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
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Look man,
The guy needs to be a modern FDR now or we are all in the toliet of a new depression.
Try praying for him:)
One quibble among others: your use of 'deus ex machina'. Per Wikipedia: "Thus, the term "deus ex machina" came to mean any inferior plot device that expeditiously solves the conflict of a narrative.
You know, I think I'd take the inferior plot device that expeditiously solves the conflict of this narrative. To paraphrase The Princess Bride, I do not think that phrase means what you think it means. Lazy thinking begets lazy writing, in this case writing intended merely to increase page views. It appears you have met that pedestrian goal. After all, you got a lot of people- including me- to respond to your drivel.
Drivel? Wow, that's a harsh term. Perhaps it wouldn't be merited if you hadn't based your entire post on one tenuous argument: leadership in the polls means you are 'winning', whatever that means. Obama is not trying to lead in the polls, he is trying to expand the electoral playing field, thus making McCain play defense more often than offense. Please keep in mind, John, that polls don't win elections. The only poll that matters will be taken Nov. 4. I may watch my mutual fund's performance every day, and cry, but the only day where the performance MATTERS is the one day per month when shares are purchased. You have perhaps heard that McCain has surrendered my great state of Michigan, and may have to do the same in Pennsylvania. That's change I can believe in.
Thank you! Obama is forcing McCain to be reactive, not the other way around. You've never experienced a campaign that worked as the proverbial tortoise and showed you that this really was the way to beat that pesky hare. Consistency, discipline, thoughtfulness, and a grander strategy than you obviously realize will win this race. Because as a voter, I appreciate Obama's cool demeanor, hell, I've come to rely on his response to all of these epic tragedies. And when he explained what the bailout would involve and why it was important, for the very first time in my voting life, I accepted the explanation of a politician. Even though this solution isn't a perfect one, I trust that if it is necessary to make changes to help the American people, that President Obama will make those changes.
Mr. Ridley knows better than anyone that Obama must provide tempered, steady leadership simply because he's black. Mr. Ridley understands the pitfalls and the obstacles Obama will face if he reacts in any way other than thoughtfully and controlled. Mr. Ridley knows all this and yet he would write such a post. Well, it is his opinion and it's worth about as much as mine.
I agree totally with Part 1 of your post. But I think this is just Obama's style no matter if he is black, white or pink - he is a mature person with extraordinary leadership abilities and very intelligent in making his plans and following them through. He announced what he would do, he did just that and he wil win BIG in order to restore America.
Maybe Mr Ridley is a conservative. The study says that conservatives were afraid more often than liberals. The fear factor has run its course in this country, it doesn't work like it did for so long with pitiful Bush.
So buck up Mr Ridley, be brave, have faith, take a walk in the sunshine.
Obama will win this election and then we can all get to work.
It's called timing,-- momentum and peaking JUST at the right time.
If you peak too early -- throw out all your best stuff right NOW -- then a) your enemy has way too much time to tear your stuff apart, and b) you don't have any more good stuff left.
In old days ( that's 2000 -- look at how the entire media universe has changed since then -- YouTube, blogs, etc.) you'd want to peak a week or two pre-election so there was time for the info to be disseminated, passed along, considered and adopted.
Today, one day is the equivalent of a week in 2000 -- news is out, hot, pundited (new verb), trashed, recycled and DONE, and it's on to something else. So you didn't see BIll Clinton out in September b/c they held him back for impact. Obama doesn't go ballistic on issues now b/c by Oct. 25, going ballistic would have no more impact . Key issues like McCain's medical records won't be pushed until closer to elections when finally everyone will be paying attention AND McCain won't have time to repair the damage.
The Obama people are chess players -- they know their long-term objective, and have a plan of specific moves, and also contingency plans to react to the other side's moves. The McCain people are checkers players -- not even double checkers -- in that they just kind of plod along, taking whatever move they can without a thought of strategy.
It's
Mr. Ridley, your headline should be put on life support for its weakness. "Barack Obama's worrisome campaign." Regarding the subject of your lead:
Here's a man who has survived 19 months of the worst the media had to throw at him.
Here's a man who beat the Clinton machine,
Here's a man who has forced McCain to play defense in states that should be blood red.
Here's a man who was smart and confident enough to refuse public funding.
Here's a man who engenders such hope his campaign only has to ask to see a river of donations--- anytime he needs it.
Here's a man who has created the greatest ground game in the history of politics, a ground game that will benefit Democrats for years.
Here's a man who has surrounded himself with smart people and listened to what they have to say.
Here's a man who made the pitch perfect choice of Joe Biden, despite the fact that Joe fought him hard in the primaries.
