The Failure to Theorize Obama

Posted at 7:42 PM

As if it wasn’t already abundantly clear from this weeks series of posts, I think it’s obvious to any person who thinks of themselves as a member of the political “Left” that Obama is not one of them. He seems like a great guy and will hopefully be a decent president, despite all of the things Bush has done to irreparably fuck up the country, but Obama could only be considered a “progressive” in a very loose sense of the term. I forget what blogger made this comment, but his politics seems to evoke Jimmy Carter more so than FDR.

Nevertheless it seems like some theorists on the Left have taken a “daring” contrarian position regarding Obama, believing his supporters to be wild-eyed fanatics who see him as a harbinger of a utopia-in-becoming and/or a suspicious messianic figure whose election heralds the dawn of post-political Christian salvation. I can’t think of a single Obama supporter that I know of or have spoken to, even the die-hard DailyKos-visiting ones, who seem to harbor any of these straw-man political fantasies. Clearly, Obama is a charismatic political figure, but isn’t there something about politicians that is supposed to make them charismatic? And although it seems that Obama’s campaign generated intense enthusiasm for electoral politics, it’s also the case that he only scored a mere percentage point more of the youth vote (as a percentage of total voting) than Clinton did.

Anyhow I only wrote this post to make fun of two theorists in particular: (1) Simon Critchley’s embarrassingly mundane pop-psychological “deconstruction” of Obama’s Dreams From My Father and (2) Judith Butler’s insinuations of Obama’s proto-fascist cult of personality (bringing her closely in line with objectively stupid neoconservative Bill Kristol) score high on the “failure to properly theorize the meaning of an Obama victory” chart.

Now, I don’t think “analyzing” Obama is really a thing that Left-wing theorists ought to be intensely deliberating about, given that electoral politics is what it is, but if such esteemed thinkers are going to venture into commenting on Obama, their comments ought not to merely repeat clichés found in the mainstream media or to evoke a sense of smug self-satisfaction by attributing authentic “belief” to the stupid masses (this is all the more unacceptable for the Lacanian-informed Butler). Ironically, Slavoj Zizek, the contrarian of the Left and probably the person most often accused of being a “third campist,” whatever that means now that the Soviet Union is gone, actually wrote the most insightful commentary on Obama out of the lot, although it’s still pretty broad (he is writing in In These Times after all) and not even really about Obama.

Granted, Butler’s proposal for the necessity “concrete action” (a la Zizek and contra Critchley’s “infinitely demanding”) and a renewed emphasis on struggle are all legitimate and I’m sure many of Obama’s Left-wing supporters would agree, but nevertheless I can’t help but feel that her negative construction of “utopian belief” in Obama is less a political reality and more of a conceited intra-notional determination of Butler’s herself. I would comment further on this, but unfortunately I haven’t read nearly enough Butler to perform a Critchleyian-style analysis that would be truly faithful to the spirit of her texts.

—Bryan Klausmeyer

Theme Time Blog Post: Elections, Part 3

Posted at 9:35 PM

Had McCain-Palin somehow won, this was going to be the election night video, with the secret phrase being “Barrack Obama lost.”

—Mark Elliot Cullen

Jack Bruce on Led Zeppelin

Posted at 2:56 PM

Jack Bruce, the vocalist and bass player for Cream, in a recent interview:

“Everybody talks about Led Zeppelin, and they played one fucking gig – one fucking lame gig – while Cream did weeks of gigs. Proper gigs, not just a lame gig like Zeppelin did, with all the [vocal] keys lowered and everything.

“We played everything in the original keys. [Becoming animated]: Fuck off, Zeppelin, you’re crap. You’ve always been crap and you’ll never be anything else. The worst thing is that people believe the crap that they’re sold. Cream is 10 times the band that Led Zeppelin is.”

Interviewer: That’s a bold opinion.
Bruce: “What? You’re gonna compare Eric Clapton with that fucking Jimmy Page? Would you really compare that?”

Interviewer: To be fair, they’re different kinds of player, aren’t they?
Bruce: “No! Eric’s good and Jimmy’s crap. And with that I rest my case.”

Ouch! I think I agree that Eric Clapton did more with a Guitar than Page and Cream was a much more innovative group that built a groundswell for “heavy” rock out of nothing. I don’t think Page is “crap,” he’s just not in the same league as the big three rock guitar expressionists, who used their instruments to craft unique and powerful sounds with real feeling and combined that with technical prowess. Those three are of course in no particular order…

Eric Clapton

Jimi Hendrix

Jeff Beck

(Yeah, I know Page plays on this too.)

