Obama’s Actions vs McCain’s Words

There’s been some horrible flooding recently in the Midwest.

How are the presidential candidates responding?

Republican John McCain:

U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the flooding in the Midwest:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the flooding throughout the Midwest. Cindy and I would like to extend our sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones, and stand ready to help those in the Midwest to recover and rebuild.”

Democrat Barack Obama:

He was actually there, helping those in the Midwest recover and rebuild.

Obama visited the flooded Midwest later Saturday, stopping in Quincy, Ill., to help fill sandbags.

Here’s what we know: Barack openly mentions and includes the non-religious when he talks about faith. He’s currently unchurched. And, as we can see from the picture above, he takes action instead of just saying some meaningless words.

He’s not perfect, but if Bill Clinton can be the first black president, then I’m looking forward to the day we can call Barack Obama the first atheist president — Someone who’s not quite Godless, but perhaps all we can hope for at the present time. Someone who understands our mindset. Someone who will not let our rights get trampled upon.

(via Daily Kos)

[tags]atheist, atheism[/tags]

Xeonicus

+20 points for Obama

My respect for him continues to grow.
Jared

I can’t find a pedestal high enough to put him on!
David Crespo

Be careful calling Obama the first atheist president; it might cost him. Remember, these are the same people who insist he’s a Muslim while simultaneously being offended at what his pastor said.
Jacob Dink

To be fair, it is just a publicity move.
Jeff Satterley

I think it’s important to point out that he is the Illinois State Senator. One might wonder what would have happened if this disaster occurred in Arizona. I’m not suggesting to know what either candidate would have done in that case, but it is something of which to be cognizant.

That said, I must say it has been so impressive to see Sen. Obama interacting with people during his campaign. Despite this “elitist” label that has been cast on him by the media and his opponents, he just seems so comfortable interacting with EVERYONE he meets, rich or poor, and of any color. Kind of makes me wonder how they will twist this event to show how elitist he is once again.
Bad

While I think it’s great that he’s out there, I think it’s a little over the top to say that he’s “helping rebuild.” These are campaign stops. It’s great that he’s pitching in during the stops, but it’s not like he’s taking the weekend off to fill sandbags, nor should he be.
Tommy

While I favor Obama over McCain, in all fairness, I believe it needs to be pointed out that McCain is not in any kind of shape to shovel sand into bags. He suffered permanent injuries from his Vietnam experience and apparently cannot even raise his hands higher than his shoulders.
Jacob Dink

He suffered permanent injuries from his Vietnam experience and apparently cannot even raise his hands higher than his shoulders.

Sad, and true.
Siamang

Obama, not satisfied with a mere press-release, instead rolls up his sleeves for the photo-op.

These folks are politicians. Filling one sandbag is a symbolic move, nothing more.
Darryl

No politician is a savior. “Physician heal yourself.” Obama can only do so much. But, I’m going with Obama. The globe requires a big change and McCain is not going to help that along. He’s going in the opposite direction (unfortunately). He believes he’s right. Who is the most dangerous man? The man who does not doubt the rightness of his own way. This is why Bush has been such a disaster. He exemplifies this. Does he really not lose any sleep over the soldiers who have paid such a heavy price in Iraq? I wonder?
lynn

Was he there for a few hours or just long enough to get photos taken? I didn’t see anything in the news story about how long.

I have a lot of respect for Obama regardless of the answer, but he’s still a politician.
Rob

The other reason not to call Obama the “first atheist president” — besides that it isn’t particularly true and that it might get seized on by the right — is that Thomas Jefferson would have a far better claim at that title.

(Anyway, religion isn’t a big issue in my presidential vote. At least Obama’s invisible friend gives him good ideas, while McCain’s tells him to bomb Iran.)
John

I’m an Obama fan too, but this is just fluffy confirmation bias. How about some substance?
jeremy

RIght – I’m an Obama fan too, but filling a sandbag for the camera doesn’t make him a relief worker.

If the story had read “Obama works for 14 hours filling sandbags before collapsing with exhaustion alongside other relief worker”, I would have been impressed.

Good guy, yes. Better candidate than most we’ve ever seen? Yeah. Relief worker? Nope.
Josha

I was listening to Mancow last week and he was talking about Obama’s responses to some questions about his faith and particularly his belief in Jesus as God. They were vague, the responses of a humanist. Mancow said this like it’s an insult and then said they were the responses a Muslim would give about Jesus. Such as, “I believe in his teachings of love.”

I didn’t know the humanist label was looked down upon. I’d be happy to have a humanist president.
andyinsdca

Obama is a politician. Nothing more. He will no more lead the US to the Promised Land, solve our energy issues, fix the Iran crisis or anything else. He is a soothsayer that is VERY good at speechifying and making himself look good. This is just one more demonstration of that.

(not that I am a McCain fan, either)
mikespeir

It’s dirty work and he doesn’t look that dirty to me.
Don Pope

The dirt shoveling is just a photo-op for a politician.
I still think he’s the best candidate we’ve had in many years, but this type of thing is just BS.
The Unbrainwashed

I have to echo some of the other posters above. Come on Hemant! Lay off making Obama a secular messiah!
Todd M

I’ve never seen anyone wear gloves to use a shovel before. Do you wear gloves when you shovel dirt or sand or stone? I don’t. Have never ever even considered it in fact.

Sure I appreciate what he is doing BUT the folks who are caught up in this need a lot more than just sandbags to ever recover. That is the type of help that I think McCain was trying to offer. Whether he can come through on it may be another issue.