Barack Obama is Cunning and Flattering...oh and a Liar

This statement or some form of it has been heard many times during the campaign. Here, Here, Here and Here are examples of what people are saying.

I have heard a few of his speeches and he comes across as intelligent, well spoken, and personable. He seems like the type of person that would listen and try to understand where you are coming from, before making a decision. From what I have read, seen and heard about him I find him to be a well rounded person who is open to new ideas and respectful towards other's beliefs and values. I believe him to be a person of integrity and optimism. Obama has promised a lot of change in connection with his campaign. His love for the country, his family and fellow Americans gives him hope and optimism to be able to make these changes reality. Obama values civil rights of all Americans. The environment is important to him and he has plans to improve our quality of life by improving the environment. Being a good neighbor to other countries is important to Obama. He believes in good relationships with other countries and believes there are better ways to handle differing beliefs other than war. What's so bad about talking things through before waging a full on war? I try to teach my kids to solve disagreements with words instead of fists. Obama's mother raised him to be a good Christian man.

I believe the experiences he has had in his life give him this type of hope and optimism. He was raised in a very diverse family. These experiences give him the type of life knowledge necessary to pull off a great presidency. He is NOT a seasoned politician. This is one of the things I like about him. He hasn't been groomed by the system of politics. He has no special interests, other than those of the American people. He will NOT be making laws to satisfy those powerful lobbyists who have given him money. He will only be making laws to satisfy the lives of the American people.

The attack Obama for being a well spoken man, reminds me of the criticisms of Joseph Smith, Jr. He was a friendly, well spoken and personable man, who had a great love for people. When he spoke people listened. He was very optimistic after receiving the first vision and I'm sure he felt confident that he could bring about great changes in his life, the lives of his family, the country, and the world. Some of his ideas were outrageous and unheard of in his day. He took on some of the beliefs of many other well spoken highly religious men. Many people believed what he said and chose to follow him. Family members of those who chose to follow Joseph Smith, Jr. were concerned that their family members were being sweet talked and conned by this cunning man.

Was Joseph Smith Jr. a liar and a con artist looking to destroy the lives of other's with his prophecies and his "new church"? Was he trying to serve his own personal interests and get personal gain? I certainly don't think so. I believe what happened to him actually did happen and he didn't understand why people didn't believe him. Even though many did not believe him and did many horrible things to him because of what he said, he remained optimistic and continued on in his pursuit of change to better himself, his family, the country and the world. He did everything in his power to bring about this change.

Is Barack Obama a liar and a con artist looking to destroy the lives of other's with his hope for change and his new ideas? Is he trying to serve his own personal interests and get personal gain? I don't think so. I believe he is sincere in his quest for change and I think he'll do everything in his power to bring about that change. Obama has laid out how to make his plans work. He wants this change for everyone. He believes in fairness and equality. His ideas and plans for taxes and health care are an example of his quest for fairness and equality. By repealing President's Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and giving better tax breaks for average Americans, Obama creates more equality. Another example of Obama's desire for fairness and equality are his plans for helping families become stronger, wealthier, and healthier. You can read more about how he values families here. What could be better than fairness and equality?

As a true gentleman, Obama has taken the criticism and attacks he has received, stayed cool, calm and optimistic while continuing on his pursuit for change. I admire him for not lashing out at those who have attacked him. When people attacked him for attending a church where a preacher made questionable comments, Obama gave his faith speech. This speech was a much better way of fighting back. Instead of attacking those that had attacked him, he used his intelligence and words to prove to people that he is a person of integrity and did not share the opinions of his fellow church goer. For a politician, I think he has done a good job of running a clean campaign. I really admire him.