Barack Obama and Guarding Against Hubris

During last Sunday's taped Meet The Press on NBC, Tom Brokaw read excerpts from a David Brooks NY Times column critical of guest Barack Obama's speech in Berlin. Brokaw did Obama a favor. After all, Brooks is the leading conservative on the nation's most influential op-ed page, and quoting him allowed Obama to give a solid rebuttal, which he did... except for one thing.

He began his answer by saying, with a grin, that "there were about nine good reviews for every bad one." Ouch.

I always cringe when someone (athlete, rock star, politician) publicly shows familiarity with their press clippings (and the percentages, no less). A good rule for office seekers is to never "talk process" on the record (polling, fundraising). The press always tries, and it only makes the candidate seem calculating. Equally important, never hint that you read your own media reviews. Stay on the meat of your policy and vision, and sell only that. It'll sell you.

Obama's comment to Brokaw was easily dismissed as a cute aberration. Yet later the same day, at the UNITY '08 conference in Chicago, he joked that the reason his trip abroad is being hammered by Republicans is because it was such a huge success (again, he meant from the standpoint of positive media coverage). This got admiring applause from the audience. He then noted that if it had not been a success he'd have been hammered for that reason. Another round of applause.

What he said was surely true, and his manner was light and deft, but there was a valedictory tone to it. "I'd like to thank the Academy..."

Then came Monday. At a Virginia fundraiser he told supporters that "We are now in the position where the odds of us winning are very good." The word "difficult" (as in 'what this race might be') was half-heartedly added as an afterthought.

On Tuesday he met with House Democrats at the Capitol, and Dana Milbank wrote in the Washington Post that he reportedly told them, "This is the moment... that the world is waiting for," and "I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions."

Others have written that the part of the quote Milbank excluded, where Obama said it's "not about me at all," decisively removes any hint of "arrogance" from the rest of what he said. Gee, if that's all it takes to pull in the independents and undecideds in this election, let's go out for cocktails and blow off the hunt for 270 electoral votes.

There's more. Some thought the minor dustup in June over the podium with his own fake presidential seal attached (using Latin words for "Change We Can Believe In") was much ado about nothing. Maybe not. His team ditched it after one appearance, and we know why.

It's way too early for victory laps, or even the perception of them. After all, we're going to have a fight on our hands, and it's just beginning.

I watched with dread as the late Texas Governor Ann Richards danced through her '94 re-election bid. Oh, she did it "backwards and in high heels," but she was in smug mode and it concerned some of us.

At the time, I imagined her awakening every morning in the Governor's Mansion, looking in the mirror, and telling herself, "Hell, the Hollywood Women's Political Caucus loves me, I wowed the whole country as the keynoter at the '88 Democratic National Convention, I'm the absolute bee's knees."

Richards treated the candidacy of the shallow upstart George W. Bush as a mere speed bump. She clung to a lead in the polls throughout election season, then lost at the finish, later admitting she'd underestimated the opposition. That's euphemistic for "I thought I had it won." A pity, because her defeat gave W a direct path to the White House.

I'm on board the Obama train, and I've got the bumper sticker -- er, car magnet -- to show for it. Yes, I'm well aware this is still summer, but Obama consistently fails to break free in polling despite the pathetic Republican brand and the (so far) shaky John McCain operation. There are several reasons the race is tight; no more are needed as we fast approach the fall campaign.

This isn't a question of self-confidence. Obama's got plenty of that key leadership trait. It isn't about issues. The public is fed up with the war and the economy. Nor is the concern having enough money to counter scurrilous TV attacks by Republicans. The Democrats are loaded this year.

Humility also counts, however. Indeed, the written prayer Obama left at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem last week begged God, in part, to "help me guard against pride..." So the senator knows this is really a question of how others innately see us. Human nature and life experience tells me that voters who are kicking the tires don't appreciate a candidate acting like victory is a fait accompli.

Right now, the candidate who fits that description is my candidate. It has me worried. Then again, that is my natural condition.

Comments

[Roll451]

I think the criticism is valid. Obama needs to solidify his candidacy by working harder to ensure that the media covers his issues. He should also establish what his most important domestic priorities are so that low-medium information voters have something that they can hang on to.

[mrohrbe]

It's getting very tiresome for liberal and conservative commentators to buy into this narrative that Obama is presumptuous, arrogant, elite etc. This is akin to uppity and many people understand the code, and other people simply can't imagine it... Why of why would two prominent bimbo celebrities in a commercial have racial connotations? Hearing more of the same from Obama supporters is rediculous. A smarter thing to do would be to look at the tactics and ambivalence worked through in various other campaigns where an african american, a woman, a minority wins for the first time. In Chicago, we saw the same things in electing the first black mayor... the code words built up to an overt racist campaign in the end with the slogan "before its too late". I doubt if McCain's campaign would ever utter these words, but they are quite happy to raise doubts, play into people's stereotypes/fears and to use code words to get across the point that Obama represents the kind of change to be afraid of. Obama's supporters who can't read the tea leaves need to just be quiet. Mike

[CalexenderJ]

I couldn' disagree with this article more. Let's take it point by point.

