Barack, You're Nice Enough

I write this before the New Hampshire primary results are all in, but from the early morning voting tally it appears that Barack Obama will have a victory over Hillary and Edwards, and probably go on to capture the Democratic nomination. America seems to be prepared to give him the keys to the car. I know he's got the gas, but I am still not sure that he can drive, and without that knowledge, I am unprepared to become a passenger in his vehicle. If he does win the Democratic nomination, I fear that we will all of us be panning for facts and policies, knee deep in a puddle of rhetoric. Highfalutin' words are quite nice, useful in a seduction, but they are insufficient in a marriage. Yes, yes, yes, I'll vote for him against any of the twisted sisters the Republicans are offering, but I still have my questions about this Mr. Smith going to Washington.

Did I see a bit of mean spirited sarcasm coming from Barack when during the ABC debate he remarked, "Hillary, you're nice enough," his voice dropping on the enough, just enough to suggest that he finds her a middle-aged pest, a first class nuisance for daring to run against and withstand his all powerful charms? Nice enough for what? For losing what has become a beauty contest. Barack will grant her "Miss Congeniality" if she will only drop out now, taking Edwards with her, and stop speaking about the issues that interest some savvy voters: real national health insurance, the true diplomatic engagement of this country with the rest of the world, the outsourcing of jobs overseas, and a better education for America's children.

Right now I know that Barack Obama would make the best high school class president in these United States. He has the smarts, the looks, the charm, and the popularity, likes sports, and he plays well with others. But this isn't high school, or even Harvard Yard, and I think we should ask more of our Presidents. We don't. Ergo, George W. Bush. Hush, yes, I do know he won't be another Bush. He's smarter, more decent, and I think he's truly idealistic. At least I hope he is, otherwise all this talk of change and bringing people together is so much palaver. But incompetence takes many forms, and it starts with an unwillingness to articulate practical policies. Speaking in generalities is a wonderful election strategy, you become all things to all people, but it's a helluva lousy way to run a government. Having said all this, Barack may well become a great president, should he survive the Republican attack machine which is revving up, and the doubts of a few old guys like me.

A note of warning to all interested parties: As a New Yorker I caution you, "Beware of Michael Bloomberg." He has the power to convince so many that a billionaire frog is really a genial prince by using those billions to bombard the electorate. He has been a decent enough mayor and New York looks pretty good and feels good these days -- despite some hideous architectural additions and the pricing out of the middle class through astronomical rentals -- but he is arrogant, willful, and secretive, just what we don't need more of these days. He cannot become president, but he can become the new Nader, the spoiler who brings the presidency by default to a McCain with his hundred year occupation of Iraq.

Comments

[bjneider]

All day today, all the political pundits have called the race results as racist. Anyone who tries to criticize Obama is called a bigot. His run for the presidency is going to be as polarizing for this country as people claim Hillary would be.

[deminmo]

Why has no one brought up the fact Obama was
raises a Muslim? This does make him a new
product in the Presidential race. And yes,
I know he joined a "Christian" church. Why does
he not say the "Pledge of Allegence?" Where
is the overt patriotism? Religion should be
seperate from Presidential decision, that was
the reason for questioning Romney and others,
who have used their Christian affiliation in
their campaign. How does Obama seperate his
Muslim upbringing from duties of the office of
President? It's important to ask even the
"politically incorrect" questions too.

[LetheaBu]

I find it hilarious that people are demanding an articulation of where Obama stands on the "issues". How many politicians articulate their positions, only to fall through completely and leave their supporters disappointed? Whether you give a beautiful speech on a dream you've had, or claim that you're going to help poor people get health care, it's all meaningless rhetoric. The important thing is to look past that rhetoric and find out which candidate (if any) is sincerely committed to what they say.

[Ryter]

We missed the subtext to the "Hillary, you're nice enough" comment. It's like that ring tone that people over 30 years old can't hear. Same thing with Obama's sarcasm, it wasn't intended to be understood by anyone over 30. He knows his demographics and he is wisely playing to them/for them.

You realize that any criticism of Obama will be cause to call you a closet racist. But that'll be your cross to bare.

Any criticism of Hillary is viewed as anti-feminist. Phew. You have no idea of the nasty remarks I have gotten because, as a woman, I'm not supporting Hillary. Like you - I wanted more information. And when I got more information, I didn't like what I saw. The "whole left" will never be behind Hillary and I don't need to expound on the reasons why. Wiser men and women than I have already done so on this very site.

So I threw my support behind a candidate who I know to be far more reliable, mature, and qualified - Bill Richardson. But that's another story for another day.

[GuiltyUndertaker]

Nader was not a "spoiler." Nader was an alternative to the moribund and corrupt "major parties" that were polluting our democratic process.

[pointblank]

Thank you, Sherman Yellen, your are good, very good and you said it nicely.

Let's hope that competency on the job becomes a huge trend movement in this country once again. It would be music to the ears of the grownups and thinkers if "rock star" ceased to be a criteria for president of the United States. Thanks.

