Talk:Barack Obama

Relationship with William Ayers

Much as the Obama pundits have been deleting this, it's unavoidable that we include Obama's relationship with Ayers, which is going to be a talking point for the rest of his candidacy. Especially considering how poorly he handled the questions about Ayers, and Ayers past, there is no way there won't be questions about it, and people with questions about that will logically come here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Fovean Author (talk • contribs)

Regarding, "which is going to be a talking point", please note that Wikipedia is not a crystal ball. Grsz11 01:03, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

And regarding "pundit", I do not think that word means what you think it means. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 01:08, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

A pundit (sometimes mispronounced pundant) is someone who offers mass-media opinion, analysis or commentary on a particular subject area (most typically political analysis, the social sciences or sport), on which they are presumed to be knowledgeable. As the term has been increasingly applied to popular media personalities lacking special expertise[attribution needed], however, it can be used in a derogative manner. Pundit is also a slang term for politically biased people attempting to be neutral.[citation needed]

Pretty much nailed it, I believe. You two clearly have no intention of allowing Obama's Wikipedia page to be anything but a pro-Obama puff piece. --Fovean Author

Rather, can you state what relevance this has to his biography? Grsz11 01:33, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

It probably more appropriate for the campaign article, unless it becomes more noteworthy. Obama's campaign has acknowledged they are "friendly", but Obama appears friendly with many people, to many to mention in a biography. It is me i think (talk) 01:45, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

It's probably only appropriate if it becomes noteworthy at all. Politicians know lots of people. It's a simple guilt by association tactic that, according to policy, should be deleted. Grsz11 01:48, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Or it could be more appropriate in the IL state senate article, since they know each other from IL, but I am not sure when the relationship fits, but it has been talked about in context of the presidential campaign. It is me i think (talk) 01:51, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Guilt by association is not sufficient to send someone to jail, but it's a useful and appropriate way to measure a man's character. If you associate with mafioso, you might not be mafia, but we know a little more about your character. If John McCain's 20 year pastor was a racist like David Duke and another long term friend was the Oklahoma bomber it would be newsworthy (at the least).

I don't know why anyone other than an Obama campaign volunteer like Grsz would actively try to hide Obama's associations with a racist (Wright) and a terrorist (Ayers). These two characters (and Obama's wife who is finally proud of America) give important insight into a man which we barely know. 72.196.233.224 (talk) 11:19, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, and your point of view is oh so neutral. Was I the only one who argued against it? No. Thanks, Grsz11 13:55, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

I wonder if Grsz admits these issues are important now that his candidate got handily spanked in Pennsylvania. 72.205.37.144 (talk) 14:12, 24 April 2008 (UTC)

We need to include all relevant information, his associations are a huge part of his public persona and the media has noted this many times. Include this information, it's relevant and it's notable. QuirkyAndSuch (talk) 10:12, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

I've restored the Ayers information to the article. Clearly we have consensus - even Grsz's criteria of 'if it proves noteworthy.' There isn't anyone in the old or new news media who aren't 'noting it' now. Fovean Author (talk) 22:56, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

No. You don't have a consensus. Notability is not the only criteria for inclusion in a BLP. --Ubiq (talk) 03:05, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I DO have a consensus, and 'making Obama look good' is also not a criteria for inclusion. I don't care if this rattles you guys at Obama Campaign Headqarters, but in fact this is a relevant reference to Obama's life, it is WELL documented, and it is pertinant.Fovean Author (talk) 03:08, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Oh, really. Did Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and John McCain get a Wikipedia account that we don't know about? Grsz^talk 03:26, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Looks like 3 editors have stated objections, 2 of which contribute to this article on a normal basis, and 3 editors want it to be included, none of which contribute to this article on a regular basis. You can fling accusations about who you think is an Obama supporter ad nauseam, but it doesn't really help your arguments. The edits in question are not pertinent to his life, are not about events that have had a significant influence about any aspect of his life, and they would only serve to perpetuate an association fallacy, something that an encyclopedia's role does not entail. If you want people to know about it so badly, go write about it in your blog or make a YouTube video or something. It doesn't belong in his biography. --Ubiq (talk) 03:27, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

Nope, the IPs are the same editor. Grsz^talk 03:34, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

I was counting fovean, quirky and the IP as a total of 3. Either way 3 to 3 is not the consensus he claims. --Ubiq (talk) 03:54, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

I removed the heading about William Ayers because the topic does not deserve its own heading. Whatever verifiable information there is, of course, ought to be included, NPOV as possible, possibly under a heading entitled "controversies," or some other such grouping that could cover other topics as well in such a long article. The point is not to give undue weight to a singular issue for which journalistic coverage and the information generally known to be available do not represent it as equally important as, for instance, the other topics which are given their own headings in the article. - Aratuk (talk) 03:37, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

It is mentioned - in the article about his campaign, because that's where it's relevant. Grsz^talk 03:55, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

I think it is a mistake to omit the information about Ayers from this article. The #1 reason I cite is the disparity in the ratio of included controversial material in the B. Obama article and the H. Clinton article. Certainly, if we under-report Obama's controversies (even in brief) from this article, we are putting our thumb on the scale in favor of him. That favoring occurs because naturally, Mr. Obama, being newer to the national political scene, will have less information reported about him. However, it's not the qty of the subject matter reporting that ought to be measured, but rather, how fully in the inclusion or exclusion of the information, informs the reader of the total picture of the person. Obama is now a national figure. Serious allegations and controversies must be mentioned (at least in brief) in the main article. Frankly, it is unprecedented that a leading US Presidential candidate freely associate(s)/(d) with a unrepentant domestic bomber. William Ayers is on recent record as an admitted criminal bomber. Omitting any pointers to that relationship from this article is a gross abdication of perspective and balance. 7390r0g (talk) 06:34, 28 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm open to a brief (probably one-sentence) mention of the Ayers matter, if we can source it to unimpeachable sources. However, it's worth remembering that the BLP policy will encourage underreporting of any controversy, for any person, because most such "controversies" are pushed by sources which don't meet the high standards of reliability which BLP requires. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 21:11, 28 April 2008 (UTC)

I don't think there is any justification for mentioning "the Ayers matter", as you put it. Such a thing would be only be appropriate in the campaign article, insofar as it has been given sensationalist media exposure, but in the context of Obama's life it lacks any significance whatsoever. If a consensus forms to include anything about Ayers, any mention of the whole "weatherman" thing would violate the Wikipedia "do no harm" policy. His association with Obama is based on their shared experience with the Woods Fund of Chicago, and not with anything in Ayers' distant past. I believe that the association has been given a more than sufficient treatment here, and I would regard any attempt to add information to this article as a POV push. - Scjessey (talk) 21:47, 28 April 2008 (UTC)

"I would regard any attempt to add information to this article as a POV push"... interesting. Let me posit a question to you. Are you saying that the mere inclusion of any mention of Ayers is by definition POV? If so, how did you come to that conclusion? As I see it, if your premise is true 'this is inherently POV stuff', then isn't the reciprocal of that premise also true, ie: unilateral exclusion of it is also POV?. Personally, my view is that any United States Senator, by virtue of holding that office, is an extremely notable person, about whom many people are interested to learn more. Senator Obama's relationship/friendhip is not notable because Obama is a Presidential candidate in 2008. No, it's notable because it's illustrative of Obama's comfort level regarding whom he is willing to associate. I remember when Nixon was still alive and close with BeBe Reboza. Suffice it to say, Reboza had some unsavory elements to his background and it was very reasonable that people wanted to know: "Wow - Nixon is pals with Reboza". Likewise, Ayers has a very high profile and unsavory past. The fact that Obama is friends with him does not become exclusive to 2008 campaign. Think about it, if Obama was not running, how would you justify excluding the Ayers connection from this article? The answer is that you couldn't. Ayers is notable and controversial. Obama is close to him. That connection deserves a mention. BTW: If César Chávez were still alive and he were also friends with Obama, would you exclude that fact too - simply because some in the media might be clucking about it? We are letting the tail wag the dog if we let muckrackers/bloggers, etc. force us into capricious limits on fact inclusion - simply because some elements of the media are pronse to hysteria. Ayers is on record as saying "I don't regret setting bombs," Bill Ayers said. "I feel we didn't do enough." [4]. As I see it, that makes Ayers very notable and by extention, his friendship with Obama is notable. Also, as per this Boston Globe article from April 18, 2008 it's reasonably clear that the connection between Obama and Ayers is notable, (albeit controversial as well). Here too is another article, but one which points out Ayers details in another light. LA Times puts their perspective on Obama/Ayers. This link On Hot Air has what I feel is possibly an illuminating quote from a poster "The whole Bill Ayers situation says more about the the left-wing Democrat mob-church that runs Chicago and forgives sins though social action than any social climber that comes though there." Also, Powerline has some readable (if not overwrought) details that add light. Anyway, as I see it, it's this quote ""Like many other tenured and well-heeled radicals, Ayers keeps hoping for a revolutionary upheaval that will finally bring down American capitalism and imperialism," wrote Stern. "But now, instead of planting bombs in bathrooms, [Ayers] has been planting the seeds of resistance and rebellion in America's future teachers, who will then pass on the lesson to the students in their classrooms." from this article which makes clear that Ayers is notable enough that his friendship Obama ought to be mentioned and it shuld be mentioned here, in this article. Ayers, as an unrpentant doer of criminal deeds, because he now has some influence, while still persuing a path of radicalism, is a notable person. And, the fact that the Ayers home was the location which held Obama's very 1st state senate election meeting, makes clear that the Ayers connection predates election 2008. Ayers, a dyed-in-the-wool radical, has been very helpful to and is close to Obama. Omitting that connection is, of itself, a form of POV. I leave it to others to see how it can be mentioned, but mentioned it should be. 7390r0g (talk) 04:56, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

The Ayers content is included in relevant articles about the 2008 presidential campaign. Please do not continue to re-insert references in this biography with the justification that "omission" is POV. Every event of Obama's political campaigns cannot be included in what is a summary article of his life. Thanks. Harro5 05:50, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

For the records, I HAVE NOT "inserted" ANY referrences to Ayers into this article. Rather, I am attempting to discuss WHY a modest one SHOULD BE inserted. I ask that yuo cease merely reiterating a routine "NO! It's campaign related" EXCUSE and instead ACTUALLY DISCUSS the pros/cons of inclusion. Here again are the pros:

1) Obama is a senator - this makes him notable - regardless of being a pres. candidate.

2) Bill Ayers is notable and controversial on his own accord - if you don't believe that read his wiki page!

3) Obama's Chicago political career initiated his 1st campaign at a meeting in Ayers home!

4) This Ayers help pre-dates by far, election 2008

5) Obama has many connections to Ayers going back many years.

Attempting to sweep this away into some other article is blatant manipulation and POV.

I recommend the inclusion of a single sentence in the "Cultural and political image" section of this article:

In recent times, as his public profile has risen, some of Senator Obama's personal associations with controversial figures such as Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko have been the subject of increased scrutiny.

This sentence states indisputable notable facts and is appropriate because the "Cultural and political image" section is a virtual puff-piece for Obama. You can't open the door to personal criticism by having a section called "Cultural and political image" and then refuse to allow any negatives into that section - only positives. Such editng is absurd!

Forcing any and all negatives about Obama's "Cultural and political image" out of the article on the basis of "campaign" makes me question why we even HAVE a section called "Cultural and political image" if we are going to purposefully exclude all unflattering detail from that section... Who's kidding who here? 7390r0g (talk) 14:39, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

There is no evidence to suggest Obama's relationship with Ayers can be characterized as "close", or "a friendship". What little "relationship" there is can be safely regarded as insignificant. It is true that both individuals are notable, but their relationship to one another is not, except in the minds of the FOX News-watching sheep. Furthermore, a sentence beginning with, "In recent times" is almost certainly going to violate WP:RECENT. This is a clear attempt to make a mountain out of a molehill, and it is laughably transparent. -- Scjessey (talk) 16:48, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

The only thin "laughably transparent" around here, is the obvious schemes by whitewash minded editors who seek to put 'we love Obama' spin on this article. And for your information, the solution to you complaint is to strike "In recent times", leaving us with:

"As his public profile has risen, some of Senator Obama's personal associations with controversial figures such as Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko have been the subject of increased scrutiny.

Now, with that correction made, does anyone here dare dispute that the above sentence is 100% true? Does anyone DENY that Senator Obama's associations with those two have been the subject of increased scrutiny?

