Barack Obama's Worrisome Campaign

In the latest Washington Post poll, Barack Obama continues to lead John McCain among likely voters 50 percent to 46 percent. This, after sinking hard in the polls from the summer through the respective political conventions.

That Obama leads at all - and that lead has diminished from the previous survey - has more to do with, as the Post reports, "negativity about the country's financial prospects" than any particular proposal or piece of rhetoric the candidate has put forward. Despite his clear ability to energize people and haul in buckets of cash, there have been and there continue to be elements to Obama's campaign which are troublesome harbingers of what kind of president he could be. One who's distracted and reactive, rather than focused and proactive. One who's constantly moving to a rhythm set by others.

In the Democratic primary Obama was constantly reacting to nontroveries - Jeremiah Wright and his vanishing lapel pin - and was unable to decisively "finish off" Senator Clinton.

He bit at McCain's accusations that he had not spent enough time overseas. He traveled to the Middle East and Europe to great international acclaim but a public yawn here at home. That cost him. Obama had enjoyed an average 7 point lead over McCain in the polls in late June. By the time he held his rally in Berlin that differential was cut in half.

When the conflict in South Ossetia began, Obama read tepid remarks and equivocated.

The force of Obama's monumental acceptance speech was blunted by McCain's selection of Sarah Palin, then made worse by Team Obama's seeming inability to coherently respond to Palin on the Republican ticket.

Early September saw a ten point shift in favor of McCain.

Then the bottom dropped out of the economy and John McCain could not hide from the stink of deregulation run amok.

Between now and November 4th Obama may need to do literally nothing to get into the White House. Just let John McCain arbitrarily suspended his campaign when he sees fit (or in the case of Michigan, fully suspend it), and let the Couric/Palin interviews continue.

Perhaps there is some sweet science to be admired in the tactic of merely allowing your opponent to implode. The rope-a-dope of politics.

It may be the only campaign style Obama knows.

The bolt of the decisive fight isn't in Obama's quiver. In his last major campaign his opponent, Jack Ryan, was forced to drop out of the race prior to Alan Keyes getting airdropped into Illinois as the great black hope.

But the presidency in general - and I believe 44th presidency in particular - does not and cannot suffer come-what-may-isms. It doomed Jimmy Carter, and it doomed any number of Democratic candidates who never made it to the White House.

Let's hope president Obama, different from candidate Obama is more proactive rather than deus ex machina.

For more Obama news and opinion, visit www.thatminoritything.com

Comments

[morefromLA]

I see Ridley's point. But given the campaign's moves over the last week (Biden's compelling performance, the continued focus on the economy, the attack ads on McCain's unsteadiness, the Keating 5 attack, the raising of the healthcare issue) show me Barack knows how to go for the kill and will not be denied.

[Changeizgood]

CORRECTION:

AMERICANS WILL NOT BE DENIED.

THIS IS THE OBAMA AMERICA, BLUE TSUNAMI(BECAUSE HE'S DEM) OF CHANGE WE THE PEOPLE NEED!

That is why McSame doesn't get it, the changes he wants are Bush's, the changes Americans want isn't Bush's, it's OURS.

They just don't get it, the status quo robbers. America's tired of your lies and deceipt!!

BARACK ON TEAM AMERICAN BLUE TSUNAMI OF CHANGE. Vote Dem or Independent, and kick their butts out of DC. Let's put our people in, not the corporate shills that have destroyed our country's financial system and sent our kids to war on the wrong battlefield!!

[IndiePenDish]

The Obama campaign knows the difference between tactics and strategy. Their strategy has gotten them this far and their tactics have been fluid and flexible to flow with the current news cycles. It's a different kind of campaigning which won't fit the usual model. We are witnessing two very different campaign styles: one predictable like the past and the other about the future.

[heather europe]

Great insight!

[NuAgeDok]

A plan for health care

A plan to end the Iraq war

A tax plan to give the middle class a break

I am not sure why Mr. Ridley is nothing but a nattering nabob

If he was smart he would get behind OBAMA and recognize the positives of his campaign.

[StarryLo]

John Ridley misses the mark here. Obama has run a brilliant campaign, made all the more brilliant by the fact that they make it look like the opposition is simply imploding. People will study this campaign and his strategies for years to come.

