The second debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney delivered few surprises, including the obviously planted questions as well as a moderator purposely helping the Democratic candidate. However, from the sidelines, and following the debate, the first questioner Jeremy Epstein talked about his interaction with the candidates once the cameras had been turned off.
Here is what Jeremy had to say of this interaction, “I asked him (Romney) if he's gonna give me that job in two years and he said 'Maybe,'” Epstein said. “Then I was speaking with President Obama asking how his Chicago Bulls are gonna do, because they lost their MVP Derek Rose, and he said that I could not beat him in one-on-one, but I disagree with that.”
Here we have twenty year old kid on the world stage, facing the individual sitting in the most powerful office in the world, and what does this “most powerful man” do to him? Slams him.
Obama’s ego just cannot take a back seat to anyone. Even a young student
has to be put in his place. Might this have been an opportunity for the President to lift this student’s spirits on a personal level during his one on one away from the microphones? Could Obama have been just a little self-deprecating, even jokingly? Not a chance. Obama has no empathy. There is no room for empathy in egotism. The self-serving mind cannot be modest or critical of itself. It must at all times retain the upper hand, and cannot help itself, even as its words and actions discharge vast quantities of arrogance.
This private moment is further evidence that Obama is incapable of being conscious of his own shortcomings. How can he be re-elected, since by his very nature, it is impossible for him to have learned anything from his past actions? Re-electing such a character simply guarantees four years of more of the same and probably worse.
We’re not looking for general self-deprecation in a leader, but we would certainly expect a President to not ‘need’ to ‘better’ a twenty year old student. Obama was not in a competition with Jeremy Epstein, so why the slam away from the cameras? He can’t help himself.
This interchange innocently reported by a wide-eyed student confirms much about the character and nature of the individual sitting in the Oval Office.
A constituent of the vast baby boomer generation with a career which has been fortunate to know the ponderous corporate worlds, as well as the intimately pressurized, and invigorating entrepreneurial domains of high tech and venture capital, I have harvested my share of mistakes meandering through corridors of enterprise from Silicon Valley, to London and endless, colourful, sometimes praetorian points in between. The voyage has provided an abundance of fodder for a pen yielding to an inquisitive keyboard, a foraging mind, and a passionate spirit.
Whether political or business or social or economic or personal, is it not all political? It is a privilege to write, and an even greater privilege to be read by anyone, and sometimes with the wind at my back the writing may occasionally be legible. I do not write to invite scorn, nor to invite respect, but if I get really lucky the writing can stimulate thinking. I also write for the very selfish purpose of animating my own processes, and engaging the best of what life offers. Above all, whether biting fire or swatting shadows, I am grateful to be gifted the freedom to write and publish whatever flows down to the keyboard. To all those who enabled this freedom, and to all those standing guard to preserve it, I am indebted.
This is a bizarre conversation for our president. It reflects the attitude of the young male trying to impress others with his newly arrived and untested manhood. I am not an Obama fan, but if I was told of this conversation through a different source, I would doubt its authenticity.
The more we learn of this enigmatic man, the greater is our measure of disappointment.
@Skook: #1,
You bring up a good point given the situation, and it’s one which I gave some thought to before writing this piece. For example, it struck me that Epstein’s recount told a story very consistent with what might come out of the mouths of many liberal leaning young people –
1. asking Romney (the businessman) about jobs, and then 2. asking Obama (the anti-businessman) about basketball.
Epstein who likely would vote for Obama doesn’t quite realize that what he recounted revealed more of Obama than I think he intended. His liberal percepts perhaps clouded his insight.
1. More of a hardball question, & 2. Very softball question about sports.
1. Gets an honest answer, & 2. Gets a egocentric response.
Had these been reversed, the answers would not have been plausible.
JR, this is the answer of an immature man with problems of confidence. I am genuinely shocked and surprised initially, but it leads to deeper troubling thoughts, of how a man can be misrepresented by the media and promoted as a nation’s saving grace, yet in fact, he could be a sniveling weakling devoid of character, integrity, and courage.
It is the image America has conditioned to accept, and it could very well lead to our demise.
So how are Obama’s Chicago Bulls are gonna do, because they lost their MVP Derek Rose?
Why did Obama skirt answering THAT question?
Does his ego extend to ”his team cannot lose?”
I admit I’m not ”up” on basketball this year.
But it seems Obama’s propensity – of taking a question during the debate and not really answering THAT question while speaking for a while ALL AROUND the question – was still going on AFTER the debate ended.
And, if that’s true, at least Obama was consistent.
@Skook: #3,
Skook, that is very likely the single most important challenge facing the most powerful Nation on Earth. Now that 85% of the 4th. Estate has without doubt become void of objectivity, who will keep an eye on government while people go about leading their lives.
The 4th. Estate was supposed to keep government on its toes, somewhat. Now it SELLS the liberal mindset.
