09-22-2008, 11:36 PM
Yes, it's a vexing issue, not because Barry doesn't have the potential to be a confident and well-seasoned National campaigner and winning Democratic warrior, but because he's just slightly underripe. History delivered him the opportunity earlier than might have been ideal; the Democratic party has its first opportunity to mount a pure candidate, instead of a compromise candidate. A tired and unpopular Presidency gave Democrats the luxury of supporting a candidate they actually want, instead of one they have to reluctantly tolerate.
The Republicans, on the defensive, had to mount the compromise candidate, a Republicrat independent. McCain wouldn't have emerged unless his party was on the ropes. They couldn't put up an evangelical, neo-con, or a purist conservative, after the wreckage of the last eight years, they didn't have the luxury.
The Democrats haven't exactly earned much affection from voters in recent years, either, Congressional disapproval is as bad as Presidential. Obama's personality, ascendancy story, and eloquent visionary rhetoric alone have the burden of repackaging and selling his unoriginal message. His policies aren't new, they're conventional orthodox pre-Clinton boilerplate. If Obama had had more gravitas, historical force alone could blow past that vacuum. His leadership strength would be less of an issue, his lead would be nearly unquestionable.
I still think it's smart for his party to mount the candidate they want, instead of compromising, even if the opportunity came earlier than than he and his team was really prepared for. If McCain loses, he loses permanently. Not so for Obama, he has a bright future either way.
The Republicans, on the defensive, had to mount the compromise candidate, a Republicrat independent. McCain wouldn't have emerged unless his party was on the ropes. They couldn't put up an evangelical, neo-con, or a purist conservative, after the wreckage of the last eight years, they didn't have the luxury.
The Democrats haven't exactly earned much affection from voters in recent years, either, Congressional disapproval is as bad as Presidential. Obama's personality, ascendancy story, and eloquent visionary rhetoric alone have the burden of repackaging and selling his unoriginal message. His policies aren't new, they're conventional orthodox pre-Clinton boilerplate. If Obama had had more gravitas, historical force alone could blow past that vacuum. His leadership strength would be less of an issue, his lead would be nearly unquestionable.
I still think it's smart for his party to mount the candidate they want, instead of compromising, even if the opportunity came earlier than than he and his team was really prepared for. If McCain loses, he loses permanently. Not so for Obama, he has a bright future either way.