I will wait one day and if no honest-broker reasons for keeping my suggested sentence out appear, I am inserting it. It's a true fact. It's a notable fact. It's germane to the section I intend to put it in and it's written in strictly non-pov manner. Does anyone deny this? 7390r0g (talk) 04:03, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I'd say that wording was true, neutral and appropriate. It's not appropriate to go into details of Obama's relationship with Ayers (or lack thereof), but it has been the subject of media scrutiny. I haven't checked the sources mentioned above, so I'm not sure which (if any) of them would be best to use as a reference for this proposed sentence. Ideally, it should be something from a highly reliable source (not an opinion column or editorial — but analysis is OK) noting the scrutiny and possibly mentioning its effect on Obama's public image. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 08:32, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Where are you intending to insert this sentence? Why are we mentioning Rezko yet again? Only the right wing loonies are "scrutinizing" Obama's connection with Ayers, and filling the sentence out by mentioning Rezko in the same breath may make it seem "true" and "neutral", but it is certainly not appropriate. It is just another guilt-by-association wrap that is best dealt with by the campaign article. There is nothing sinister about Obama's connection with Ayers (who has never been convicted of anything, has become a distinguished professor, and only knows Obama through a connection with a now defunct charity). Why don't we just let Sean Hannity maintain this article by himself? -- Scjessey (talk) 13:21, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey, to answer your question "Where are you intending to insert this sentence?": As I stated, the sentence which I intend to insert into this article is:

"As his public profile has risen, some of Senator Obama's personal associations with controversial figures such as Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko have been the subject of increased scrutiny.

and I intend to insert it in the section titled "Cultural and political image". As I see it, that section title and the current content of it, opens the door to the sentence which I wish to put in.

It is simply preposterous to suggest that my sentence is POV in any way - it's not. There is no slander, no slight, no negative in that sentence. My sentence does nothing more than allow the reader to comprehend three 100% true, neutral, germane, salient facts pertaining to Obama's "Cultural and Political image" - those facts being:

1) Obama's been associated with these two people.

2) Those two people are controversial.

3) Obama's association with them has been subject to increased scrutiny.

Frankly, I am not impressed at all with Scjessey arguments on this point. As I see it, he's got WP:OWN problems here and needs to back off. 7390r0g (talk) 20:54, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Er, no. What you are doing, by mentioning Ayers and Rezko (who are unrelated) in the same sentence is creating a conflation. This is a sum-greater-than-parts approach, and the result is negative POV. This is a common tactic, as evidenced by Andy's comments below. And I'm not sure who you think you are telling me to back off. I am simply trying to ensure the article remains neutral. -- Scjessey (talk) 21:06, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey, I applaud your pure motives, but I suggest that your vision is clouded here. There is no "conflation" in my suggested sentence. The subject of the sentence is the "increased scrutiny" of "controversial [person] association(s)". My sentence allows a readers to read for themselves - at the corresponding linked articles, who those people are and what they are all about. Scjessey, you presume that a reader of my sentence MUST come away with some adverse conclusion about Obama - because of my sentence. That reasoning is not grounded in the facts at hand, but is based on the negative spin you impute into my sentence. The sentence I am sugegsting, in no way is negative for Obama. Those other individuals stand or fall on their own merits - and the wiki pages for them will reflect that. However, to exclude from this article the truth that Obama's association with those two has come under increased scrutiny - merely because you conjecture that it's a negative (and you do conjecture that - you've been saying POV! POV!), does not make my desired edit fail wiki standards. I ask that you volunteer to put this point of discussion up for a request for comment. I've made my views clear - as have you. Let's not argue. Let's seek wider consensus from the community. 7390r0g (talk) 21:22, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm sorry that you don't see the problem with your proposal, but the problem still exists. Your reason for introducing this conflation, as you have already stated is, "the disparity in the ratio of included controversial material in the B. Obama article and the H. Clinton article," which is not an appropriate justification at all. Yes, there has been scrutiny, but that has been a result of the Presidential campaign. The Ayers association motivated by a guilt-by-association agenda, and the conflation with Rezko adds more weight to what would otherwise be a non-story. Furthermore, the actual details of Obama's association with Ayers are already covered in a sub-article where they can be given the appropriate exposure. -- Scjessey (talk) 21:35, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

You entirely miss the point of the sentence, which is: to alert the reader that there has been increased scrutiny of controversial associations. You can't have an entire section about a Senator's "Cultural and Political image" but then screen out factual data points merely because that information might be interpreted as a negative. Our readers are not fools - they can decide for themselves if Ayers and/or Rezko are "bad" (as you seem to suggest our readers will conclude). If as you say, the things with Ayers are all the the past, well then where's the beef? On the other hand, Resko is likely more of a controversy for himself and for Obama as the association there is close and many people are troubled by the charges against Resko (hence the increased scutiny). Also, I see that you did not respond to my suggestion. I think we should open up a request for comment. I want my sentence included in the section I have mentioned and you are opposed to that. We are at an impasse. If you won't agree to seeking wider comment, then I feel that you do indeed have WP:OWN issues here. Yes or no, will you agree to a request for comment? I seek your agreement to go forward on that as I prefer consensus to confrontation. Please reply on this point today. I will look for your answer later on this evening. 7390r0g (talk) 21:50, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

It is not Wikipedia's job to "alert the reader that there has been increased scrutiny of controversial associations," as you put it, as it would violate WP:RECENT. First of all, the Rezko-related material has already been given a treatment in the article so further mentions would violate WP:WEIGHT. Secondly, there is only increased scrutiny on the trivial association with Bill Ayers because Obama is in the middle of a campaign, and because Hannity made a big deal out of it on the radio. There is a case for including it in the campaign article on that basis, but even that is tenuous at best. Thirdly, there is no reason to mention the two associations together other than to conflate the separate issues to push a negative agenda. Fourthly, you do not need my permission or consent to seek a request for comment, as it seems you are extremely fond of doing. Finally, I resent you implication that I somehow claim ownership of the article. There is no evidence in my edit history to support your claim. -- Scjessey (talk) 22:10, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

It's evident that you are combatively closed-minded and are not interested in reaching common ground. And frankly, I resent your mocking tone and your wiki-lawyering. I am inserting the sentence as per above. If you don't like it, you can start an RFC - I offered that to you. 7390r0g (talk) 23:10, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Try to be a bit more civil if you can. Scjessey raises some good points. BLPs don't serve as a news source, and it isn't our job in this article to "alert the reader that there has been increased scrutiny of controversial associations" so much as to inform the reader about Barack Obama's life. Criteria for inclusion in a BLP isn't merely: 1. fact 2. sourced. It has to be demonstrated that this holds particular relevance to his life, and as Scjessey alluded to, it might be quite a bit too early to show that it does. Obama has also been criticized and drawn scrutiny for a vast number of things due to the territory that comes with being a presidential candidate. We can't list them all in his BLP just because they happen to facts. --Ubiq (talk) 23:48, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Ubiq, your personal attack against me ("Try to be a bit more civil if you can") reeks of snideness and is unwarranted, please withdraw it. Further, I am be fully civil, 100%. Now, as to the sentence under discussion, are you saying we are not the "alert the reader" to things? Frankly, if that's the case, why are we telling the readers what (for example) Andrew Sullivan and other commentators think? Why is that relevant and the sentence I advance here, not? Further, you are attempting to twist my dialog on this page so as to impeach the merit of my edit. The merit of my edit speaks for itself. I've added many reasons here, but why I get in return is wiki-lawyering and insults. Frankly, I think this page is well overdue for some RFC input - we could use some fresh insight. Also, there is no BLP violation with my sentence and it's false to say that there is. I will tell you though, now that I see the retorts my sincere efforts have been slapped with, I understand why this article is such a squsihy blob of puffery. Just look what happens on the talk page - try to add A SINGLE SENTENCE and you get reams and reams of legalistic justifications to block it. My word, I amazed that there is so much WP:OWN vigor on this page. 7390r0g (talk) 01:21, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

I don't think you have actually read WP:OWN, which has no relevancy to this. -- Scjessey (talk) 01:25, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey, please stop leaping to conclusions and hurling insults. How can you say "I don't think you have actually read..." without asking me first? That's very insulting - and evidently, intentionally so. Frankly, if you keep this up, I feel that I should report you for user conduct. Now for your informationm, you can find this "If you create or edit an article, know that others will edit it, and within reason you should not prevent them from doing so." at WP:OWN and it's EXACTLY what I am suggesting you are doing - and you are doing it in violation of the spirit (and guidelines of this wiki) so please stop!. I am going to ask you again: yes or no, will you agree to a content RFC regarding this disagreement? I believe we can benefit ffrom outside input? Will you agree to that? 7390r0g (talk) 01:33, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Look. I'm only going to say this one more time because it is clear you are just ignoring all common sense here. The sentence you are trying to add is not appropriate in this article for the following reasons:

1. It violates WP:BLP with respect to WP:HARM#TEST because you are trying to use guilt-by-association by drawing attention to Obama's tenuous relationship to Bill Ayers because of something Obama has nothing to do with.
2. It violates WP:WEIGHT because it suggests an increase of scrutiny over Tony Rezko, where none exists, and because Rezko is already covered in the article.
3. It violates WP:NPOV because the mention of Ayers and Rezko in the same sentence, whose controversies are not related, is a conflation that introduces a negative point-of-view, even if that is not your intention.
4. It violates WP:RECENT because it draws attention to recent campaign events, and has no longevity in a biography of Obama's entire life.
5. It violates WP:RS because... well.... you didn't actually provide any at all.
6. It violates WP:OR because you made the sentence up yourself, without referring to, or including any, reliable sources.

So can you understand why I would think this sentence would be inappropriate now? It violates five Wikipedia policies and two essays. Do you really think this article would have reached and maintained FA status if the editors had let folks throw in any old bit of unsourced original research? Please consider self-reverting your edit, for which you have no consensus for introducing. -- Scjessey (talk) 02:15, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

You are free to file an RFC any time you want and don't need the approval of others to do so. I don't think your behavior on this talk page is acceptable. Your notion that my suggestion for you to be a bit more civil somehow constitutes a personal attack (and subsequent demand for a retraction) is a prime example. I'm not going to engage in discussion with you unless I see you being nicer and less combative. I'd recommend Scjessey to do the same. As it stands, there is no consensus for inclusion of this disputed content and the edit has been reverted. Go for an RFC if you feel this still warrants inclusion. --Ubiq (talk) 02:26, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

That's way harsh, Tai [5] 7390r0g (talk) 14:56, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

For better or worse, right-wing loonies like Sean Hannity have an influence on our national discourse these days. We can't ignore that reality. Of course, we shouldn't pretend that they're reliable sources of factual information, but they do have an influence on public perceptions. I don't think it's appropriate to argue the details of how much Obama did or didn't have a relationship with Ayers here, but it is appropriate to note that some media sources have pushed the relationship as a story, and that it's had an impact in some quarters. If you can find a reliable source discussing the way that right-wing media have pushed the story, the one sentence could say something like ""As his public profile has risen, some conservative media outlets have scrutinized Senator Obama's personal associations with controversial figures such as Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko.'" But again, I haven't checked the sources to see what they say. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:36, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

My contention is that this issue does not seem to be biographically relevant. It is already covered in here, and that should be more than sufficient. Also, the attempt to conflate Ayers with Rezko is a clear POV-push. -- Scjessey (talk) 20:52, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

The Woods Fund is defunct? The $1M Obama voted to invest with Davis is gone? What happened to the other $71M? Nah, it's just Scjessey being wrong again. Actually, what's really needed is a sentence in Early Life and Career about Ayers (not convicted, but an admitted and unrepentant bomber),[6] then chairman of the WF BoD, naming Junior Associate Obama to a Directorship ($6,000/yr back when Obama needed it)[7] and also hosting Obama's first meet-and-greet when he first ran for office, to which run Rezko was the first substantial contributor. Obama barely knows the guy's name of course. It's just wonderful how these guys he barely knows do so much for him. Only in America. Andyvphil (talk) 13:44, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Here's another board. Joyce Foundation, 8 yr, $70,000.[8] How many of these? Adds up to how much of what the guy was doing for a living? Andyvphil (talk) 14:21, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Oh, yeah. This is the anti-gun foundation[9][10] that his wife wanted him to quit politics, after the Rush defeat, to become president of. No mention in his bio, though. Andyvphil (talk) 14:31, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

I had incorrectly assumed that the charity had become defunct because their domain was no longer resolving. My bad. That being said, all the details you describe above are irrelevant, since in the context of this BLP we can regard the "weatherman" characterization as "inadmissible" per the policy to "do no harm". Ayers is a distinguished professor and a civic leader in Chicago, and it is hardly surprising that Obama has had some association with him - an association that was of a largely philanthropic nature. The controversies of Ayers' past have nothing to do with Obama. -- Scjessey (talk) 14:10, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Wright, Ayers, Rezko, Davis. Nothing to do with Obama. "...in the context of this BLP we can regard the 'weatherman' characterization as 'inadmissible' per the policy to 'do no harm'"??? Good one! Can't mention that bomber business, or the dead people! ROFL!!! Andyvphil (talk) 14:21, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Well, no. Obama didn't bomb anyone or kill anyone. And trying to conflate Wright, Ayers, Rezko and Davis is just a POV-push, Andy. They are unrelated. -- Scjessey (talk) 14:34, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

