Keeping Costs Down, Obama's Inauguration Will Only Be 3.5 Times as Costly

Noting an economy sorely in need of belt tightening, Barack Obama's leadership has decided to keep down inauguration costs to a mere $150 million, just over 350% of what George W Bush spent.

The reasoning is, "Since I'm pulling the troops out of the Iraqi democracy project, I have extra money, or, rather, I will soon enough. Pay it forward, I say.

More than $150 million — and yep, that's the most expensive ever. (By comparison, George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration cost $42.3 million. Bill Clinton managed with $33 million in 1993.)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl204

Barack Obama's Biggest Problem

As we all know, Barack Obama's biggest problem is being the Barack Obama he has let others make him. He, of course, is the real Barack Obama, not the woodcut sliced from the imaginations of many (not all) of his flock.

You've the thrill seekers, the ones who love to be on a winning team, no matter what the candidate believes. They cheered when George Bush talked tough against bin Laden, but squirmed when Bush followed it up with action. They'll be sorry when Obama likewise reads all those secret reports on the bad guys and thinks, "Uh oh, I can't let that happen," and reinforces troops.

There is the crowd feels bad that being prolife means, to protect the baby's right to live, the mother's right to choose must take second place. With Obama, everyone's body wins (except for the baby's body, which gets tossed in a dumpster next to a cancerous piece of liver). No worries for them, since they probably voted for John Kerry.

You have the "he's black, and that's good enough for me," despite that the voter is actually conservative. They will be disappointed eventually.

Even the liberals will be mad, though, they prefer, "pissed off." Obama, despite looking like the most pro-gay, pro-abortion president we'll ever have, is also going to try to do his job intelligently, which entails not kowtowing to Planned Parenthood, NOW, Act-Up, and other special interest groups. If he does, he knows these groups will be, to him, no different that George Bush and oil.

Meanwhile, there's the media, largely pro-Obama. If all they do is publish are "I feel a thrill running up my leg" stories, they'll lose straight and intelligent readers. Obama looks clean, and dirt-free - and I hope he stays that way. Just the same, shady characters no doubt will infest the White House, affiliated with him. He'll be at fault by default, even if he had no knowledge of the matter. What happens then?

I hope he remains clean, leads well, and somehow reduces the deaths of soldiers (Iraqi, American, Palestinian, Israeli) and unborn babies.

Noise: Obama's next pastor controversy - at inauguration

Who will be the most suspicious of this decision?

Will it be Evangelicals and other morally conservative Christians who know Barack Obama is extremely prochoice and generally pro-gay marriage. They know Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, is not.

Or liberals, Christian and otherwise, who prefer to think of Obama as one of theirs?

Who will cringe at this proverbial reaching over the aisle the most?

All just noise.

Obama's next pastor controversy - at inauguration

Shoe-Throwing: Proof of George Bush's Effectiveness

You know the story. You saw the video. And you hear how Iraqis are cheering this incident. So am I. Why?

This guy might get fined, spend some time in jail. What if he threw a shoe at Osama bin Laden, or the former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein?

George Bush casually swats away at the shoes. He's not worried. He knows freedom opens this door.

I know there are Barack Obama fans shuddering at this, but you won't hear him say, "I would throw shoes at Bush too." No, he has more class than this, and while he very much disgrees with on international defense issues, he agrees freedom is better than suppression.

Shoe-throwing reporter headed to court

Want a Black Man in the White House? Buy a Ford

A Ford? What does this have to do with Barack Obama's race?

It relates in that Fords used to be a symbol of "Buy American." Now, cars have parts made everywhere. "Buy American" is a myth played by marketing agents to unwitting patriotic Americans. So was race in this election.

Barack Obama is 50% something Caucasian, and 50% Kenyan. His mom was from Kansas, but her ethnicity could be one or more of several European places.

That Obama's dad is Kenyan doesn't matter either.

Barack Obama is not black. He's not white. He is a man. His presidential legacy will be in the quality of man he is, nothing more. If he's a wise and good man, we'll know that in four years.

If you voted for Obama just because he was black, you voted with a racist mindset. If you voted against Obama just because he was black, you voted with a racist mindset.

The AP had an interesting, more in-depth look at this: (click to read entire story)
Obama's true colors: Black, white ... or neither?
By JESSE WASHINGTON, AP National Writer
A perplexing new chapter is unfolding in Barack Obama's racial saga: Many people insist that "the first black president" is actually not black.

Debate over whether to call this son of a white Kansan and a black Kenyan biracial, African-American, mixed-race, half-and-half, multiracial — or, in Obama's own words, a "mutt" — has reached a crescendo since Obama's election shattered assumptions about race.

Obama has said, "I identify as African-American — that's how I'm treated and that's how I'm viewed. I'm proud of it." In other words, the world gave Obama no choice but to be black, and he was happy to oblige.

Senate Seats for Sale: Obama's, What About Hillary's?

Elsewhere in the blogsphere, my influence can be found.

Newly Listed: Hillary Clinton's Seat (NY) : Fresh on the Market
For Sale: Barack Obama's Senate Seat (IL) : For Sale: Barack Obama's Senate Seat (IL)

Barack Obama Goes Pro-War, Pro-Life, and Tells Gays They Aren't Welcome

Barack Obama worries the left. They are now wishing they voted in hype-liberal John McCain, a man they know can be counted on to support causes popular with the Cindy Sheehan crowd. After all, John married a woman named 'Cindy', so it makes sense what Cindys wants, Cindys get. Planned Parenthood too, is worried business will drop. Fewer abortions in a tough economy means less money in the bank, and ---

Waittaminnut.

Barack Obama supports abortion, not the war, and, by all accounts is the most liberal president-elect ever. Yet, he is taking heat from liberals?

Smells fishy.

Obama worries liberals
Barack Obama's Cabinet moves and policy choices are drawing fire from the left.
» 'Cause for concern'
Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.

Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil. He’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.

Tobacco Addict Barack Obama Talks About His Weakness

Addicted to tobacco, Barack Obama talks about his reliance on cigarettes. Young looking, energetic, Obama belies the impact his slowly ravaged lungs are taking.

No doubt, as he tackles health care issues, he will need to quit or remain a hypocrit on this matter.

Obama's smoking issue
Barack Obama faced tough questions from Tom Brokaw on his smoking addiction.
» 'You haven't stopped'

Alabama county names new holiday 'Barack Obama Day'

No word on whether or not John McCain supporters will choose to work.

Alabama county names new holiday 'Barack Obama Day'
MARION, Ala. – In central Alabama's Perry County, government workers already get a day off for President's Day, Martin Luther King Day, and Veterans Day. In 2009, they'll get one more: "Barack Obama Day."

The rural county, which overwhelmingly supported Obama in last month's presidential election, has approved the second Monday in November as "The Barack Obama Day." Commissioners passed a measure that would close county offices for the new annual holiday and its roughly 40 workers will get a paid day off.

Hillary Clinton Turns Down Secretary of State Cabinet Position

In an unexpected turn of events, Hillary Clinton told Barack Obama to, "Shove it," regarding his offer she become Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet.

"I was supposed to be president. The media promised me," and reminded reporters about their new houses and vacation time shares in Alaska.

Barack Obama released a statement:

I'm stunned. I was certain she would take whatever crumbs I offered. I needed a secretary. She needed a job. I thought, in my bid to help America's economy, I could hire her off the street, and keep her from skid row. Her insolence surprises me, especially after the sweet manner she ran her campaign. I needed a right hand man, and Hillary clearly was the one for it. Finding manly men in my party is hard, as we all know.