Once More Unto the Breach, Dear Friends...

It's becoming more crystalline every day that a stirring of the soul yields more than a heart full of fear.

Barack Obama's abilities as a leader are gleamingly apparent as his wisdom, eloquence and brilliance stand in stunning contrast to the deadening vacuum of the Bush years and their litany of stale, stultifying bombast.

As the world watches him evade his opponent's jibes with the adroitness of a character out of romantic fiction, it is enthralled by his real-life talents. He is more and more exemplifying all that history's told us a leader should possess. If Henry V hadn't been able to rely on his charisma and his ability to articulate the hopes and dreams of a people, England would be speaking French today. He has ably weathered everything thrown at him.

You can even feel the beginnings of respect germinating in places formerly barren from decades of retrograde rhetoric spewed from fear mongering demagogues whose sole reason for being seems to be the deterrence of hope, the halting of action, the deriding of dreams. Obama is an incongruity, wished for but rarely seen, compelling but distrusted by the senses. Real inspiration has been dead for so long on the American scene that half-assed darlings and penny-ante celebrities with the density of meringue have been to hoisted to heroic levels only to be subsequently proven inadequate to the charge, so desperate is America's need for a truly viable, truly courageous and truly substantial leader.

Would Barack Obama be any different as our 44th president, responding to domestic and international crises with just as much grace, power and erudition as he has already shown? Not likely.

Will the naysayers continue to deride him for whatever reasons their rusted perspectives can scrape together, cobbling together a distress and contempt-laden syllabus that would wither the usual assortment of politicians and tinplated statesmen? Of course.

And Obama will deal with that, too. And admirably. And our dreams of America will be reborn.

Just believe what you are hearing and seeing. And know what you are feeling. It's been so long.

Comments

[appleknocker]

Get a grip! I can remember when people desperately looking for a saviour were as gaga for JFK and, later, Bill Clinton as you are now over Obama; and for the same reasons: charm, eloquence, charisma, bullshit. In the unlikely event that he becomes president, I suspect that he will serve Wall Street just as faithfully as they did and as Clinton and McCain will. The best thing that can be said for Obama is that I MIGHT be wrong about him. In that sense, he does provide hope, whereas the other two are hopeless.

[Barbyrah]

"...a stirring of the soul yields more than a heart full of fear."
That, dear friend, says it all. Thank you, Steven.
A heart is meant, not to hold the fear of the world...but to express the love of the world.

[MajorKong]

I'd say the bar has been set pretty darn low by the current administration.
It probably wouldn't take Obama much effort to look like a genius in comparison. Heck, my brother in law would look like a genius in comparison.

[LBKN]

Mr. Weber,

I rolled my eyes as I read your post... not because I had any disagreement... but I knew that you have a duality of target audience here. Some get what you are saying... that inexplicable Obamanaut understanding... and you find the reason as elusive to describe as everyone else does. I get it. Many get it.

Those that don't arent going to understand the elusive inexplicable... and will react fearfully... and accusatorially... and they are the reason I roll my eyes. I can hear it coming... mundanity... mediocrity's rallying cry... all the accusations of cult-like behavior.

But, take heart. It's an uplifting event... to have something inexplicable to watch unfold. I know it is difficult for the "Mediocre Cult Members"... but you know what... Fug-em if they don't get it. I see them for what they are... frightened boomers... frantically grasping to the familiar... even if the familiar is torture.... they are comforted by the mundanity of it all.

Familiarity doesn't breed contempt in this particular case... it breeds complacency... and lots of votes for Hillbillys.

[TroubleNYC]

This ... is ... excessive. Don't ... you ... think?

[LBKN]

commas suck... and sentences are speech format for me... not a linear uninterrupted vomit... but, thanks for the input.

[PLUMPLUM]

No. Have you seen Pat Buchanan's face. He is in real pain.

[karela]

Come on gang. We 're democrats for a reason and the reason runs deeper then any candidate. If you don't want McCain's , "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb--Bomb, Bomb Iran" to be our new national anthem, then we'd better begin to prepare our hearts to vote democrat this fall, no matter who wins the primary. It's ok to fight as hard as we can for our candidate of choice, but in the end, we have a country to save here and it's our own country.

[LBKN]

You are parroting something nearly identical to what I've preached for my entire life... but there's that manchurian candidate that sabotages the normal MO for a Dem.

