIO.USObama’s Reagan moment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, they muddle on. Hillary Clinton takes Indiana, 51-49, while Barack Obama wins North Carolina, 56-42. Neither is likely now to win at the ballot box the delegates needed. The game shifts to the superdelegates — which means that the party elite anoints the winner. Democrats have a mess on their hands.
Obama showed in his post-victory speech in North Carolina that, while he now appears to be the weaker of the two Democrats in a general election campaign against John McCain, he’ll be tough to beat.
As he stood before the cameras last night, the screen behind him was filled with the faces of people who represent Hillary voters. All were white, most all were women and many of them were older.
And while he didn’t mention Jeremiah Wright, he took the second step in distancing himself from Wright’s jaundiced view of America. I quote a portion of his remarks at length here because they could have been delivered by Ronald Reagan. The view is optimistic and distinctly different from the America where institutions are evil and embittered small-town people live clinging in their grimness to God, guns and bigotry.
From Obama’s speech:
“The people I’ve met in small towns and big cities across this country understand that government can’t solve all our problems - and we don’t expect it to. We believe in hard work. We believe in personal responsibility and self-reliance.
“But we also believe that we have a larger responsibility to one another as Americans - that America is a place - that America is the place - where you can make it if you try. That no matter how much money you start with or where you come from or who your parents are, opportunity is yours if you’re willing to reach for it and work for it. It’s the idea that while there are few guarantees in life, you should be able to count on a job that pays the bills; health care for when you need it; a pension for when you retire; an education for your children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential. That’s the America we believe in. That’s the America I know.
“This is the country that gave my grandfather a chance to go to college on the GI Bill when he came home from World War II; a country that gave him and my grandmother the chance to buy their first home with a loan from the government.
“This is the country that made it possible for my mother - a single parent who had to go on food stamps at one point - to send my sister and me to the best schools in the country on scholarships.
“This is the country that allowed my father-in-law - a city worker at a South Side water filtration plant - to provide for his wife and two children on a single salary. This is a man who was diagnosed at age thirty with multiple sclerosis - who relied on a walker to get himself to work. And yet, every day he went, and he labored, and he sent my wife and her brother to one of the best colleges in the nation. It was a job that didn’t just give him a paycheck, but a sense of dignity and self-worth. It was an America that didn’t just reward wealth, but the work and the workers who created it.
“Somewhere along the way, between all the bickering and the influence-peddling and the game-playing of the last few decades, Washington and Wall Street have lost touch with these values.”
That’s a great transition — assuming he repeats it often enough — from Wright’s toxic anti-Americanism and perhaps even from the question of why he sat there for 20 years without walking away, as Oprah had done.
Questions are likely to remain about his judgment. But nobody can question his ability to deliver precisely the right speech at the appropriate time. It’ll be no walk-over for McCain.
Comments
By Redneck Convert
May 7, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Well, it looks like old Rush wasted his time trying to get godly Republicans to vote for the Clinton woman in IN and NC. Anyway, Fox News says they didn’t make much diffrence, the way they voted. They got in the voting booth and meant to vote for Clinton but they hated her so bad about half of them couldn’t bring theirselfs to do it and they voted for Obama. The upshot is we are about to have one of Those People getting the party nod for President. I just can’t imagine what other countrys must be thinking of us. Its enough to make a person bow their head in shame.
Anyway, I feel like a real Manly Man today and proud to be in GA. They put the needle to this murderer last night and it made me feel good all over. We got our revenge—I mean, justice—on him. One thing for sure, he won’t be killing again. Shoot ‘em up and stack ‘em up, is what I say. We need a assembly line for all the people on death row. Just make them wait in line to get the needle and quick. This is GA, not some wimpy Northren state.
So it looks like this Obama will keep right on bamboozling folks and people are stupid enough to vote him in as President. Anyhow, McCain is kind of jinxed. About 20% of the Republicans in IN and NC refused to vote for him, and there ain’t nothing he can do to get their vote. The librul Democrats will turn their guns on him full-bore pretty soon and he’ll wish he remembered to bring the KY jelly. Its a shame to have to watch a old man like that take a butt-whomping. I can just see jbmlaw right now running to hide the money he got from My President’s tax cuts before the librul Democrats take over. And poor Sister Dusty is probly making all kind of Drs. appointments before all Those People are able to get in line ahead of her under this socialized medicine.
Have a good day everybody.
By Charles
May 7, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Barrack “The Slogan Master” Obama does have some good speech writers and the ability to speak well. But like my grandpa always said ‘actions speak louder than words’. Obama’s past will be his downfall in the General Election IF he stops Hillary from stealing the nomination of their party. That scenario is still alive.
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. “Words, words, words! I’m so sick of words. I get words all day through; first from him, then from you? Is that all you blackguards can do?” Every time I see an Obama quote, the words that run through my mind are, “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” Obama sells the sizzle, not the steak. I want to hear how he will address world-wide Islamists targeting Americans. I want to hear how he proposes to affect American commerce. I want to hear whether his judicial nominees would be of the sort who gave us Kelo, or the sort who gave us Medellin. I want to hear how he proposes to cut government spending, or alternatively how much he proposes to increase and how he plans to fund it.
Captain Queeg has answered those questions, mostly to my satisfaction. Hussein has not answered at all; he does not intend to.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
The calm, reasoned approach to problems that Mr. Obama has demonstrated thru out this ordeal is just what has been lacking in the Bush Off whitish house lo these last long painful seven years (and seven is my favorite number, my make believe borg mommy, 7 of 9, inspires me to this day, feed me mommy, feed me)….oh, back to reality….Obama would not have attacked Iraq on the advice of such known liars as wolfoweasel, filthy feithie, liar libbie, and the other ferrange (derviced from an Persian word for “foreigner”), but Osama and the other Saudia terrorists who planned and executed the 9/11 attacks would have long ago been hung by the neck. Imagine how much better our world would be with the resources wasted in Iraq still available to us….