Furthermore, he managed to triumph over Senator Clinton, who continued chucking the kitchen sink for the duration of the primary.

I'm afraid this editorial is a fail.

[Tim303]

I have a good word for Obama's campaign:

sober

Dignified, rational, passionate yet cool and calm, like a good father--I kept thinking of good phrases then I stopped at "sober."

If you read the Rolling Stone essay at http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
you'll see why I believe this is a great word to contrast Obama's campaign with McCain's.

[JoshuaF]

John,

I think the country has a natural tendency to "right" itself (no pun intended) when we've swung too far one way or the other, or when we've experienced one type of leadership style. I think what the country needs right now is a calm, steady, pragmatic man who can be the calm in the middle of the storm. Yes, I wish that on occasion Barrack would get a little angry. A little impassioned. But there will be time for that if it is needed during an Obama administration. Right now, he needs to get to the finish line, and whether or not he does it in the exact way you'd like him too is irrelevant. He seems to have an intuitive ability to know what the right tone is for himself. And that's something McCain is clearly devoid of. On that we can all agree.

[wltdnfaded]

You're kidding me, right? This is a joke, right? Obama has run one of the best campaigns in 50 years.

Sounds a bit like sour grapes to me.

[faithlikewater]

Mr. Ridley, I disagree with your assessment of Obama's campaign. Where you see him being reactionary , I see him refuting lies to inform an electorate that too readily believes whatever we read or watch in the media.

You're right, Obama did not definitively "nail" Hillary Clinton in the primary race and he has not--yet--nailed McCain with finality. But is his inability to do so--yet--that hard to understand in light of the the following?

Given the nationally and globally horrific realities of the last 8 years and given the current economic crisis, were Obama a white male candidate with the same stances on the issues, experience, and running mate that he has now, McCain would have been a total non-issue a long time ago. Obama's campaign is not "worrisome." Rather, it has been an uphill battle from the very start due in no small part to the racist realities of our country. It's been uphill, yes, and Obama has continued to climb ever higher, even when he slips, despite the heavy drag of centuries of racist gravity.

What will matter most in the end is not the difference between Obama's lead in the polls. What will matter is whether or not he ultimately wins the race. I believe that he can and will do so as long as he does what he has done so far--continue to press on and stick to the issues.

[NotAPollStat]

Curious, Mr. Ridley, as to why you've suddenly changed your tack. Now you're throwing the "Obama can't close" question back out there. Like Corporate media, you're acting as if Sen. Obama has not been speaking about the economy for his entire campaign. Could it be you need to get back into the good graces of Joe Scarborough so you can appear on his show more?

[DjMissapae]

Interesting. "one who's distracted and reactive, instead of focused and proactive. One who is constantly moving to the rhythm of others." Methinks you just described the McCain campaign to a tee!

[eggman]

And the media even more so. It's not that Obama has not been talking about the economy, it's that his comments have not been reported. He tried to brush off the lapel pin stupidity, but the media made it more of a campaign issue that health care or the Iraq War. This is not a case of political bias by the media, as the herd now goes after the Palin/McCain ticket the same way they dogged Obama this summer. It's a systemic media failure--to first define candidates in kindergartner terms and then whine that those candidates lack depth.

[SonyaInTx]

Maybe that is JUST what the country needs.....CALM leadership. Haven't we seen enough of the kneejerk type politics of the last eight years that got us into an unnecessary war in Iraq? No WMD's all these years later.....and no Bin Laden either.

Shove all of those republican bums out of Washington in November.

[PostRacialBlackGirl]

Here is a FULL expose on Obama's Calm Leadership - this is really good:

Obama's Quantum Calm: http://hakashamut.wordpress.com

I posted it before but here it is again. John Ridley needs to check this out!

Powerful and telling....

[BlueAsh]

Are you serious?!?

[Voter777]

Obama is pro-active, but he i not a hysteric like McCAIN, or an attack dog like Palin. Barak Obama is consistently on task and focused on real issues. This is a fact that may be lost on some, like the author of this article.