I argued passionately against those whose protest vote went to Nader... I thought they were foolish... but... I've come to sympathize. A 'boycott' or 'write-in' is a vote. If she is on the ticket... I'll write-in... somebody...........maybe Obama.

[PadrePio]

Because he is a liar. Look at his fluidity of answers about Rev Wright over the time period of March 15th to the 20th. He is a liar plain and simple. Get over yourselves and him. He had his chance to win the White House but he blew it trying to prove he's black enough.

[cjennie1]

Oh my word, Steven, I've misplaced my Roget's, but I think I get what you are saying...I love Obama. My only question is why the comparison to JFK ad nauseum? I don't see the dynamics; I see a man who has a hard time staying awake when dealing with tired old issues (as do I). I don't see the fire in his eyes or the posturing or the hands waving or the dynamics. Okay, I don't actually remember JFK campaigning, but I saw my Mom and what she dreamed for. I don't see the dreams that can become a reality with the right person as she did.

But here's what I do see in Barrack Obama: a well-spoken, articulate, quietly intelligent man who has, indeed, been able to honestly (one can hope) address each issue with a personal and political history that backs up his intentions. He has my vote, and he has my confidence. Now there's a word I haven't used in a long, long time.

[stephenkirkwoodmack]

Mr Weber,
Always a pleasure to read your intelligent, cogent,and beautifully written commentaries. Thank you!!!!

[Steven Weber - Huffpost Blogger]

See Steven Weber's Profile

Ad nauseum comparison to JFK? I think Roget's is just one of the books you may need to find...

[elizaW]

Steven,

If Obama gets elected I'd love to check back with you six months into his presidency when you're paying much higher taxes, the economy is a mess, we're still in Iraq and all those speeches he's so good at giving are starting to sound like some irritating song on the radio.

[LBKN]

What a maroon.

You are paying higher taxes now... Higher than any previous administration in history. They are just being taken in unconventional ways... and postponed for you to pay during an administration that will be forced to clean-up after this Buffoonish Administration.

I wish the pharms would invent an insight pill.

[John]

The economy is a mess now, due to the f'ed up policies of the free market fundementalists and warmongers who have taken over the Republican party. It will take decades to reverse this destruction, if it can ever be done. Taxes will go up, and the economy will get far worse, before it ever gets better. This will happen no matter who is in the Whitehouse, and no matter how quickly we get out of Iraq.

Just remember who got us into this economic mess, and how they did it. An Obama presidency will only be the first step on a very long and difficult road towards reclaiming our country.

[elizaW]

John,

The point is life for the middle class will be much worse with Obama as president than it would be with another candidate in office.

[John]

How do you think life for the middle class with be 'much worse' with Obama as President?

[ckdogs]

LIfe for the middle class will be BETTER with Obama as president. Let me count the ways! #1 - The Bush tax cuts for the wealthy will lapse, while cuts for the middle will increase 2. There will be universal health care, benefitting the middle and lower class 3. Improving schools will be given the highest priority, so that good minds are no longer wasted 4. The war will wind down, saving lives, and freeing money for some of the above 5. Getting the deficit under control will improve the economy 6. Pushing development of green technologies will create tons of jobs, at all levels.
I could go on, but you get the picture. Besides that, he is more honest, less divisive, and just plain brilliant.

[swift_goat_pet_for_truth]

Reagan gave great speeches, too.

And he was a royal dork.

[nightingale]

Wow...Steven....again that was beautifully written, please make sure you send this to the Obama Campaign, Chris ( who does the blog) or Bill Burton....or David Plouffle.....I am sorry that some of the commenters here don't know that the Future has arrived and that he is different kind of Leader, dignified, with grace and wisdom......and calm clarity.....I hope and pray that he is our Nominee, and that the Clintons don't keep trying to totally rip the party apart.....thank you for your succinct post.

[REZBOO]

Everyone has an opinion --and you're either informed about the issues-- or you're not--this is a choice we all have in America.

I understand that middle aged white women want to see one of their own in the WhiteHhouse.

I also understand black Americans' desire to see one of their own capture the White House.

Further, the "Establishment's " backing McCain, make sense too.

Our views of the candidates are different because our vantage points are different. But, when I ask myself the questions of : " If I were to die, Who would I trust with insuring my child's future-- if food, shelter, education and health care were vital...? Who, by his or her actions would show my child that although we appear vastly different-- what really counts is the fact that we are all human and basically want the same things...?

I think it is clear, consider life experiences, that Senator Obama wins hands down.

