Is Obama For Real?

posted by Alan Greenblatt

The last thing I want to get involved in is speculation about the next presidential election, but I think some of the initial reaction to the prospects of Barack Obama is worth a comment. Not the adulatory response he's receiving, but the skepticism you hear about him here in Washington.

This by now is rote. Howie Kurtz makes the point that Obama hasn't undergone the level of scrutiny he'll receive as a declared candidate. It is a safe assumption that someone will find some dirt that will scuff him up a bit. And there is the fact that Obama is a black man, which is a source of as much guessing about his ultimate prospects as Hillary Clinton's gender. (Here's a contrarian view.)

Finally, there is the point that Obama lacks experience. He was only elected to the Senate two years ago. (His eight years in the Illinois state Senate doesn't seem to count for much in this accounting.) He lacks experience and a record of achievement. Etc.

Well, I wonder whether people who don't follow politics for a living care quite as much about these things.

Voters who supported George W. Bush didn't seem to give much thought to the reality that the governor of Texas has less power than any of his peers around the country. They convinced himself he had the stuff despite his short time in politics.

That's not an argument for Obama, exactly. But what about the other characteristics Bush had that Gore and Kerry lacked? How many times did you read that voters may not have agreed with everything that Bush stood for, but they would rather drink beer with him than with those pedantic Democrats?

This is a point that political reporters often make but don't like to believe -- that voters are casting someone for the part of lead actor in our national life. There are certain personality types they don't want to have to look at every night on TV.

I've barely been able to make myself read any of the coverage about Obama, but It's not hard to puzzle out his popularity. He seems sincere (and remember the old line from Hollywood -- if you can fake sincerity, the rest comes easy).

And his lines about not being a divisive figure certainly play well. Remember that Bush promised to be a uniter, not a divider. He failed at that. But in this case, Bush's failings will help Obama. We've had 14 years already under two of the most divisive presidents in American history.

For all the times reporters note that people don't want to dredge up the dirt of the Clinton years, and so might not support Senator Clinton, they fail to note that someone who promises to wipe the slate clean has a real advantage.

Finally, I think the resistance to Obama is rooted in this -- he's popular with the public way before a newcomer to the national scene should be. By which I mean that only political reporters and the people who work the system for a living are supposed to be paying attention and making their judgments.

"The Gang of 500," as ABC's newsletter The Note calls the political insider class, is supposed to weigh and pass judgment on candidates long before voters even in Iowa or New Hampshire have started paying serious attention. At this point, the only stories are supposed to be about which candidate is hiring which adviser, and what that signals about what the smart money thinks about his (or now her) chances.

Obama circumvents all that. He's a star winning the hearts and minds of the people regardless of whatever skepticism the chattering class in Washington may harbor about him. No wonder that class is starting to hate him.

Comments

[Matt Littman]

While it is true that Obama's elected experience in 2008 might be comparable to that of Bush in 2000, the perception of their experiences may be different. The fact that in Texas gubernatorial powers are suprisingly weak is an inside baseball fact. It's safe to assume that people viewed his experience as being comparable to that of their own governors but on a Texas sized scale. Also there may have been the perception that since his father had been Presdident, he must have some National experience.

[Scott]

Great comments by Mr. Littman here. Two other components that make Senator Obama's experience more shaky: 1) Obama's younger age compared to President G.W. Bush; and 2) the perception of G.W. Bush as more of a "known quantity" due to Bush Sr. being a past president (not just the perception of having more national experience, as Mr. Littman noted).

[eric1]

Mr. Obama's middle name is also Hussein. That in itself might not mean a whole but the more important things is that he has a "D" grade with respect to his votes on immigration legislation by the group Americans for Better Immigration. We certainly don't need any more radical muslims coming over here----interesting that
more muslims have been allowed into this country post 911 than before. Makes you really wonder.

[Voter]

I feel deeply sympathetic for those who are complacent in their "Old American" ways who's frighted to experience change. No other candidate is properly suited for the position in this current presidential race other than Obama. 'Difference' should be embraced not shamed. Lets close our eyes and try opening our minds.

[Me]

Whatever..he's running for president...who said a name makes you a bad person..Wow two years later and Barack Obama has such a big chance in being the president of the United States.

ur gay

i personaly do not beleive that obama would say such a thing unless i see him saying that then u are any body else do not have the right to say that trash about him and my last comment the ur gay on goes to alan greenbaltt and wat kid of name is that u need to stop messin with obama and fix that name greebaltt haha and that dont matter cuz that was the past this is the present we dont know wat u were like as a kid im sure u did some bad stuff in those days so boooooo u just mad cuz u got that poop face ha ha ha ha ha leave barack obama alone and get a life u probly hatin cuz u aint were he at right know so ohhh u just got dist !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......................??????????????????????//////////////////////,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

hi

u rock peeps!!!!!!!

You'll see.

You'll see.

[tonnette williams]

you are doing a excellent job

[jovitta Capinpuyan]

i like Pesident Barack Obama because he has vision of a Filipino people.

[jovitta Capinpuyan]

i like Pesident Barack Obama because he has vision of a Filipino people.

[vinay pudaruth]

SHUT- UP
That's true JESUS came to America, carry on Obama you are the best and show them about all your knowledge and strenght what you can do in America you are the same skin with me. You the boss.
Good Luck

[almz]

Black man
Approachable to anyone, a
Real man with real heart
Appealing President
Charming and
Kind

Open minded
Be willing to listen to his fellow men
Active and smart
Man with love to
All human kind