Conflating Wright and Ayers may be a POV-push, but if so it's one shared by NBC and The Wall Street Journal, which asked voters in a recent poll to describe how concerned they were by the issue which they described as "It is hard to know Barack Obama’s values because he has friends like Reverend Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers." That sounds like push polling to me, but that's what they asked, and 32% of the people surveyed said they had "major concerns". Now, we can't tell from that how much of the concern stems from Ayers and how much from Wright, but it would seem to indicate that Ayers is being treated as an issue affecting Obama's image by reliable sources. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 06:24, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Well the issue above relates to conflating Ayers and Rezko, and the sentence in question was some original research that was not even placed in the campaign section. And that poll also asks about the flag pin, so perhaps we should have a sentence that points to the increased scrutiny (more than Ayers and Rezko combined) over his lack of a flag pin, which proves he hates America and is probably an evil Muslim terrorist? -- Scjessey (talk) 12:47, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, no — in part because that poll shows that the vast majority of voters (59%) have no real concerns over the flag pin business, and another 14% have only minor concerns. Only 27% have "major" or "moderate" concerns about flag pins (which is frankly far too many, but that's my own opinion). However, a significant minority (32%) said they have "major concerns" about Obama's past association with Wright and Ayers, and another 15% have moderate concerns. That's nearly half the electorate. I think that's a view which should be represented in the article — not with undue weight, but with a brief mention. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 21:19, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

Sigh. Even if there is polling data to indicate that Obama's association with Ayers is a problem, this is still a fly on the back of a hippo in terms of significance. Besides, it's a campaign issue (if anything) and it violates WP:RECENT. -- Scjessey (talk) 21:51, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

What is a significant minority? And to what end would we keep providing such data with the assistance of our evaluation of a poll? Presumably, significant minorities have concerns about other things too. I've read that ~8% percent of voters in some states admit not wanting to vote for him because he's black, though some have suggested the number is likely much more than this. Should we include a sentence about this? I'm just a bit puzzled as to why such things would be mentioned in his BLP. I don't see anything like that in John McCain's or Hillary Clinton's article. I also don't see, whether he wins or loses in November, why these mentions would be particularly relevant to his life. I think his public image has certainly taken a hit following from the media scrutiny, and I could see how we could perhaps provide a short paragraph to show this shift, but I do think we would need to give it some time before we do this. His image could go back up for one reason or another and ultimately the downward shift would be rendered irrelevant to his life. --Ubiq (talk) 22:06, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

As an example of a noteworthy critic lumping Rezko, Wright and Ayers together, see this column by Charles Krauthammer, which contains the sentence, "Then came the three amigos: Tony Rezko, the indicted fixer; Jeremiah Wright, the racist reverend; William Ayers, the unrepentant terrorist." Of course, he's obviously pushing his own agenda there, but it's further evidence of the aforementioned "scrutiny". (Someone who wasn't trying to follow NPOV might very well call it mud-throwing rather than scrutiny, but I couldn't possibly comment.) Some of us may think the Ayers question insignificant, but we've got to include all significant viewpoints, and like it or not there is a significant viewpoint which holds that Obama's associations with Ayers are problematic. We need at least to mention him in the article, and I think the proposed "scrutiny" sentence is an appropriate level. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 07:25, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

Sure. Go for it. And on that note, there is a significant viewpoint that he's elitist and out of touch. That should probably be included as well. --Ubiq (talk) 09:14, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

And don't forget the flag pin thing. There are loads of reliable sources for that as well, and for Michelle's lack of pride in her country. Oh, and don't forget to mention his poor bowling effort while you're at it. -- Scjessey (talk) 13:10, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

While I am for once in complete agreement with Josiah Rowe, let me also add that the purpose of Wikipedia is to be able to look information up and to follow links from article to article, NOT to make political candidates 'look good.' It is absolutely likely that someone is going to have a question about Ayers' and Obama's relationship and start looking here. The same with Jeremiah Wright, the same with Rezko. Those who fight this because they believe they're conceding to the bad press about Obama do the whole project a disservice -- Fovean Author (talk) 3:10, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

A neutral solution

There is a way that we can mention Obama's association with Bill Ayers without using the non-neutral solution proposed above, and that is by describing his involvement with the Woods Fund of Chicago:

Between 1993 and 2002, Obama served on the board the Woods Fund of Chicago, a philanthropic organization providing grants to Chicago's disadvantaged people and communities. In 1999 he was joined on the board by Bill Ayers, who had previously hosted a fundraiser for Obama in 1996. This association would later draw scrutiny during Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

I am not sure if the source I have used passes WP:RS (although this archived discussion says it does), but I believe this approach is better than simply saying that Obama's association with Ayers is drawing scrutiny. Anyway, I'm going to replace Kossack4Truth's poorly-sourced POV edit for this new version. -- Scjessey (talk) 12:20, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Why all the obsession with suppressing factual threads. At the least one should also mention the importance of Ayers to Obama's support. Ayers was more than just another friend. Ayers was a significant "rite of passage" persona in the Chicago scene. Their combined role on the Woods Fund board (a small and intimate board) in funding one million to Rezko is rather important since that's about one third of the annual budget for Woods, not to mention the other questionable grants made in their jont tenure to fund organisations linked to terrorism. This article should not be just another "puff piece" for Obama's campaign, but provide a spectrum of information on the man. Cdcdoc (talk) 14:23, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

This article is written in a summary style, and cannot sustain the level of detail you are seeking without imposing undue weight. My solution alerts the reader to an association with Bill Ayers without risking defamation (Kossack's version described him as an "unrepentant bomber") or conflation (by linking Wright, Rezko and Ayers in the same sentence) and provides blue links to Bill Ayers and the campaign article where the reader can learn more. This approach is consistent with the rest of the article. -- Scjessey (talk) 17:30, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

(@ Cdcdoc, referring to these edits) I removed your recent contribution which was inaccurate and misleading. Exelon has 17,200 employees. The NYT reported the combined contributions of the employees and executives for over a number of years(presumably including contributions that date to the article's recent publication and not just prior to Obama's work on the bill). But you incorrectly attributed the aggregate contribution to the company itself and not to its employees and executives. Even if you had, the amount in question may not have preceded Obama's work as you stated. Furthermore, there is a substantial difference between the NYT raising concerns of undue influence and a contrived statement implying quid pro quo. Modocc (talk) 19:07, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Coming in a bit late here (I got distracted at Jeremiah Wright controversy), but I support Scjessey's solution to the Ayers matter. Seems very reasonable to me. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 09:00, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I support Scjessey's edit too, as I simply forgot to mention above, having been hurried. The solution is great, a bloody brilliant edit, as it adds in the relevant information needed at the appropriate level. Modocc (talk) 17:25, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

Same. --Ubiq (talk) 05:25, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

Oppose. Scjessey's proposed edit is a smoothly scripted shoehorn. Ask this: how is the Ayers membership on the Woods Fund board or the hosting of an event in 1996 worthy of inclusion in a summary section describing Obama's early life and career? Isn't any Ayers-related text best handled in the campaign subarticle as other editors here have previously stated? Please help to keep this article's first section evenly weighted and do not let it continue to devolve into a venue for election year attention seeking. --HailFire (talk) 06:05, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

It isn't really worthy of inclusion. Even a cursory glance at my comments above would indicate I am opposed to mentioning Bill Ayers at all; however, it dawned on me that Obama's participation in the Woods Fund was significant, so I saw an opportunity to offer a compromise to all the Hannity fans who wanted to see Ayers mentioned. -- Scjessey (talk) 12:47, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm going to have to agree with HailFire... There really isn't a problem with mentioning Obama's involvement in the Woods Fund in the early life and career section, but Ayers should really be in Presidential campaign section (if he is mentioned at all in this article). --Bobblehead ^(rants) 16:11, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

It seems that editors for and against the inclusion of this are pretty evenly matched. What should we do? As I have mentioned before, my mantra is: "If in doubt, leave it out!" -- Scjessey (talk) 18:36, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, this current version.;) I would not be opposed to having the first sentence in your proposal included in the Early life and career section and a modified version of the last two in the Presidential campaign section after the Wright controversy paragraph or appended to the end of that paragraph. Something along the lines of "Obama's relationship with Weatherman founder Bill Ayers, who hosted a fundraiser for Obama in 1996 and joined him on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago in 1999, also drew scrutiny." --Bobblehead ^(rants) 19:24, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

I could live with Bobble's approach - basically accomplishes what some want but not in Early life where Ayers doesn't belong at all. But given the option I'd have Ayers only in the sub article rather than giving it more weight here than it deserves. Tvoz/talk 19:31, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree that it would be better suited to the sub article if that is what everyone decides. I'm still convinced this Ayers business is just a smear campaign not worthy of mention in Wikipedia (flag-pinnery). Frankly, I am surprised that there was so little argument against it earlier (see parent of this section). -- Scjessey (talk) 19:49, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

(outdent) I don't really care if it is included in this article or not, but it should really be mentioned in the campaign sub-article in some manner. The impact of Obama's relationship with Ayers has been but a minor pothole in the road in comparison to Obama's relationship with Wright and most polls that try to measure the impact of Ayers always include Wright in the same question (like the one Josiah mentions above), so it is impossible to say if they said there was an impact because of Ayers, Wright, or both. My presumption is that the answers are mostly in regards to Wright because there really isn't a difference between the polls that mention Wright alone and those that mention both. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 20:11, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

I probably should clarify my stance. My concurrence was more so a statement of IF this is going to be mentioned, it should be done in this way (scjessey's version). I too don't see it particularly necessary to include it. --Ubiq (talk) 21:59, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

I've striked my support due to HailFire's objection. As to adding a mention in the campaign summary, I'm neutral. Modocc (talk) 13:59, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey has said that this quote should not be incuded in the article: "As his public profile has risen, some conservative media outlets have scrutinized Senator Obama's personal associations with controversial figures such as Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko.'" He said that it was listed somewhere else. But the link he listed is not active - that article had been deleted. Because this article was deleted the info should be in this article. Scjessey has been POV pushing during this entire article. ObamaGirlMachine (talk) 15:38, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Er... I think you need to go back and read this entire conversation before making statements that don't make any rational sense. -- Scjessey (talk) 16:53, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Images

Should the article use images from his senate photo gallery at http://obama.senate.gov/photo/ ?--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 06:08, 1 May 2008 (UTC)

One problem we've had with using images from his senate photo gallery is that even though they are on a .gov website the images were not actually taken by an employee of the federal government, so are copyrighted. We'd have to get clarification on the copyright status of those images before we can call them PD and use them. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 16:14, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

US government offices are to declare when the copyright is held by the photographer when posted on a website. The website and its information are created by a US government employee in the course of his or her duties.[11] According to a document on that page compiled by the Conference on Fair Use, a FU rationale is stronger if the digital image is much smaller than the original: a "thumbnail" image. "Thumbnail" images technically do little to compete with the original photograph and Google's use of "thumbnails" was held to be fair use in its lawsuit with Perfect 10 because of its transformative nature. The senate "photo gallery" is actually a "digital image gallery," which are reproductions of photographs. The senate photos, if used in the article, should a fair use rationale claiming that the digital images are US government works and the transformative nature of the digital images used constitutes a fair use of the photographic copyright whether held by the photographer or as assigned to the US government (works assigned but not created by the US government retain their copyright and therefore would not fall under public domain until after the copyright expired). Legis Nuntius (talk) 18:42, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

Featured articles, particularly biographies of living people, try to avoid the use of fair use images as much as possible because many of the FA reviewers are of the opinion that since the person is still alive, then the image is "easily replaceable". Of course, there are exceptions made for historically important photographs, but those are few and far between. There isn't anything currently on Obama's photo gallery that is historically important and, unfortunately, the Obama senate page has a history of poorly noting the copyright status, so there really isn't much point in using the images currently stored there. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 19:02, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

A history of poorly noting the copyright status? The directive is that if the copyright holder is someone other than a US government office, then that person is to be credited. I'm not sure that the extent of the copyright issue with the photographs could be discovered short of a FOIA request. Nevertheless, the copyright holder identity would be irrelevant under a fair use rationale. I would suggest resizing the existing photographs to make the image smaller. Their use on this article is fair given their size, but larger images on the specific image page is a weaker argument. The rationale for use should be changed to fair use for each because the photos would have a copyright even if assigned to the government by contract. I'm not sure what fair use has to do with whether an image is "easily replaceable." That is not part of the fair use analysis. The 1st Amendment is the backbone of fair use. That Obama is a public figure gets factored into the "nature of the copyrighted work," (see Time Inc. v. Bernard Geis Associates) although his status as a public figure is not dispositive of fair use. (see Harper & Row). If the digital images comply with copyright law, their copyright status should have no bearing on the FA status of the article. Any fair use argument is bolstered by simply reducing the size of the image, thanks to Google and its lawyers. As for the subject matter, that is a separate issue. Legis Nuntius (talk) 02:47, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

You seem to be missing the point. Our policies implicitly forbid us from using images under fair use unless absolutely necessary. Please take a look at Wikipedia:Non-free content. Generally speaking, for a BLP of a extremely well known, extremely public figure, it is unlikely any images under fair use will be allowed unless there is something extremely special, irreplacable and extremely important about what the image depicts. Free images, regardless of whether they are copyrighted or not, however are okay. Images produced by the US government or it's employees during their work for the US government are generally in the public domain and not copyrighted, and therefore they are free images by definition. Please be aware that although wikipedia is hosted in the US, our aim is to be a free encylopaedia for everyone, and part of this means that we don't only consider US law Nil Einne (talk) 09:56, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