Page is great, but he wasn’t as innovative as those three. He was technically skilled and expressive, but he built most of his style off of Beck, and to a lesser extent Clapton. I’d put him in a short list with Keith Richards, Mick Ronson, David Gilmour, and Eddie Hazel as those guitarists who changed rock music forever, influenced thousands of players, and made absolutely amazing music.

But Page just doesn’t compare to Clapton, Hendrix, and Beck. Call me conservative, but those three define what rock guitar at its best can sound like.

—Mark Elliot Cullen

PUMA’s Damn America, Move to Canada

Posted at 4:29 PM

Some of the most interesting reactions in last night’s election came from the supposed Hillary Clinton holdouts who chose personality over ideology and decided they just couldn’t vote for Obama. Here are last night’s comments from Hillaryis44, which quickly go from cocky to sad and then onto racist with the eventual cry of “God Damn America,” a phrase which was abhorrent to these bitter people, just weeks ago. I guess they hate America now because someone they think hates America was elected President, if that makes any sense.

They still claim his supporters must be puppets of the media. Even after an overwhelming victory, they refuse to accept the existence of rational support for Obama and denounce most of America.

These are the scum of the American Electorate. Swayed by personal attacks, rumors, and misdirection. Seemingly unattached to any real issues and more concerned with phony narratives and firsts than the direction of the country.

6 PM: Obama Simply Can’t Beat McCain.

moononpluto Says:

No way in hell is obama plus 15 in pa, noone ever has had it more than 5

wbboei Says:

What’s with Hillbuzz asking us all to “be nice” to Obots if Oliar loses??

Are they kidding me with that shit? I plan to gloat my head off and give the subtle O’liar finger to every bot I run across.

Right on. We will treat them with the same love and respect they treated us and hillary after the DNC stole the nomination from her and gave it to bambi. In other words, we have two good reasons not to be civil to those little bolsheviks.

JanH Says:

Memo to Media:

Wishing won’t make it so!

7 PM: Hillary Would’ve Won Kentucky

djia Says:

it’s way to early to call any of these states………i would love to see early called states for obama to actually be a Dewey/Truman moment

pm317 Says:

Yep, Hillary would have won KY.

confloyd Says:

wbboei, Obama has a picture of Che Guevara on his wall in his office that he has never moved into!

Ronald Says:

sadly, tragically and wrongly,

Hillary Clinton is not going to be our next president.

But, she remains my hero.

confloyd Says:

WTF, is the matter with Florida, Fox acting like its all over for McCain!

justmeinmountdorafl Says:

FL is 57-43?!?!?!?!? for Obama

HillGuy Says:

You guys, calm down. Only 2% reporting in FL.

HillGuy Says:

A Democrat needs to win WV to win the White House.

8 PM: WTF? FUCK OFF!

rickya Says:

With 14% in Obama is leading McCain in Florida by a wide margin. WTF????

lisaque Says:

fuck off

HRC2009 Says:

I am really discouraged. Obama projected to win PA..

mp Says:

I am kinda of down right now

Caroline Says:

Did you honestly think that McCain was going to win NH and PA. Get it together people. It’s too early to have a heart attact.

rickya Says:

The media networks would be racing to call states for BHO. But in the case of PA, they will all be wrong. This would be the Truman moment for this election.

HRC2009 Says:

So far, BO is only winning states that he is expected to win..

rickya Says:

“CNN hasn’t given PA to Obama.”

They will and they will be wrong.

meiyingsu Says:

I can’t believe that PA will go to BHO.

9 PM: Is That Mean It Is Over?

rjk1957 Says:

They are holding back calling states for Mccain in hopes of Obama hitting 270 before Mccain hits 100

HRC2009 Says:

Things are not looking good…. I am very disappointed. McCain is more fit to become president, just as Hillary was…

Paula Says:

If he wins OH it’s over.

admin Says:

Fox News projects Ohio goes to B.O.

meiyingsu Says:

admin, is that mean it is over?

clintondem99 Says:

Bye everybody! I had enough of politics and I am ready to go back to my trading desk. I am ready to go back to work. Admin i thank you for all your wonderful postings.

HRC2009 Says:

It’s OVER. I’m very disappointed. Going to sleep now. Hopefully all of this is just a nightmare….

meiyingsu Says:

clintondem99, it may be ACON.

HillGuy Says:

Paula, as much as I used to dislike him, I would take an eternity of Bush over one day of BO.

mp Says:

hillguy….yes I would take bush over BO… Just did not imagine it this way!

