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Edited on Fri May-09-08 01:31 AM by TragedyandHope
On the other hand, I think there are and have been plenty of others with the potential to do what he has done.
The problem is, as the saying goes "Nice guys (and gals) finish last." Until now, that has been conventional wisdom, and that is the root of all the problems with politics and our country today. The system attracts and rewards the "not nice people," and as long as that system continues, we're stuck with them.
Barack is playing the "nice guy" angle at exactly the right time. The country is ready for it. Without us behind him, he wouldn't have been able to do this. And without him, the country would continue it's long slow downhill slide.
The fact that Obama is succeeding with his message and connecting with so many Americans has all the "haves" (as opposed to the "have nots") quaking in their boots, trying to figure out how to hang on to power, to plug in and get a piece of Barack. This is happening in Washington, witness the suits scurrying around after Obama like eager puppy dogs today. This is also happening in big Media as they realize they're losing their grip and influence.
The traditional media conditioning and programming that used to work on the American people isn't having the desired effect this time.
In a way, I think you can draw a parallel to how old media companies were clueless about the rise of the internet and are now playing catch up, trying to figure out how to get a piece of the action and re-assert their old control.
Obama is probably like the Napster of politics. Most people, and especially the Washington establishment and MSM, just don't get it. They try and some of them think they do, but they don't. Not really. In 10 years, they'll look back and finally understand what was going on. "Oh, now I see what happened. Ah, it's so obvious."
Anyway, Obama's "nice guy" is his political role. I believe he is genuine and sincere in his motives and character and love for his country, but he is not just another "nice guy." He is a shrewd political operator, both publicly and behind-closed doors (or he wouldn't be where he is today). He recognized the time was right and then went after it with 1000% of his heart. There are obviously many powerful backers in the party that also believe he is the right one to lead us forward at this time.
I have no illusions that he somehow transcends politics. He is a politician and that's why he's in the position he is today. I have my doubts that any true sweeping changes are possible within our entrenched system of government, but if anyone has a chance to lead us forward into a new political landscape, it's Obama.
I really get the sense that politics runs in his veins. I imagine he eats, drinks and dreams politics and truly does want what's best for the country from an an average American's perspective more than almost any of our past Presidents. He is more down-to-earth and in-touch than any of the other candidates by far. He's a quintessential outsider, with a knack for working his way inside the club and becoming an operator to be reckoned with.
Obama also shows a new kind of toughness. It's not a pretense of cowboy bluster, but a strength to reject that kind of facade and embrace his own humanity. He shows a powerful, thoughtful and self-critical demeanor, without having to rely on so many of the crutches old politicians have always relied on. In turn, this rejection of the old-style political facade makes him much more difficult to confront with traditional arguments. In fact, as this campaign has shown, many of the traditional political tactics and attacks used against him are easily turned to his advantage and even reinforce his argument and his platform.
(This, by the way, is also why McCain will fail miserably.)
I'm a pessimist and a cynic, so my expectations are very modest, but I do think he has the potential to be one of the greats. And he has a habit of consistently exceeding expectations, so I look forward to being pleasantly surprised.
Tuesday night was a big moment. It really left me with a strong impression of having witnessed an important step along the way towards history in the making.
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