There is no conflict of laws between the Berne convention and US copyright law for this issue. The domestic law of the US would apply for copyrighted works that originated from the US.[12] I see that my legal knowledge is a lost cause here. There is a stronger argument for removing Mickey Mouse. The saying among copyright attorneys goes: "Disney always wins." That wikipedia non-free image policy would include images that have a weaker fair use rationale and exclude images that have a stronger fair use rationale would go against common sense. I direct you to a link at the top of the non-free image policy page to wikipedia's policy on common sense. Legis Nuntius (talk) 03:43, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

What on earth is going on with that image of Obama on the front page? That is completely inappropriate, not to mention undecipherable. jagorev 11:34, 14 May 2008 (EST)

looks like this has been fixed, for now jagorev 11:41, 14 May 2008 (EST)

Revert

Ok, so I reverted the most recent addition of information following the latest primaries. Generally it was good info, and I was -really- trying to stay away from making actual edits to this article, but I also wanted to short circuit a possible flame up of tension around here. So, what say thee editors? I would think from the way this discussion page reads that all the campaign stuff should be shunted into the campaign article, and the rest should probably hold off under the guise of being too recent and a little crystal ballish. (By the way, feel free to revert me, I was just trying to get your attention to the talk page, this is a pretty senstive article and changes without discussion tend not to last). Arkon (talk) 00:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

The section tends to be updated with the latest results in the primaries and caucuses as those tend to be "set in stone". Generally not in as flowery of language as was added, but the results are at least mentioned. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 15:46, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Rewording

These races were seen as Clinton's last chance to make a comeback in the nomination fight. - i think this needs rewording. We know what its trying to say but isnt quite accurate. It can be argued quite fairly that Clinton had already made a number of comebacks in the campaign. The sentance can be read to mean that their wasnt any clinton comebacks at all. I think it just needs a little clarifying. Cheers. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 19:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Would "...last chance to make a final comeback..." or "...final chance to make a another comeback..." work? Although, I don't see the distinction you're drawing. The sentence isn't saying Clinton hasn't made comeback's before, just that NC and IN were the last chance she had.. (Although, Clinton would argue she has a pretty good chance even now). --Bobblehead ^(rants) 20:02, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Seems like it would fit much better in the campaign article imo. Arkon (talk) 20:03, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

I think a more accurate statement would be that the primary results made it even harder for her to get the nomination. The sentance implies that A) Shes never had any comebacks (which see did) B) The games over (we cant be 100% sure yet). Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 20:07, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Actually, it is pretty obvious to everyone, except to Clinton herself, that the game has been over since she lost Texas. Only some kind of scandalous revelation could make any difference, and none have been forthcoming (despite efforts to conflate Ayers/Rezko/Wright by the right-wing media and the Clintons). I'm not in favor of any of this election recentism, and I think specific details of primary wins and losses should be left to the campaign article. -- Scjessey (talk) 20:59, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

"Actually, it is pretty obvious to everyone, except to Clinton herself, that the game has been over since she lost Texas. Only some kind of scandalous revelation could make any difference, and none have been forthcoming (despite efforts to conflate Ayers/Rezko/Wright by the right-wing media and the Clintons)." It is remarks like this one that make me skeptical about the ability of certain editors here to keep their biases under control. Even now, Hillary Clinton could still win the nomination. The closing arguments in the Rezko trial started today and the jury could have a verdict as early as Thursday. Tomorrow is the West Virginia primary, and Tuesday, May 20 is the Kentucky primary; polls indicate that Hillary's lead over Obama in both states is in the 2-to-1 range. Also, one could hardly call ABC News and the Associated Press "right-wing media." Kossack4Truth (talk) 22:58, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Farther up the page this same editor said, "Only the right wing loonies are 'scrutinizing' Obama's connection with Ayers." The questions about Bill Ayers in the debate were asked by George Stephanopoulos, who served as press secretary for Bill Clinton. Again, one could hardly call Stephanopoulos a "right-wing looney," unless of course one can find a spot far enough to his left on the political spectrum from which Stephanopoulos appears right-wing. That would have to be somewhere near anarchy or socialism. Sorry, but some very mainstream and notable journalists are questioning these links between Obama and the bomb-tossing left. It is only fair to include this material. Kossack4Truth (talk) 23:18, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

"Even now, Hillary Clinton could still win the nomination." - Like I said, only with some amazing, scandalous, and highly unlikely last-minute revelation. The game is over. Insert coin. As for George Stephanopoulos is concerned, please remember that he was specifically asked by the acerbic, right-wing lunatic Sean Hannity to question Obama about Bill Ayers. None of the MSM are questioning Obama about Bill Ayers except the "fair and balanced" FOX News and their sympathizers. -- Scjessey (talk) 23:54, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Careful now, your slip is showing... Arkon (talk) 00:14, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

My political views are available for all to see on my user page. -- Scjessey (talk) 01:27, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

... And in your mainspace edits. Unless Hannity used mind control drugs on Stephanopoulos, it was the latter (hardly a "right-wing looney" by any stretch of the imagination) who decided for himself that the question about Ayers was appropriate. And there'snothing "highly unlikely" about a revelation that Obama was involved in Rezko's schemes. Kossack4Truth (talk) 20:06, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

I went ahead and removed the offending sentence since I can't really think of a reason why it should be covered in this article. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 21:09, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

OK, cheers. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 21:32, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

Bobblehead, you've "removed the offending sentence"? Who is it offending? I noticed that Realist2 quickly agreed, perhaps because he's a Hillary supporter (cf: his talk page). Are we providing adjustment to information to appease the activists or are we trying to align with an accurate presentation of information? ..... it just gets curioser and curioser .... Oxfordden (talk) 23:35, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

I like obama too, if you carry on reading my page you will actual see that my views are more inline with obamas, thankfully i do have a NPOV, im a proud liberal who loves fox news, get your head around that. Please have good faith. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 23:44, 8 May 2008 (UTC)

yea, right. I have faith in fact, and when it stares me in the face - I listen. Oxfordden (talk) 21:51, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Political positions

Hi all, I'm writing to inquire why this revision I made was reverted by User:Scjessey. The small paragraph I added read:

Critics of the Illinois Senator have noted what they argue are contradictions within his positions. Fred Siegel of National Review wrote, "Obama is the internationalist opposed to free trade. He is the friend of race baiters who thinks Don Imus deserved to be fired... He is the post-racialist supporter of affirmative action."

Scjessey called the paragraph "POV cherry-picking"; I call it legitimate criticisms of Obama's political record. If I did any cherry picking, it was in Obama's favor, as the full paragraph in National Review read:

"Obama is the internationalist opposed to free trade. He is the friend of race baiters who thinks Don Imus deserved to be fired. He is proponent of courage in the face of powerful interests who lacked the courage to break with Reverend Wright. He is the man who would lead our efforts against terrorism, yet was friendly with Bill Ayres, an unrepentent 1960s terrorist. He is the post-racialist supporter of affirmative action. He is the enemy of Big Oil who takes money from executives at Exxon-Mobil, Shell, and British Petroleum."

So as you can see, out of six legitimate criticisms, I picked the ones that I thought were the most appropriate and the least controversial. I even wrote a nice introduction sentence, specifically detailing that they are the views of Obama's critics and it is only they that argue that there are contradictions. These are part of Obama's political positions, like it or not, and their story needs to be told as well. Happyme22 (talk) 00:49, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Let give Scjessey a chance to explain his revert. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:08, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I reverted the addition because there was no point to it, other than to offer another platform for Siegel's neo-conservative point of view. How, for example, can you justify adding a mention (and a blue link) to Don Imus in a BLP of Barack Obama? -- Scjessey (talk) 01:17, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Well this article is already a platform for obamas click of loyalists(as in liberal jornalisitic sources), maybe some opposing views are not such a bad thing, although some of those lines arent necassary or relevant. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:23, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey, thanks for the response. I understand that you had a reason to remove the edit, but I'm not sure where you are coming from. I'm not sure why it would be inappropriate to link to Don Imus. And Realist2, I'm in favor of implementing the first paragraph, not the second, because I agree that some mentioned in the second paragraph are irrelevant. Happyme22 (talk) 01:27, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree that most of the first paragraph should be included, there are some good points there, the Don imus part isnt important though. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:31, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Rather than being a "platform for a obamas[sic] click[sic] of loyalists," I would argue that this article is an excellent example of how Wikipedia should be written. It is factually-accurate and neutrally-presented, with a nice balance of detail and necessary brevity. -- Scjessey (talk) 01:33, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm not arguing that this article is POV; let's try to get back on topic. I am asking you, Scjessey, why you feel that mentioning Don Imus is inappropriate. It was specifically part of the quote as an example where Sen. Obama was demonstrating inconsistency with his positions. Happyme22 (talk) 01:37, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I would've thought it was obvious, but I guess not. You don't see anything wrong in evoking (and linking to) the name of a highly-controversial, arguably racist, talk show host who has no connection whatsoever with Obama? -- Scjessey (talk) 01:47, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Yes, mocking my spelling (im tired and english isnt my first language) and going off topic isnt going to resolve this. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:39, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm not mocking you. See Sic. Your comment about this being a "platform" et al was what took us off topic. -- Scjessey (talk) 01:44, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Im fully aware of what sic is for, i just believe its rude. Now please address the point at hand, cheers. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:46, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict)I see A critic that is making a claim that that there are contradictions within his positions, which makes me wonder if this is a extreme minority view and that inclusion of this theory would be a violation of WP:WEIGHT. It also makes me wonder if assigning that single critics opinion to all of his critics is appropriate and is actually an incorrect attribution to claim that it is a view of Obama's critics. Based on that one source, it is only apparent that Fred Seigel finds the contradiction. Just because someone is critical of Obama's position does not mean that we have to run to Wikipedia and add it to his article in order to "balance out the positive POV". --Bobblehead ^(rants) 01:50, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Agree on that point, more sources should be used to back up these ideas, if more are found ...Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 01:55, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

That's a good point Bobblehead. Here's some more: [13], [14], [15]; Sen. Clinton has also attacked his "inconsistent record": [16], [17]. Happyme22 (talk) 03:54, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Is there a particular reason why this can't be interleaved with the existing prose in this article and on the political positions article? Every politician has inconsistencies in their record which should be pointed out with the weight that they are due, but it seems to me that dedicating an entire paragraph to just the inconsistencies has the same problem that a "Criticism" or "Controversy" section would have. I'm also not seeing where the comments by Siegel are supported by anyone other than himself and is applying definitions that are purely his own construct. Obama has never characterized himself as an "internationalist" and his views are more in line with Cosmopolitanism than they are Internationalism. Now, the criticism of Obama's opposition to the Iraq War seem to have merit and should be included in this article as that position is actually mentioned in this article. I'm also concerned on the over-reliance upon opinion pieces which have a history of being rather loose with the facts. As an example, The Kitsap Sun piece seems to be conflating Obama's positions on income tax, social security taxes, and the overarching "payroll taxes" that covers income tax, social security tax, medicare tax, unemployment taxes, etc. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 17:46, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I have no problem weaving criticisms into the text. And you are correct in saying that just about every politician has inconsistencies, including Barack Obama. I think that his platform as a post-racial boundaries candidate who supports affirmative action deserves mention, as well the criticism of his views on the Iraq War. Happyme22 (talk) 00:25, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

The iraq war less so, but the affirmative action point is rather interesting actually, it is a contradiction in some respects, i would support adding that but it must be worded carefully. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 17:53, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

I also find that one interesting. How should we go about wording it, and where in the political positions section should it go? I'm just not sure where it should be added because I think we are now all in favor of weaving it into the text. Any proposals? Happyme22 (talk) 18:06, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

Ill give others a chance to comment, if not ill look into adding it. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 20:48, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

I have a hard time seeing why either would warrant mention in his BLP. Inconsistencies are something that gets pointed out to any candidate...not sure why there's a big push to get stuff like this in the article if it's not particularly notable over any other criticism that's been directed towards him. --Ubiq (talk) 21:29, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm bringing them up because they are legitimate inconsistencies. Of course every politician is going to have inconsistencies in their records, but Obama is opposed to racism and racial descrimination yet supports affirmative action, which can be argued is a form of racial discrimination against whites. What's more, he is no longer an average politician, for he is running for president of the United States and all his views need to be written about. John McCain's article mentions his temper, and the Cultural and political image of John McCain devotes a very long section entirely to it. Just because the article is a BLP does not mean that criticisms of his record or of him cannot be included. I'm not in any way suggesting that we rewrite the political positions section or anything such as that; I am suggesting that we incorporate these legitimate inconsistencies (right now there's two: affirmation action and Iraq War) of Obama's record into the political position section. I think we are all in favor of incorporating them into the text and not devoting a paragraph to them. It is only NPOV. Happyme22 (talk) 22:19, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

"Just because the article is a BLP does not mean that criticisms of his record or of him cannot be included." I didn't even make this argument...I said I don't think the criticism in question is particularly notable over any other criticism he's received. Concerning McCain's anger, I'd expect John McCain's article to mention something like that if it's been a part of his life and he's received enough criticism/note about it. If it hasn't been, I would expect and push for it to be removed from that article.

