So-called Scholars Beclown Themselves

Posted on | July 2, 2010 | 43 Comments

by Smitty

A poll of 238 of the country’s top scholars has ranked Barack Obama among the the best Presidents — number 15 to be exact. George W. Bush has dropped from 23 to 39.

While not wasting time over-rating W, how can you possibly put BHO in the top third(-ish) with less than 50% of a completed term?
Oh, there must be some grants involved. Got it: “Pimp My Department.”
Confederate Yankee consults Mr. James on the theory that the scholars, while not addicted to cocaine, like the way it smells.
Hot Air delves into the details.

Update: TrogloPundit emits a strange goo at the notion of his. . .hero(?) only being 15th.

Category: Barack Obama

Comments

43 Responses to “So-called Scholars Beclown Themselves”

Brian J.
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

He’s at least tied with Teddy Roosevelt, since they both had Nobel Peace Prizes before they did anything as president.
Brian J.
July 2nd, 2010 @ 8:12 am

He’s at least tied with Teddy Roosevelt, since they both had Nobel Peace Prizes before they did anything as president.
Dandapani
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

And BO qualified for a Nobel Prize 12 days into his first term. These liberal accolades mean nothing.
Dandapani
July 2nd, 2010 @ 8:26 am

And BO qualified for a Nobel Prize 12 days into his first term. These liberal accolades mean nothing.
smitty
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:36 pm

@gg,
You just keep on pluckin’ that chicken, mister.
smitty
July 2nd, 2010 @ 8:36 am

@gg,
You just keep on pluckin’ that chicken, mister.
Thomas L. Knapp
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:57 pm

I suspect there’s a “recent history” bump, way up or way down, in such ratings polls.

At a remove of 100 years, the differences between (Teddy) Roosevelt and Taft get underplayed in such polls. The differences between recent presidents get accentuated attention.

Way accentuated in this case, though. Ask any of these guys to name a real difference between W and O and I doubt they could come up with anything more substantial than that O has a better tan.
Thomas L. Knapp
July 2nd, 2010 @ 8:57 am

I suspect there’s a “recent history” bump, way up or way down, in such ratings polls.

At a remove of 100 years, the differences between (Teddy) Roosevelt and Taft get underplayed in such polls. The differences between recent presidents get accentuated attention.

Way accentuated in this case, though. Ask any of these guys to name a real difference between W and O and I doubt they could come up with anything more substantial than that O has a better tan.
TC@LeatherPenguin
July 2nd, 2010 @ 1:19 pm

All of BHO’s tongue bathers keep harping on the hero’s supposedly stratosphere-level “intelligence,” but I’ll be damned if any of them can point to something concrete to back that up. He wrote a couple of memoirs? So what. He ran Harvard’s “Law Review”? Again, so what; he didn’t actually contribute anything during his tenure there; in fact, he may be the most un-published “academic” I’ve ever encountered.

The one group of things that could possibly bolster the claim, his college papers and transcripts, are under embargo. What’s up with that if he’s such a damn smartypants?
TC@LeatherPenguin
July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:19 am

All of BHO’s tongue bathers keep harping on the hero’s supposedly stratosphere-level “intelligence,” but I’ll be damned if any of them can point to something concrete to back that up. He wrote a couple of memoirs? So what. He ran Harvard’s “Law Review”? Again, so what; he didn’t actually contribute anything during his tenure there; in fact, he may be the most un-published “academic” I’ve ever encountered.

The one group of things that could possibly bolster the claim, his college papers and transcripts, are under embargo. What’s up with that if he’s such a damn smartypants?
Dave C
July 2nd, 2010 @ 1:35 pm

This just in: A poll of 238 of the country’s top scholars living in an academic echo chamber can’t tell their ass from a hole in the ground.
Dave C
July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:35 am

This just in: A poll of 238 of the country’s top scholars living in an academic echo chamber can’t tell their ass from a hole in the ground.
keyboard jockey
July 2nd, 2010 @ 1:48 pm

Maybe they ranked Obama so high because Obama has employed- appointed so many from academia SEE CZARS…..just saying he doesn’t have people in positions that know much more than “theoretically” how things are supposed to work.

So why wouldn’t the so called scholar class give him high marks…he is one of their biggest employers.
keyboard jockey
July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:48 am

Maybe they ranked Obama so high because Obama has employed- appointed so many from academia SEE CZARS…..just saying he doesn’t have people in positions that know much more than “theoretically” how things are supposed to work.

So why wouldn’t the so called scholar class give him high marks…he is one of their biggest employers.
keyboard jockey
July 2nd, 2010 @ 1:49 pm

It’s not like they are going to bite the hand that feeds them.
keyboard jockey
July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:49 am

It’s not like they are going to bite the hand that feeds them.
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

Now this list is just so much better and I direct it to these scholars.