[GwenElle]

Another way I would say this is that this election has got to be about the younger generation; their future, their potential. We owe them more and better than we, the older generation(s), have done so far.

[cjennie1]

Great points; everything I've been thinking, but didn't know how to articulate. Thank you.

Jen

[karela]

Yes. If I were to die, I'd pick Obama out of the three to guide my child's future too. I'd want someone with heart and soul and kindness; someone with honesty and integrity. I'd want someone whose strength is so sustained from within that it doesn't require stridency. There were those who thought they had a great advantage because he was trying for positive goodness in politics and they had an anything goes mentality. He's demonstrated the difference between doing all one can to foster a different kind of politics and being a doormat. They counted on a doormat and found a quiet and resilient tiger.

[PJBroughton]

Take away partisianship, gender. and ethnic leanings, and allow the human element to come through. All this specious bickering and back-biting as to which marginalized group is more deserving of recognition is pathetic. ALL deserve respect and an equal voice.

Humankind is arrogant despite race, creed, sex, or religious/socio/ political leaning. We need to get over ourselves and move forward.

[longislandlol]

Yes-- let's not blame him-- let's not jump on the one crazy thing said the other day about "typical white women"-- if we go on and harp at this as a reason not to vote for him-- we will all become those status quo typical white women-- women who were many generations ago as different as black and white to today's women...

[Kansas Evans]

Admittedly, I haven't read through all the comments, but I'm curious.

-black children are routinely tracked beneath the level of their demonstrated intellect
-a white man with a criminal record has a better chance at getting a job than a black man without
-affirmative action hasn't displaced white workers are students. It's barely protected the opportunities of people of color.
-people of color are stopped and arrested way more than their proportion of the general population or criminal population would allow
-though white people use illegal drugs at a higher rate, people of color make up close to 80% of drug arrests
-14% of white borrowers were given predatory loans; 45% of Latina/o; 54% of blacks
-people of color are routinely charged higher rates for mortgage and consumer loans regardless of income or credit rating
-people of color are routinely discriminated against in housing
-the gap in wealth accumulation between whites and blacks has increased
-the gap in income remains
-a white couple earning less than 30k a year has a better chance of owning a home than a black couple earning more than 60k
-the govt did allow illegal drug trafficking into minority communities as part of financing the Contras of Nicaragua
-the govt did test syphillis on black men. There's hasn't been an adequate govt response to the AIDS epidemic in the US, much less the black community

Those are just that stats that come to mind.

With all these facts in mind, plus the way media covers the African American community, plus what we experience in our daily lives - do white people really think the black community by-and-large doesn't feel angry and disillusioned about this country? I mean really, study the true history of America, study the last two presidential elections, when has the black community ever been wrong about the state of "race relations" in America?

[karela]

Thank you for helping to enlighten me about the statistics and realities of being black in America. I abhor the injustice and I really wasn't aware of a lot of these things. -------------And to the angry Wilson33, etc.: Why is it that you are so angry? It seems that it's all based on fear; fear that if we had justice for all Americans, there wouldn't be enough "stuff" left for you; fear that if you admit we need to fix some things, that you'd have to feel guilty; fear that if someone else was equal, then it would mean that you had to be less; fear, fear, fear. So much fear that some of you have to go out and beat up on people who don't look like you. But there's good news: If we have justice, we're all more productive and there's enough of the good life for all. Blame and guilt are poisonous emotions. We don't need either one to fix this. We just need to roll up and our sleeves and open our hearts and get it done. We don't need someone else to be less in order for us to be more. The more comes from the inside and from the God side and we can all have all we need of being good enough and strong enough and wise enough. And when you fight so hard to diminish another person's life, let alone a whole race of people, then you diminish yourself and you diminish your country and you make your country look small and ignorant in the eyes of a civilized world that is waking up at a faster rate then America is. And about that liberal thing? Last week the people in France and England---two of our strongest traditional allies---said in polls that they trusted Putin of Russia to do the right thing more then they trusted Bush of America. I'm not proud that the Russia have become more moral in the eyes of the world then America. Are you? Do you think we can bomb them into liking us again?

[Wilson33]

Wow, again, that last sentence says it...Just believe! No matter what is being told to you, Just believe! Yippee and then all of you liberals can skip into your utopia and live happily ever after....yippee!

Its hard to Just believe someone when they are projecting an image that they are not. And he even writes in his book how to use tactics on white people to get what you want.

So, all you white liberals....Just believe and everything will be paradise....Just believe!!!