"I'm bringing them up because they are legitimate inconsistencies. Of course every politician is going to have inconsistencies in their records, but Obama is opposed to racism and racial descrimination yet supports affirmative action, which can be argued is a form of racial discrimination against whites." So it's wikipedia's responsibility to bring to light what you think people should know? Sorry, but as I said earlier, I can't see how this is particularly notable over other criticism he's received, and I certainly can't see a presidential candidate's views on affirmative action as somehow life defining/altering, or even campaign defining/altering. He's going to be criticized for a lot of things. I could go out and find plenty of articles that have distinct or repeated criticism of a candidate to put into his/her encyclopedia articles. Not sure how or why criticism over alleged inconsistencies in policy/rhetoric would prevail among all of them.

"he is running for president of the United States and all his views need to be written about" All his views? What about his views on which bubble gum flavor is the best? Obviously, some sort of criteria needs to be used here...

"I think we are all in favor of incorporating them into the text and not devoting a paragraph to them. It is only NPOV." Are we? That's news to me. I'll certainly have to remind myself that I completely changed my mind about this at some point. I'll be clear about this. I don't think this merits mention in his BLP or his campaign article. There's pretty much nothing to distinguish it from other criticism such that we would be able to include this and not others.

A side note about affirmative action...presumably there are gobs of politicians who support some form of affirmative action yet strive for racial equality. The beef about affirmative action possibly discriminating against whites is a criticism of affirmative action. I don't think it necessarily means there's an inconsistency, or "legitimate inconsistency" as you call it, so much as an inherent conflict between the two ideas/positions. --Ubiq (talk) 12:25, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

The opposing argument is very sketchy. Presumably, means that we presume that and it is not necessarily fact, while it is a fact that Obama is an anti-racial candidate (which is great!) but he has supported affirmative action (which is also fine, but it just contradictory).

I have great respect for the editors of this page; I know what it is like to work on a biography where many different views are presented. This is tough, too, because the article becomes unstable frequently. But his views on political, social, economic, and foreign policy issues (in reference to the 'bubble gum' gibe above) need to be presented in a fair, NPOV manner. When I spoke about favoring integrating into the text, I was talking about a proposal by Bobblehead, suggested above. Again, I am in no way suggesting that the section be rewritten, large paragraphs added, or critical pieces of every aspect of his record be covered. That would be foolish. I am suggesting a phrase be added regarding this issue (ex: "As a part of Obama's presidential run, he announced himself to be the post-racial candidate, although he has supported affirmative action."). That's short, sweet, to the point, and surely doesn't violate any core policies/guidelines of Wikipedia. Happyme22 (talk) 23:07, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Happy, the fact that only one person is saying this is probably enough evidence that it shouldn't be included in this article. Including the "post-racial" crap appears to come down to "Oooo, someone said something bad about Obama! Let's put it in his article." Whether or not you find this to be "interesting" is immaterial, it's still one person complaining in an opinion piece. This does not make it worthy of inclusion in this article. Heck, the whole he's post-racial therefore should be opposed to affirmative action is specious. Obama's use of "post-racial" is not a political positions stance, but more about his appeal to voters. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 23:18, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Well then all the more reason to include it in my opinion. But I guess it wasn't meant to be. Happyme22 (talk) 23:33, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

There is no contradiction between being "anti-racial" and being in favor of affirmative action. Remember that affirmative action applies to any non-dominant socio-political group, including (but not limited to) people with disabilities. -- Scjessey (talk) 00:40, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

The issue of "political positions" is a hard question for wikipedia. Who is defining this. Is Obama, himself, the definer. That is, is it the issues that he chooses? If so, then the Hitler article needs a political positions sections that says how bad the Jews are.

If it's "what are the issues of the day, according the newspapers" then it becomes a question of if WP is a newspaper (NO).

The Hillary Clinton article has an interesting solution. It lists no issues, just ratings by different organizations. I'd like to consider this for this article. Even better is the Jimmy Carter article. It's very stately and presidential without a positions section. I think this is the most dignified way of article writing - let's do it here. DianeFinn (talk) 19:36, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Did Clinton win the Indiana primary by 1% or 2%?

It seems really odd to say that Clinton won the Indiana primary by 2%, when the actual percentages (rounded to hundredths of a percent) are 50.56% Clinton, 49.44% Obama, meaning Clinton actually won by 1.12%. I understand how one arrives at the 2% number, but you get 2% by compounding rounding errors, which is faulty math.

It's not a huge deal or anything, just seems strange is all. WIth this method of counting, it's only possible to win or lose by even percentages, which really irritates the mathematician in me. --Ashenai (talk) 09:35, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Me, too. Mathematically false is false, period. Prev cite didn't give numbers, so I added one which did, and it says 51-49 but I calc the "51" is ~50.557%, so I changed 2% to 1%. Satifies WP:PSTS, by my lights, since this level of arithmetic doesn't require "specialist knowledge". Andyvphil (talk) 12:25, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Barack Obama ignoring gay media

Throughout his campaign he has ignored the gay media. None of the twelve member newspapers of the National Gay Newspaper Guild had been granted an interview with Obama, even though all of them had asked. He has only recently talked to a few gay media sources, and even then has been reluctant. And you’ll notice that he only started talking to gay news sources after he has been called out for not doing so by the Philadelphia Gay News in Pennsylvania. They have an article about it. Why is this not included here or in his positions? QuirkyAndSuch (talk) 12:44, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I noticed that he stated some of his positions (no pun intended) with respect to LBGT issues during the Hardball College Tour. -- Scjessey (talk) 14:18, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

I think obamas position is quite clear from the link scjessey just gave, i suggest it is added to the article if not already. I would also advise Quirky to remain civil. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 16:11, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

His views with respect to LBGT issues are given coverage at Political positions of Barack Obama#LGBT issues, although probably a little inadequately. Personally, I don't think his positions are outside the mainstream enough to warrant a specific mention in his BLP. -- Scjessey (talk) 16:31, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Yeah your right, i was expecting him to lean slightly more to the left on that issue though. Still its nohing worth discussing. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 16:48, 9 May 2008 (UTC)

Superdelegates

Apparently (according to fox news), obama now leads in superdelegates, its worth a mention in the article in my opinion. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 17:55, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

The superdelegate math is even more variable than the pledged delegate math. CNN has it 268 Obama to 272 Clinton, NY Times is 266 Obama to 264 Clinton, and the AP is 271 Obama to 272 Clinton. All in all, it's best to keep the source consistent throughout the article. If the AP is being used for the pledged delegate source, then the AP should be used for the superdelegate source. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 20:39, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

I can understand why we have a section on Obama's presidential campaign, but I cannot understand why there is so much detail in it. Specific primary results and delegate counts are surely not in the spirit of WP:RECENT - especially when this section is only supposed to be a summary to a comprehensive campaign article. -- Scjessey (talk) 20:44, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

I imagine a lot of it will get removed with time, what seems important now might not seem important in 9 months. These things work themselves out. Regarding the delegates, agreed, leave till there is consensus amongst the experts at the very least. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 20:47, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey.. WP:RECENT is an essay, not a guideline or policy, so not sure why this articles gives so much importance to it. But like Realist2 said.. As the campaign evolves, the details of the primaries will probably lose their importance as general election info rises in importance. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 20:51, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm well aware that it is an essay, but I happen to think it is very valid - particularly with respect to a BLP. Too many articles suffer from having to be continuously updated (which usually means they are dated), and going into excessive detail about recent events raises undue weight concerns as well. -- Scjessey (talk) 21:05, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

Yeah i wouldnt worry Scjessey, in a few months time things will be removed and no1 will blink an eye. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 20:59, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

BLPs are constantly in flux, particularly if their "star is rising" like Obama's. It's one of the downfalls of a "real-time" encyclopedia. Things will rise and fall in importance as ime passes. Right now the primaries are extremely important in Obama's life, so they have a prominent mention in the section. If he wins the Dem. candidacy, the general election info will start pushing the Primary info out, if he wins the general election, his presidency will start pushing the general election and Senate section off the main page. Etc. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 21:18, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

New scandal brewing

I'm not saying this necessarily should be in the article yet, but it probably warrants some additional research on the issue. Basically, a news story reported that a captured laptop computer provides tangible evidence linking FARC and Hugo Chavez. Also, it provides evidence that seems to indicate supporters of Barack Obama have attempted to reach out to FARC to discuss "various issues." [18] RonCram (talk) 03:03, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm not seeing a controversy there, just a splashing of Obama's name. Heck, if you really read the article, it is saying President Bush is trying to open up talks with Columbia (I.E. for the free trade deal amung other things) while what the article said about Obama: "They say the new president of their country will be (Barack) Obama," noting that Obama rejects both the Bush administration's free trade agreement with Colombia and the current military aid program." From what it looks like, if Obama becomes president, he won't support the Farc, the free trade agreement, or the military aid program. Brothejr (talk) 10:50, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

@RonCram: Even if there were anything to this story, which there isn't, you wouldn't be able to use WorldNetDaily as your source. This is just another right-wing smear tactic, rather than any sort of serious "news story," as you describe it. -- Scjessey (talk) 12:34, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

With the Ecuadorian government as a cutout it doesn't seem possible to identify which "gringos...[who] say the new president of their country will be (Barack) Obama" are interested "in talking to [FARC] on various issues". Could develop into an embarassment, like the reassurances to Canada, squared, but is several steps removed at present. Andyvphil (talk) 22:04, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Headings

He served in the state Senate before running for U.S. Senate. So, the headings "Senate campaign" and "Senate carrer" are confusing. This could be fixed by inserting the word "U.S." at the start of each of those two headings.Ferrylodge (talk) 01:37, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

European Union FAQ

The Barack Obama article should have a FAQ section like the European Union article. ObamaGirlMachine (talk) 15:32, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

This article does have a FAQ page. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 16:44, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Wright (again)

It seems that there has been another minor flare up on the content of the paragraph about Wright in the Presidential campaign section. The "consensus" version of the wording that was agreed upon last month[19] was:

In March 2008, a controversy broke out concerning Obama's 23-year relationship to his former pastor Jeremiah Wright. ABC News found and excerpted racially and politically charged clips from sermons by Rev. Wright, including his assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "state terrorism" and his assertion that, "The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color." Some of Wright's statements were widely criticized as anti-American. Following negative media coverage and a drop in the polls, Obama responded by condemning Wright's remarks, ending his relationship with the campaign, and delivering a speech entitled "A More Perfect Union" at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the speech, Obama rejected some of Wright's comments, but refused to disown the man himself, noting his lifelong ministry to the poor and past service as a US Marine. The speech, which sought to place Wright's anger in a larger historical context, was well-received by many liberals and some conservatives, but others, including various supporters of Hillary Clinton, continued to question the implications of Obama's long relationship with Wright.

Today's little dust-up seems to be around reducing the size of the paragraph to:

In March 2008, a controversy broke out concerning Obama's 23-year relationship to his former pastor Jeremiah Wright. ABC News found and excerpted racially and politically charged clips from sermons by Rev. Wright Some of Wright's statements were widely criticized as anti-American. Following negative media coverage and a drop in the polls, Obama responded by condemning Wright's remarks, ending his relationship with the campaign, and delivering a speech entitled "A More Perfect Union" at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

So, rather than the endless rounds of reverts that usually occurs on this article, I figured I'd start a discussion going. So, what's the reasoning behind the reduction in size? --Bobblehead ^(rants) 19:24, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

To me, what you guys had reduced it to was appropriate and the right wording to keep the NPOV. However, there seems to be one person (Andy) who keeps on trying to bring it back. To me, it seems as if he is continually trying to steer the article towards this issue. It seemed as if everyone had agreed upon this, yet he continues to bring this disruptive subject back up. I think if this person keeps on reverting, subverting, or trying to insert this subject more into the article, then something need to be done. Brothejr (talk) 19:44, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

I don't think the shorter version does the initial Wright "event" justice, but it may work like that if the more recent developments are also incorporated. Andy's BLT/TUCC obsession is a separate issue. -- Scjessey (talk) 19:48, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Brothejr, as Scjessey said, this isn't related to Andy's attempts to get BLT/TUCC included in this article, it's not even related to Andy trying to get the Wright issue into it's own section that includes Ayers. Andy just happened to be the one that returned the wording back to the "consensus" wording after User:Lulu of the Lotus-Eaters's removal of the wording. So, is the removal of the content from the "consensus" wording a result of a shoot the messenger, or is there actually disagreement about the "consensus" wording? --Bobblehead ^(rants) 20:08, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Then can we start writing something here and if everyone is happy with it, then we can put it up in the article. My thinking is that we shouldn't put too much weight to this issue because it was more of a controversy surrounding his pastor and church then him. It has been his opponents that are trying to tie it to his view points. Looking from a NPOV I would say that a couple lines and a link would be all that is needed. Also, I see what you mean Scjessey and Bobblehead about Andy's obsession. Brothejr (talk) 20:24, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Beyond neutrality of tone and adequate citation, there is an issue of balance, just in the sense of length devoted to various topics. The discussion of Wright (and Ayers in some versions) was just much longer than is merited in the overall biography. I agree that the version I found was fine in tone and WP:FACT, but it only merits a brief mention in the general biography. Longer discussion can (and does) happen in the Presidential Campaign article (and the one on the More Perfect Union speech). I know that whoever was working on the article a month ago was trying to reach neutral language, but the result of looking for balance was enough "on-the-one-hand/on-the-other" stuff as to give the topic undue weight. I believe that the reduction I did keeps the neutrality of tone, and directs readers with Wikilinks to the right place to find a more fleshed out discussion.