For many years I have followed publications from around the globe, and the trend is consistent everywhere. In North America, the NYT is leader of the pack, and I feel disgust at the quality of its journalism. The NYT is not even just “subjective,” its sells the Progressive mindset while it maliciously maligns conservatives. I find that very often does so cleverly, hiding its intent, sometimes like the magician’s left-hand/right-hand tricks.
I find this more critical than anything else because this malevolent cancer will impact the nature of the Nation, its ability to create jobs, its capacity to create companies, its function in securing its people, etc.
“Big government” always grows to turn its guns inward.
At this time I have some guarded optimism that many many Americans are seriously looking at 0-blama and questioning his strategy and tactics to get re elected. He and his pundits have pushed far beyond the margin of acceptable conduct. If Mitt stays focused on “it’s the economy stupid”, he has a bonified chance. The Lybia mess is secondary but worthy of exploitation given the cover up by 0-blama. There are three factors relevant to Lybia. Why no additional security grant upon request, why blame a video and not recognize terrorism as everyone did, and finally and most important is the disgusting attempt to cover up these issues.
@Nan G: #4,
I also found it telling that Crowley, post the debate, has said that Romney came over to thank her and asked her how she was doing, was she OK, . . . given what had just occurred on stage. Obama? . . . nothing.
JR, it seems that Jeremy Epstein is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame these days. But just to show you how misleading the inept media is, NBC News has him as “no longer undecided”, while Newsday says he “firmly undecided” post the debate.
Right….
But I think you are mischaracterizing the exchange between Epstein and Obama as a slam, when it was more likely just guy to guy testosterone chatter about a potential match up in b-ball. i.e. ensuing comments via the Newday interview with Epstein:
You know, I just can’t classify that as a personal slam by the POTUS. Just joking between two guys as to who thought they were the better ball player on the court.
Epstein, apparently, didn’t take it as a personal slam either, because he thought Obama was the more “personable” of the two.
Then, of course, there is the Media Bistro report with even more on Epstein from his interview with Chuck Todd/MSNBC, and later on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street. They have him as “decided” now as well… and it ain’t looking good for Romney.
So I have to say that Jeremy doesn’t agree with your assessment that Obama “slammed” him. Guess you had to have been there to genuinely detect the tone of the interchange you’re discussing.
@Common Sense: #6,
With 14.7 Percent real unemployment including ‘marginally attached’ this is the concern of most families. Apparently, 27.8% of households have at least 1 member unemployed and looking for work.
However, the MSM keeps repeating that Obama is getting support because people “like him” and provides him a large voter base from those who don’t stay informed.
This is obviously not a “likeable” man, yet the MSM won’t lift their shroud on that fact.
@MataHarley: #8,
No doubt, perceptions will differ on this as in all things, and I’m not suggesting that the student took it as a “slam,” but that I view it as such. The different interchanges reported that I’ve read (I realize the one you quote is different from mine which is from MSNBC), all lead me to the conclusion I set out above. If I may clarify further, . . .
This was not, IMHO, about 2 guys having a chit-chat about sports. Far from it.
I’ve never been on Airforce one, and although I’ve been in the White House, I’ve never been in the President’s chair, but I have been a CEO of a large corporation. I would never, ever, have had a discussion with any of the employees which would have remotely resembled any of the recounts I’ve read from Epstein. Even jokingly. I would never have pretended the ability to have “bettered” him or her at basketball, football, chess, or other contest whatsoever. At best I might have suggested I might be able to provide a challenge, but NOT state or claim or suggest that I would beat the opponent. That would be beyond classless and crass. Even worse if the employee is someone working at an entry level job. The relative “position” of the two in the discussion is critical. What a pathetic example of leadership would that be? You lead by example, inspiration and prescient guidance. You don’t lead by boasting or through swagger.
I think that as this President gets push-back from Romney, we should see more of his deep rooted insecurity surface, just as it did the evening of this second debate.
NOTE: I also used the quotation from Epstein which was the first one provided after the debate – the one which would have provided the least “cleaned-up” content as time passed or as he conducted more interviews. I also figured that an MSNBC quote, would be the most pro-Obama. And yet, . . .
I also realize that Epstein was in a surreal situation, talking to the most powerful office in the world. It is very understandable that the twenty year old would be thrilled to have been there, regardless what the “Presidency” said to him.
I hope that next debate, on foreign issues, goes into this domestic attack attempt against the NY Fed bank.
Seems the STATE DEPT. gave a student visa to the guy behind the plot!!!
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/10/18/state_department_granted_new_york_terror_plotter_a_student_visa
I played basketball and I would have never picked Jeremy or president Pufferfish in a pickup game.
Those two are Xbox players …
Tom from the Great Broken Golden State
He easily falls for BS and empty words. It would be nice if they taught critical thought in college. Youth is wasted on the young.
