Why Obama just might click with the voters
Why Obama just might click with the voters
By Eric Zorn
Copyright © 2007 Chicago Tribune
Published January 18, 2007
Double or nothing on my reputation as a political soothsayer?
Very well.
Two years ago this week I wrote a column listing eight reasons why newly sworn-in U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would run for president in 2008. Even Obama told me I was nuts.
After he all but threw his hat into the ring Tuesday morning, skeptics, at my invitation, have been providing numerous reasons why his presidential candidacy will fizzle:
He lacks experience. He's too liberal. He's black. His middle name, "Hussein," suggests a tie to Islamic fascists. He's so overexposed that boredom and then disillusionment will set in. His ties to Illinois insiders as exemplified by the hinky land deal with Tony Rezko will mark him as just another compromised politician. He'll tarnish his image in the fundraising process. The bare-knuckle operatives who'll run the campaign of likely foe Hillary Clinton will tear his reputation to shreds.
Plus, it'll be a long campaign. We can't know if a silly gaffe or news of a previously undisclosed indiscretion will turn Obama into an instant also-ran, or if another terrorist attack here will give a huge boost to the most hawkish candidates.
And yet. Call me nuts again, but here are the eight reasons why 65 percent of more than 13,000 click voters at chicagotribune.com this week were right when they said that Obama will win the Democratic nomination:
1. His message will appeal to the better nature of voters.
Sure, Obama's call for "a different kind of politics" that seeks common ground, advances shared values and disdains the bitter polarities of partisanship makes Pollyanna look like a cynic. But it reflects a passionate American fantasy--that we are better than all this querulous wrangling and are ready to move beyond it.
2. He was an early foe of the war.
The charge that Obama lacks the experience to lead a nation will be belied by what a colossal mess experienced leaders made of Iraq and how their war on terror has turned the world into a more dangerous place. As the unpopular "troop surge" only gets us deeper into the bloody muck of intractable sectarian strife in the year ahead, Democrats, in particular, will look for a candidate who exhibited geopolitical foresight.
3. His race will be a plus.
Black voters will turn out in huge numbers for Obama, no doubt. But, as others have noted, many white Americans are eager to demonstrate to themselves and to the world that we are evolved enough to elect a president of African-American heritage. Their number will dwarf the number of wild-eyed racist Democrats who'll vote only for whites.
4. He's likable.
I know, I know. We're electing a president, not a neighbor or a dining companion. But Obama, a charismatic policy wonk, will strike undecided voters as a thoughtful, engaged and self-deprecating guy who'd be a good leader.
5. His team is tough.
The snarks in the water have tried to stick Obama with the schoolyard nickname "Obambi" to suggest that he's weak and naive. But he has assembled a seasoned campaign crew that will not shy from political street fights.
6. He'll have no trouble raising money.
Obama's biggest fundraising problem is going to be keeping it seemly.
7. Zealots will drive voters into his camp.
The naked bigotry of critics who are now shrieking Obama's middle name to suggest both that he's Muslim (he's not, he's Christian) and that Muslims are inherently untrustworthy (they're not) is so repellent that fair-minded people will feel inclined to support him if only to repudiate such tactics and prove that Americans are above that sort of nonsense. Those who like to remind us that "Obama rhymes with Osama" will also be useful idiots.
8. His youth and star status will attract many young and non-traditional voters.
The celebrity hype has already nauseated world-weary political junkies. Obama, 45, can let them barf. The enthusiastic entertainers and tastemakers already behind his candidacy will sell him to new voters as a fresh voice for the next generation.
There you go. Clip and save. Meet me back here next summer and we'll settle up the bet.
By Eric Zorn
Copyright © 2007 Chicago Tribune
Published January 18, 2007
Double or nothing on my reputation as a political soothsayer?
Very well.
Two years ago this week I wrote a column listing eight reasons why newly sworn-in U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would run for president in 2008. Even Obama told me I was nuts.
After he all but threw his hat into the ring Tuesday morning, skeptics, at my invitation, have been providing numerous reasons why his presidential candidacy will fizzle:
He lacks experience. He's too liberal. He's black. His middle name, "Hussein," suggests a tie to Islamic fascists. He's so overexposed that boredom and then disillusionment will set in. His ties to Illinois insiders as exemplified by the hinky land deal with Tony Rezko will mark him as just another compromised politician. He'll tarnish his image in the fundraising process. The bare-knuckle operatives who'll run the campaign of likely foe Hillary Clinton will tear his reputation to shreds.
Plus, it'll be a long campaign. We can't know if a silly gaffe or news of a previously undisclosed indiscretion will turn Obama into an instant also-ran, or if another terrorist attack here will give a huge boost to the most hawkish candidates.
And yet. Call me nuts again, but here are the eight reasons why 65 percent of more than 13,000 click voters at chicagotribune.com this week were right when they said that Obama will win the Democratic nomination:
1. His message will appeal to the better nature of voters.
Sure, Obama's call for "a different kind of politics" that seeks common ground, advances shared values and disdains the bitter polarities of partisanship makes Pollyanna look like a cynic. But it reflects a passionate American fantasy--that we are better than all this querulous wrangling and are ready to move beyond it.
2. He was an early foe of the war.
The charge that Obama lacks the experience to lead a nation will be belied by what a colossal mess experienced leaders made of Iraq and how their war on terror has turned the world into a more dangerous place. As the unpopular "troop surge" only gets us deeper into the bloody muck of intractable sectarian strife in the year ahead, Democrats, in particular, will look for a candidate who exhibited geopolitical foresight.
3. His race will be a plus.
Black voters will turn out in huge numbers for Obama, no doubt. But, as others have noted, many white Americans are eager to demonstrate to themselves and to the world that we are evolved enough to elect a president of African-American heritage. Their number will dwarf the number of wild-eyed racist Democrats who'll vote only for whites.
4. He's likable.
I know, I know. We're electing a president, not a neighbor or a dining companion. But Obama, a charismatic policy wonk, will strike undecided voters as a thoughtful, engaged and self-deprecating guy who'd be a good leader.
5. His team is tough.
The snarks in the water have tried to stick Obama with the schoolyard nickname "Obambi" to suggest that he's weak and naive. But he has assembled a seasoned campaign crew that will not shy from political street fights.
6. He'll have no trouble raising money.
Obama's biggest fundraising problem is going to be keeping it seemly.
7. Zealots will drive voters into his camp.
The naked bigotry of critics who are now shrieking Obama's middle name to suggest both that he's Muslim (he's not, he's Christian) and that Muslims are inherently untrustworthy (they're not) is so repellent that fair-minded people will feel inclined to support him if only to repudiate such tactics and prove that Americans are above that sort of nonsense. Those who like to remind us that "Obama rhymes with Osama" will also be useful idiots.
8. His youth and star status will attract many young and non-traditional voters.
The celebrity hype has already nauseated world-weary political junkies. Obama, 45, can let them barf. The enthusiastic entertainers and tastemakers already behind his candidacy will sell him to new voters as a fresh voice for the next generation.
There you go. Clip and save. Meet me back here next summer and we'll settle up the bet.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 7:17 AM
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