Here's a man who stayed cool when McCain imploded over the bailout
Here's a man who has maintained his dignity throughout.
And finally, here's a man who had to work harder, walk more carefully, show more patience, take less offense, than any other presidential candidate in history, because he's black. And he's done a stellar job of it.
Do I think Obama is perfect? No. Just the best candidate of my lifetime. Sorry that's not good enough for you.
Great Points!!! I completely agree!!
RIGHT ON! Power to OBAMA'S people!
Wow! Awesome post!
Well said Stella Ray - Amen.
Well Said!
I disagree. All those events you mentioned and how Obama handled them is what won me over. It was never his speeches about hope, it's the fact that he behaves differently than other politicians. He doesn't respond to the hystrianics and he elevates the dialogue.
I often think I can't be any more impressed with him, and then he exercises a little more of his famous restraint, for instance, during the economic crisis. Recall that the day Paulson announced we must do something RIGHT NOW was like, two weeks ago. Barack clearly read "shock doctine" and he's not fooled by fake panic.
Obama was right in there with McCain backing the bailout. So he supports the bailout like Bush. American People said NO to the bailout... Bush/Obama/McCain = YES
Has everyone forgotten Nelson Mandela? Look at what he had to overcome, to get to where he is now. I see this type of strength in Obama. We are the ones that have the power to put him in "the seat". You have one day left to get registered to vote. You will chose either Mc-whats-his-name or the Other guy. Because when you pull that lever, or punch the card, you are saying "Game ON", enough said and wait for the count. You will only have yourself to blame. Stop chewing your fingernails and step up to the plate. Because at 2000 (military time), the game will stop and its "GAME OVER", and into the history books. 0_0!!
John, buddy, you worry too much. You're entitled to your opinion, and to express that opinion as you see fit by all means, and absolutely please continue to do so; but its not healthy to be so cynical all the time. Take a deep breath, its gonna be fine!
These politicians, on both sides, get fatigued by the day-in/day-out 24-hour news cycle of this election, its easy to lose your "voice" every now and again. Happens in every election, not even the overly-vocal Jesse Ventura could keep it steady through his campaign; so we have to look beyond that at the larger picture and what they stand for.
I have shared some of of your concerns, but look where O is today. With only a couple of years in the Senate, a funny name, of African-American descent, with a liberal voting record, he derailed the Clinton Machine, and has deflected all the crap thrown at him by the Repubs who are the finest, best-trained, most highly skilled crap throwers in the world. To allay white fears, he had to appear strong without being aggressive. McCain has been given the kind of slack that would never be given to O. He's had to run a virtually gaffe-free campaign. Yes, he is being helped by a faltering economy, but he's his own man, something that can't be said of McCain.
He seems to be incapable of running an efficient campaign, too. The proof is in the pudding.
Er, right?
If I might quibble: The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Obama's rival conceded within days of the last primary. You might not have liked his methods, but you can't argue with the results. I admit I get nervous at times and I don't pretend to know his strategy, but I'm fairly confident that he knows what he is doing. For example, a few weeks ago Michigan republicans tried to disenfranchise voters who had had their houses foreclosed on. The campaign filed a lawsuit to stop them, now Mccain has pulled his resources out of Michigan. Im in no way implying a cause and effect; I merely think he has a game plan. We just won't know what it is or whether it will be successful until after the election.
I don't agree with a single point made by the author of this article. Obama is an incredibly skilled politician. During the primaries he relied upon his natural gifts as an orator to distinguish himself from a much better known group of competitors (especially Hillary Clinton). It worked. During the primary season, however, Clinton successfully painted Obama's speaking skills as "empty rhetoric" and she played the race card to great effect. As a result, Obama is running a general election on a campaign designed to be boring and uneventful, while he allows the state of our economy, the unpopularity of the incumbent president, and the sheer inanity of his opponent to take care of themselves. He's not reactive at all. If he were he would have listened to the chorus of Democrats calling upon him to attack McCain three weeks ago. Instead, he stuck to his script and as a result he has the potential to turn the election into a rout. I've been following politics for almost 30 years and Obama is by far the most skilled politician I've seen running for the White House.
Exactly. Thus, for the impatient hunters [including lady Palin] who need to see the pray 'finished' as a positive sign of 'strength' and stone age surviving proof of dominance [head in the bag] it might be useful to practice discipline and extend trust to Obama. There is no reason he should spill blood.Glad
It is not that circumstances are aiding Obama camp otherwise messing up. Too bad Americans did not poll up Obama's world excursions but they were good for him and the future of America as a preview of restoring the respect for the US among 'others' [just the whole world]. Etc.