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Comparisons to Reagan are superficial; Jimmy Carter is a better comparison. Carter was the candidate who spoke of hope and decency, and who generally concealed his legislative and judicial agenda. Reagan always held his agenda front and center. There was never any question where Reagan stood on an issue; we only wondered if he was serious, and, of course, he was, even on the frivolous stuff. Ask the fired air traffic controllers. Ask the Reykjavik negotiators. Reagan never stopped surprising us, not because of what he said, but because he did what he said. Obama, like Carter before him, stands for nothing but fluff.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
I think Jim’s obsessed. I think deep down inside, he liiiiiikes Obama. I think Jim likes Obama more than he likes McCain or Clinton. Maybe Jim’s just getting tired — like so many others. Maybe he’s just getting tired of hearing others being accused of being part of an axis of Eeeevilllll. Maybe he’s getting tired of picking fights and fighting endless wars. Maybe he’s starting to see some hope in those words — hope that he doesn’t see coming from the other candidates. Maybe it’s time to change the chant from “Four More Wars” to “No More Crusades”.
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Dear George @ 8:34, I think you are partially right. The calm Obama would never have attacked Afghanistan; rather he would have invited Osama to the White House to sing Kumbayah. Not only would nobody hang by the neck, my guess is Obama would have found a way to have the government fund a start-up chain of maddrassas in DC.
By HIDT
May 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
McCain has substance on his side. Will it be enough in a political system that has become a stepchild of Madison Avenue and its ability to sell us Happy Meals and teach us all what priopism is? I don’t know. The battle will be won by one set of ad men and women against another.
Redneck@ 8:16 I see you’re getting started earlier this morning. Good. The early hillbilly gets the ham biscuit.
jbmlaw@yesterday I’m blushing.
By Curious Observer
May 7, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
It is obvious that Wooten sees the handwriting on the wall, even if jbmlaw contents himself with political libel. Most Republican Congressmen see it too—see “GOP leaders warn of election disaster” in today’s Politico.
The Republicans have botched things so badly that practically any Democratic nominee can win handily in the presidential race. So just keep right on conjuring up images of Osama bin Laden sleeping in the Lincoln bedroom. It won’t work, and the Republicans will feel the disgust of the majority of American voters in November. You had your chance, Republicans, and you blew it.
By ron
May 7, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Good morning all,Obama is a step closer to his dream and our nightmare.As Charles so astutely observed,Hillary ain’t done yet.There’s a big fight a coming in the Democratic ranks.It’ll be gutter politics at it’s best.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Uh, HIDT, Gomer Pyle does not have substance on his side….that’s traitor joe lieberswine at his side, aka worm tongue, whispering the words into Gomer’s ear, so that what comes out of his mouth sounds like substance….second from last in his class at the naval academy, dim witted, easliy led, hmm, sounds like a W clone to me…..
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
jbmlaw@yesterday,
You do strike me as the type that would toil with the mere prospect of rejection.
By Copyleft
May 7, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Wooten’s disappointing the rabid Republican base today. Recognizing the opposite site as HUMAN?? What a betrayal!
Where’s the blind, unreasoning hatred, Mr. Wooten? The Bushdrones NEED that daily dose of outrage to keep their anger going as they slide into inevitable defeat and irrelevance.
You’re really letting down the team with this stuff. Next you’ll be acknowledging reality or something.
By Rick
May 7, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
“It’s the idea that while there are few guarantees in life, you should be able to count on a job that pays the bills; health care for when you need it; a pension for when you retire; an education for your children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential.”
Of course, Obama believes that the government should either provide or require all these (especially the health care.) Reagan believed that people could - and should - work hard to provide these things for themselves.
By Rick
May 7, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
“It’s the idea that while there are few guarantees in life, you should be able to count on a job that pays the bills; health care for when you need it; a pension for when you retire; an education for your children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential.”
Of course, Obama believes that the government should either provide or require all these (especially the health care.) Reagan believed that people could - and should - work hard to provide these things for themselves.
By Rick
May 7, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
“It’s the idea that while there are few guarantees in life, you should be able to count on a job that pays the bills; health care for when you need it; a pension for when you retire; an education for your children that will allow them to fulfill their God-given potential.”
Of course, Obama believes that the government should either provide or require all these (especially the health care.) Reagan believed that people could - and should - work hard to provide these things for themselves.
By zeke
May 7, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Obama is just another liberal class baiting democrat! I cannot believe that the voters in the US would even consider electing a President only on his ability to charasmaticlly talk of change, with no plan of action! Yes we may get change, but, the only thing needing change is the rape of successful taxpaying citizens for the socialist agenda of these fools! They complain of $450 billion for defense, while also complaining we do not spend enough on socialist program mandates! But, we spend ove 50% of the budget on those socialist programs! Ridiculous! Pass the “fair tax” and constitutionally ban the income tax and constitutionally force the governments to operate on at least a balanced budget based on those tax collections, NO EXCEPTIONS BUT NATIONAL DEFENSE PRIORITIES IF WE ARE ATTACKED! PERIOD!
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
ha ha ha, class baiting…ha ha ha, a woman works for ten years at 40 hours per week for 15 dollars per hour, then pays social security and medicare tax of ~7 percent, a top fed tax rate of 28%, and whatever the state takes…The fat cat new york financial manipulators buy her company, load it down with debt, the proceeds of which they put in their own pockets, downsize the company laying off the woman, and later spin the debt ladened company off as a public company…paying only a 15% capital gains tax on their “carried interest”…now I ask you, which one is robbing the system, stealing the wealth other people have produced while not paying their fair share of taxes? The fat cat new york repuke takeover artist, or the woman working 40 hours per week for a decade? Which one deserves free health care?