Obviously, the Wright issues (which are, after all, something someone else said than the bio subject, and only indirectly related to the bio'd person) are more current than e.g. his law practice, or 2004 Dem primary speech, but they are not so overshadowing of a general biography as to merit the length they had a couple days ago. Moreover, there will be lots more side issues in a campaign, especially if he gets the Democratic nomination. I think it's a month later, and time to let the then-current events fade into background discussion (and make room for whatever is "the new thing" next). LotLE×talk 02:17, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

There was a huge argument then compromise on this, changing it months later without consensus is not good. Andy have every right to keeo it to the consensus. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 04:14, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, consensus just doesn't mean what you think it does on a fast-moving subject area. If this were about William the Conquerer, a month of change doesn't mean much. In a discussion of a politician currently active in a political campaign, a month is a huge time frame. Obviously, we're not going to change his birth date or childhood discussion because of campaign changes, but "consensus" on a campaign debate issue is ancient after a month of news events (not automatically wrong, but not any "sacred text" either). LotLE×talk 05:11, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Hmm, i know for the sake of peace that it should at least be discussed, considering how heated it all got. Rather than altering it months later hoping no1 would notice/care/remember. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 05:14, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I never read this article until recently, so I have no idea of what the sides or hotness was (I can kinda guess). Nonetheless, as it stood when I read it, it definitely had a WP:Coatrack feel to it, certainly an imbalance. That said, I think the explanation I provide above for why only a short characterization of the Wright comments/controversy is appropriate to a general bio is pretty clear, so that seems like discussion to me. Convince me (or rather, the consensus of current editors of this article) that more words are needed to point users in the right direction than are in the trimmed version of the paragraph. LotLE×talk 05:20, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I dont need to convince you, read the previous 3/4 archives on the topic aswell as the review on wether or not this article was still worthy of a FA states. You will soon realise its not worth the stress, pain, edit wars etc etc all to cut the section by two lines. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 05:36, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I am coming around to LotLE's way of thinking here, but only if the more recent Wright-related events are added to this shortened version. Wright's recent blow-up, and Obama's subsequent repudiation, should get a couple of lines. I'll be working on adding these a bit later (once I've shaken the cobwebs out of my head). -- Scjessey (talk) 10:37, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Go for it, lets keep all the paragraphs safe so that they dont get lost. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 14:43, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

(edit conflict)We certainly need to add Wright's blow-up and subsequent distancing by Obama. Enough time has passed since our last discussion to pretty much know the impact of that distancing (blunted the blow-up, added a bullet point to the narrative, but not much else). --Bobblehead ^(rants) 14:45, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Okay. I've had a stab at adding the more recent material. Please chip in with ideas, comments, critique. -- Scjessey (talk) 18:05, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Chipped an idea in.--Bobblehead ^(rants) 18:52, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Its good, i still dont think it explains sufficiently how controversial it is though. Secondly there doesnt appear to be any mention in the article about his inability to get working class white votes. Something changed after iowa and the article doesnt explained that. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 18:58, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

The sources don't characterize the "level" of controversy, so neither does the paragraph. Partly this is because some people feel it was more controversial than others, and Wikipedia cannot make its own judgment. I'm not sure what you are getting at in terms of "working class white votes" (a characterization I find rather distasteful). What has that got to do with Wright, exactly? -- Scjessey (talk) 19:03, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

They are two separate things, Scjessey. "Working class" is generally a code for people making less than $50k per year and/or with less than a college degree education. The addition of "white" is to differentiate "working class" whites from "working class" blacks that overwhelmingly vote for Obama. As for why it's not mentioned here, that's a level of detail that is more appropriate for the sub-article than it is here. Including Obama's performance in one demographic would also require us to include his performance in all demographics, ie Clinton outperforms Obama in "working class whites", "female voters", and "Hispanic voters", "etc.", but outperforms her among "educated voters", "more affluent white voters", "blacks", "liberal voters", "independent voters", "conservative voters", etc. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 19:20, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

It has nothing to do with wright it was an observation that should have had its own heading i suppose. We should at least try to give the level of controversy some context, otherwise the reader wont see the point to its inclusion. The term "White working class" is rather distasteful yes, but thats how its being described. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 19:10, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

I am completely opposed to any suggestion of additional headings to highlight perceived controversy, and I am also opposed to the inclusion of any statements that claim that Obama has an "inability to get working class white votes," particularly given that this would be (a) factually inaccurate and (b) arguably racist original research. -- Scjessey (talk) 19:18, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Oh come on, you know full well it is controversial, we could at least mention that the media have played it so much. Im not going to go into the racism thing.... I get quite tired of this race baiting, as a person of color myself, i find it rather odd. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 19:24, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Scjessey, dial it back a bit, man. he's talking about a new heading for the working whites on the discussion page, not in the article itself.;) Realist2, the fact that it is controversial is mentioned in the opening sentence of the paragraph and that it received negative press and was accompanied with a drop in the polls.... --Bobblehead ^(rants) 19:29, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Quite right. I had misread the comment about the heading. I would like to add that that some people regard the events surround Wright's comments to be more controversial than others. It is not for Wikipedia to assign a value to the level of controversy. The word "controversial" is used, and links to a fully-developed article about the issue. No further characterization is necessary in the summary style of this BLP. -- Scjessey (talk) 19:32, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Im just going to leave this lynch mob, its not worth it, dont have to put up with those sort of accusations, good day. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 19:39, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

West virginia

Are we going to mention that he lost west virginia by 41 points, his biggest loss to date. Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 15:47, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

DONE. --Realist² ('Come Speak To Me') 18:55, 14 May 2008 (UTC)

Image of Barack

Hasn't anybody noticed that the image of Barack is very weird? Did somebody sabotage it? Whomever has the authority to do so, please change it back. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.44.10.19 (talk) 03:51, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

I would have to agree, it does look shopped. Guitarplayer001 (talk) 04:23, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

57 states

There are a lot of clips on Youtube that say Obama claims there are 57 states (in actuality he claimed that there were 60, but we can't expect the vast majority of people who think they know something about politics to actually be intelligent enough to count). Is this contradiction with very, very common knowledge noteworthy, or rather, does the frenzy around it make it noteworthy? --68.161.185.91 (talk) 04:05, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

I think gaffes like that aren't even encyclopedic, especially since it's clear he meant 47 (One state to go, and he couldn't go to Hawaii and Alaska). Now, if months pass and his popularity ratings sink for some freak reason because of this, then I guess it could warrant inclusion. -- Frightwolf (talk) 20:01, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

I agree it's not encyclopedic, but was it true? He said 60/57? Gautam ^Discuss 23:09, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

It's a slip of the tongue easily done when one is tired. Obviously he meant 47. If he does it again, then there's real cause for concern. Tom3605 (talk) 07:39, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

We are making a lot of assumptions...slip of the tongue, that he is tired (ok, what time was the statement made?), etc. He did say it but is it among the top 500 facts about him? If not, it is not for this article. Only about the top 500 facts should be in this article...that's a NPOV way to consider what is important. Is his birthdate among the top 500 facts? Of course. Then it comes to gray area. Is a particular scandal one of the 500 or so top facts? In some cases, yes, in some cases, no. Maybe this thought could help in deciding what stays (is notable) and what goes. DianeFinn (talk) 18:13, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Get a life. So he said 57 instead of 47. Everyone knows that it was a slip of the tongue that happened one time. And everyone knows that Obama is aware of how many states there are. Also, there is no "frenzy" around it. Paisan30 (talk) 18:23, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Apparently Obama was mentally adjusting the 50 United States into the 47 he'd visited, but absentmindedly forgot to voice the "forty-" part. (Goes like this: He said "...Fifty- <pauses> um seven, [three unvisited]," exhaustedly thinking he'd said "...Fifty------um forty-seven, [three unvisited].)" Major gaffe? Doubtful. — Justmeherenow (   ) 23:06, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

New article on college years

AP has a new article on Obama's younger years. Nothing major here, but could flesh out some less well-known times. Here's the article [20]. Remember (talk) 20:00, 15 May 2008 (UTC)

Somewhat duplicated Obama nav boxes

The Obama biographical series includes two somewhat replicated navigation templates, one that is specifically for the series towards the upper right and another one that is more inclusive in its constituent links as a banner along the bottom. So, looking for guidance from WP:SUMMARY, we see it lists as an example World War II, where there is at the upper right a navigational template linking to its constituent subarticles, but there also happens to be a template along this article's bottom (which happens to contain links to WP articles about the many World War II military campaigns). However, as an example of a navigation box to subarticles, WP:SUMMARY points us to the one for the Isaac Newton bio series, whose only template is a sidebar towards the upper right.

Yet, numerous main articles thoughout WP actually have side nav boxes inclusive of links to articles that are not specifically "subs" of the mainarticle; so, if we're to be guided by both WP informal practice and its formal guidelines...

1. should we choose to include more links in the series navigational template, rendering the bottom template completely redundant?
2. Or should we follow the World War II example and, while keeping the series templates at the upper right, limited to actual subarticles, reserve the banner along the bottom as an omnibus able to include articles that are more peripherally related? — Justmeherenow (   ) 14:37, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Side navigation boxes should be kept as short as possible so that they do not impact the readability and formatting of the article. One way to do that is to only include articles that are part of the series (so in this case, only the articles that were calved off this article. --Bobblehead ^(rants) 15:33, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Sounds reasonable. — Justmeherenow (   ) 16:49, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Cultural and political image DELETE?

This section should be seriously re-evaluated.

I can think of many referenced sources and information excluded and I can see some of them being more notable and more important that those listed.

Even the title seems biased. Whose cultural image? Just your opinion. According to some, Obama is way too conservative. Shouldn't their image and published sources (they exist) be given coverage?

Who is to say that Obama has an "everyman" image? Some like him. Some hate him. The haters certaintly don't think he is an "everyman". Even the neutral have said (I have a reference) that he is a very shrewd Chicago politician and is no dummy as far as getting ahead in politics.

So the question is whether we should go about the very, very difficult task of defining his image (and include all the major images)? Or just select the image that we want, which starts to have selection bias (and can even become POV if we aren't careful). DianeFinn (talk) 18:21, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Map of popular vote caption

This map can be used to prove a point, especially one's opinion. So we have to be careful here. Some of the states were caucuses and don't have true popular vote. Some Obama won and some he lost (so noting the problem of caucuses is not pro or anti Obama) DianeFinn (talk) 18:24, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

I can already see an error. The map does not show Florida. You can say that Florida voted earlier than the party wanted them to. But Obama lost Florida. You can say that he didn't campaign there but whose fault is that - it's Obama's. Like or dislike Obama, if the map has an error, it must be removed from Wikipedia. DianeFinn (talk) 18:32, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

The map shows the margins of victory for presidential preference elections held for the Democratic party. Florida and Michigan did not hold elections recognized by the Democratic party. There is no error. johnpseudo 22:32, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

The results are recognized by the party, there's just controversy if the delegates should be seated. We run the risk of looking pro-Hillary if we shade MI and FL and risk looking pro-Obama if we omit them. So why not a very, very neutral statement in the caption that MI and FL are special circumstances and not depicted in the map. Such statement is very matter of fact. DianeFinn (talk) 15:18, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

As I said to DianeFinn who wrote on my personal talk page, the map itself is of only passing relevance to this general biography to start with. It is certainly germane to those articles on the Obama Campaign, or to that on the 2008 Presidential Race, and so on, but those are different articles. Every extra word added to get pedantically correct niggles in the explanation make the digression of the map seem more awkward. I wouldn't mind taking the map out of this article entirely, but I definitely don't want any extra words added explaining its meaning... some other place, we might also digress into primaries vs. caucuses (versus TX's mixed primary/caucus), voter turnout percentage that is represented in each state, whether a state has an open or closed primary, etc. All of these give further meaning to "the nuance of the color" on the graph... but we can't put that in an image caption where the image is of small relevance to begin with. LotLE×talk 19:23, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

The whole article on Obama is practically biased... Zenxlow (talk) 11:10, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Needs rework

A lot of things need to be re-worked in the article. Too much for one day for here's a start.

Under Presidential campaign...Amidst concerns for his safety as the first black candidate seen as having a viable chance of being elected president, the U.S. government assigned Secret Service protection to Obama 18 months before the general election.[88]

Is this one of the most important facts about Obama? Certainly not! Eliminate it. We need to ask about 200 more of these kind of questions. How about his parents names? Certainly yes so keep that. DianeFinn (talk) 18:40, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

I think we need a consensus on what this article should be. Should it be a "gee whiz, that's an interesting fact that I didn't know"? + to this is it makes it interesting. - to that is that it could be a trivial fact that is really not notable.

