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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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 Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Gopher wrote: |
I love it, Kuros. Not only a Messiah, but an invicible Messiah.
Still, it seems a bit early to predict 2010...
(And no one here, incidentally, has called R. Reagan's victory in 1980 or B. Clinton's in 1992 or 1996, for that matter, "a landslide.") |
I don't see Obama getting cocky. With the problems he's inherited I just don't see it. I have to believe in his better nature. After eight years, I just have to do so. I'm comfortable with admitting that. |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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The ideological-purity tests and resulting misunderstandings become trying here.
| Kuros wrote: |
| I don't see Obama getting cocky... |
First, he is a little cocky, Kuros. Come on. Still, with or without the problems he has inherited, with or without W. Bush as a foil, Barack Obama comes off looking very good to most of us Americans. The first time I saw him speak, I believe in 2007, this was my impression: strong leadership qualities and level-headed. This remains my predominant impression.
B. Obama's supporters, most of them at the grassroots level, the ones who will be vocal in pressuring him to do this or that, concern me, however.
All of this notwithstanding, the man still did not win a landslide victory this time around, Kuros. What exactly do you understand "landslide" to mean? And how do you judge an election "a landslide?" How might an election not qualify as "a landslide?"
Excited, overly-zealous people throw hyperbolic words around all too casually in American politics. Every victory that, when the dust settles, stands clearer than 1960 or 2000 becomes "a landslide" if you want it to be -- and if you say otherwise, it must be because you just want to undermine the victor, etc. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Gopher wrote: |
Excited, overly-zealous people throw hyperbolic words around all too casually in American politics. Every victory that, when the dust settles, stands clearer than 1960 or 2000 becomes "a landslide" if you want it to be -- and if you say otherwise, it must be because you just want to undermine the victor, etc. |
I want to undermine the losers. |
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jaykimf
Joined: 24 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Gopher wrote: |
ManintheMiddle: Amen, bruddah.
Jaykimf: your position rests on (a) a CNN correspondent's assertion; (b) a dictionary definition that relies on the vaguest of vagaries; and (c) a whole lot of attitude. I think you should go ahead and call this election a landslide for Barack Obama. End the oppression. Power to the people. Etc.
As far as this thread goes: put it on a platter and stick a fork in it, it is done. |
Gopher: Your position rests on (a) your assertion (b) a restrictive definition that you yourself made up and (c) a whole lot of attitude.
I am not arguing about whether it was a landslide or not. I am contesting your presumption that you have the authority to dictate that we should all accept your definition of a landslide. I prefer Webster's definition and believe it is much more in line with common usage. I reject any notion that I should accept your definition, or accept your opinion as fact. Webster's definition is vague because in common usage the meaning is vague. You do not have the authority to dictate how everyone else should use the English language. |
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Gopher
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Kuros wrote: |
| Gopher wrote: |
| Excited, overly-zealous people throw hyperbolic words around all too casually in American politics. Every victory that, when the dust settles, stands clearer than 1960 or 2000 becomes "a landslide" if you want it to be -- and if you say otherwise, it must be because you just want to undermine the victor, etc. |
I want to undermine the losers. |
All right. Well, from that perspective. Actually, I laughed out loud. Perfectly on point. Cheers for that.
________
I dictate nothing, Jaykimf. You seem defiant, like an adolescent. You show either an inability or unwillingness to follow the comparative method I have transparently applied here. This conversation has become boring. Say what you will. |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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538.com comes out with proof that Obama's victory was indeed a landslide.
Population and popular vote
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| It's actually the second-highest percentage ever, trailing only Ronald Reagan in 1984 |
The big caveat here is that we cannot properly evaluate population/percentage statistics before women got the vote. |
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