By Bob
May 7, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Now just image how much harder it would have been on Obama’s grandfather, father-in-law and single mother if they too would have had to pay the increased taxes Obama is now proposing for us!
Not that he’s out of touch with the people’s needs or anything..
By Theo
May 7, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
What New Taxes? Bob.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
zeke@10:01,
You said “NO EXCEPTIONS BUT NATIONAL DEFENSE PRIORITIES IF WE ARE ATTACKED! PERIOD!”
Do you mean that we should have limited our spending to defending the land and people within our borders after 9/11/2001. Or, by “defense”, do you mean we need to spend whatever it takes to seek out and destroy everyone associated with an attack on us. Would you also include everyone that may one day think about attacking us. What if we ask if someone will attack us and they respond with a “No”. Do we believe them or not. What about our borders and ports. What about people within our borders. What about all the forms of terrorism that are hidden in plain sight such as those who would have us live in fear if we do not give up our personal freedoms. What about aids. What about a government that would allow others to pollute our air, water, and food in order to make a profit. Do we get a vote prior to collecting that money that will be needed for said “defense” or do we just have faith in the one we elect as president to have the knowledge, wisdom, etc., to make the best possible decision. So many questions, no satisfactory answers — not even from jbmlaw.
By Rhonda
May 7, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
I know many people think “yeah” tax the rich…Go Obama! But his definition of “rich” is skewed. I am so very fortunate to be a medical doctor (I provide lots of free care) and I make about $250,000 in a good year. Obama considers this rich. I already pay over 50% of my income in State, Federal and payroll taxes leaving me with a net of just under $125,000 to raise my family of 8. We do feel fortunate but certainly not “rich”. He wants to tax people like us in the same bracket as Jimmy Buffet! Wow, that won’t help the economy. When the Bush tax cuts expire I will no longer have the extra funds to prevent my children from taking out student loans! People like me will stop spending and businesses will feel the impact. So before you chant “tax the rich” please consider that you might be considered rich! If I were a multimillionaire I would gladly hand over half my money as I would still be a millionaire so maybe one should consider this before pulling the lever for Obama the socialist!
By Rhonda
May 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
I know many people think “yeah” tax the rich…Go Obama! But his definition of “rich” is skewed. I am so very fortunate to be a medical doctor (I provide lots of free care) and I make about $250,000 in a good year. Obama considers this rich. I already pay over 50% of my income in State, Federal and payroll taxes leaving me with a net of just under $125,000 to raise my family of 8. We do feel fortunate but certainly not “rich”. He wants to tax people like us in the same bracket as Jimmy Buffet! Wow, that won’t help the economy. When the Bush tax cuts expire I will no longer have the extra funds to prevent my children from taking out student loans! People like me will stop spending and businesses will feel the impact. So before you chant “tax the rich” please consider that you might be considered rich! If I were a multimillionaire I would gladly hand over half my money as I would still be a millionaire so maybe one should consider this before pulling the lever for Obama the socialist! I also live in Oklahoma so the cost of living allows me to live well on my salary but if I were in California I would not even be able to afford a house. Obama really needs to consider these things before he decides to save the world with our hard earned money!
By Rhonda
May 7, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
I know many people think “yeah” tax the rich…Go Obama! But his definition of “rich” is skewed. I am so very fortunate to be a medical doctor (I provide lots of free care) and I make about $250,000 in a good year. Obama considers this rich. I already pay over 50% of my income in State, Federal and payroll taxes leaving me with a net of just under $125,000 to raise my family of 8. We do feel fortunate but certainly not “rich”. He wants to tax people like us in the same bracket as Jimmy Buffet! Wow, that won’t help the economy. When the Bush tax cuts expire I will no longer have the extra funds to prevent my children from taking out student loans! People like me will stop spending and businesses will feel the impact. So before you chant “tax the rich” please consider that you might be considered rich! If I were a multimillionaire I would gladly hand over half my money as I would still be a millionaire so maybe one should consider this before pulling the lever for Obama the socialist! I also live in Oklahoma so the cost of living allows me to live well on my salary but if I were in California I would not even be able to afford a house. Obama really needs to consider these things before he decides to save the world with our hard earned money!
By Copyleft
May 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Now now, George: Remember, it’s “class warfare” to point out the ongoing fact that class warfare is already happening.
It’s the new Republican motto: Shoot enough messengers, and we’ll hear nothing but good news! And the problems will go away by themselves!
By Hillary Regina
May 7, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Indiana wants me,
Lord, I can’t go back there
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Dear Theo @ 10:22, the looming largest tax increase in the history of the world – the lapse of the 2002 Bush tax cuts.
Dear George @ 10:14, you are borrowing from my book. If you don’t have a real case to argue, just make up one, phony facts and all. Philosophically you are making an error, however – the deal makers, the investment bankers, are mostly democrats. But don’t let that stop you. You will find Republicans embrace ethics; it is mostly democrats who try to find ways around it. E.g., suppose hypothetically a democrat presidential candidate agreed with a republican candidate that they would accept the public funding limitations on their presidential campaign, then one reneged. Which one would you deem most likely to cheat?
Dear Taxpayer @ 10:24, certainly you have a skewed definition of terrorist (a government that would allow others to pollute our air, water, and food in order to make a profit.) Urge you to look over Dr. Walter E. Williams’s essay today, the comic history of leftist fear-mongering. It is a hoot.
By Skeptic Tank
May 7, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
While most of the conservative bloggers and pundits want you to believe that a Hillary/Obama slugfest in the primaries is somehow undermining the Democratic Party’s chances in November, the simple truth is that John McCain has been IGNORED and MARGINALIZED by the press and by the people for several months now.
