Brilliant expose on the President-ElectNovember 22, 2008 David Freddoso has done a masterful job of illuminating the complex, non-reformer truth about our new President-Elect. "The Case Against Barack Obama" investigates the earliest makings of Obama's character development and systematically carries that through his formative political years and extreme left stances. Obama's many questionable relationships with real estate developers, radical leftists, racist religious leaders and corrupt Chicago kingpins are well developed and painfully revealed. The woeful history of Obama's extreme position on abortion is also well documented in Freddoso's work. That Americans have chosen to ignore all this information is another study in itself. Freddoso labors to remain objective, but the facts are just too clear. His paragraph on page 233 best summaries the theme and the conclusion: "It's not that Barack Obama is a bad person. It's just that he's like all the rest of them. Not a reformer. Not a Messiah. Just like the rest of them in Washington. And just like all the other liberals, too." I would add that he's actually MUCH BETTER than the rest of them. Obama knows the precise edge of the legal Grey Zone, is adroit at when NOT to vote on an issue, knows the precise balance of what people desperately want to believe and what to say to them and knows so very well how to speak eloquently and actually say very little. Obama is so exceptional in his talents that a man could come home from work, find Barack in bed with his wife and by the time Obama was done explaining himself the man would be thanking him for his time and effort. We can only hope that Obama makes history not by being the first black President but by keeping any of the promises that he has made to America. Other books to read are "America Alone" and "Bleeding for Allah".
Written by political reporter for National Review Online, David FreddosoNovember 18, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Writers who can put together an argument either in favor of or against a political candidate seem to surface around presidential election time. This book is a one sided viewpoint written by political reporter for National Review Online, David Freddoso, The Case Against Barack Obama. This captivating chronology of Obama's career presents a history of the meteoric rise to fame of an obscure newcomer who now stands on the threshold of claiming the number one prize in American politics, President of the United States.
Freddoso cleverly provides insinuations which try to have the reader to draw, but one conclusion, Barack Obama uses poor judgment in the selection of his friends and supporters. Association with questionable people who supported his political and personal ambitions is presented in a manner which does not directly accuse Obama of wrong doing. "By what criteria does a man choose his friends and end up with the likes of Tony Rezko, Jeremiah Wright, and Bill Ayers?" Rezko, a convicted criminal for bribery of public officials, and Ayers an underground bomber terrorist who professes hate for his country, and finally Reverend Wright who was made famous for his hate of America.
"It's not that Barack Obama is a bad person. It's just that he's like all the rest of them. Not a reformer. Not a Messiah . . . Obama's radical ties don't make him a radical. His ties to Communists don't make him a Communist. His ties to a terrorist do not make him a terrorist. But his continued relationships with radicals throughout his public life show an important influence in Obama's public career . . ." (p.233)
Also, pointed out by David Freddoso, when people are confronted with the facts, they still defend Obama by saying his relationships were all in the past. Many people support his philosophy from his two books. However, when asked if they had read his books, the response is no! His followers take cues from publicity and commentators who try and depict Barack Obama as they would like to see him. The Case Against Barack Obama presents an opposite viewpoint. To be fair, before you cast your ballot, read this book and Obama's books, The Audacity of Hope (2006) and Dreams from My Father (1995). A careful analysis of any candidate may possibly persuade you to vote the other way.
Clark Isaacs Reviewer
Good material, but no one listenedNovember 17, 2008 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book gives all of the facts that were brought out during the presidential campaign and more; certainly not from Obama who remained successfully silent on his past and his associations. Unfortunately no one listened to those who tried to blow the whistle. The book shows just how unprepared Barack Hussein Obama is to lead this nation. He is a man with very little experience but the jobs he has held have all shown how far left and how mired in the dirty political machine of Chicago he has been. No one cares. On a side note, as a Christian, I question whether his mentor, Jeremiah Wright, actually led him to Christ or to his version of salvation in "Black Liberation Theology". Not that it matters to anyone but it would explain his zeal for abortions at virtually any point during a pregnancy (infanticide). I'm resonably sure Jesus does not approve of abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
BO ReviewNovember 17, 2008 2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book should be mandatory reading for all US citizens in order to better understand the background of the man we just elected President of our country. While the author has certain partisan biases, I still believe he takes the reader through an objective exploration of Obama's history in politics. His conclusions are generally well supported by facts. It is too bad that the mainstream media did not provide such an insightful and rigorous review of Mr.Obama.
Portrait of a charismatic leaderNovember 16, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is perhaps too little, too late, now that Obama has been elected our next president. His popularity at home and abroad seems to be somewhat illusory, based on rhetorical gifts of an unusual nature, promises of effective change (without any proof whatsoever of being capable of effecting such a paradigm shift in public policy), and a magnetic personality that connects well with the youth and idealistic segments of our population. In essence, rightly or wrongly, he is perceived as a Messianic figure (a term widely used in the black communities), quasi Christ-like, who will lead to country back to an international greatness which reaffirms the American myth of a chosen people, "the shining city on a hill" which has been the linchpin in our perception of national self. This book attempts to de-mythify the his candidacy and political rise to fame. It emphasizes the disconnect between the public and private persona while dismantling some of the more pernicious rumors that were circulating about Obama's dubious origins (no, he is a Christian, not Muslim; he was born in Hawaii and therefore is a legimitate "native born" citizen, etc.)and allegiances. The author shows us the underbelly of his carefully crafted image, how methodically he has planned his conquest of the Democratic party, and how in many instances his flaws were obfuscated or simply hidden from public view by a complicit media. His days in Chicago are chronicled in detail, including his association with socialist politicians, an unrepentant terrorist (Ayers), ward heelers, slum lords with questionable reputations (Retzko), and a voting record that eschews risk-taking of any sort. The list of these limitations is long. This sort of political record belies the image of a forceful and decisive leader who can renovate a deeply troubled nation and control the external fortunes of our country, enmeshed in two wars and a multitude of other crises. It calls to question his readiness to undertake such a task. This of course remains to be seen now that his election has been assured. Too little, too late, a meaningless shot across the bow of public opinion? Only time will tell if the author's premises are valid. This is a book that should have been read long before the Democratic convention.
