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
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
The most important thing Obama can do in the next 30 days is focus on fighting back against the Republican mudslinging to come. We ain't seen nothing yet, folks. The right wing has yet to show its hand and when it does every dictionary is going to need to rewrite the definition of "ugly".
The only thing McCain can do to win is shake our confidence in Obama as a person. We all know the economy is down the toilet, the war in Iraq remains a nightmare, etc McCain must prove to a majority of Americans that despite all the realities of 2008 that we must fear Obama so much that we vote for four more years of George Bush. That is a rather formidable assignment. McCain is going to look at states such as Oklahoma and Idaho where he is ahead by 30+ % and he will attempt to make all Americans think like the voters of those states. Yes, sadly, this means turning the majority of Americans into haters.
I would like to think he can't do it, but he is going to try., If he succeeds he will begin his term as the most loathsome person ever to hold high office in America. Will it be worth it? You betcha! Oops, I mean, of course not. There is still a difference between right and wrong, and good and evil.
I agree, lets get ready for the real mudslingin
Not everyone liked the Bailout Vote, but we know that it had to be done. I worked for 36 yrs. and retired
in 2005 rolling my 401k saving into an IRA. Well for the last two month i lost a lot of money, and maybe
more is this doesn't work.
I was also thinking about people that are still working and saving in a 401k, they would be hurt too
ways employers would not be able to meet payroll, job would be lost and they would lose their 401k saving.
So i understand why Obama and McCain VOTED on this Bill. Just so know who ever get into
the White House, they will be HELD responsible for getting the Tax payers money BACK.
Wow, more handwringing. Color me surprised. It sounds like the reason this blogger is dissatisfied with the Obama campaign because he hasn't yet figured out that, shock, gulp, gasp....Ob
If I'm not mistaken, Obama is not yet the president. So what else was he supposed to do but read remarks? Even our own president didn't do anything but read remarks...
And this whole Palin thing---please. Obama basically used McCain's own reasoning against him. It has been McCain that has been crowing experience, experience, experience, until he figured out that that tactic wasn't going to win the race so he changed positions midstream. Obama did nothing but throw McCain's arguments back in his face.
And that ten point shift...it
WHERE IS COLIN POWELL? Why has he not endorsed anyone? He has had a career of fear and of not speaking his mind and it seems to be continuing. Perhaps, his views now are of no consequence and need not be heard. His rise in the military was due to never making waves and he's never changed.
John, I know you're nervous because you want Obama to win so badly, but you really should consider cheering up and thinking positively. Look on the bright side, keep sending money, volunteer, and pray. That's what you can do to help, but writing essays like this one are not welcomed or needed. Worry does nothing for anyone. Be proactive and help the cause in a different way please.
I'm delighted to see all the posts disagreeing with this article. Many uplifting comments voicing so well the change we all crave. I think we're ready to take some responsibility for a new direction.
Ridley's article is about the future, i.e., making sure he maintains his seat on "Morning Joe" should Obama lose the election.
Anybody remember Ridley's appearances on the Imus show? His appearances spoke volumes about a commitment to his wallet.
Many posters seem to assume he's supporting Obama simply on the basis of his skin color.
I am not voting for Obama because he was the "lesser of two evils," nor am I voting for him because of the "sudden" economic meltdown.
I've watched him, listened to him. I've watched McCain and listened to him as well. I've watched decisions they've made. McCain looked and sounded ridiculous when insisting he would NOT be at the debate unless an agreement on the bailiout was reached. That didn't work too well for him. That, and his very, very POOR selection of a running mate speaks volumes about his volatility and impulsive behavior,
No one who votes with a current administration 90% of the time can bill themselves as a "maverick" and expect that the line would be bought.
Sorry. No sale.
Excellent.
John, nobody ever said it was going to be easy.
Remember, he's running to become the first BLACK President in a country with a long and deep history of rascism.
He could be more agressive, but then he would be accussed of being an ' Angry Black Man '.
The author's point is mistaken. Obama has run a brilliant campaign, having started as the distant underdog, fending of opponents and countless attempts to derail his campaign with phony strawmen. He deftly deflected every sling of mud, rendered each lie aimed at him irrelevant, and kept his poise while the dirty tricks operatives even put out lies about his family. He's tough, calm, thoughtful and smart. He clearly tries to build a consensus around the center, avoiding the dogmatic extremes that have left our country in ruins. That's what Clinton did, and how he tamed to Republic Party knuckledraggers like Gingrich.
I agree. My comments were swallowed by the censor maw which is just as well...you said it much better than I did.
Thanks!!
Let's see--do I want an intelligent president who listens to all sides before making a decision and meets a crisis with calm, rational thought or do I want someone who is exhibiting early signs of dementia, anger management problems, lack of honesty, erratic behavior that swings from one side to the other in 24 hours or less, and a lack of understanding of the facts and issues?
I'll take Door #1--Obama.
This blog is disappointing. Hand wringing is all pundits and media heads do when it comes to Obama....n
kudos no to drama Obama.
Brother you must be kidding! Just goes to show that the right are not the only one's populating the alternate universe.
Ridley, your post is preposterous.
The Obama campaign to date has been an eye-opening model of superb planning, organization, fundraising, execution, patience, steadiness, and efficiency. It has shown a visionary comfort with 21st century digital technology; it has succeeded in redesigning the electoral college map despite much skepticism from the "experts"; it has soundly beaten the vaunted Clinton machine and is on the verge of doing the same to the GOP and its corporate media echo chamber; and it has accomplished all this with a dignified and responsible tone that has been shockingly refreshing. This campaign correctly sensed the mood of the country, and is about to send a black freshman Senator to victory over a nationally known name brand who has enjoyed long popularity on both sides of the aisle and with the public. I can't think of any campaign in the modern era that has been its equal.
So what are you talking about?
...and he's smart enough to notice the difference between running for pres and being pres.
OBAMA...de
I'll start making the yard signs.
Tear into Ridley now, God forbid he's honest about a lackluster campaign.
The campaign is a disappointment.
Here's Obama on the attack, showing his true brilliance on the economy and the war
...this is the real Obama we need to hear more from:
http://www
Go Obama!
I think Mr. Ridley has encapsulated Barack Obama's candidacy accurately as unfocused and reactive while I believe Mr. McCain's candidacy can be encapsulated as unpredictable and erratic.
http://uni
HuffPost's Pick
One thing that has irritated me is how the Presidential candidates are expected to "do something" about every crisis that comes up either here or overseas. They are not yet the President. They should not be representing us abroad as John McCain tried to do when Russia invaded Georgia. Any action (like suspending a campaign to go straighten things out in Washington) is obviously 85% stunt and Obama, in my opinion, is merely trying to stay focused on the election.
"They should not be representing us abroad..."
I agree. Obama's audacity of trying to act presidential on his Eurotrip was sickening.
Obama wasn't representing us on that trip, he was representing himself. He went as a Senator to see what was really going on across the pond. What do you think Obama should have done over there, ignored all the heads of state? You're dreaming. He did exactly what he should have, and I'm truly sorry you can't see that. . .
Yeah its sickening to see people other people abroad start to respect the US again.
Suspending my sarcasm for a minute, his popularity among citizens of those countries will put pressure on their leaders to pursue policies which Obama supports. He'll be more successful than Bush at asking other countries to send troops for multilateral military engagements because of his popularity.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
