A VC - Latest Comments in Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Will — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:50:46 -0000

Wow, you really are the most naive person there is. You know his cabinet is made up of Clinton staffers? He even kept Bush's secretary of defense. Also, what makes you think he can do anything? He's the president. He can make speeches, sign bills and start wars. That's about it.

Have fun watching another politician take an ego trip.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:13:22 -0000

Thanks for the compliment

The most naïve person there is

It¹s good to be the best at something

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:00:34 -0000

I sure hope so. I want to see george clinton in the white house!

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

John Pollock — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:32:27 -0000

Thanks for your comment, Fred, to which I'd add one more thought: groundedness.

This idea began as a result of finding a YouTube clip, supposedly of a young Barack Obama, dancing away (http://www.youtube.com/watc... prior to heading to an Al Green gig. This is a President I can easily imagine dancing his socks off with his wife (and/or kids) behind closed doors in the White House with a kind of glee. Somehow I couldn't see any of the Bush/Clinton dynasts doing the same. (In the Clintons case, 'the project' was far too serious: so we got reports of them reading in bed).

I suspect the Obama clan have a more real hinterland, a serious and important chunk of their lives that really isn't about politics at all, but about living well. So the image of Michelle and Barack jumping up and down on their White House bed or grooving to the Reverend Al Green at high volume on their ipod - this, somehow, I expect to be part of what this man will bring to the Presidency, too...

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:23:26 -0000

That's something I take great pride in

This community is really special

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:09:17 -0000

Roy

Look for cap gains on startups to be eliminated entirely

That's been obama's position since he started his campaign

I don't agree with it, but it's his position

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

royeowens — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:53:18 -0000

Fred,
Always appreciate your insights and thoughtful positions. As a republican my candidate obviously came up a bit short on this one, but I strongly believe that all of us, regardless of political affiliation must respect and support our president. As an entrepreneur (technology, software), I too am eternally optimistic and I do have a great deal of hope for our country and for President elect Obama. Of course, being an entrepreneur and investor I have significant concerns regarding Obama's tax policy plans, especially what may happen with the capital gains tax.

I am also very interested in seeing how Obama handles the leadership aspects of being President. He is obviously very charismatic and was able to motivate his campaign team. Will his abilities continue to mature under the pressure of being President of the United States? I hope so, and I hope the team he puts together is genuinely committed to a balanced approach to policy - not republican, not democratic, but balanced, what is best for our county. I know McCain took a lot of flack regarding Palin, but I think those critisisms are mostly unfair. Yes, she is an outsider, but the experience comments do not hold water. Just look at Obama, in terms of experience, he is the most unexperienced person to ever be elected.

That being said, I am a proud American and support our new President to be, Obama, and hope we can all work towards less politics and more about what our country was founded on.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

kristina — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:12:32 -0000

Obama has yet to be on a lot of pressure. He'll deal not only with local but global matters. America needs him - a leader with an outlook towards international COOPERATION rather than international DOMINATION.
BTW, There's this survey about the current economic downturn and I think it’s helpful to get involved.
http://spreadsheets.google....
Thanks!

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Fahad Khan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:22:33 -0000

Re: 5)--If most rich people are fine with higher taxes on them (you and George Soros, for example), then, I wonder, who are those who lobby for the opposite.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

SS — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:16:03 -0000

Yeeaah. We won. The people won! Nice work voting everyone. The popular vote was strangely close, given the wake of terror left by Bushco.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Ted — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:47:31 -0000

I would love to believe Obama when he says he is our president, too, but I am hesistant to believe until I see some proof. This was an election against George Bush, not for Obama. Sure this board is filled with Obama fans, but he would not have won without the support of those who were upset with Bush (other than the far left filled with hatred).

Let's not forget that there are 56m+ Americans that deserve to be listened to. Talk about fairness, hope, love, change, etc... all you want, but the rubber hits the road in 2009 and I for one am not going to let Obama have a 4 year run-way before we see results. He is the one that set high expectations; its his job to meet and exceed them. That's a CEO responsibility.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

ebrittwebb — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:28:58 -0000

I couldn't agree more. I, too, am filled with hope and inspiration for the years ahead, and grateful for the many sacrifices that it has taken to get to this point.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:37:15 -0000

So true

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Peter Fleckenstein — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:35:15 -0000

No thank you. I understand completely. Your rhetorical use of the
metaphorical word king when talking about Sen. Obama is indeed just that.
Exaggeration of a word applied to someone where it is not literally
applicable to.

Thanks - just wanted to understand where you were coming from.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:29:20 -0000

I'd love to see that as long as income below a certain level was exempt

Its not going to happen though because it would mean, among other things, eliminating the deuctibility of interest on debt which would have huge economic impact and it would also mean charitable gifts would become more expensive

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:29:01 -0000

That made me laugh Whitney

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:28:56 -0000

Clinton was not a protest presidency and I think Obama will pull talent from that administration

You are right about the downside risk

But I am a VC, possibly one of the most optimistic breeds around :)

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:28:39 -0000

I am happy to see McCain supporters weighing in on this post

I feel like Bush ignored his detractors and I sure hope Obama doesn't make the same mistake

This was one of my favorite quotes from last night

"And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too."

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:26:16 -0000

I agree Chris and the title of my post was purposeful

Sarah Silverman, in her funny video, called it a "shitty fucking name"

But I think it's a wonderful name; expressive, colorful, and global

And I am so proud to have a president who carries it off with pride

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:21:45 -0000

Great post and great title

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

fredwilson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:21:43 -0000

Right. My favorite part of his speech last night is when he so eloquently described the internet and then looked forward 100 years and wondered what we can make happen in that time frame.

Thanks for adding modernity to the list

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Guest — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:57:09 -0000

Great blog, great comments! Fred's post was very good, with the exception that he didn't list "intellect"; this would be on top of my list, actually. The comments (with one exception) are fantastic, this is a remarkable community here...

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

KareAnderson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:14:59 -0000

Fred
I found you via Brad Feld via Ben Casnocha looong ago.

After working on the Obama campaign 1/4 tim for 8 months i absolutely agree. From the inside, we were divided in sub-group, each with a clear and single goal, led by one of us who'd been taught to facilitate, introduced to each other by the relevant talents we brought to the task.

Our meetings by phone, email and in-person were so ego-free, and goal directed that an ease and warmth emerged over time. I participated in 3 groups and led a 4th. We got to meet again on the 3rd in Chicago - such a rich and special time. Then to Grant park.... then back for more talk and celebration. His leadership was congruent, structured, first things first-oriented and we were supported in being the same.

It just goes to show you that when you pick the right people (a la Marcus Buckingham) for the task, set ot the supportive structure, have a top goal and believers, you deepen belief raise the bar of expectations for "us."

We became happier and higher-performing together than any of us anticipated in the beginning. With so many dire conditions, his approach to being a ceo for our country seems right for the times.

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

Dustin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:57:40 -0000

I came to your site via a Tweet. I, too, am proud that we have sought to elect a President who not only gives us hope but who also expects us to participate and be a part of this process. I look forward to seeing how he does because he has been left with a very big mess to clean up.

On another note, I am very impressed by the people who have added their comments to this post. I have been to many sites in the past few days and this seems to be the only one where people who disagree do not allow the conversation to disintegrate into racial and political slurs. Nice to see intelligent conversation where both sides can defend their points wo resorting to base insults. Nice work!

Re: Barack Hussein Obama, President of the United States

surya narayan singh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:06:30 -0000

Congratulations Mr President elect.