Regardless of whether Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama emerge from the convention as the Democratic candidate, the exposure that they have been given will lead most Americans to ask, “John who?”.
That, and the simple fact that even Republicans are holding their noses over a McCain presidency, dooms the Republican Party in November.
By ProfJables
May 7, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
JBM, are you serious? “You will find Republicans embrace ethics”—what bowl of crack did you fire up before writing this? I thought maybe it was a typo, you know, “Rethuglicans embrace ethnics” but, no, that won’t work either. What a goob.
By Rone
May 7, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
It’s Warren not Jimmy. Please let me know where you practice medicine so I can avoid having the wrong leg amputated.
By Bob
May 7, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
The taxes to pay for their free health care Theo!
I mean, how in the world Obama and his relatives ever make it to today without their free health care just boggles my mind…
By My unpublished vent
May 7, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Three words that are music to my ears: Riverdance, farewell performances. All that stomping gives me a headache.
By Jim's a Cherry Picker
May 7, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Hi Jim,
Sorry to go off topic, but I just read Cynthia McKinney’s column for today and think you should do the same.
Note how she calls it like it is, instead of just spinning it to fit her preconceived notions of how things should be.
You should read more of her stuff.
By ron
May 7, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
jbmlaw,I only employ skewed information as bait to get a fight started.That’s legal,isn’t it?
By AmVet
May 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Obama showed in his post-victory speech in North Carolina that, while he now appears to be the weaker of the two Democrats in a general election campaign against John McCain, he’ll be tough to beat.
The rest of Mr. Wooten’s punditry aside, this is really the salient point, isn’t it America?
It is clear to me that both of the Democratic candidates have ENORMOUS and obvious problems, not the least of which is their party’s historic mastery of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Yet it is also clear that this late term abortion that IS this GOP has succeeded in unintentionally nominating a decent man and, more importantly, a viable candidate that appeals to the reasoned and reasonable center.
However, given the nation’s utter disgust with this worst ever administration and their deadly ineptitude, I don’t believe the Republican mantra of “The King is dead, Long live the King” will sell very well to the rational this November.
The trick for Sen, McCain is to continue to distance himself from Bushco, yet he seems a tad reluctant to do so - fully. Hedging his bets thusly OR selecting a VP who can be connected ideologically to this administration’s agenda, may be committing political suicide. I pray his staff is smart enough to realize this.
And Curious Observer’s assertion that The Republicans have botched things so badly that practically any Democratic nominee can win handily in the presidential race. has two discrete components - the first part about being professional botchers is undeniable and though the second flies in the face of recent elections, it may just come to pass.
What is an irrefutable fact is his statement You had your chance, Republicans, and you blew it.
Alas! Had they simply just “blown it” at the expense of their now repudiated and distatesful faux conservatism rather than for the entire nation…
By Rhonda
May 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Rone,
You don’t think Jimmy Buffett is rich?
By Ace Mulholland
May 7, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
No matter how you play with the decimal point, Hillary Clinton’s stunning double-digit victory in Indiana begs the question, “Why can’t Obama close the deal?”
By AmVet
May 7, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Though both are wealthy, Jimmy can’t carry Warren’s jock (nor wallet)!
The former is a goof ball, passé one-trick musical pony.
The other is absolutely brilliant, self-made, and a humble philanthropist who is the very antithesis to the screw everybody plutocrats that rule this republic…
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Dear Ron @ 11:15, I think they’ll give you a law license without a bar exam if they hear your philosophy. You’ve learned the secret handshake.
By Glenn
May 7, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
jbm, man, I do believe you are on a roll…
By ghost rider
May 7, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
During Tuesday’s Democratic Presidential Primary coverage on MSNBC, Chris Matthews and Tim Russert both admit to ignoring the countless gaffes and blunders committed by John McCain.
Matthews and Russert admit that MSNBC can’t — or refuses to — multi-task. The basic message was this: as long as there is a campaign battle between Obama and Clinton, they MUST ignore John McCain. Russert even admits to being flooded with e-mails about their abysmal McCain coverage, but he tells Democrats to just be patient, when the time is right, they’ll pay attention to the train wreck of a campaign being run by the aging senator from Arizona:
Here we go again…
By Rod
May 7, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Ghost Rider,
For those of you so critical of countless blunders -did you see Obama repeatedly calling Matt Lauer “Tim” the other day? I don’t have a problem with it I am just saying when you are talking constantly and going constantly it is easy to do and we should not assume someone is “stupid” because of it! He called Matt “Tim” right to his face more than once! I don’t think this makes him stupid just tired.
By TW
May 7, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Dare I say this morning’s offering is…accurate?
Well done, Mr. Wooten.
By Rod
May 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Ghost Rider,
For those of you so critical of countless blunders -did you see Obama repeatedly calling Matt Lauer “Tim” the other day? I don’t have a problem with it I am just saying when you are talking constantly and going constantly it is easy to do and we should not assume someone is “stupid” because of it! He called Matt “Tim” right to his face more than once! I don’t think this makes him stupid just tired.
By Glenn
May 7, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
…meaning, presumably, that on some slow news day this Summer, they’ll instruct their 20 year-old interns and their 28 year-old Vice Assistant Under-Producers for Important Production to lift some McCain dirt off the Web and translate it into copy without sourcing it to learn whether any of it’s true—-which most of it probably will be.
Chris Matthews. Get the Hook.
John McCain. Get the Hook.
Barack Obama. Get the Hook.
Hillary Clinton. Get the Hook.
Bill Clinton. For Godsake, Get the Hook.
By getalife
May 7, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Fair enough Jim.
McGovern is switching to the new McGovern and this long joke the dems call an election is coming to an end.
America did not choose the fighter.
