Obama: "Cynicism" Is What People Have When I Fail

Obama's been talking a lot about "hope" (trust in his abilities) and "cynicism" (doubts in his ability, or disappointment in his record) for some time now.

He talked about it again today. Apparently "cynicism" has been redefined to mean "an accurate appraisal of Obama's abilities and performance."

Here are some of his recent invocations of "hope" (trust in Obama) and "cynicism" (doubts in Obama).

We’ve got some big challenges. And if you’re fed a steady diet of cynicism that says nobody is trustworthy and nothing works, and there’s no way we can actually address these problems, then the temptation is too just go it alone, to look after yourself and not participate in the larger project of achieving our best vision of America.

Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed a young mind, or sent men into space. Cynicism is a choice. Hope is a better choice.

-- Irvine University graduation address, June 14, 2014, making the case that "cynicism" blocks us from a disastrous Carbon Tax

The White House decided to tweet this out again, today:

"Cynicism is popular these days, but hope's better." —President Obama

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 26, 2014

If I were doing a horrible job at work, and my boss was on the verge of firing me, I could walk up to him and have the absolute balls to say, "You know what? Cynicism is popular these days, Boss. But hope is a better choice."

And when he catches me pooping in the hallway, I'd say, "That's a phony scandal. Next thing you know, they'll be asking for my birth certificate."

posted by Ace at 08:35 PM

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