[oldjohn]

Has it occurred to anyone out there that the news industry is trying it's hardest to get Obamma as the Dem candidate? The most unqualified candidate? That during the Bush Emperoracy that the rules and governing bodies over newspapers and Radio and TV ownership were severely relaxed until one Media giant could control all we heard and saw, and therefore shape our opinions. Remember we are programed from birth by our literature and music and fairy tales (Movies, TV and those Ipod things holding a lot of tunes )
So just for fun, say the Red States decide they can't win another 8 years based on their record but possibly, just possibly they might be able to offer a better alternative if, just if, The blue states put up a weak candidate, one with a lot of smoke and mirrors but almost no experience? Yeah, you got it.

[Abbybwood]

Here's the joke of our current "Health Care System" in the United States:

I found a coupon in the paper a few weeks ago for Blue Cross Blue Shield and called for a quote. They asked me a series of questions. Any pre-existing conditions? No. Last time you had insurance? 20 years ago.

They told me I could pay $500/month and after A YEAR OF WAITING AND PAYING my coverage would start! No medicines would be covered and there would be a $2,000 deductible/year.

First of all, $500/month is not in my budget. Secondly, for that amount of money one would think you could get a complete physical exam to rule out any "pre-existing" conditions and start the coverage as soon as a physician cleared you for coverage.

The thought of Obama or Clinton or Edwards demanding that we MUST purchase health insurance millions cannot afford is a slap in the face to the American people.

I'm beginning to think it would be a better idea to cut the federal income tax by about 70% and to instead contribute 30% of that amount to a state tax in order to decentralize the health care system and develop hospitals, clinics state by state whereby the people living in each community can be a part of creating their own system. As a country we could have partnerships state to state so if you are traveling etc. you would still have access to health care AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.

Ron Paul is absolutely right when he calls for the Federal government being drastically reduced. I'd rather invest the money they are STEALING from me and have it invested in the community where I live!

Cutting the Military Industrial Complex and shutting down all the wasteful military bases we currently have all over the world would be a great place to start cutting.

[uglicoyote]

Those calling for "more detail" simply mean that they expect it to be posted on the internet where they may get around actually reading it when they have the time. Laziness is no excuse for ignorance. This hacking on Obama is nothing but crap, as was all of the hacking on Hillary in the last few days. The so called "net roots" crowd appears to be made up of a bunch of children having temper tantrums. We Dems have before us a plethora of choices unlike anything I've seen in the previous nine presidential elections in which I was able to vote, only three of which were won by Democrats. Whichever of the top three candidates wins, I will support them. (I'm an Edwards supporter and my Nephew was the western Iowa coordinator for Richards) All of the Democrats, including those on the bottom of the polls and those who have dropped out, have it all-over every Repug out there.

BTW, in some of those criticisms here of Obama (Certainly not all. He shouldn't be immune from criticism.) I detect a hint of redneck racism. Maybe its just me and my silly notions

[janmB]

IT APPEARS that some voters have some SENSE and even tho the MEDIA beatup Hillary pretty badly the INTELLIGENT VOTERS in NH ignored them.
We should want the Clinton era back again---and not be experimenting with newcomers with little experience who are motivational speakers endorsed by OPRAH.

[pgate127]

Terrific post, Sherman, and right on the mark. I watched the NH results last night, and the speeches by all three of the Democratic candidates. I cannot in any way fault Obama in his style or his abilities as an orator, and lord knows that we Dems need a voice like this on our side. We need someone to stir and inspire us, to remind us why we MUST stay engaged in the political process.

But I need more than the pep rally. I need to know that someone will be able to follow up on the promise, that they understand the playing field, that they can wade into the Washington fray and produce results, and most important, that they can re-light the beacon that once inspired all of those not lucky enough to have been born Americans.

I look forward to moving past the primaries and creating the combined force of all of our Democratic candidates. And, I look forward to Hillary leading that charge.

[vastleft]

Sorry, that was the wrong URL in my previous post.

Actually, the other link is about the situation I think Obama is trying to solve. I just don't think the best answer is to adopt GOP framing and deny the reality on the American ground:

http://www.correntewire.com/i_know_why_the_caged_snuffleupagus_sings

[vastleft]

Indeed, as another commenter noted, the line was "likable enough," not "nice enough."

That aside, I share you concerns about Obama talking past our real problems and embracing GOP framing:

http://vastleft.blogspot.com/2006/03/how-to-win-elections-and-influence.html

[AbsolutBlue]

Forcing people to buy health care is not providing national health coverage. Hillary Clinton's mandates will cause catastrophic financial loss to many middle class families. Tax refunds do not make it better. Giving people money back at tax time never really covers the cost not to mention doesn't solve the problem of the initial purchase of health care. Am I supposed to say, hey insurance company, I can't afford to pay you until I get my tax return, but could I have my health insurance now anyway?

[QueenCeleste]

Wonderful post Sherman! I wondered if anyone out there felt like me about Obama, especially after watching the Clinton (both) bashing by Chris Matthews today. Well, things seem to be not so clear cut tonight. It's good to see that the voters were not all swayed by Obama's mostly empty rhetoric.