RobWI Says:

basil9, it would seem that the United States of America just got punked.

mp Says:

I kinda in a shock…..I did not think it would be like this!!!!!

jeleanoro Says:

It’s so unbelieveable…we all watched how he beat Hillary….there’s fraud involved here somewhere…he’s not winning fairly…Acorn definitely has something to do with it.

jade Says:

This is sad.

If BO wins this, he has Hill and Bill to thank for it. They may not have cared for BO but they were very convincing on the campaign trail for that ASS HOLE. I wish they would have showed the party their ass like the party did to Hillary. Those bastards don’t deserve to win tonight. I am done with the Democratic party and big media Fox included. They sold out the country for a Chicago Thug and stole the nomination from Hillary. This should very well be her victory tonight had the DNC, Big Media, and the RBC did their jobs. To hell with them all. They will get what they deserve. Many thanks to Admin and the rest of the contributors on this board for exposing BO for the lying, cheating, Chicago thug that he is. Being an AA woman, I should be happy that an AA man will be POTUS, but I can’t find it in my heart to celebrate his victory after all that I know about him and how he and Axelrod stole the nomination from Hillary Clinton.

May God Bless America (We are sure gonna need it)

10 PM: The Night America Died

moononpluto Says:

Isnt it funny that the states we were not worried about McCain will probably lose, like Florida and Ohio and the rest will probably be ok.

hwc Says:

Hillary is going to be kicked to the curb by the Bots so hard it will make your head spin. She’ll be lucky to get a seat on the knitting subcommittee.

You can pretty much kiss the moderate wing of the Democratic Party good bye.

ShortTermer Says:

The night America died.

Paula Says:

Frankly, this is closer than a lot of people thought it would be. Last I saw, BO’s up just 1 percent in the national vote, but that’s enough to give him a few swing states that’ll put him over the top electorally.

justmeinmountdorafl Says:

ShortTermer, I agree, its the night Obama died.

justmeinmountdorafl Says:

mean, the night America died, with Obama leading.

skmf12 Says:

SORRY ADMIN,

I believe hillary can personally take credit for this turnout. my opinion of her is forever changed… she chose party, over us and the country. i’m disgusted, but it is what is. oh well admin, for you i have nothing but praise. I have a feeling this has set race relations back a lifetime, i know i will never feel the same. anyway, see y’all tomorrow…

jithendra Says:

i dont know but mccain is catching up in OHIO.. 52 - 46 now

skmf12 Says:

oh one last thing,

i hope obama can redeem himself, i dont wish bad on him, if we do that, we wish bad on us… if he surprises us and carries out something good, more power to him…

(but i will never like that NASTY LOOKING michelle obama!!!! LOL)

justmeinmountdorafl Says:

remember ohio, they gave it to Kerry then took it back and gave it to Bush in 2004

moononpluto Says:

I’m surprised at Florida, really really surprised.

neetabug Says:

I was a presiding judge here in Cleveland. It amazes me how many people that came in to vote. They could not follow directions. We had the scan ballots where you fill in the circle. After the polls closed we opened up the ballot box to take out the scan ballots. More people checked the box instead of filling the circle in. Half came in that could hardly read. Oh how these people will be disappointed.

peppermintgirl4145 Says:

Street money won PA. ACORN for everything else. I’m cashing in my bonds. I’ll pay Bush’s capital gains. I can’t afford 28% tax. I held them as I didn’t want to pay 15% when I interest is so low. I am truly sick. I’ll bet we have 8 years of this. What was Hillary thinking? She will never be President now - plus - I am no longer proud of her. I can’t believe she and Bill supported him with his associations. I think America as we know it is gone……..

neetabug Says:

I will not be watching cnn, msnbc, fox, or any news channel ever again. I am done with the news media.

We will see who gets the last laugh

Hillary chose party over country!!!!!! I am done with politics forever. I will never trust any of them, including Bill and Hillary

11 PM: God Damn America (or “Fuck Obama I Hope He is…”)

henry Says:

iF NO ONE ELSE HAS SAID THIS YET GOD DAMN AMERICA. I am finished.

moononpluto Says:

Also, if I hear one more word about America being a racist country, i will personally slap them.

moononpluto Says:

well Racist as in all the aa’s voted for themselves, they were the racists in this.

admin Says:

Thanks to all you here.

Our hands are clean - we did everything to stop this horror from occurring. The kool-aid drinkers have what they wanted. Now the responsibility is in their hands.

We should all be proud. We issued the warning, but were ignored. The Dimocrats will now have no excuse to accomplish what they said they would do.

In the end McCain could not overcome the economic collapse which destroyed the lead he kept for 10 days after the Republican convention.

