https://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2012/07/14/barracking-your-way-to-the-top/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 01:57:56 -0400<![CDATA[It is one of the curiosities of language that the transitive verb “barrack” (chiefly British, origin unknown) means to “shout or jeer at.” For that is precisely what our Barack, the one now occupying the White House, has descended to in his campaign against Mitt Romney. Shouting, jeering, name calling, and above all lying: “whatever it takes” to smear his political opponent and maintain his hold on the reins of power. It is, to use an adjective Romney himself employed recently, a disgusting performance. “Can a Candidate Lie His Way to the Presidency?” John Hinderaker asked recently at Powerline. The answer, alas, is Yes.  But John offers this hopeful addendum: “a candidate likely can lie his way into office, but I doubt that an incumbent president can lie his way to re-election. For the first time in his life, apparently, Barack Obama has a record.” He won’t, in short, be able to seal up the records on his dismal performance these past several years the way he has managed to seal the records of his high school, college, and law school years, not to mention his years as a practicing attorney.]]>Sat, 14 Jul 2012 11:27:16 -0400<![CDATA[Roger Kimball]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-kimball/2012/07/14/barracking-your-way-to-the-top-n116926