They rolled the dice. Of course, now nothing will be done about gas prices and it will continue to go up.
You are on your own folks so get use to it.
You get what you vote for.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Here is a little ditty about one of the ny repukes I mention earlier - it was written by one of his pr flunkies, so take it with a box of salt: “Schwarzman began his career in financial services at the investment bank Lehman Brothers, where he reached the rank of managing director at age 31. He eventually became the head of Lehman Brother’s global mergers and acquisitions team. In 1985, Schwarzman and his partner Peter Peterson started Blackstone, which originally focused on mergers and acquisitions.
With an estimated current net worth of around $7.8 billion, Schwarzman was ranked by Forbes as the 41st-richest person in America in 2007.[3] He lives in a large apartment at 740 Park Avenue in New York, previously owned by the Mayflower descendent George Brewster and John D. Rockefeller Jr. Schwarzman bought it from Saul Steinberg in 2000 for just under $30 million.[4] However, an article in the New Yorker states that the apartment was purchased for $37 million. [5]
On 13 February 2007, Schwarzman celebrated his 60th birthday at the Armory on Park Avenue. Guests included Colin Powell, Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, and Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York. The climax of the evening was a half-hour live performance by Rod Stewart, for which he was reportedly paid $1 million.
On June 6 2007, several financial news websites said that Schwarzman earned about $400 million (well over a million dollars per day) in fiscal 2006, and he is said to be worth over $7.7 billion in Blackstone Group stock.[6] This revelation was the first announcement of earnings by Blackstone, a result of an SEC filing. He received $800 million for the Blackstone IPO.
In 2007, Schwarzman was listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in The World.
Schwarzman has served as an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Management and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
On March 11, 2008 Schwarzman announced that he contributed $100 million toward the expansion of the New York Public Library, for which he serves as a trustee.
According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Stephen made $4.78 billion in compensation for 2007.”
THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THE CARRIED INTEREST THAT WAS ONLY TAXED AT A 15% TAX RATE……
FAKE LAWYER: I DON’T MAKE UP STORIES, I DO PARAPHRASE THEM….THESE NIGHTMARE TAKEOVER STORIES ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET, JUST GOOGLE YOUR FAVORITE BAD GUY ALONG WITH THE WORD DOWNSIZE, OR LAYOFFS……AH FORGOTS TO MENTION THAT THE FUNDING FOR THESE TAKEOVERS CAME FROM OUR PENSION PLANS….STEVEN BORROWED OUR MONEY TO TAKE OVER OUR COMPANIES, THEN TO LAY US OFF….THE SPIN OFFS ARE NOW ENTERING BANKRUPTCY FOR MANY OF THESE TAKE OVER ARTISTS….SOMEONE (YOU I HOPE) IS GOING TO GIT STUCK WITH A BIG LOSS…..IMHO, OF COURSE
By ghost rider
May 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
By Rod
May 7, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Ghost Rider,
For those of you so critical of countless blunders -did you see Obama repeatedly calling Matt Lauer “Tim” the other day? I don’t have a problem with it I am just saying when you are talking constantly and going constantly it is easy to do and we should not assume someone is “stupid” because of it! He called Matt “Tim” right to his face more than once! I don’t think this makes him stupid just tired.
Well, Rod;
Calling some talking head by the wrong name is not the same as being confused about the factions who are fighting in Iraq…or, his comments about fighting for the oil in Iraq, or his bomb, bomb, Iran chant…I could go on here but, you get the picture.
He’s not just tired…He’s a nasty mean old man who is even voting against the bill sponsored by Jim Webb for veteran benefit increases!
By Glenn
May 7, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
TW, I second your motion.
By eleven
May 7, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Barack Obama is like Ronald Reagan. Wow, that is a stretch. What the heck has Obama accomplished. Nothing. When was the last time he reached across the aisle. Never. Yet he will bring us together. Keep on chanting “Yes we can!” you Obamamorons because eventually that is going to turn to “Yes we can’t!”. And his slogan Change We Can Believe In, what has he ever changed except calling his hate mongering pastor like an uncle you ignore to denouncing him. McCain is the lessor of the three evils. It is a shame it has to be like this but at least he was a part of the bipartisan gang of 14 and worked on legislation with those worthless liberals Ted Kennedy (immigration) and Russ Feingold (political spending).
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Ah usually refer to journalist, reporters, and waiters as “hey boy” so ah guess’s call Leaurlir “Tim” is a compliment.
By ghost rider
May 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
By eleven
May 7, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Your assertion that Reagan accomplished something prior to his presidency is ludicrous!
And, your other assertion concerning the GANG OF FOURTEEN is obviously flawed…Here for your edification is how the term is defined:
The Gang of 14 was a term coined to describe the bipartisan group of moderate Senators in the 109th United States Congress who successfully negotiated a compromise in the spring of 2005 to avoid the deployment of the so-called nuclear option (or constitutional option) over an organized use of the filibuster by Senate Democrats. The Democrats had been using the filibuster to prevent the confirmation of conservative appellate court candidates nominated by President George W. Bush.
Enough said…..
By GaLiberal
May 7, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Moron Jim says: Well, they muddle on. …Neither is likely now to win at the ballot box the delegates needed. The game shifts to the superdelegates — which means that the party elite anoints the winner. Democrats have a mess on their hands.
What Moron Jim doesn’t tell you is the Rethuglicons quickly realized that McCain was their only hope which isn’t saying much about the Rethuglicon party. The rest were forced out or promised plum positions in the new administration if they just quietly faded away. I’m sure Mitt the Twitt and the other also-rans got something for their undying support.
Another thing Moron Jim doesn’t tell you is that Clinton and Obama are both high quality candidates. At least a lot higher than McCain. So I expected this to be a fight to the end. That’s the democratic process. I guess Moron Jim and the Rethuglicons don’t believe in the democratic process. Or don’t understand it.
