Obama listens to a question during a roundtable this morning on Sand Hill Road.
Quotes:
“We have an economy that is doing well for some. But we have greater
inequality than any time since the Guilded Age.
We may be the first generation where out children inherit an America that is a little poorer and a little meaner than before.
I am a risky proposition. If you ask who will likely win the election, I’d consider myself still an underdog. The press may not think so, but I do. But the upside is enormous. The way the race is emerging, it’s between me and Hillary. In her attack on my experience, she is saying ‘I know how things are done. I can manage the existing system.’ I am saying the system needs to change. That’s my pitch. If you agree that more of the same is not sufficient, then I am your best bet. If the status quo is manageable, then you have other choices.
This will be a sequential race, like it was for Kerry in the primary. It’s all up for grabs in the early states. Democratic primary voters are not inspired by Hillary, but they respect her. I do better with Independents and Republicans. With Hillary, the Democrats know what they are going to get. They are not yet sure if they can hand me the keys to the car.”
Question on math & science education:
“A whole generation got into math and science because of Apollo. The President has to talk about it in a way that has not been done recently. It’s a subtle thing. In the last several years, I have been shocked by the degree of anti-intellectualism that has been promulgated by the Bush Administration. He jokes about being a C student. ‘I’m not big on science. I know what I think.’ Kids absorb that. I’d like to spend eight years extolling the importance of science and technology and problem solving and critical thinking.”
“Part of the job of the next President is to make the Federal Government cool again. We have lost so much talent in Federal agencies. What smart kid is saying ‘my goal is to work in the patent office.’ They think it’s a bureaucracy.”
(gotta run; more later)
greefus gone, tifotter, Paul Mayne, and 32 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 3 more comments
Happy Tinfoil Cat 70 months ago | reply
Half the people voted for Dubya, twice. Ignorance is considered a virtue. Racism and sexism are commonplace; I've lost hope. It will take a miracle.
Jeff Clow 70 months ago | reply
Interesting stuff, Steve....thanks for sharing it.
caitlinburke 70 months ago | reply
Yeah, OK, Obama, but Einstein didn't realize before he started that the Patent Office would turn out to be a good place to think.
oklo 70 months ago | reply
That was the right answer to the math and science question!
HaleyHyatt 70 months ago | reply
Great insightful photo-portrait -- and thought-provoking quotations. Although I have been strongly leaning towards Edwards, I would be delighted with Barack -- or Hillary, as well. Three fine candidates there. And any of them 1000x better than the status quo. Barack is brilliant, bold and refreshing. His fierce intelligence and focus shows in your photo. Maybe there's hope for this country yet.
Gedawei 葛大为 70 months ago | reply
boy, i love flickr.. thanks.
David G Photography 70 months ago | reply
I sure hope those who get to vote in the primaries early enough to make a difference pick Barack. By the time we in Texas get to vote in the primary, its usually mostly wrapped up. I blame the last few elections of mediocre presidential candidates on Iowa, New Hampshire, etc. Those people do a crappy job of picking the candidates...
kcnickerson 70 months ago | reply
Great quotes... more depth here than say 21 debates and 6 months of press coverage. Traditional media coverage of this event would focus on his shoes and tie color choices. I'd like to know why he chose buttons over French cuffs ;>
Good photo and Great comments. Thanks.
benjiman 70 months ago | reply
He is soooooooo right about the Friendly Idiot vibe that Bush has been giving off the last two terms. And he is right about that message getting into people's heads. Its not just kids either.
Thats one of the reasons our standing is in freefall around the world: we have a C student, school yard bully leading the country and the free world.
I don't care whether it would be fun to share a beer with my president. I want a thoughtful leader who thinks DEEPLY and works hard.
Gwen's River City Images 70 months ago | reply
Phew! Thanks for the explanation. From the thumbnail, I thought you had caught Barack whistling with his thumbs. Very nice shot!
msamaclean ©...be back soon!...;-) 70 months ago | reply
LOL, gw...but, seriously, I have heard so many say what Happy Tinfoil Cat said.
I still have a glimmer of faith in thinking people, that we will elect a smart, focused & aware candidate . We've seen enough of this talking (& empty) head.
schoschie 70 months ago | reply
Promising.
PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE 70 months ago | reply
I was having a look at some of his talks and came across this video :
Barack Obama speaks at the Yearly Kos 2007 convention on the issue of science literacy, funding the NSF and NIH, and K-12 Science Education.
You may find it interesting ..
aseidman 70 months ago | reply
now that is some straight talk. big fan of barack. we don't need 28 yrs. of a clinton-bush monarchy
bad layout f*ickr | jotka26 70 months ago | reply
when the goin' gets ruff, the ruff get's going...i don't see no difference with a your starry-eyed idealist, excuses from old europe.
Grin and Barrett 70 months ago | reply
Nice shot. Rally the vote in 2008.
The World Through My Eyes
trp0 70 months ago | reply
It looks like he's doing a duck call or whistle or something with his hands :)
Kevitivity 70 months ago | reply
I miss the Democrats of old that spoke about self reliance and self determination - like JFK... Do these types of Democrats exist anymore, or are we cursed with "old Europe" style socialism, high taxes, and a nanny-state policies from here on out? I only ask this question because I fear for the future of America.
benjiman 70 months ago | reply
Hahaha, good one Kevitivity. I WISH we had some old Europe style socialism for all the taxes we pay! We are a nanny state only when it comes to the defense industry.
Gwen's River City Images 65 months ago | reply
LOL! Kevitity. I wish we had some of the old style Republicans, the ones that believed in fiscal responsibility, low deficits and keeping the government out of my personal life but since they aren't around I guess I'll stick with Obama.