Let’s see….21 year old Jeremy Epstein, a college student, from New York, and he is un-decided?
Please……
@Tom in CA: #14,
Come on Tom, of course he’s undecided, that’s why the softball for Obama on basketball.
I think we’d find that most of the “questioners” were similarly “undecided” for Obama. Just like Crowley, . . . the perfect “undecided.”
Four years of economic hell, monumental debt, a foreign policy that is a disaster, an ambassador and three staff killed after an “artificially low security” was imposed on them and one superficial sentence buys a college student’s vote, what a moron.
Jeremy Epstein, what do you study, basket weaving?
It looks like with all the MSM’s help Obama has trended the right way with Gallup Polls . . . . R. @ 52% and O. @45%.
Those are hard trends to reverse this late in the race.
Mata In #8 you once again clarify the basketball exchange as two guys bantering about a sport they enjoy.
Raider and Skook making this some big put down is OBVIOUSLY RIDICULOUS and shows they have no understanding of the game or the context in which this exchange took place. Crazy.
Richard Wheeler
I think you’re the idiot in there for not understanding the fact that OBAMA IS ABOVE EVERYTHING,
THAT’S’ why he did not care to respond FIRST BEFORE TO THE DEMANDS FOR HELP to the four braves
and secondly to the BRAVES fighting for hours , being massacre and killed, WHY THE HELL DID THEY ASK SO MANY TIMES BEFORE GETTING KILLED BY THOSE TERRORISTS,
THEIR DEMANDS FELL IN TO DEAF EARS , AND OBAMA WAS NOT TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, HE SURE IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED, he did not even try to save them,
AND SECONDLY
WHEN THERE WAS TIME TO AT LEAST TRY TO SAVE THEM, AND EVEN AT IF A TOO LATE TIME IT WOULD HAVE PROVE TO THE ATTACKER , THAT THE STRENGTH OF AMERICA TO NEVER LEAVE IT’S BRAVES BEHIND, no he went to LASVEGAS WAS IT TO PLAY CRAP? THEY HAVE MACHINE IN EVERY HOTEL.
Bees #19 More of your absurd ramblings, OFF SUBJECT.
See again Mata’s 8. Do you understand what she is saying?
Richard Wheeler
yes I always read MATA,
and what the POST is about THE FACT THAT OBAMA IS MORE INTERESTED IN SPORTS THAN JOBS,and the young guy knew better not to ask him for job instead he ask ROMNEY FOR JOB,
THAT TELL A LOT, HE KNEW THAT ROMNEY IS VERY SERIOUS AND WILL BE A GOOD PRESIDENT,
I have a feeling he will vote ROMNEY IN SECRET, EVEN HE MADE MONEY WITH CNN FOR SAYING THAT CONTRARY,
THAT YOUNG MEN IS SMART, TOO SMART FOR SOME TO DIG
James Raider
hi,
on 17, I know RICHARD WHEELER CANNOT TAKE THOSE NUMBERS,HE SEE IT ON REVERSE
@ilovebeeswarzone: #21/22,
Ms.Bees, occasionally if we are effective enough and with wind at our backs we can tweak perception – only occasionally, if not rarely. What we absolutely cannot do is change people, or energize people to be more insightful, and we certainly cannot change anyone’s deep-rooted ideology and if that individual is paid for such, that locks the door completely. While such exercise may be entertaining, it is a waste of time. Throwing insults never works, but it can also be entertaining and temporarily provides sugar to the ego’s sweet-tooth. If I feared insults I would never write anything. On the other hand, I appreciate disagreement coherently stated and for example, while I completely disagree with Mata’s perspective, it gave me a chance to respond very specifically. The above comments are perfect examples of both ends of the spectrum from insults to disagreement. There are many reader posts on FA which I don’t agree with but I don’t insult the writer.
I appreciate and respect people who have thought-out opinions, and doubly respect anyone who can articulate such opinions with any degree of coherence. It’s tough to do.
What we can do for ourselves is attempt to learn, and sometimes we succeed. Our percepts get adjusted. It’s good practice to communicate those opinions, there’s learning from the process. . . . . And as always, that’s just my opinion. 🙂
James Raider
hi, yes and I take you’re advice for my own use, because they are good wise and
given with a good intent, I agree that we cannot make other to think like i would like to,
it’s a good day for me today because of the advices , and point of view I receive from you and another good person, I take it like a self shower of the brain v attitude, a way to reflex on what if I fail to project
what I really want to mean,
I like it also,
bye
@ilovebeeswarzone: #24,
MsBees, it’s always a challenge, isn’t it, to balance our brain/intellect with our intuition. I know it’s been my major challenge in this life. I came to the conclusion many years ago that I should have listened much more closely to the latter. Aaahhh, the majestic ego, . . . .
James Raider
I perceive a smile, it’s too serious, no you can’t, not you,
I don’t believe it ever been a challenge for you,
only for me
bye