No, Obama's not that funny, but then neither is Maureen

OK, I get it.

After 7 years of a buffoon-in-chief in the form of GW, preceded by 8 years of Bill Clinton's tastes for both cheeseburgers and cheesy interns, the press has gotten used to an easily mock-able President.

So I suppose Maureen Dowd's lament over the lack of humor emanating from the Obama campaign is understandable. (Not that it's impossible to find. As Andy Borowitz demonstrates, even a lack of humor can be funny.)

But I don't see that Obama needs to be anything other than who and how he is, even at the risk of the "regular guy"-ness that people like Dowd insist we plebes crave. I, for one, don't want anyone approaching "regular" sitting in the Oval office come January. Nope, the person I want, and the country clearly needs as President should be exceptional, intelligent and, horror of horrors, serious.

The pundits and comedians are just going to have to work for their laughs this time around.

The Anti-Dumb Candidate

To all my compatriots on the left who are shaking their heads about Obama's latest "sell-out" I highly recommend Gail Collins' NYT column.

Think back. Why, exactly, did you prefer Obama over Hillary Clinton in the first place? Their policies were almost identical — except his health care proposal was more conservative. You liked Barack because you thought he could get us past the old brain-dead politics, right? He talked — and talked and talked — about how there were going to be no more red states and blue states, how he was going to bring Americans together, including Republicans and Democrats.

Exactly where did everybody think this gathering was going to take place? Left field?

When an extremely intelligent politician tells you over and over and over that he is tired of the take-no-prisoners politics of the last several decades, that he is going to get things done and build a “new consensus,” he is trying to explain that he is all about compromise. Even if he says it in that great Baracky way.

I suggest you read the whole thing (if only for the penguin story).

A coupla thoughts on recent Obama news

On public financing: Obama would be a fool not to use every advantage he can legitimately muster to win this election, and he's never struck me as a fool. As for going back on his "promise", said "promise" was pretty finely parsed. After 7 years of finely wrought arguments about what TORTURE means, I'm not too shocked by a politician walking a fine line on a campaign promise.

On helping to retire Hillary's debt: Welcome to politics. By helping Hill, the O-Man will help soothe some of HRC's followers, and as importantly encourage HER donors to give to him.

Count me as among those Democrats who are tired of losing elections because we were too proud to muss our hair and (God help us) actually engage in politics.

Obama Endorsement News

I know, I know, endorsements don't matter, Teddy K. couldn't even win Mass. for Obama, etc.

Still, ya gotta believe that some endorsements matter more than others.

(H/t to Lance Mannion)

Can you tell the difference?

What's in a name?

Personally I'd be quite happy to have a president named Barack Hussein Obama.

But for those of you uncomfortable with multisyllabic monikers I highly recommend Juan Cole's rant on other great Americans with funny sounding names.

Feel better?

Land of the free?

Hardly.

On the importance of words

What Arianna says.

Happy Valentines Day

Both Mrs. C and my self are feeling much better thank you.

And by the way, after winning February so, apparently, is the Obama campaign.

But then why wouldn't they, I mean this guy is good.

(h/t Andrew Sullivan)

Congratulations

I'm sick (just a cold), and Mrs. C is very ill (all positive thoughts accepted gladly), but somehow I feel better than I have for months.

Cuba Libre!

And no, I don't mean the rum drink.

Anyway.

Could someone please explain to me the current travel restrictions on Americans visiting Cuba?

And please, if you've a mind to, please read Steve Benen's thoughtful post over at the Daily Dish (congrats Andrew on your marriage!), and explain to me 1) why he's wrong and 2) why Hillary's satisfaction with the status quo makes any sense what-so-ever.