"MY president"

[whatchamacallit]

I've been puzzled and a bit concerned by this phrase for some time. I know it's meant as an innocuous expression of pride and affection, but is that a healthy way to regard a politician or public figure? To me, President Obama isn't *my* anything, he's simply the latest guy hired to do a job. As with any job, personal feelings or likability should not be factors. Performance is all that really matters. Normally, I wouldn't give a second of thought to an innocent term of endearment, but it seems to underscore a division between those focused on party and those focused on policy. What say ye?

[bluestate10]

1. The President is no just a "guy hired to do a job". We only have one President at a time.

That President is the extension of our collective desires on how we should govern ourselves, and as such, is an extension of each of us. So, "My" is appropriate.

[whatchamacallit]

3. We only have one Secretary of State, or Treasury, or Defense

None of them are referred to as 'my'.

[MineralMan]

16. And none of us voted for any of those.

It is the participation that is meaningful.

[whatchamacallit]

19. Ok, good point

and the kind of opinion I was hoping to get. That said, there have been past democratic campaigns I supported and worked for that I'd like to disown now. Lol.

[Igel]

35. "My president" has an opposite.

"Not my president."

It's something that you hear when the wrong party is in power. When our side does it, it's understandable.

When their side does it, it's treasonous, because there's only one President and at that time he's one of us.

[quinnox]

2. yup, lol

It's a small but interesting detail, often the most ardent Obama supporters speak in these terms. But I guess we all have to have heroes on the pedestal, and there are quite a few normal people who think in this way about authority figures. I'm not saying they are all sheep, but they probably tend to have a little bit of that gene.

[one_voice]

26. Sheep gene?

'normal people'?

[quinnox]

30. well, IMHO its nothing to be ashamed of

I would say most people have it, its just a matter of to what degree. Some have a lot more of it than others, and perhaps a few don't have hardly any of it at all. Since humans are designed a certain way and who knows why, its just the way it is. Sheep gene is a cute way of putting it.

[whatchamacallit]

6. I like him too

I just wonder if strongly identifying clouds judgement sometimes.

[Igel]

34. Often.

As soon as you're in a group, your judgement's clouded.

Confirmation bias kicks in, shaping the narrative so that your side is good (because if it's not, then you're bad), enhancing the differences.

From sides during a dodgeball game in elementary school to Rwanda, it's all a matter of degree.

[NYC_SKP]

5. Well, not having had a president since James Carter, I like to think I have one now.

Thus the term, "my", in my case.

Still, I think I understand where you're coming from with your OP.

[nolabear]

7. This man is MY president; This man is YOUR President/From California/To the NY Islands

Sing it with me now!

From the Redwood Forests
To the Gulf Stream waters,
This man was elected by you and me!!


That's what I got to say.

[whatchamacallit]

10. He is THE president. n/t

[nolabear]

25. That too. We both win!

[GETTINGTIRED]

8. I love this man

It goes much deeper than someone just holding an office...he represents freedom..equality...fairness....respect....worth..
thoughtfulness....honor...pride
Unity....for me he is my President and its more than just an idea or an office .....
he is the very fiber
of what this country
stands for and means to me....
He represents what people fought and died for
Yes I truly love and respect him....
He indeed is MY PRESIDENT...

[Whisp]

9. I hear it a different way than you do.

This man with some absolutely wonderful qualities represents a lot of people.

Those lot of people see the good in Themselves when they see His
(which are so much more magnified than most of the rest of ours will never be, but we all got the same stuff basically and he gets some to recognize that).

I find it disrespectful of you to talk about the President like he is a hireling, like a pool boy or something and you are the guy behind the desk looking him up and down. He's probably be the first to admit he isn't any better than anyone else, and he probably wouldn't be offended by your offensive words. That's one of the big reason I like and admire him. But I'm not Obama and I can tell you again that that is very disrespectful and you sound like you are looking for some action here from Obama supporters that care about him very much.

[whatchamacallit]

13. Wow, talk about illustrating my point!

Yes, the presidency is a job. The occupant of that job is not decided on-high because he is divinely worthy, but by us because he was the best choice of the offered applicants. Where the fuck do you get 'pool boy' or any of that other projected nonsense? Would you continue to elevate the stature of the president if Mitt Romney had won? Would you call him 'your president'? I think not.

[Whisp]

21. I don't think anyone here said My President to Bush nor would they have to Romney

My President is a respect that neither of those deserve/d.

The President works for the country as a whole, not for individuals, so yah, that pool boy thing still fits in my opinion.

[Whisp]

23. lol.

you made me laugh.

[treestar]

39. Then I hope you know the limits of that job

And are not one of the people blaming him when Congress does not go along. Not one of the ones claiming he should "fight for me" - then he need only run the part of the government he is supposed to run.

[liberalmuse]

11. I think it's also a protective term.

There's an awful lot of hate being flung at President Obama. A lot of people disavowing and slandering him. It's just some people's way of recognizing his legitimacy - kind of the opposite of the "Not My President" Bush years.

[whatchamacallit]

24. Interesting perspective

Thanks.

[datasuspect]

12. it was silly when they did it for dubya

it's silly now.

[countingbluecars]

14. This is a silly post meant

to divide IMO. It reminds me of the "cheerleader" name calling on DU after Obama was first elected.

[SidDithers]

17. +1...nt

Sid

[whatchamacallit]

20. Thanks for the opinion, Driveby!

[MineralMan]

15. In the sense that I voted for him, campaigned for him, and

helped get him elected, President Obama is indeed my President. Since I am also a US citizen, he is my President on that count as well.

[leftstreet]

18. It always sounds like 'My Savior' to me n/t

[Puzzledtraveller]

33. Yea, "My" is creepy n/t

[CakeGrrl]

27. I liked that Bill Clinton specifically referred to POTUS that way in his stump speeches.

With all the nasty birther b.s. going around and all the ugly attempts by the RW to marginalize a black President as an "other", I like this reference more and more as the antidote.

[madamesilverspurs]

28. He is my president because

-

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. Pffffffft

"...underscore a division between those focused on party and those focused on policy..."

Does the self-congratulation ever end?

[JaneyVee]

31. I am an American citizen, therefore he is my president.

[Puzzledtraveller]

32. Couldn't have said it better.

I agree completely with your statement.

[rsweets]

36. hey... he's my guy

ya' gotta have go to guy right??

[treestar]

37. You wouldn't say My Senator or My Congressman?

It's the person in your district (the President has one big district).

I was told often enough that Bush was My President by righties. He was. I wouldn't have referred to him like that, but he still was.

[ProSense]

38. "What say ye?"

He's my President.

I voted for him and he didn't loose!!!

I take it that pisses off two sets of people.