1. Obama by all accounts gave a well received speech in Berlin, Brokaw opens by asking him to respond to some criticism of the speech, and Obama is not allowed to put that criticism into context? To call that arrogant is out of line.

2. Ask McCain what he thinks his chances of winning are, and I guarantee you he'll say pretty good, or he likes where he's at, or some variation which indicates he feel confindent in his chances. I have never heard a major politician in a close race say anthing less about their chances. This is a non issue.

3. The essense of Obama's quote on capitol hill is that the world is waiting for American to step away for unilateralism and return to working with other countries, and he is the candidate the best represents that, and that explains some of his international appeal. What part of that sentence is incorrect?

4. The seal... I'll give you the seal. That was a poor decision.

Looking at the entire picture we're seeing Obama being criticized for arrogance for having typical a politician's confidence, and making a few honest assessments. This needs to stop, it's a meme that is being floated by the McCain campaign, because they can't draw crowds, or get people excited, or look presidential. don't let anyone tell you that McCain isn't at least as arrogant as Obama is.

[Jackson Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Let's take it point by point:

1. Obama gave a great response to Brokaw's quotes from David Brooks. I made that clear in the post, and I didn't "call that arrogant."

2. All politicians say they're going to win, and should say so. That wasn't my point. Tone and tenor matter. Ask Rudy Giuliani about cockiness.

3. I agree with what you say was "the essence" of Obama's remarks on capitol hill. Again, though, that wasn't my point. See #2 above.

4. You gave me the seal. Thanks.

One commenter writes: "Obama's supporters who can't read the tea leaves need to just be quiet."

Didn't Bush's first press secretary, Ari Fleischer, say something like that right after 9/11?

Ann Richards supporters said the same thing in '94, and I watched that failure unfold up close.

Not on my watch. I want to win, so I can't act like everything's just ducky when I don't think it is. I intend to help pull my candidate across the finish line, not just sit back and act as if I'm smarter than the McCain supporter next door. That's a prescription for losing.

Some people worship at the alter of a pool, and when they see their reflection they're fulfilled. Me, I tend to agree with the commenter on this post who said "complacency is a dangerous thing...the Obama campaign needs to fight like underdogs regardless of what the polls indicate."

Hear Hear!

[jsinclair]

I'll take this criticism seriously when people also start talking about McCain's enormous ego and arrogance.

Barack Obama really seems like a humble man to me--as humble as you can be and still be taken seriously as a LEADER.

McSame? Not so much.

[Umad]

It's funny how Obama is trying to be painted as "Arrogant" "Out of Touch" and now needing to guard against "Hubris" simply due to the antics of a one mr. Karl Rove putting it out there that "Obama seems arrognat" in an interview Rove or one of his minions gave some time ago. This dude has the power to influence an election he isn't really involved in.

Either way, McCain is starting to let his "entitlement" horns show in much the way Sillary Clinton did when it became apparent this upstart nobody from Illinois stood a chance. Funny how that works out.............................................

[hudsuckerproxy]

Complacency is a dangerous thing. The Obama campaign needs to fight like underdogs regardless of what the polls indicate from now until election day. They're a savvy team, so I would imagine they'll do just that.

[chefrasta]

Every time I heard Obama give a speech he always said it is WE who can bring about the change we need.Correct if I am wrong but he has never said I OR ME. Now the media narrative assisting the republicans will say Obama is arrogant and presumptuos but those are just code words to "white hard working Americans" for who does this uppity n***** think he is. Watch out ,only someone white will look out for you never mind the evidence that republicans have a boatload of Vaseline for you if you keep electing them.

[campaignman]

Mr. Williams,

I think your concern is justified.

He has been in a bubble of love and admiration for awhile now and, as helpful as it is to have a wife who takes him down a notch from time to time, even she may be getting caught up in this unique experience.

I urge the campaign to appoint an official to remind Barack about this concern and to review his public demeanor to assure he is remaining in humble mode at all times.

George W. was a brat but ran as a humble guy. He faked it very well. Anyone who runs for President is going to have a hard time being it but faking it even when you are not feeling it is vital.

[debrouillard]

I disagree with u and the author of this article. It is compulsory for any public servant to follow up what the results of his or her actions are.Thats how one gets to know whether or not the changes they seek to implement are actually having a positive or negative effect on the people.

Take Bush for example,he says he never reads the papers nor watch TV.As a result ,he isnt aware that gas prices have hit $4. Reading the papers is part of the job of being a politician,so long as the press is honest and not dominated by spin. because in Bush's case,he cld be tunning in to FOX and will think everything is fine.

[DanielinLaLaLand]

I agree a politician should read the paper every day and know what's going on. I also don't think this blog suggested otherwise. Seems to me it was talking about something else...about how a candidate for office shouldn't tout their own glowing reviews. That's different.