[moodpost]

Say what? "he even writes in his book how to use tactics on white people to get what you want."
Sorry, but I read both of his books and that statement is simply not true.

[Kansas Evans]

"Its hard to Just believe someone when they are projecting an image that they are not. And he even writes in his book how to use tactics on white people to get what you want."

Oh, puhlease! Is there a successful black person who doesn't know how to get what they want from white people? Granted, I'm assisted by my youthful babyface and big cheecks . . . but it's like a 21st century "shoe shine man" act. It's all about being the "special negro," who really thinks it's my fault when the teacher disrespects me in a way she would never disrespect a white student.

Think of it like this . . . you probably think your housekeeper loves you and his/her job when the truth is, s/he probably doesn't, and you're too arrogant to notice.

[abellofgrace]

Itsmyopinion, I meant to say, WHOSE FAULT IS IT THAT YOU ARE A BIGOT AND DEVISIVE???

[siegfried]

" If Henry V hadn't been able to rely on his charisma and his ability to articulate the hopes and dreams of a people, England would be speaking French today." That's kinda like saying " If George Bush hadn't been able to rely on his charisma and his ability to articulate the hopes and dreams of a people, America would be speaking Farsi today." Henry V, The son of an usurper, an absolute despot, invaded France for reasons of personal aggrandizement. When caught in the open by a larger French force he tried to negotiate, but the French would have none of it.

[Herrington]

Uh, wasn't it Agincourt where the long bow was introduced. The French were massacred on the order of 5 to 1 in casualties.

[Jjc2006]

Whereupon we part ways Steven. I chose you as one of my favorites. And now alas not so much. Oh yes, you have your right to support, adore, follow and push any candidate. I support that. But I am pretty much done with Huff. Arianna is a betrayer of women. She has been trashing Hillary for years....the one part of her right wing history she cannot let go of. Even worse....look at the writers on Huff.. Male, overwhelmingly male every day.

Women, over 50% of the electorate, of the world, the most oppressed group in history continue to be underrepresented in the government, in the media. MSNBC has been overtly sexist and yet where are the voices of people like you, or any of the male here denouncing sexism? Bill Clinton and Hillary by association because while Barack is not "blamed" for Michelle's words, Hillary is blamed for Bill's words and actions. Unfair, albeit not surprising. Sexism is not only accepted and/or ignored, it is promoted. Bill has a lot of faults but he is not a racist....neither is Hillary. Yet the race baiting played by Obama supporters is blatant. But the sexist card being played by the media is never even criticized.

You want me to have Hope. As a 60 year old woman who paid my dues, marched and worked for civil rights for all, minorities and women, I have been shut out, ignored, insulted and told I am over. I have Hillary called "hag", heard her hair, her dress and her body mocked. No anger on huff. No anger from OObama guys. Women were sold out when the 14th and 15th amendment was passed even though many women worked hard. Again, women are being sold out. Hillary is a racist., Hillary is too ambitious, Hillary is evil. Thanks Obama fans for showing me the way back to misogyny.

[karela]

I'm a 57 year old white woman and even to me you sound like you're ranting. I would like a woman president too, but I don't think Senator Clinton is the one. Half of the country already say they disapprove of her. That's not related even to this campaign. That poll is old. When we get our woman president, she better darn well be a well liked successful one or we won't see another for a very long time. You've pinned all your hopes on "this" woman and I've pinned all mine on all women. I think I think better of women then you do. You think it has to be this woman or we'll never get another chance. I think we have a lot of good women and there's another candidate just around the corner. I am grateful to Senator Clinton for paving the way for the next one who comes. But when we get our chance again, I think it would be wise if we talked more about what was good for America and how our woman candidate can help with that and less about feminism. It doesn't help and it sounds stereotypically strident. As I said, I'm a 57 year old white woman and I've seen my share of troubles. I've earned the right to give my opinion too. Please don't say that all women who don't support "this" woman are traitors. All voting age adults have a responsibility to soberly decide what is best for our country and for all of it's citizens. Mrs. Clinton started the mud slinging. She just thought that Obama's morals would keep his hands tied behind his back and was surprised. She expected a doormat and found herself dealing with a calm tiger. America doesn't need a saber rattler or a doormat for a leader. We need a man who will act with decency and integrity whenever he is allowed to by the people he's dealing with---and who knows how to handle it if something stronger is needed. It isn't misogyny to vote your conscience. We call that Integrity here in the heartland.