Is VDH's Obama Observation Correct?

With an update from Jules. Is that a socialist "we," or are ya just happy to see me?

Victor Davis Hanson thinks Obama is sounding a tad narcissistic for using "I" and "me" (in the form of 'my' too often.

The Left is crying foul.

So I did some Math comparing the text of Bush's first big bailout speech, versus Obama's of today.

Bush's speech was 1945 words, 54 paragraphs, or 123 lines. He used I, I'm, or my a total of 18 times. That's once in every 108 or so words.

Obama's speech was 2799 words, 29 paragraphs, or 179 lines. He likes longer paragraphs. He used I, I'm or my 42 times. That's once in every 67 or so words, or nearly twice as frequently as Bush.

It would seem VDH has a point.

Breakdowns:

Bush "I" or "I'm" - 15; "my" - 3

Obama: "I" or "I'm" - 33 "my" - 9  

Comments

[Xerocky]

From a website about people with narcissistic traits...

II. Behavior Patterns

The narcissist:

* Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates accomplishments, talents, skills, contacts, and personality traits to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements); (two books about himself and counting!)

* Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion; (he wanted to be president when he was 9)

* Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions); (witness the cult of personality that he's been treated to by the media, most people would have tried to put the kibosh on it, but not the chosen one!)

* Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation – or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious (Narcissistic Supply); (How long before he's back on the talk show circuit, why has he planned the trip to Europe?)

* Feels entitled. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her unreasonable expectations for special and favorable priority treatment; (for some reason he felt that he should be president after a very short time in the Senate, and with no real accomplishments under his belt)

* Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends; (look at the growing list of people that Obama's thrown "under the bus")

* Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with, acknowledge, or accept the feelings, needs, preferences, priorities, and choices of others; ("...so they cling to their god and their guns")

* Constantly envious of others and seeks to hurt or destroy the objects of his or her frustration. Suffers from persecutory (paranoid) delusions as he or she believes that they feel the same about him or her and are likely to act similarly; (told Joe the Plumber that he's going to redistribute the wealth, seems obsessed with "fairness", one may say that those two points show that he's envious, as are most people with socialist leanings.)

* Behaves arrogantly and haughtily. Feels superior, omnipotent, omniscient, invincible, immune, "above the law", and omnipresent (magical thinking). Rages when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted by people he or she considers inferior to him or her and unworthy. (I've been saying all along: this guy can't take a tough question without getting really bent out of shape, it makes you wonder why he would even want to be president if he doesn't like to answer questions? Oh yeah, the power...)

[Fred Beloit]

Tigerhawk says in so many words that The Laughing President's use of the first person singular may someday "reverberate back to his detriment", as an old Brit film once had it. It will make it easier to blame him for the wrongs he is initiating against America. To summarize Tigerhawk writes "President Obama is, after all, essentially announcing that he is "the decider" with every speech."

[torabora]

....I....noticed the trait when he first crossed my radar.

The bigger picture of his life though, is that this "DemocRAT", hence "man of the people", shows that he has never actually had a job. He's never had to fill out a resume, knock on doors, wash dishes, mop floors, clean toilets. That's why I despise him.

[Drew]

We call that, 'Taking responsibility'.
I know after the previous occupant of the White House was incapable of it, you wouldn't recognize it when you see it.

[Fred Beloit]

Drew, it seems you weren't paying attention. Bush took responsibility on numerous occasions, for good and bad results. But perhaps then you weren't a paid sockpuppet propaganist and had no reason to make up s--t.

[Old Trooper]

"The narcissist:

* Feels grandiose and self-important (e.g., exaggerates accomplishments, talents, skills, contacts, and personality traits to the point of lying, demands to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements); (two books about himself and counting!)

* Is obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, fearsome power or omnipotence, unequalled brilliance (the cerebral narcissist), bodily beauty or sexual performance (the somatic narcissist), or ideal, everlasting, all-conquering love or passion; (he wanted to be president when he was 9)

* Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and, being special, can only be understood by, should only be treated by, or associate with, other special or unique, or high-status people (or institutions); (witness the cult of personality that he's been treated to by the media, most people would have tried to put the kibosh on it, but not the chosen one!)

* Requires excessive admiration, adulation, attention and affirmation – or, failing that, wishes to be feared and to be notorious (Narcissistic Supply); (How long before he's back on the talk show circuit, why has he planned the trip to Europe?)

* Feels entitled. Demands automatic and full compliance with his or her unreasonable expectations for special and favorable priority treatment; (for some reason he felt that he should be president after a very short time in the Senate, and with no real accomplishments under his belt)

* Is "interpersonally exploitative", i.e., uses others to achieve his or her own ends; (look at the growing list of people that Obama's thrown "under the bus")

* Devoid of empathy. Is unable or unwilling to identify with, acknowledge, or accept the feelings, needs, preferences, priorities, and choices of others; ("...so they cling to their god and their guns")

* Constantly envious of others and seeks to hurt or destroy the objects of his or her frustration. Suffers from persecutory (paranoid) delusions as he or she believes that they feel the same about him or her and are likely to act similarly; (told Joe the Plumber that he's going to redistribute the wealth, seems obsessed with "fairness", one may say that those two points show that he's envious, as are most people with socialist leanings.)

* Behaves arrogantly and haughtily. Feels superior, omnipotent, omniscient, invincible, immune, "above the law", and omnipresent (magical thinking). Rages when frustrated, contradicted, or confronted by people he or she considers inferior to him or her and unworthy. (I've been saying all along: this guy can't take a tough question without getting really bent out of shape, it makes you wonder why he would even want to be president if he doesn't like to answer questions? Oh yeah, the power...)"

Drew, that describes Obama most appropriately. You obviously suffer from Terminal Liberal Blindness.
I recommend a 5,000 mg dose of Potassium Cyanide daily until you see the light. It tastes like bitter almond but it is very effective. It cures TLB and Liberalism & Socialism nicely.

[DLS]

"...he has never actually had a job. He's never had to fill out a resume, knock on doors, wash dishes, mop floors, clean toilets. That's why I despise him."

Wait a minute, are you talking about Obama, or Bush?