[LiamR]

Mr. Ridley,

Somebody in the Obama campaign needs to look into why campaign materials such as bumperstickers and yard signs are not getting out into the field. I don't know if this is some sort of Republican dirty trick or simply bureaucratic bungling, but campaign volunteers cannot get bumperstickers for their own cars! Yet the McCain campaign has no problem getting the materials they need to brand their candidate.

[DjMissapae]

I think it's interesting that here in Va, McCain's campaign signs seem to be getting progressively larger in seemingly direct proportion to the desperation of his campaign. THE SIGNS HAVE GOTTEN HUGE!!

[brainpower]

I know!!! I saw an ENORMOUS McCain sign that said "Virginia is McCain Country" !! My first thought was that just because it is bigger doesn't make it more correct; then I had the urge to sneak a little Obama sign beside it with a slingshot attached! ;)

[brainpower]

Maybe those huge signs at the side of the road are designed to reach those visually impaired drivers ! ;)

[hopefuliohio]

I volunteer here in ohio...and I was told that the campaign has chosen to spend their $$ on statewide staffers...we have a young guy here from california..he's been in our rural ohio county since august...he is one of over 100 staffers here in ohio...that have been here starting the "grass roots" campaign. We do have signs but they now charge $1-$5 for signs/bumper stickers. And, ironically, the co. that produces all Obama campaign signs/buttons/bumper stickers, etc. is located right here in my town. It is less than 10 mins. from my house, and it took me over a week to get my order-and I picked it up in person! The warehouse is OVERRUN with orders...you should see the place, the outgoing boxes are stacked 6 ft. high! So, be patient, this is a good sign!

[wbramh]

"In the Democratic primary Obama was constantly reacting to nontroveries - Jeremiah Wright and his vanishing lapel pin - and was unable to decisively "finish off" Senator Clinton."

Clinton was finished after Wisconsin. The next States were Texas, Ohio & Pennsylvania - non of whom the Obama inner circle expected to win or needed to win. Only Hillary Clinton and a stupid MSM saw it as an undecided contest. The bigger question is how did this virtually unknown African American Senator beat the Clinton machine and become the polling favorite 30 days before the Presidential election? Considering the insidious racial prejudice in this Country, Obama should be 10 points down.

When the conflict in South Ossetia began, Obama read tepid remarks and equivocated.

Obama's "tepid" remarks were responsible remarks - as opposed to the hollow saber rattling from McCain.

"The force of Obama's monumental acceptance speech was blunted by McCain's selection of Sarah Palin, then made worse by Team Obama's seeming inability to coherently respond to Palin on the Republican ticket."

It would be logical not to attack while the rose is still on the bloom, Recent events support that argument.

As for how a President Obama would govern, I hope it's through Pragmatic decision making.
Pragmatism is seldom pretty, but it moves the machinery of government.

[Changeizgood]

We are sorry you didn't get the message from the campaign about Palin. We did the research and figured, she'd hang herself. As she is still doing. Trying to form a "muslim terrorist lynch mob" based on the fear of 911. We knew the republicans would bring 911 back up. I'm surprised in McCains associations and connections, they haven't paid for another foreign attack.

AKA Georgian conflict = McSame as Bush foreign lobbyist advisor.

So far Mr. POW doesn't care about people's retirement funds, children's healthcare, or the Middle Class homeowner, whose buttocks are so red from the financial reaming, they use preparation H. like an IV down there now.

[P3]

We come to know a peson by their words and actions.
Character.

Obama is at the other end ...LOVE...that comes form a humble, serving heart, whereby their sacrafice
comes from a real desire of seeing those hurting and in need cared for, Bill Clinton used the phrase
"I feel your pain". When slapped in the cheek, they let it go, otherwise they would forsake 'Love" and
become the oppressor. People long for the leader or bossman, to be tender, gentle and forgiving,
but that character is only formed over years continually yeilding to that nature. Meanness breeds
Meanness, so don't ask or desire Obama to be a pitbull, frankenstein might bite you.

John McCain, at the close of the Republican convention, tried to connect with "religious" people by
mentioning "defend the cause of the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the needy" etc., thats just talk,
Obama did the walk.

The words "religious" people know, come from Jeremiah 22:15-17..."Does it make you a king to have
more and more cedar (houses)? Were not your fathers content to have something to eat and drink?
He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and
needy, so it went well with everyone. Is this not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.
But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on
oppression and extortion".