Charles Krauthammer, at the Washington Post, poses a very good question. Why is it Obama seems to have no friends?
Barack Obama is an immensely talented man whose talents have been largely devoted to crafting, and chronicling, his own life. Not things. Not ideas. Not institutions. But himself.
Nothing wrong or even terribly odd about that, except that he is laying claim to the job of crafting the coming history of the United States. A leap of such audacity is odd. The air of unease at the Democratic convention this week was not just a result of the Clinton psychodrama. The deeper anxiety was that the party was nominating a man of many gifts but precious few accomplishments -- bearing even fewer witnesses.
When John Kerry was introduced at his convention four years ago, an honor guard of a dozen mates from his Vietnam days surrounded him on the podium attesting to his character and readiness to lead. Such personal testimonials are the norm. The roster of fellow soldiers or fellow senators who could from personal experience vouch for John McCain is rather long. At a less partisan date in the calendar, that roster might even include Democrats Russ Feingold and Edward Kennedy, with whom John McCain has worked to fashion important legislation.
Eerily missing at the Democratic convention this year were people of stature who were seriously involved at some point in Obama's life standing up to say: I know Barack Obama. I've been with Barack Obama. We've toiled/endured together. You can trust him. I do.
Hillary Clinton could have said something like that. She and Obama had, after all, engaged in a historic, utterly compelling contest for the nomination. During her convention speech, you kept waiting for her to offer just one line of testimony: I have come to know this man, to admire this man, to see his character, his courage, his wisdom, his judgment. Whatever. Anything.
Instead, nothing.
Go read the whole thing.
Barack Obama is an immensely talented man whose talents have been largely devoted to crafting, and chronicling, his own life. Not things. Not ideas. Not institutions. But himself.
Nothing wrong or even terribly odd about that, except that he is laying claim to the job of crafting the coming history of the United States. A leap of such audacity is odd. The air of unease at the Democratic convention this week was not just a result of the Clinton psychodrama. The deeper anxiety was that the party was nominating a man of many gifts but precious few accomplishments -- bearing even fewer witnesses.
When John Kerry was introduced at his convention four years ago, an honor guard of a dozen mates from his Vietnam days surrounded him on the podium attesting to his character and readiness to lead. Such personal testimonials are the norm. The roster of fellow soldiers or fellow senators who could from personal experience vouch for John McCain is rather long. At a less partisan date in the calendar, that roster might even include Democrats Russ Feingold and Edward Kennedy, with whom John McCain has worked to fashion important legislation.
Eerily missing at the Democratic convention this year were people of stature who were seriously involved at some point in Obama's life standing up to say: I know Barack Obama. I've been with Barack Obama. We've toiled/endured together. You can trust him. I do.
Hillary Clinton could have said something like that. She and Obama had, after all, engaged in a historic, utterly compelling contest for the nomination. During her convention speech, you kept waiting for her to offer just one line of testimony: I have come to know this man, to admire this man, to see his character, his courage, his wisdom, his judgment. Whatever. Anything.
Instead, nothing.
Go read the whole thing.
3 comments:
Quoting above:
"Eerily missing at the Democratic convention this year were people of stature who were seriously involved at some point in Obama's life standing up to say: I know Barack Obama. I've been with Barack Obama. We've toiled/endured together. You can trust him. I do."
Did you look under that bus of his?
None of his long time acquaintances are fit to withstand the degree of scrutiny which tests fitness for the office of the POTUS.
Barack Obama and company could no longer risk his closest friends remaining visible within sight of that stage. Why would he acquaint himself politically with someone who bombed the Capitol- and remains beligerantly proud of it? Why would he attempt to conceal his involvement with the Annenberg Challenge Foundation? Could his candidacy withstand any further public relationship with convicted felon Tony Rezko? . . .or Rev. Jeremiah "Goddamn Amerikkka!" Wright? . . .or 'Father' Michael Pfleger? . . .or hyper anti-semite, Louis Farrakahn?. . . his blood relation, Islamist tyrant Raila Odinga? . . .Dr. Mansour's questionable influence w/Obama's entry into Harvard? . . .etc. etc. ad infinitum.
W.H.O. could Obama risk besides his wife and daughters? Lot's of folks are enamoured with star status. He's got plenty of those. Is this election going to be based on who has the most groupies?
America better think long and hard when they pull that lever in November. All those movie stars can play the part of POTUS without any repurcussions to this country. Election to the most powerful seat isn't a performance for fantasy where the script is written and the act is played and edited at will. . .though one wonders whether Obama understands this is serious and not a mock up stage - despite the prepared script, makeup and parthenonian stage settings.
HE'S A PSCHYOPATH WHO TOSSES PEOPLE UNDER THE BUS WHEN THEY'RE NO LONGER USEFUL
And, of course, he doesn't throw that other psychopath Ayers under the bus.
They are brothers in psychopathology.
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