And I bet Bush knows full well that gas is 4 bucks a gallon. It's making him richer.

[ESerafina42]

Yes, I want him to win, if only because of the Supreme Court and because he's NOT McCain, but I've been worried about overconfidence for a long time - not so much from him as from his supporters. If people see it as "in the bag" they may say, "Oh, well, he doesn't need MY vote," especially if there are big turnouts and long lines. And we saw what happened four years ago, when Democratic-leaning districts magically found that they didn't have enough voting machines, ballots, etc. We also heard the same stuff about "Oh, don't worry - there are all these young people who are going to turn out," and "the pollsters aren't talking to all those Democrats with cell phones."

Oh, and you might want to check out gregpalast.com to see how voters are already being purged from the rolls in Colorado, and as he says, guess what color they are.

[LizM]

That was very well said and a very good reflection of what many of us who want to see a change in leadership worry about, too.

[Freesia2]

The question I have though is, where is the line he crossed?

This past week I saw two journalist I have great respect for talking about this very thing. Eugene Robinson from the Washington Post listened to the discussion and he said (paraphrasing) " You say presumptuous. But do you realize that to a black man's ears it says "uppity"? And Rachael Maddow said more or less the same thing from her own angle. That any show of confidence from the man is being labeled as presumption. (I wish I had the interviews in front of me because I'm winging it and putting it into my own words and I don't like that.)

My point is, what would you be having him do differently?

I'm asking because I'm trying to figure out why this past week has generated so much bad press from his enemies, but also concern from his supporters. They seem to have come to mutual agreement, friend and foe alike and I myself am not seeing it. And by nature I'm usually pretty quick to raise my eyebrow at a strutter and sarcasm is my 2nd language. So it's puzzling.)

[LizM]

For me, it's not a matter of crossing the line or of having him do anything differently. What concerns me is that Senator Obama may have begun to believe, especially after his remarkable spin through European capitals, that he is in possession of the kind of foreign policy judgement that would preclude him from selecting a VP who actually does have impeccable and unimpeachable foreign policy and national security credentials, and superior judgement, too.

This kind of self-delusion is a very dangerous thing and would, I predict, ensure a McCain presidency.

If you believe, as I do, that this election will be won or lost on issues related to national security and foreign policy and on whether or not, in the solitude of the voting booth, Republican voters, or those leaning that way, who have become disillusioned to varying degrees with their party, will feel comfortable with Senator Obama as a wartime Commander-in-chief.

The selection of Joe Biden as VP (with Special Portfolio on Iraq) would go a long way toward convincing those voters and would offer the best hope not only for Obama to win in November but to win BIG! It would also prove to me that Senator Obama does possess sound judgement and would mitigate, to a large degree, the disingenuousness of his rhetoric on Iraq which he has successfully used to compensate for his own paucity of foreign policy prowess.

[DavidHealy]

If Obama is to break away from McCain the time to do it is late September to mid October. It may not happen; he may never break away but he might nevertheless win it. You'all got to remember it's the electoral vote that counts and there are many many red states in play. There could be big surprises the morning after.

[jpaultel]

Fair criticism. You should not have brought up the prayer in Jerusalem that was so sinfully published. That is between him and God. But, are you not saying that he should play the game and market himself (PR) ... Right? Which do you prefer? A truthful authentic candidate who shows all his flaws or a truly packaged one who unexpectedly becomes calculating, manipulative and occasionally springs surprises? Maybe that is why people like Obama. He says it like he feels it unless when he feels attacked.

[Gma11]

What is the probability that a meek black man could get elected President of the United States?

[DanielinLaLaLand]

Who said anything about meek?

Showing humility and being meek are totally different things.

Humility is a desired human characteristic. It means "a lack of false pride" and a humbleness even when one resides at a high station in life. Explains Obama's note at the wailing wall....

Meek suggests being submissive and spineless.

[nomobull]

he's either arrogant or spineless depending on the pundit.but what they fail to acknowledge is he got this far by doing it his way.

[Freesia2]

Well, I think that Obama is going through transition right now. The primary was sooo long. He is just now getting his first taste of what the Republicans will be dishing out, while he's still having to deal with some remainders of primary dead-enders. He's dodging charging elephants while getting kicked by some donkeys and he's tired. He's running on fumes. What you may be hearing/reading as hubris, could actually be relief that something went well, that he was able to do well when he's so exhausted it's amazing he could do it at all.

The convention is within spitting distance. I think he's going to get his vp chosen, his surrogate team lined up with assignments and talking points, take a mini-vacation with his family (Michelle seems to keep his head on straight. I like this woman.) and he'll move smoothly forward.

I do think he's tired. (Remember Hillary took a full month of R&R after she conceded. She was drained. He's never had the chance. I think he's running on pure adrenaline. )

Try not to worry Mr. Williams. I doubt he's pulling a Bush "Mission Accomplished". I think he's being a candidate who needs a nap.