Oh, and gg, your message is at 4:05.
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 9:56 am

Now this list is just so much better and I direct it to these scholars.

Oh, and gg, your message is at 4:05.
Talk about grading on a curve « DaTechguy's Blog
July 2nd, 2010 @ 10:10 am

[…] Update: Smitty makes the same point I did […]
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

Hey scholars, why is Obama making the gulf clean up so slow?
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 10:34 am

Hey scholars, why is Obama making the gulf clean up so slow?
Jeff Weimer
July 2nd, 2010 @ 2:39 pm

Yes, gg, the blog works. We’re just not paying attention to you.

But for your sanity’s sake, may hope triumph over experience.
Jeff Weimer
July 2nd, 2010 @ 10:39 am

Yes, gg, the blog works. We’re just not paying attention to you.

But for your sanity’s sake, may hope triumph over experience.
smitty
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:06 pm

@gg,
Yeah, we’re rather liberal with the markup, as you can tell.
smitty
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:06 am

@gg,
Yeah, we’re rather liberal with the markup, as you can tell.
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:12 pm

Hey look! Scholars!
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:12 am

Hey look! Scholars!
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

More scholars!
Joe
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:15 am

More scholars!
Roxeanne de Luca
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:26 pm

Out here, I hear a murmuring of innumerable November bees and the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain turning bluer with each passing day. Is that the blood-gush blade-gash you republicans hear?

Again, when I use empirical evidence (e.g. campaigns and their results, as well as Obama’s approval rating) to demonstrate that The One will be a one-term President, I’m a cocksure moron.

But when gg just masturbates in front the keyboard, well, those carbon emissions are intellectual gold!
Roxeanne de Luca
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:26 am

Out here, I hear a murmuring of innumerable November bees and the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain turning bluer with each passing day. Is that the blood-gush blade-gash you republicans hear?

Again, when I use empirical evidence (e.g. campaigns and their results, as well as Obama’s approval rating) to demonstrate that The One will be a one-term President, I’m a cocksure moron.

But when gg just masturbates in front the keyboard, well, those carbon emissions are intellectual gold!
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:31 pm

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months” [emph. added]

Because when you’re teh mostest awesomest evah!, you don’t actually have to earn your accolades. There just given to you as a matter of due course.

Gee. That kind of somes up Obama’s whole career.

I got an idea. Let’s poll the scholars of the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute and see how they rank the presidents! It ought to be instructive.
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:31 am

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months” [emph. added]

Because when you’re teh mostest awesomest evah!, you don’t actually have to earn your accolades. There just given to you as a matter of due course.

Gee. That kind of somes up Obama’s whole career.

I got an idea. Let’s poll the scholars of the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute and see how they rank the presidents! It ought to be instructive.
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:40 pm

There! They’re theirs, see. Got it.
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:40 am

There! They’re theirs, see. Got it.
Roxeanne de Luca
July 2nd, 2010 @ 3:41 pm

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months”

If my boss thinks that, I’m so asking for a bonus right now, based on my awesomeness to come in 2011.
Roxeanne de Luca
July 2nd, 2010 @ 11:41 am

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months”

If my boss thinks that, I’m so asking for a bonus right now, based on my awesomeness to come in 2011.
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 4:26 pm

I think you need to demand that your anticipated cumulative bonus for the remainder of your career be preearned now. Strictly for the tax benefits.
H. G. Fielding
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

I think you need to demand that your anticipated cumulative bonus for the remainder of your career be preearned now. Strictly for the tax benefits.
Jeff Weimer
July 2nd, 2010 @ 4:34 pm

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months”

No, he was given the Nobel in a nakedly pathetic effort to try to shame him into losing in Afghanistan. Because, as you well know, empty gestures and petty posturing are what count, not effort and results.
Jeff Weimer
July 2nd, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

“He was given the Nobel based on his influence and achievements in the following months”

No, he was given the Nobel in a nakedly pathetic effort to try to shame him into losing in Afghanistan. Because, as you well know, empty gestures and petty posturing are what count, not effort and results.
A bit of pre-Independence Day Alternate Reality at Haemet
July 2nd, 2010 @ 2:30 pm

[…] as the 15th best President of all time; the blogosphere laughs. And laughs. And continues to pee its pants in […]
A poll to make conservative heads explode | Zingstrom's Blog
July 2nd, 2010 @ 2:58 pm

[…] Over at theothermccain.com blog is a pithy analysis of this poll from la-la-land. One can only wonder what these academics […]