Or should the article just be a very encyclopedia biography of the person without any hype? That it should just include the most important facts of his life (so all important facts of his life would be included and no unimportant facts). DianeFinn (talk) 19:24, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Early life and career needs to be split up because the article jumps to early life again later in the article. We need to spiff up this article because this article will be looked at a lot when the man becomes president, an almost certainty. DianeFinn (talk) 20:28, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

VP article proposal

An interesting article that hasn't yet been written is about the Democratic vice presidential candidates. A few weeks ago, Hillary suggested that Barack would be a fine VP (to her) as she talked about the dream team. Barack declined. Edwards declined to be be Obama's vice president yesterday. As the race develops there will be plenty of information valuable to future readers about the selection of VP. This material is unsuitable for Barack's article but great for a new article.

Opinions? Merge here or separate article? DianeFinn (talk) 21:02, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

Wait! See WP:NOTCRYSTAL (and always WP:NOR). LotLE×talk 22:00, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

This isn't crystal (predictions) because facts already exists. For example, Hillary suggesting Barack as VP and Edwards declining to accept the job. But if you don't want it, fine. DianeFinn (talk) 15:11, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

No, it is exactly what is referred to in WP:NOTCRYSTAL as well as WP:NOTNEWS. You are proposing an article that merely speculates who will be the VP candidate based on speculation in the news. Why would we want such an article, especially given that it will be moot in a few months anyway? --Loonymonkey (talk) 18:22, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Oh no! I don't want speculation, just the facts as they now exist! DianeFinn (talk) 18:52, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

1996 election

Very notable to those outside Chicago is the fact that Obama got all of his opponents disqualified from the 1996 ballot by going through all the signatures in their petition. This is notable for Wikipedia because it is very noteworthy.

However, to avoid being a biased presentation, I quote the Chicago Tribune as saying that it is common in Chicago to use those kind of tactics.

Bringing this point up may be controversial because those who support Obama wouldn't want such an unflattering fact revealed. However, it has been mentioned many times in the national and local press. To avoid letting Obama haters use this point, I've worded it very neutrally and even mentioned that such tactics are common in Chicago (not just Obama), along with a reference saying that it is common.

I think that I will be attacked for bringing this up, both from pro-Obama and anti-Obama people. The middle is a hard place to stand. DianeFinn (talk) 17:05, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Please see: Talk:Alice J. Palmer#2nd Congressional District campaign and aftermath timeline

These edits[21][22][23]:

Obama ran unopposed after he successfully had all of his opponents disqualified from the ballot. However, Obama remarked that the saga was "very awkward. That part of it I wish had played out entirely differently."[24] The use of political tactics are legal and frequently used in Chicago and not specific to Obama, according to the Chicago Tribune.[25]

were not an accurate NPOV summary.

Newross (talk) 18:11, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Agreed. That edit, as written, was neither NPOV nor entirely accurate. --Loonymonkey (talk) 18:19, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Then sugguest a NPOV way to say it. I've made it even more bland. I could leave out the explanation and just the first sentence if you like that better ...Obama ran unopposed after he successfully had all of his opponents disqualified from the ballot ...but I thought the further explanation makes it very NPOV. DianeFinn (talk) 18:51, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Obama ran unopposed after he successfully had all of his opponents disqualified from the ballot. He eventually ran unopposed, launching the career that has made him the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president...A look at his years in Chicago, based on interviews with friends, advisers, rivals and political strategists, reveals a shrewd combatant from one of the nation's toughest political arenas. http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120873956522230099.html

My version is much more kind to Obama that this. DianeFinn (talk) 19:06, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

The whole "disqualification" topic seems of little relevance to this article. It was certainly not Obama who did this. Illinois has certain rules for ballot qualification; those potential candidates who do not meet those rules (i.e. signature counts) don't go on the ballot... whether those rules are good or bad, those rules were made by prior state legislation, not by any particular candidate. There might be some other article where it would be interesting to read about particularly aggressive challenges to ballot qualification in Chicago (versus other jurisdictions), and in such an article, the case of Obama's state senate campaign might be a good example. But this article is a general biography. LotLE×talk 19:29, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

The law allows disqualification, but someone has to file the challenge to the signatures. And also someone has to go through the signatures and determine which ones are not valid. This "someone" was in the employ of the Barack Obama campaign. Twist and squirm around this truth all you like, but the law is only a weapon. In order to do harm to someone, someone else must actively wield it. Kossack4Truth (talk) 19:57, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

From Talk:Alice J. Palmer#2nd Congressional District campaign and aftermath timeline:

• Jun. 27, 1995 - Alice Palmer, age 56, announces she will be giving up her State Senate seat to run for Congress
• Sep. 19, 1995 - Barack Obama, age 34, announces he is running for Palmer's State Senate seat with Palmer's enthusiastic support
• Nov. 07, 1995 - Barack Obama's mother, Ann, age 52, dies of ovarian cancer in Hawaii
• Nov. 28, 1995 - Alice Palmer finishes a distant third to winner Jesse Jackson, Jr., age 30, in her Democratic primary run for Congress, and dismayed at receiving with only 2,917 votes in Chicago, Palmer reiterates she will not seek re-election to the State Senate
• Dec. 04, 1995 - Supporters of Alice Palmer announce they are lobbying her to break her promise to Obama and run for re-election
• Dec. 11, 1995 - Barack Obama files nominating petitions with over 3,000 signatures in Springfield on the first day to file petitions
• Dec. 18, 1995 - Alice Palmer announces she is breaking her promise to Barack Obama and running for re-election to State Senate at a press conference with supporters including: State Sen. Emil Jones, State Sen. Donne Trotter, State Sen. Arthur Berman, State Rep. Lou Jones, Ald. Barbara Holt, and Mark Allen (field organizer for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s campaign), and then drives to Springfield to file nominating petitions with 1,580 signatures on the last day to file petitions
• Dec. 26, 1995 - Barack Obama supporter Ronald Davis files objections to the nominating petitions of Palmer and three other lesser-known prospective candidates (none of whom are determined to have the required 757 valid signatures to earn a spot on the ballot)
• Jan. 17, 1996 - Alice Palmer announces she is ending her run for re-election to State Senate because she did not have enough valid signatures to earn a spot on the Democratic primary ballot (with 561 valid signatures, she was 196 short of the required 757)
• Mar. 19, 1996 - Barack Obama wins the Democratic primary nomination for State Senate with 100% of the vote; Obama was the only prospective State Senate candidate with enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions to earn a spot on the primary ballot
• Nov. 5, 1996 - Barack Obama (endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune as "the clear choice" and "a worthy successor to retiring Sen. Alice Palmer") wins election to the State Senate in the general election with 82% of the vote; the Harold Washington Party candidate received 13% of the vote, and the Republican Party candidate received 5% of the vote

Newross (talk) 03:11, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

A new NPOV persective has been added. It makes Obama look good because he learned from it. He admits the tactic was "awkward" and wished it ended differently. Very succinct. And a very good preface to his later support by others. So the flow in the article is nice.DianeFinn (talk) 17:18, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

What's the consensus? Kossack and me for mention of the 1996 ballot disqualification. Kossack seems to favor a longer section, I tend to favor a brief mention. A mention is justified as it was one of the highlights of his term. Even in 2008, it is mentioned in mainstream newspapers, but some of the other stuff listed is not mentioned (making it even more relevant). To soften the blow, I suggested mention that the act was typical of Chicago politics, not that Obama was trickier than others. But people don't want the disclaimer, so just put the disqualification facts there. DianeFinn (talk) 22:05, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

need more specific information in article

Obama graduated with a B.A. from Columbia in 1983, then worked at Business International Corporation and New York Public Interest Research Group before moving to Chicago in 1985 to take a job as a community organizer.

(first sentence in early career subsection)

Suggest finding out where he was working and add to article. For example....before moving to Chicago in 1985 to take a job with the South Side People's Assistance Group as a community organizer. DianeFinn (talk) 17:18, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Obama's mother - name

I never thought it would be so contentious but it seems that discussion is needed. Another user has reverted the mother'a name several times. I even put both names as a compromise but still it is reverted.

The mother's name is Stanley Ann Dunham. It should be listed as such. As precedent, look at the Richard Nixon article. It says that his father was Francis Nixon. In the Francis Nixon article, it mentions that he was called "Frank". So we should treat Obama the same way. Give the mother all the respect and list her full name...Obama son of Stanley Ann Dunham (with a link to her article where it mentions that she was called "Ann").

In obituaries, they list the full legal name out of respect. So do other encyclopedias, especially in the sentence....person was son of Margaret Elizabeth Smith, etc.... DianeFinn (talk) 20:58, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

This is simply contrary to Wikipedia's style guide, as I have pointed out to DianeFinn when she writes on my own talk page. The common and familiar name of persons both makes up the title of their primary biography page, and is the appropriate link text for references to them (unless special circumstances make some other form of their name necessary to the discussion). For example, Oscar Wilde had the full name 'Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde'. Take a look at the pages that link to Wilde at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Oscar_Wilde. All such pages use his familiar shortened name.

When giving the names of parents, their full names are usually given. This, it appears, is the special circumstance you are overlooking. It's similar to referring to a woman by her maiden name when writing about her before she married, when (as here) the proper solution is to use a piped link. - Nunh-huh 01:51, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Can you provide even one single example of anyone with a WP biography where this alleged rule is followed, Nunh-huh? I've never seen it. Instead, all the articles I know follow WP:NAMES. It doesn't count, of course, if "full name" is also "article title" and "most commonly-used name." LotLE×talk 08:25, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

For examples of what WP actually does, Charles Darwin's father, "Dr. Robert Waring Darwin," has an article and link titled Robert Darwin and George W. Bush's father "George Herbert Walker Bush" has an article and link titled George H. W. Bush. Similarly, GWB's mother "Barbara Pierce Bush" has an article and link titled Barbara Bush. In all cases, parents are linked by article-title name rather than by full name. LotLE×talk 08:32, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Following WP style guide does not show either special respect, nor condemnation, of the person mentioned. It's just simply how we link to articles. Within those linked articles, there may be various discussion of other names the person went by, including name changes, less used middle names, longer titles for some persons, and so on. The article on Ann Dunham is titled as such, and we must link to it under that name, and not some other name variant. We also don't make the link say 'Stanley Ann Dunham Soetero' or 'Ann Sutoro', both of which she also went by in some contexts/times. LotLE×talk 23:21, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Note also that the article on Francis A. Nixon is titled exactly that. In the body of the article, there is discussion of the fact he went by "Frank", but not in the article title. The link in the Richard Nixon article links to the exact spelling of the name given by the article title (as it should). If, contrary to actual facts, the article on Ann Dunham was titled "Stanley Ann Dunham" and its text described her use of the name "Ann", DianeFinn's edits would be correct... as is, they simply violate style guides. LotLE×talk 23:52, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Is there some reason, DianeFinn, why you think contradicting WP style guide has some special significance for Obama's mom's name?! If there was something in his bio that made her less used first name important, it might be worth adding. I'm being inventive here, but if he, e.g., named his pets or kids 'Stanley' in her honor, or the name was itself given her due to some historical figure that Obama found important, or something like that, it might be worth commenting on in this bio. But as a mere pointer to another article, it seems like some sort of empty pedantry. LotLE×talk 23:33, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

Noting that Obama's mama's name is "Stanley Ann Dunham" doesn't violate any style guide. The accurate name should be used; there are hundreds of "Ann Dunham"s and probably only one "Stanley Ann Dunham". Using the correct name isn't pedantry: it's accuracy - which is what the reader has a right to expect in an encyclopedia. - Nunh-huh 00:27, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Why is a similar "accuracy" disregarded (by design) in every link to Oscar Wilde and Francis A. Nixon and Jimmy Carter, and just about everyone else who has a "most familiar" name that differs from the birth, full or other perceived-correct-by-someone name? It makes know differences to me whatsoever that Ann Dunham's birth name was "Stanley", but it jars on my copy-editing nerves to see the non-standard linking policy here (unless, of course, as noted, there was some specific reason motivating it). LotLE×talk 00:37, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

FWIW, the controlling guideline being violated is WP:NAMES. LotLE×talk

Yes, so you keep asserting, but there's nothing there that dictates that a link in a separate article must match the name linked to; that would be a very silly guideline in any case. - Nunh-huh 01:47, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Even putting policy aside, giving Ann's full name is inconsistent, as well as being overly detailed. Should all other such biographical references be treated with full names? I would hope not. Why insist on giving Obama's mother's full name and not the father's too? Also, according to Times, Ms. Dunham wanted to be known as "Ann". Thus, its respectful to her self-identity to refer to her common name. Modocc (talk) 01:28, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

It's inaccurate: the logical solution would be to link Stanley Ann Dunham; the complicating explanatory phrase was added only after that was objected to. - Nunh-huh 01:47, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

What's being insisted on here is inaccuracy in the name. The "Stanley" part is not the article name, but neither is it the name by which she was generally known. It's sticking in a bit of trivia that makes the meaning just slightly less clear, for no purpose other than vacuous pedantry. I readily admit that compared to the awful soapboxing and WP:UNDUE weight on the Wright stuff, this is trivial... but why be wrong in even a trivial way for no reason whatsoever (especially when it's also contrary to WP:STYLE)?! LotLE×talk 05:43, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

No, her name was Stanley Ann Durham. It's not inaccurate in any way to use her correct, and legal, name, and it certainly isn't "wrong". - Nunh-huh 08:30, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

The use of Stanley Ann Dunham is the more respectful form and the most encyclopedic. DianeFinn (talk) 17:05, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

How about a compromise? Use the formal and respectful form first, mention ("Ann") with it, and use Ann in any subsequent sentence. That's the way abbreviations are, like...International Business Machines (IBM) is a big company. IBM makes things.... DianeFinn (talk) 17:08, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

DianeFinn, I am ambivalent about the policy dispute, but if full names are so darn important, why bring up the example of Francis Nixon? That was not Frank's full name either. In addition, should it be agreed that full names be used, it would be prudent to only do so for both parents and to do a rewrite similar to Hillary Clinton's biography (Her father,...,. Her mother,...,.) for clarity and to avoid any confusion caused by Ann's unusual first name. Thus far, I've been unhappy with the uneven handiness of the edits and the tenacious editing, despite not reaching a consensus. Modocc (talk) 19:28, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Ok, let's change everyone's parents to their full name for dignity. After the first mention, it doesn't have to be the long version. DianeFinn (talk) 22:22, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Political Grandstanding

It appears that User:Kossack4Truth is trying to insert various electioneering into the article. I suppose it is because of a negative bias against the bio'd subject (not that I know anything about the user, but it sure seems like the slant of his/her insertions).