When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And calling the democratic process a “mess” is living proof.
By munchi
May 7, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
By GaLiberal
May 7, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Great Post…how true!
I offer you these salient points.
I heard super-uber-rich Warren Buffet say that his secretary
pays a higher rate of taxes on her salary than Buffet does on capital gains.
If the Democrats had any brains (should I bother to finish this sentence?) they’d mention facts like this at election time - but they never do.
Is anyone more stupid than the American voter? They constantly vote for more money to the super-rich. They constantly vote for less money in their own damn pockets.
How can people be so stupid?
If you’re young or old or non-white or non-rich, you CAN’T vote for more money for the super-rich.
It’s like chickens voting for Col. Sanders.
By Martin Luther King, Jr.
May 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
I have a dream - or a nightmare as it were. Barack Obama nominated for the presidency by the democrat party. A party now fully aligned with big government, special interest politics and feel-good slogans. A party with little resemblance to democrats like JFK.
I had a dream.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Given the trillions wasted by the Chimp Repuke, ah don’t see how the Democrats could possible waste anymore money….the chimps medicare part D pharmacy benefit was totally stupid…Medicare will be broke in a few years, and Part D just puts it further in the hole….We have 13 aircraft carriers, ah suggest we sell on the open market all 13 battle groups, one at a time, to the highest bidder, no exclusions, including all weapons except nukes…we can sell those seperately…we should get a trillion or so, enough to pay for Bush’s folly in Iraq…..
By Winfield Scott
May 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I have requested formally the removal by the AJC of the obscene reference to Colonel Sanders, the second such reference in little more than 24 hours. I would remind bloggers that hate speech is never warranted, especially when chickens may be exposed to it.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw,
Who needs leftist fear mongering with the fine work from the right-wing-conservative-extremists. Terrorism at its finest is subjecting people to the slow death of tobacco or leaded gasoline, just as examples. Just claim that there have been no definitive studies to prove that something is harmful and all is justified — in the name of the all mighty dollar. Get rid of the EPA and no one will be the wiser — a true right-wing philosophy. But of course, who has time to worry about the home-grown problems with all the Islamic extremists out there just waiting to kill us all — so say the fear-mongering-right-wing-conservative-extremists — such as yourself, eh? By the way, precisely what message is GW trying to send when he talks of the Axis of Eevillllll or efforts by other sovereign nations to acquire nuclear technology — as though there isn’t already enough “stuff” out there in the wrong hands to end life on this planet. It’s not really an issue of this stuff being in certain hands though. It’s an issue of having the bargaining chips — the power over others. I don’t hear GW talking about the US’s capabilities — not in public. Shouldn’t that be enough to scare the crap out of any other nation of God-fearing people concerned about WMDs in the wrong hands — the hands of someone who talks of attacking other countries and who actually attacks other countries. Maybe there is more than one side to every story. Maybe there is a genuine fear of losing the status of dominant world power. Maybe there is the fear of being forced to compromise instead of simply exerting force.
Or, maybe I’m just pulling your chain. After all, I just come here to play. I think I’ll go tend to my garden for a while (This is another one of Dusty’s little hit-and-run tactics.). Retired life is great. I get to choose what’s next on the agenda.
By Martin Luther King, Jr.
May 7, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Socialism y Communism. That would be the choice between Hillary and Barrack. Whether you want just slightly more intrustion by the Leviathan or you love, nay, crave the rush of more government.
Treatment Centers of America - treating your loved ones with that special addiction to government.
By Thor
May 7, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Jim Wooten is the perfect example of the worst generation in history - the Baby Boomers. They went from love & peace to becoming Yuppies - then they turned into ideolog conservatives of the right. All along the way Jim and his generation have sucked America dry with one simple theme “Gimme! I want it now”. Jim Wooten and his Baby Boomer generation have given us the most divisive political scene in American history, in addition to making our government broke. And, they haven’t saved anything for Social Security but they vote, so they will continue to suck us dry as this Worst Generation rides off into the sunset. Thanks Jim for your right wing comments, and that you and your generation even more for your contributions to America.
By Chris Salzmann
May 7, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t Obama walk away? Because Wright was the man, flawed as he is, who brought him religion. Obama was a man, in search of a father figure to look up to, at a vulnerable point in his life, who found that figure in reverend Wright. How many of us have father figures who are fatally flawed? In a nutshell, its as simple as that. I can’t really blame him for taking all this time to cut his ties.
By Chris Salzmann
May 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t Obama walk away? Because Wright was the man, flawed as he is, who brought him religion. Obama was a man, in search of a father figure to look up to, at a vulnerable point in his life, who found that figure in reverend Wright. How many of us have father figures who are fatally flawed? In a nutshell, its as simple as that. I can’t really blame him for taking all this time to cut his ties.
By hotlanta
May 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Stop. Listen. What is that I hear. That is the media silence since Clinton got stomped in the polls last night. (stop laughing) Hey Wooten Kroger has Kleenx on sale this week. Get a coupon for $.50 and double it to $1.00.
By hotlanta
May 7, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Stop. Listen. What is that I hear. That is the media silence since Clinton got stomped in the polls last night. (stop laughing) Hey Wooten Kroger has Kleenx on sale this week. Get a coupon for $.50 and double it to $1.00.
By Fred
May 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I heard that Michelle Obama has come out for McCain…..
By bpong
May 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
We’re still talking about Obama, the talking chameleon. This political lizard changes color more often than Michael Jackson. Come to think of it, he kinda looks like Mikey J. and Mikey J.’s changed color a couple of times, too. (I have to admit he sho’ could get down when the “Five” sang Dancing Machine). I think we ought to find out where Mike Jackson is so we can confirm he’s not the REAL Obama.
