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Political Theatre
Aug. 29th, 2008 12:55 pmLast night's speech demonstrated something I believe about presidential politics: charisma is a big factor. The ability to make calm, cool, deliberate, and confident decisions coupled with the ability to give those decisions the authority that only someone who's not "boring" can is what makes a great president. We're not electing someone to congress (though, even they must have the leadership and communication skills to manage their office and move bills and debate and persuade).
Barack Obama is truly a master of political theatre. Upon watching the speech on TV I thought the stage wasn't quite as over-the-top as I thought it would be.
And yes he attacked McCain. But he did so in a civil and classy way that held him accountable for his actions and positions in professional life--no more, no less. One can do that and move forward the cause of unity because even in a more perfect union there must be those that challenge others on their views and policies.
The speakers on the previous nights successively made stronger and stronger arguments on specific issues in which not only had Obama been the first to make the judgement that gained mainstream status, but that McCain stood against even President Bush when Bush came around to support Obama's position.
In Obama's speech last night, he also started to make more detailed proposals for his plans once in office. Each of them show empathy and willingness to hear both sides, but a confidence that demonstrated he was certain his was the better course. The hallmark issue of his campaign seems to be transparency in government. Closing loopholes for corporations as the Left would like, and for government which the Right would like, would consolidate money to level the playing field for Americans that don't have the opportunities afforded those at the top.
But he also made clear that those opportunities are just that. Americans must work hard with what they've got to carve out a better future for themselves and others. The American Dream is only that without the fighting spirit and determination that made this country great in the first place.
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I don't know much about Alaska governer Sarah Palin, except what I've read over the last few hours: she's slightly to the right of McCain, especially on social issues, but still takes on the establishment; she considers ethics a hallmark of her campaign but is connected with a scandal over whether or not she should have fired her state trooper brother; she fishes, hikes, pilots things, and was second place in a Miss Alaska contest in the 80s; she's younger and less experienced than Barack Obama; most people didn't even know she was a contender for the VP nomination.
Will this surprise out of left field overshadow the Obama speech above? Time will tell. McCain sent a congratulations ad which to Obama last night has been called everything from a classy move to politically timed (I'll give him that one) and timed his announcement effectively to shift the conversation to his campaign. I'm skeptical of the choice for VP, on the surface it does seem a desperate and cynical ploy to court disgruntled Hillary supporters. This is going to be a very interesting fall.
Barack Obama is truly a master of political theatre. Upon watching the speech on TV I thought the stage wasn't quite as over-the-top as I thought it would be.
And yes he attacked McCain. But he did so in a civil and classy way that held him accountable for his actions and positions in professional life--no more, no less. One can do that and move forward the cause of unity because even in a more perfect union there must be those that challenge others on their views and policies.
The speakers on the previous nights successively made stronger and stronger arguments on specific issues in which not only had Obama been the first to make the judgement that gained mainstream status, but that McCain stood against even President Bush when Bush came around to support Obama's position.
In Obama's speech last night, he also started to make more detailed proposals for his plans once in office. Each of them show empathy and willingness to hear both sides, but a confidence that demonstrated he was certain his was the better course. The hallmark issue of his campaign seems to be transparency in government. Closing loopholes for corporations as the Left would like, and for government which the Right would like, would consolidate money to level the playing field for Americans that don't have the opportunities afforded those at the top.
But he also made clear that those opportunities are just that. Americans must work hard with what they've got to carve out a better future for themselves and others. The American Dream is only that without the fighting spirit and determination that made this country great in the first place.
-------------------------------
I don't know much about Alaska governer Sarah Palin, except what I've read over the last few hours: she's slightly to the right of McCain, especially on social issues, but still takes on the establishment; she considers ethics a hallmark of her campaign but is connected with a scandal over whether or not she should have fired her state trooper brother; she fishes, hikes, pilots things, and was second place in a Miss Alaska contest in the 80s; she's younger and less experienced than Barack Obama; most people didn't even know she was a contender for the VP nomination.
Will this surprise out of left field overshadow the Obama speech above? Time will tell. McCain sent a congratulations ad which to Obama last night has been called everything from a classy move to politically timed (I'll give him that one) and timed his announcement effectively to shift the conversation to his campaign. I'm skeptical of the choice for VP, on the surface it does seem a desperate and cynical ploy to court disgruntled Hillary supporters. This is going to be a very interesting fall.
