One of the things I like most about Obama is that he has really played to his strengths in the campaign. He's a great speaker, and so most of the news clips are of him giving a speech rather than him doing a photo op in a tank or visiting a historic landmark or whatever. The focus is all about his speeches, and if you listen to any of them, I think you have to be impressed even if you disagree with what he's saying.
He's always calm, cool and collected, and that's the perfect antidote for the Moron American who fears the Angry Liberal. Obama agrees with most everything that Angry Liberals want, which to end the war in Iraq responsibly, reduce the deficit by making taxes fair again and provide health care coverage for everyone, among other smaller issues. But he manages to be for these things without sounding angry or accusatory, just very matter-of-fact.
I'm afraid if he allows himself to get swept up in the emotion of the campaign even once, if he has a "Dean scream" moment, it could really end up going badly for him. He (and his advisors) seem smart enough to avoid that. I hope so. Here is a recent speech he gave in response to a predictable Republican attack that his foreign policy amounts to appeasing terrorists. Very nice way to deal with that kind of attack.
He doesn't ignore it or respond with some vague message that goes over everyone's head. He responds directly, and he sounds very presidential doing so.
Posted by Observer at May 16, 2008 12:45 PMComments on entries can only be made in pop-up windows while those entries are still on the main index page. Sorry for the inconvenience this causes, but this blocks about 99.99% of the spam the blog receives.
He does. It's why i'm voting and supporting him (more so than say.. Kerry). The intelligence and dignity in his speeches and the general way he responds to questions is the absolutely what I would consider 'presidential'.
Posted by: Allen on May 16, 2008 03:03 PM