Comments on: Bobby Jindal and Why I’m Not Worried about 2012 http://blog.probonogeek.org/2009/02/bobby-jindal-and-why-im-not-worried-about-2012/ Technology for the Good of People Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:17:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: probonogeek http://blog.probonogeek.org/2009/02/bobby-jindal-and-why-im-not-worried-about-2012/comment-page-1/#comment-396 probonogeek Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:43:21 +0000 http://blog.probonogeek.org/?p=400#comment-396 Wow... a comment on one of my political posts. I'm besides myself that someone would take the time to respond. For that on its own, you have my thanks. Now, to the merits of your argument. My objective was not to comment on Jindal's appearance (although, many professionals have described him as a "Boy Wonder"). I was commenting on his <i>style</i>. For certain, appearance is part of one's style, but it melds with other important aspects, like tone, cadence, word choice, etc. So many different elements go into ability to communicate and connect. I don't claim to have those skills... but I do claim that Obama has them. He has them in a way that Sen. Kerry did not, nor Vice President Gore before him. Political Scientists talk about the "have a beer" factor in determining Presidential elections. Simply stated, American's vote for the guy/gal they would most like to share a beer with. Personally, I think it's an oversimplified metric... but it gets to what I'm talking about; that ability to connect to all walks of life. I once felt as you do... that we should elect President's <i>solely</i> on the basis of substance. But as I've matured since those heady days when I voted for Ralph Nader, I've come to realize that the qualities of leadership are more than the set described by <i>substance</i>. I'm still trying to figure out what the right balance is, and perhaps history will prove out that Obama was more style than substance, I think it's entirely too early to tell. What I can say, right now, is if Jindal plans to be a threat to the Democrats in 2012, he's going to need to develop that skill of communicating and connecting a great deal more than was on display the night of his rebuttal. Wow… a comment on one of my political posts. I’m besides myself that someone would take the time to respond. For that on its own, you have my thanks.

Now, to the merits of your argument. My objective was not to comment on Jindal’s appearance (although, many professionals have described him as a “Boy Wonder”). I was commenting on his style. For certain, appearance is part of one’s style, but it melds with other important aspects, like tone, cadence, word choice, etc. So many different elements go into ability to communicate and connect. I don’t claim to have those skills… but I do claim that Obama has them. He has them in a way that Sen. Kerry did not, nor Vice President Gore before him.

Political Scientists talk about the “have a beer” factor in determining Presidential elections. Simply stated, American’s vote for the guy/gal they would most like to share a beer with. Personally, I think it’s an oversimplified metric… but it gets to what I’m talking about; that ability to connect to all walks of life.

I once felt as you do… that we should elect President’s solely on the basis of substance. But as I’ve matured since those heady days when I voted for Ralph Nader, I’ve come to realize that the qualities of leadership are more than the set described by substance. I’m still trying to figure out what the right balance is, and perhaps history will prove out that Obama was more style than substance, I think it’s entirely too early to tell.

What I can say, right now, is if Jindal plans to be a threat to the Democrats in 2012, he’s going to need to develop that skill of communicating and connecting a great deal more than was on display the night of his rebuttal.

]]> By: Dagmar Szman http://blog.probonogeek.org/2009/02/bobby-jindal-and-why-im-not-worried-about-2012/comment-page-1/#comment-395 Dagmar Szman Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:23:23 +0000 http://blog.probonogeek.org/?p=400#comment-395 I'm trying to relate to your opinion but I can't manage to get my head that far up my ass. Disagreeing with $140 million being spent on monitoring volcanos is "making fun?" And then you continue in your hate filled commentary by mocking Jindal's appearance?? You are simply making the arguement stronger that Obama wasn't elected to office because of substance but style. Good job; I hope you're proud. (It is safe to deride Christians, "caucasian," fat people and republicans in our society; unfortunatly, you take the safe route.) The statement that Jindal made about the people being stronger than our government and telling of his personal Hurricane Katrina story is only one example. Look up real facts (that would be the truth or actual existence of something; not your opinion.) and you will find that, too, was foolish of you to stomp on. I will agree that Obama is a well spoken man. You seem well spoken (-er, typed) yourself. And I do applaud the fact that you are willing to use this skill to voice your opinion about politics where so many coward away. However, this opinion came off as simply an attack. If you want people to hear you point (and rep. us liberals in a good light), please, do not resort to the republicans current tactic of "like us because the other guys have Bush." I enjoyed the read, God Bless and good night =) I’m trying to relate to your opinion but I can’t manage to get my head that far up my ass. Disagreeing with $140 million being spent on monitoring volcanos is “making fun?” And then you continue in your hate filled commentary by mocking Jindal’s appearance?? You are simply making the arguement stronger that Obama wasn’t elected to office because of substance but style. Good job; I hope you’re proud. (It is safe to deride Christians, “caucasian,” fat people and republicans in our society; unfortunatly, you take the safe route.)

The statement that Jindal made about the people being stronger than our government and telling of his personal Hurricane Katrina story is only one example. Look up real facts (that would be the truth or actual existence of something; not your opinion.) and you will find that, too, was foolish of you to stomp on.

I will agree that Obama is a well spoken man. You seem well spoken (-er, typed) yourself. And I do applaud the fact that you are willing to use this skill to voice your opinion about politics where so many coward away. However, this opinion came off as simply an attack. If you want people to hear you point (and rep. us liberals in a good light), please, do not resort to the republicans current tactic of “like us because the other guys have Bush.” I enjoyed the read, God Bless and good night =)

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