Congratulations to Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright and Emil Jones, etc.

moononpluto Says:

So Admin can you tell us who you are now?

debbie Says:

here’s my racist statement for the night

AA’s you’ve now been paid your $40 and a mule…ooops the one is only half black…you just get the mule.

henry Says:

Do not if this has been said yet this evening] But I say Goddamn America You are fucking idiots and deserve everything that comes your way’ I am beyond diswgusted.

henry Says:

Sorry i say fuck you you stole an election waffles is not my presicent and never will be

HillGuy Says:

Tonight proves that AA’s aren’t oppressed in this country; rather, they are given handouts. Never would an inexperienced, socialist, terrorist-loving, racist, sexist, gay-bashing, hypocritical, opportunistic WHITE junior Senator be given a free pass by the media like this son of a bitch has.

ShortTermer Says:

I know that fraud was rampant and BO will change this country - but into a place where those who dissent can not live. I also know that a Republican probably had no CHANCE to win, but John McCain is not BUSH and it is BUSH and the Republicans that have brought down the Republican ticket.

However, the only reason that Hillary is not President is because it was stolen from her. I have watched her face since June and she has aged beyond belief, and yes she and Bill had an effect on who won this election - party before country.

henry Says:

Fuck obama I hope he is……….

ShortTermer Says:

Agree with Newt. The media is dead, it can not redeem itself. We are the best media that America has now. We must hold his feet to the fire.

What happened to the PUMA votes, any accounting for that?

admin Says:

The California gay marriage ban is currently winning. 11% of the vote is in 56 yes, 44 no. Another legacy of this horrible night.

marie3548 Says:

They claimed on Fox tht they have no evidence that PUMA voters did not support Obama so they are claiming that they did.

But we know that is not true.

birdgal Says:

This is tragic. Stop the world, I want to get off.

pm317 Says:

I am stunned about OH and FL (and may be PA).

12 PM: The Islamic Brotherhood

UnLadyLike Says:

Folks….I feel truly depressed. I am a regular on PUMA site. The mask of BO will come off…it is just a matter of time…just as he revealed his true colors to Joe the Plumber.

Only a matter of time…..I will turn off MSM and the Government for at least 4 years. I did it with Bush because I could not bear to see him win in 2000.

I am not sure with all the “GOP internal polling”, how the numbers played out the way they did, except for massive FRAUD on many levels.

Can we keep sites such as this active so that like minded and spirited people like us will have a venue to continue our quest toward a fair and just political arena???

Please does anyone feel the same???

UnLadyLike Says:

No we will be watching Obama down in Hell.

JanH Says:

I only have one last question:

Is it too early to start impeachment proceedings?

confloyd Says:

Just a reminder folks, all those Obama supporters on the Gaza STrip are probably shooting their AK47’s in the air tonight in celebration of the “one” be elected (awarded) the Presidency!

All the Islamic brotherhood are saying to themselves that they are ready to take this country over from the inside NOW!

confloyd Says:

This is the FIRST time in my entire life I am afraid to be living in the United States!

1 AM: O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee bluegirl Says:

Peppermintgirl, I feel exactly the same as you. Right now I’m really feeling very sick. I feel so down, I could just cry. I feel like the bottom just dropped out from under me.

I KNOW if this election hadn’t been fixed, PA, FL, Ohio, VA and some other states, would have been McCain’s. He had PA for sure.

Right now, I don’t think I will ever be able to vote for Hillary again. I’m truly fed up with her and Bill. They left us down in order to stay with the party for any future elections.

The party evidently meant more than her supporters. We stayed true to her, but she didn’t stay true to us or the country. It was just politics, as usual to them and I don’t care what anyone says.

I just had to take a couple of sleeping pills to hopefully make me sleep, but I don’t think they are going to do the trick. I am so down.

2 AM: The Bill Ayers Book Cover Dress, On Sale Now

confloyd Says:

birdgal, just saw a picture of the book. The book is red with black flames, just opposite of MO’s dress. I do think that dress is a statement!

The idiots in this country that elected them are going to get the shock of their lives when they realize that just threw our country over to communists!

3 AM: NOT MANY INTERESTING COMMENTS THIS HOUR. THEY WERE PROBABLY WAITING FOR THAT IMPORTANT CALL.

4 AM: Goodbye Christmas, Hello Ammo

djia Says:

Dear Santa,

please bring my family a set of passports, lots of ammo, and each of us a ticket on a midnight train to canada

P.s. Oh and can you put a rush on christmas this year? I am not sure we have much time before its not allowed here in America anymore.

—Mark Elliot Cullen 2 Comments