Has anyone seen Mikey J. lately?
By Publix
May 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta, I’ll match all competitor’s coupons.
By Walmart
May 7, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Tell you what, hotlanta, I’ll double ‘em.
By jbmlaw
May 7, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Afternoon all. To return to topic – the Great Obama Speech from last night – Taranto has a funny riff today: Driving in Neutral “Gateway Pundit” calls attention to a weird comment in Barack Obama’s victory speech last night:
“The man I met in Pennsylvania who lost his job but can’t even afford the gas to drive around and look for a new one. He can’t afford four more years of an energy policy written by the oil companies and for the oil companies; a policy that is not only keeping gas at record prices but funding both sides of the war on terror and destroying our planet.”
“Destroying our planet”? Someone’s been watching too much sci-fi. But what’s disturbing about this quote is the line about “funding both sides of the war on terror.” Of course we’re all unhappy that regimes like those in Saudi Arabia and Iran (but no longer Iraq, thanks to Congress and President Bush) are able to use oil revenues to fund terrorism.
But Obama finds fault with funding both sides—that is, he finds fault with funding our side. If Obama wants to stake out a position of neutrality in wartime, he should run for president of Switzerland, not America.
By hotlanta
May 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
The party at Oprah’s house is gonna be off the hook. Packing my bags now. Care to join me Wooten. Isn’t it UNAMERICAN and UNCHRISTIAN not to help when someone is in need. Hiliary is in need of cash and you have not made a donation yet. Oh I’m sorry you are gonna give her your flag pin. I am on a roll today. Hot Dang!!!!!!!!!!!
By hotlanta
May 7, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
The party at Oprah’s house is gonna be off the hook. Packing my bags now. Care to join me Wooten. Isn’t it UNAMERICAN and UNCHRISTIAN not to help when someone is in need. Hiliary is in need of cash and you have not made a donation yet. Oh I’m sorry you are gonna give her your flag pin. I am on a roll today. Hot Dang!!!!!!!!!!!
By Dave
May 7, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Obama and his Wife are living the American Dream. Despite the color of their skin, despite their economic status in the beginning they went to the Very best universities, gained advanced degrees. They both have done very well financially. All through very hard work and adversity I am sure. But they speak to one community and tell of how the system is against them and another community and say only in America can you start from nothing and create something in life. I truly enjoy the speeches but I hope that Obamas will deliver a more consistent message to people of all backgrounds. I am a conservative and greatly admire Obama. I admired his speeh in North Carolina. But my vote will be for candidates who encourage our country ALL the time and who promote self determination, living the American dream and dare I say it a little more nationalism. We are not perfect but our country has a lot to be proud of…
By Parky Parkerson
May 7, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Are Barack and Michelle world citizens, or U.S. citizens? It’s sometimes hard to tell. Or maybe he thinks the U.S. is a multi-national corporation, so it doesn’t matter if the CEO is Swiss or Belgian.
By Mike
May 7, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
hotlanta -
Are you an angry teenager or a mentally deficient adult? You mindless rambling points to one or the other.
By ghost rider
May 7, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
By Thor
May 7, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
YOU WROTE….
“Jim Wooten is the perfect example of the worst generation in history - the Baby Boomers.”
Well I’ve got
some news for you, MORON!
First of all as you incorrectly state “they haven’t saved anything for Social Security ” I ask, Since when do you SAVE for SOCIAL SECURITY?
You pay into it everytime you collect a paycheck….
It’s called an entitlement…UNDERSTAND?
Most baby boomers put their lives on the line in a little war called Vietnam.
Most baby boomers have IRA’s and own their own homes..Most baby boomers have put their children through college and most baby boomers are responsible citizens…We ain’t asking for nothing!
So, to you A!!HAT I simply say go back to school and get an education…
P.S. I do vote democrat..and do not subscribe to much of anything Wooten has to offer…But, to put us baby boomers in your small little thoughts is beyond the pale!
By Dusty
May 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Jim Wooten’s statements ring well with me. Well, most of them.
Democrats have a mess on their hands. Yes, indeed, a huge heap of havoc.
Obama flipped fromthe grimness of God, guns and bigotry to an optimistic Reagan moment.
Wooten said of that momentThat’s a great transition. I would call it a precipitous monumental flipflop.
Maybe I agree with Jim’s last statement.It’ll be no walk over for McCain. That’s right. The winninig vote for McCain will be a tsunami of common sense and patriotism, a true McCain Moment, not a walkover.
By shane
May 7, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Why dosen’t Obama’s voting record in the Senate back up his rhetoric?
By Jackie
May 7, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it be something if John McCain won the presidency by a single vote … cast by the lovely Dusty. We would lose her because she would literally burst in an orgasmic fit of pride. But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Jackie, Dusty ain’t never had an orgasmic fit of pride, or of anything else for that matter….Ah don’t think she could handle it at this late date…
By deegee
May 7, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
This will be the third editorial in seven days where Wooten just had to project Jeremiah Wright’s opinions on Barack Obama. Give it up. We are over it. Move on.
By Steve Jobs
May 7, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
My Mac has a little gloved hand that I move over the screen with the mouse. It’s index finger is extended, which I use to pick Jim’s nose.
By Lily Toad
May 7, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Shane, could you give more details about Obama’s voting record and how it is at odds with his rhetoric?
By Darrin "The Vent King"
May 7, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Bye bye Billy Knight! Now take Woodson with you!
GO HAWKS!!!
By shane
May 7, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
No, I can’t. It just seemed like something I’ve heard other people say.
By Lily Toad
May 7, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Thor, as a 54-year-old anti-war, pro-Obama lesbian feminist who contributes over 10% of her salary to retirement vehicles, I don’t identify at all with your stereotype of boomers.
