In politics, you heard the terms moderate, right wing, left wing, extreme a lot. We use it to classify a person or politicians political view. It is also used to determine if a person is more willing to compromise or not. Obviously someone who is labeled with extreme views will be viewed by the general public as someone who is unwilling to compromise. Which is why in every election the opposing candidates try to paint their opponent as an extremist and themselves as a moderate.

And then there is Barack Obama, President of the United States of America. A man who jumped to the front of the presidential race with little practical experience, little political track record, and a gift for campaigning. Even today I think many people are still trying to figure this man out. The man is intelligent no doubt but he has made some very questionable decisions. He is comfortable at public speaking and delivers his speeches well as long as they are prepared. A skill that could and should make him an affective leader and yet it seems like he prefers to sit on the side lines and like a devoted fan throw garbage and insults at his teams opponents.

His speeches are a model in how to appear a moderate seeking compromise and yet, he surrounds himself with the most extreme left-wing pundits. Even some of his most ardent detractors admit that he is a very likable person. Grudgingly admitting that they would probably really enjoy sitting down and having a beer with him. So how can a person appear so reasonable even when there actions appear to be so partisan, so extreme?

I believe the answer may be that President Obama is a decent person who is an ideologue; totally devoted to his cause. The cause of socialism. The term ideologue would seem to fit President Obama well. Following are some definitions of ideologue to explain:

Meriam-Webster: 1. An impractical idealist. 2. An often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology.

Cambridge Dictionary Online: A person who believes strongly in particular principles and tries to follow them carefully.

Oxford English Dictionary Online: ( you will most likely need to take my word on this one.) A proponent or adherent of a political, economic, or other ideology, especially one who is uncompromising or dogmatic.

Compare that to the definition for fanatic:

Meriam-Webster: Marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.

Cambridge Dictionary Online: A person whose strong admiration for something is considered to be extreme or unreasonable.

Oxford English Dictionary Online: Of persons, their actions, attributes, etc.: Characterized, influenced, or prompted by excessive and mistaken enthusiasm, esp. in religious matters.

So how I see it, is that an ideologue is a person who totally accepts an idea, belief, system and believes that any opposing idea, belief, system is just simply wrong. Where a fanatic is more emotional. Arguments to the contrary are immaterial. A fanatic will refuse to see any argument against their position. An ideologue will examine them and decide in favor of their chosen view.

That is how I see President Obama. That is how he is able to appear to be reasonable and moderate. He appears to be willing to listen. He appears to be willing to discuss. But at the end of the day, he is so blinded by his own ideals, that he will always chose his original idea as the best and only solution. Even when the facts prove otherwise.

-- Thomas Paine 2

Technorati Tags: barack obama, can obama compromise, is obama a moderate, is obama an extremist, obama willing to compromise