The author should watch and learn. At this point it is wiser to see the wisdom in Obama's actions and non actions and present it to the people rather then cheer the box match.
I agree with you. You've made some salient points. As a moderate, independent who is a middle aged African American and a former supporter of McCain, SenatorObama's accomplishment is so amazing that it borders on the surreal. We need only to remember the ordeal of Jackie Robinson to appreciate the task before Obama. To counteract the conditioning of white voters put forth by Atwater/Rove and their like, Obama has to adopt a do no harm approach to campaigning. Hypocritical white voters who won't admit to predjudice are looking for a justification not to support a person of color on election day. The rabid racists need none. This is one of the reasons I'm supporting Obama. Our better Presidents have had a good sense of history. This is where wisdom comes from; a realization that experience is the best teacher, especially someone else's. Its obvious, corraborated, and for some debatable, that while GWB, Souless John, Gov. Paleone can be viewed as crafty, they were poor students and are definitely not cerebral. What a piss poor commentary on the GOP.
These are valid points . However, Obama is somehow penalized if he acts like a politician who wants to win . If allowing your opponent to implode while not advancing anything specific works , so what? If economic conditions bump you up 10 points in the polls , so what? Changing the way politics works doesn't mean Obama has to lack an incentive to do or not to do whatever it takes to win . I laugh everytime the Mccain or previously the Clinton campaign criticized Obama for acting like a normal politician . My feeling is that once he's in office he'll be very proactive on a number of issues . Like the old saying goes , if you want to ride the bulls you have to go to the rodeo . Obama is on his way to the rodeo and once he gets there he'll ride the bulls .
It's unfortunate that humans tend to think that incomprehension of the universe is limited to "out there" among the cosmos, when there is just as much incomprehension "right here" on Earth! In the case of Senator Obama it is no different. Whether we are comfortable with it, or not, he is not perfect, but he is a three dimensional thinker. That is not his fault, but our aspiration, if we are going to get beyond the "simplism" of polar thinking. Unfortunately, we tend to conceptually operate in a prison of comparative thinking as a way to understand Obama, and his motives, when the real challenge is to understand ourselves!
We must remember that Obama is trying to make "chicken salad" out "chicken sh.." That means that he has to keep in mind the high ideals he aspires to, and at the same time, navigate through the muck of intrenched ignorance, selfishness and cynicism. The problem is that, even we who support Obama, tend to misunderstand his proclamation that this election is not about him! He is not merely saying this as a cheap ruse of reverse psychology (a la John McCain) but as a charge to the body politic to think anew, so we can change our trajectory, and manifest different outcomes for the future. It's up to us, not him!
Brilliant!
Well done, inspiring and out of the box thinking DofG, which is what Obama does. McCain and Palin are running for president and vice pres of the Political Flat Earth Society. Obama and Biden shine the light towards the three dimensional real world as it should and will be, a rainbow world vs a black and white negative filmstrip.
It's amazing that this article think that we the American people are so clueless. We all have seen both Mr. Obama and Mr. McCain during the past 19+ months handle themselves and we know who actually have the troublesome campaign. If this article is an attempt at reverse psychology, it only works for the very ignorant and bigots. So let me just say get a grip. We will not fall for the swift boat tactics of the Jeremiah Wrights, nor the scare tactic or reverse psychology. Enough is Enough! Eight is too many... Now if you want to inform us, tell us more about the Keating 5 which coincides with the today's current events. Because, not once during Mr. Obama's campaign can anyone point to a time when he has been anything but cool, calm and collected. Nice try!
"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."
These should have been nontroversies - but were catapulted by the media into much more and required being dealt with; who gives a diddly about your definition of finishing off Clinton - he beat her and her vaunted machine.
"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."
It cost him points here. The points gained in Europe are yet to be calculated. He was looking forward to the global alliances he needs.
"The bolt of the decisive fight isn't in Obama's quiver..."
Well duh...it's 2008. He's fighting with smart bombs, laser guided missiles and doing his best not be dragged backwards by the club carriers and bolt shooters.
The man and the mind who produced this campaign will have no problem facing the challenges of his Presidency. He will do himself and this nation proud and he'll do it while dragging you and your ilk behind him.
Well said. What is greatly overlooked with Obama is the superb management of his campaign and people and money, and the experience he gets daily dealing with the mud and venom being spewed into his path, shrewdly beating the royal Clinton family within his own party, and still wanting to deal with the formidable mess that will greet your next President.
His campaign is a testament to his qualifications and how he will run his campaign.
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