By Oprah
May 7, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
The Guest List to Oprah’s “OFF” d’ HOOK Party for Obama
A-List 1.Jesse Jackson 2.Mama (only if she BYOB’s) 3.John Lewis
D-List 4.Jeremiah Wright (sans dashiki) 5.Al Sharpton
Bathroom d’Attendant will be hotlanta (takin’ it “off-the hook” for all your lavatory needs)
Geez, what a partee d’orgasmic.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
We need rain. I hope that dang drought doesn’t hang around too long. Someone might start praying for rain again — on my dime. My corn and peas need water. I’d hate to have to start pumping it up from the creek. Anyway, Steve Jobs is a hoot. I’m glad Wooten’s head is the only thing showing. I have a PC. It has Windows. I can see all over the world through my Windows. Of course my PC does not come equipped with an eye. I have to purchase that separately along with a roll of tape to secure it. I suddenly feel a need to meditate.
By George Washington
May 7, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Ah picture the “Stay Puff” marshmellow man from the movie “Ghost Busters” as it bursts all over Manhattan - Please don’t give Dusty an orgasmic burst of pride..oh, please, the mess would be more than humanity could bear….
By Steve Jobs
May 7, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I must admit, Taxpayer, that the gloved hand is more fun with photos of hot celebrity chicks.
By Robert Cox Master of Blogs
May 7, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Has Najeh Davenpoop been through here? I owe him a quarter.
By Dusty
May 7, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Oh my, Jackie and Georgie Washaway are hallucinating again. I wish they would stay off that stuff. They don’t need ANOTHER conviction.
But, yes, I will vote for McCain just like the majority of Americans. So get ready, fellows. Make room for your McCain victory ribbon right beside your flag lapel pin.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Jobs,
I hope you realize that there comes a point in one’s life when the gloves must come off. Please, back away from the keyboard, grab the car keys, drive to the nearest hot chick hangout, and take off those gloves. Enjoy life’s finer pleasures.
By Marky Markerson
May 7, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Hope you remembered to flush after meditating.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Sorry Marky,
Sonny’s don’t-do-it-during-drought law requires a minimum of two uses between flushes. It’s times like these that makes one glad to have the great outdoors at one’s disposal. That or an outhouse. Gotta keep the demand up for corn cobs and Sears & Roebuck catalogs as well. On a side note, a paperless society does have its drawbacks. Maybe I’ll start building and installing outhouses. They used to be real popular. With this drought, we need our elected officials to set good examples and purchase outhouses, from me, for use at the Capitol as well as at their own personal residences. I could design and build a complete line of designer outhouses for the more affluent clientčle such as jbmlaw and Dusty. I’ll leave the servicing aspect of those buildings to a licensed contractor though.
By John
May 7, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Waterless toilets put a real damper on bidets.
By Dusty
May 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Please, little boys,
Clean up your act. There are adults present.
By John
May 7, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Dusty,
Don’t flatter yourself. You’ll just get all flushed.
By getalife
May 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Wait, the great leader Pelosi is talking about her gas price plan.
Her plan is begging the President to do something.
Veto and drill is w’s plan.
In return, she will pass billions more for Iraq.
Hilarious.
Now back to your regular scheduled hatred of Hillary.
OMG.
We are so screwed.
By Taxpayer
May 7, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Scientists have determined that hurricanes and cyclones cause the earth to rotate about its axis. Days are therefore expected to get longer during years with fewer hurricanes and cyclones. More ice will melt during these longer days due to increased exposure of the ice to sunlight. These effects can only be countered by an increased use of refrigeration coupled with all aircraft flying in a counter-clockwise direction around the equator while dragging large sails behind them. The resultant increased use in aviation fuel alone will increase cloud cover and reduce ice melting by shielding the ice from the UV radiation during the longer days.
By Redneck Convert
May 8, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Well, it looks like we might get one of Those People as our president. He’ll probably turn around and pick one of Those Other People for vice president, that Richardson fellow from “New” Mexico. Luckily up here in Forsyth County we haven’t had to deal with Those People much. For years we ran ‘em off. And now the only ones we got live in mansions in them gated neighborhoods. Heck we’ve done got so fancy up here, they’s putting gates on trailer parks if all the trailers is double-wides. Anyways, back to the election, it seems like Wooten has done give up on the godly Republican nominee and its now betting on that Clinton woman. I think he’d better get on the McCain bandwagon, or start planning a four-year vacation to Canada where they don’t have none of Those People.
Hope that other Redneck Convert from Cabbagetown or Dunwoody or somewhere don’t show up. I also hope Jim will call a plumber soon. Seems like everyday when I get ready to write my piece, the computer says Jim’s page don’t exist. Well, it does cause I done read it.
Oh well, have a good day everybody.
By WFC
May 8, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I like and admire John McCain but will not vote for him because he will become a prisoner to the “Republican Rasputins” (Cheney, Rove, et al) and we’ll end up with a “Bush III” administration. Nobody wants that. “W” screwed-up the Republican Party for the next ten years. Good job glorified “frat boy!” Just sorry that McCain is the sacrificial lamb.
By Black Avenger
May 8, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Consider this when calibrating your raceometers. McVeigh,and Bundy both Irish surnames belong to two of America’s most notorious criminals. Why doesn’t the name McCain get lumped in with the aforementioned names since it is of Irish origin? Once you’ve gnawed on that for awhile, ask yourselves why Obama’s name gets linked with terriosts.
By Black Avenger
May 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Consider this when calibrating your raceometers. McVeigh,and Bundy both Irish surnames belong to two of America’s most notorious criminals. Why doesn’t the name McCain get lumped in with the aforementioned names since it is of Irish origin? Once you’ve gnawed on that for awhile, ask yourselves why Obama’s name gets linked with terriosts.