The one case is the ever longer digression into every minutia of the Wright story (and Ayers likewise). But then also the stuff about Illinois law on ballot qualification that s/he is trying to belabor as well. I'd urge editors to please read WP:UNDUE before inserting, at great length, material which is at best marginally relevant to the subject matter. A WP article on a person—even one of great significance—should be kept short-ish (20k is starting to get long), with side topics that deserve it be spun off into their own articles. There are separate articles on Wright, on the Obama Presidential Campaign, on the "More Perfect Union" speech, and so on. Those should, of course, themselves be kept to reasonable length, but each of those is already linked to, and each concerns a more narrow and focussed discussion of the material Kossack4Truth keeps expanding upon. LotLE×talk 23:41, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

We need to treat each other as nicely as possible. A political controversy IS part of one's biography. However, the threshold of political controversy is a bit higher to become part of a biography and a bit lower just to become a controversy.

One example is Hillary Clinton's habit of developing a southern accent when speaking in the South. This was a political controversy for a short time. However, I don't think it reached to the level of becoming part of a biography.

The Rev. Wright controversy primarily involves Rev. Wright, not Sen. Obama. However, it becomes an Obama controversy when he gave an excuse and then a few weeks later condemned the pastor. Whether this controversy become part of his biography is a question. My feeling is that a short summary emphasizing Obama's relationship to the controversy is possibly ok.

More importantly, a decision should be made about whether this article should be a stately, time balanced biography. If so, then most of the daily details, campaign, political positions, and controversies need to go. The consensus (by both editors which seem to lean for, against, and indeterminate) seems to be a skew towards recent events and including all these daily details, campaign, political positions, and controversy. Because of this, there will be more recent events, including controversial events. Anyone favor a stately, time balanced bio? DianeFinn (talk) 00:49, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

I totally agree, DianeFinn, that the Wright dust-up should be mentioned briefly (as it is in my edits). Moreover, I really like the way you've characterized "controversy" versus "worth putting in bio". I just don't think (nor think you think) that the Wright stuff should be given more words than his entire legal career, or his famous 2004 Dem Convention speech, or various other things also worth mentioning. Actually, I doubt any mention at all will be worthwhile in five years (however USA political elections go before then), but it's worth mentioning briefly for now.

A little bit of bias towards "most current events" is reasonable. Not a large bias that way, but at least a slight emphasis. But the way too long narration about every side detail on Wright is definitely WP:UNDUE weight (i.e. the version in Kossack4Truth's versions). LotLE×talk 00:57, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Naturally, I disagree. The longer version of the Wright paragraph is a consensus version, reached after weeks of mostly civil discussion between people who clearly show a bias in Obama's favor and others who prefer a more NPOV approach. Kossack4Truth (talk) 02:18, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

I see lots of reversions but very little discussion by Lulu in the past 24 hours, and specifically since I placed this comment here, yet she accuses me of being "way past a 3RR violation" in her edit summary. Consensus on the Wright paragraph was well established, and even accepted by some pro-Obama editors, until Lulu arrived here. I do not choose to engage in an edit war. I choose to offer civil and constructive discussion, followed by consensus. Kossack4Truth (talk) 11:32, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Consensus can change, remember. Now that the Wright issue is effectively over (the Republicans tried to use it in the recent special election, and failed), the consensus version of the paragraph that you are referring to is no longer appropriate. The abbreviated version is inline with summary style, and the details will remain in the exhaustive sub article and the related biography. -- Scjessey (talk) 13:17, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Where and when was the extensive discussion that ordinarily precedes a change in consensus? It appears that it was done in one evening by Diane and Lulu, without allowing any time for anyone else to weigh in. Kossack4Truth (talk) 02:13, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Political positions section is political grandstanding???

Much work has been done in the Political Positions section. However, look at Jimmy Carter. No such section. Look at Richard Durbin, the other current Senator from Illinois. No such section.

We risk needless edit wars. The section is hard to write NPOV. The section also risks being an advertisement. After all, the unsaid message could be "vote for Obama, here's why" or "vote for Hillary, not Obama, here's why".

So we should eliminate political positions as Wikipedia is not an advertisement. If there are certain issues that Obama made special efforts in the Senate such that they are now part of his biography, then let's include the information in his Senate side.

I know that these comments will be unpopular because many have worked hard in this section. But look at the forest and not the trees and you'll see that the political positions section smacks of advertising and is not part of the other senator's articles nor of Jimmy Carter. DianeFinn (talk) 17:24, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

I wouldn't quite support an elimination of that section, but I definitely encourage a reduction of it. It's far too easy for someone who cares greatly about some particular narrow matter (relative to bio topic) to write at great length about it (whether pro- or anti-Obama, or merely just a topic that interests them). The section definitely suffers some of that (the recently added stuff on nuke policy seems like an example). WP should not try to be a campaign site, nor even one of those neutral "weigh the candidates" sites. Only positions that are defining of overall biography belong in this article.

Much of that, as DianeFinn writes, can and should go in Senate record. I think there are probably some issues that were never subject to legislation Obama actively supported or opposed that still are biographically relevant. I don't think a mere yes or no vote on a law counts as that much biographically (not even if the WP editor finds that vote either admirable or awful)... it takes something more like co-sponsorship of the bill. A senator might nonetheless take a strong position on an issue that s/he did not sponsor legislatively; or even one that never reached the Senate during his/her tenure.

Nonethelss, brevity is the soul of WP virtue. LotLE×talk 18:40, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Jimmy Carter should have a section!!!! But its hardly a fair comparison to start with. Hillary Clinton and John McCain also have position sections, and since all these senators have entire articles on their political positions, the emphasis should not be on removing the sections, but deciding what is appropriate summary information from those articles to include. Modocc (talk) 20:18, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

RFC name

With a heavy heart, I start this RFC (I thought it could be resolved without a RFC but it keeps getting reverted). The RFC question is whether Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, should have her full legal name mentioned in the first instance of the article, where it mentions that Obama was son of father (Barack) and mother (Stanley Ann).

• for full name of mother - This gives her dignity, is encyclopedic, and very much like an obituary/encyclopedia/etc. It is ok to mention her informal name, Ann, in subsequent mentions of the lady. Richard Nixon's article refers to the father as Francis Nixon (Frank). Please support giving the article and the lady dignity by listing her legal name at least the first time it is used. I didn't think this would be so controversial but it has been reverted several times. I seek a nice and stately article (and to avoid edit wars) which is why I started this RFC.DianeFinn (talk) 22:16, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

You are advocating against using "full name", and instead substituting "birth name". God only knows why. LotLE×talk

• Oppose. This is a ridiculous argument to be having - Wikipedia uses common names for links. Please do not accuse others of edit-warring for disagreeing with you or insisting on discussion before making changes. Thanks. Harro5 22:34, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Others have made changes without discussion, not me. Also edit warring is when there is reverting back and forth, which is happening. Actually, it's not happening as I keep suggesting different changes while someone else insists on the same change. Also, I am not the only one who has changed it to the full legal name. Also, dignity and encyclopedic appearance is what WP is for so if the links don't follow it, it's time for us to follow it. DianeFinn (talk) 22:54, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

• Strongly Oppose. We should not violate WP:NAMES for absolutely no reason. Style guides assure consistent presentation of information, and the non-title name variant for the link to Ann Dunham's article has no motivation other than one editor apparently thinking it "sounds nicer" (it doesn't). Moreover, neither DianeFinn nor Nunh-huh has provided one single example of any other article that follows the rule rather than WP:STYLE (not even one for the "special case" Nunh-huh alleges of "parents names" (i.e. see above examples whaere rule is followed: Darwin, GWB, Nixon, etc). The only "example" provide is that of Francis A. Nixon that exactly contradicts DianeFinn's point (i.e. all links are to exact spelling of article title). LotLE×talk 23:49, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
• Support Nothing wrong with including her full name the first time it appears. Of course, in the spirit of avoiding redirects when possible, the link should go to her common name.Ngchen (talk) 23:51, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
• Oppose. Unless there's a compelling reason to mention Ann's birth-versus-preferred names in Barack's article it needn't be included. As, dignified or not, a rule going the other way would bog ledes into such, um, unwieldinesses as

Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte de France (19 December 1778 – 19 October 1851) was the eldest child of King Louis XVI of France and his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette.

becoming

Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte de France (19 December 1778 – 19 October 1851) was the eldest child of Louis-Auguste (King Louis XVI of France) and his wife, Queen Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna von Habsburg-Lothringen.

 — Justmeherenow (   ) 00:55, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

• Strongly oppose She was known as Ann Dunham - the details of her name are already properly in her article as required by encyclopedia standards; there is absolutely no reason to use her birth name here, and the zeal with which this is being pursued raises some questions in my mind about motivation. Somehow, concern about the "dignity" of the late Ms. Dunham doesn't ring true. But my opposition is on the basis of Wikipedia policies on names. Tvoz/talk 01:02, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

What purpose, Tvoz's worn-on-sleeve partisanship and Wiki-tribalism/ not "assuming good faith"? — Justmeherenow (   ) 01:38, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

• Strongly oppose for reasons stated above by Tvoz and others. The "dignity" argument is bizarre and irrelevant to WP:NAMES and the Nixon example simply falls into the realm of WP:OTHERCRAP. There is no reason not to use her common name which is also the name of the linked article. In fact there is really no reason for this RfC, as consensus on this issue is already pretty clear with the initiator being the only dissenter (and the chief instigator of this low-grade edit war). --Loonymonkey (talk) 01:18, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Editors should agree ahead of time to LOOK for opposing views.....WELCOME them, include them GLADLY

And this can happen if it's WILLED to be. I realise such a thing is anathema to many, however it is actually a part of WP guidelines, for example, to encourage the encylopedica treatment of recentism, which then is to be pared down later as aspects of it turn out to not be of enduring notability. Which is preferable to the opposite approach where there is instead a viceral "fear" of recentism, that results in stuff that turns out to be of enduring notabililty's having to be folded back into the text after its having been over-zealously pruned out about a gabajillion times already: an only-too-obvious make-more-work approach.

After all, Wikipedia's natural strength is its ability to give encyclopedic coverage to recent ideas or events. However, partisans just lurve the status quo wherein, of course, anything negative is duly made to pass the very daunting gauntlets of "recentism" and "notability" and so forth while instead anything more "positive" is believed to earn a free pass as the favored pets these ideas and events are. Indeed, instead of continuing to abide by the informal modus operandi of any opposing viewpoints to be considered "not-notable recentism" until if and when the campaign feels the need to address these issues (producing the not-surprising end result of WP text's looking like it comes from Madison Avenue hacks), how about editors actually internalize the part of the guidelines that encourage their actually TRYING to fit things whenever possible into the forumulation, "Such-and-such source argues thus'n'so while in contrast an adversarial group believes this'n'that"? Then, when somebody shows up from an adversarial camp to help edit, a page's editors will emit a collective sigh of relief that the second part of this formula just got easier to fill out. And then when the airwaves suddenly become full of whatever latest recriminations, say, about whomever is the current "Ayers" or "Wright" etc., readers will Google over to Wikipedia only to be greeted by, Suprise! a neutral and balanced, encyclopedic treatment of whatever the controversy----which had been written whenever the allegations first came to light, to including any explanations to-date that the campaign had given in reponse to them, if any. That's the Cellulited realism of the Wikipedia ideal, rather than glitzy shots filtered through the score of polarized lenses put on the camera by a like number of partisan editors, all moles airbrushed into beauty marks.

(I can dream can't I?) — Justmeherenow (   ) 23:32, 18 May 2008 (UTC)