Obama’s Zen State, Well, It’s Hawaiian

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Obama’s Zen State, Well, It’s Hawaiian
By JEFF ZELENY
Published: December 24, 2008

KAILUA, Hawaii — Even at the end of his long journey to win the White House, one question about Barack Obama came up again and again: How did he appear to stay even-tempered and levelheaded while traveling such a grueling road? At least part of the answer can be found here on the island of Oahu.

As Mr. Obama walks along the beaches while on vacation, returning to the place of his birth and his adolescence, he is relaxing after the most trying year of his life and recharging for the responsibilities that await. In both cases, friends say, he is doing it with an unexcitable steadiness that is a product of his Hawaiian upbringing.

The mood of Mr. Obama, to many observers here in Hawaii, embodies the Aloha Spirit, a peaceful state of mind and a friendly attitude of acceptance of a variety of ideas and cultures. More than simply a laid-back vibe, many Hawaiians believe in a divine and spiritual power that provides a sustaining life energy.

“When Obama gets on television, the national pulse goes down about 10 points,” said Representative Neil Abercrombie, Democrat of Hawaii, who was close friends with Mr. Obama’s parents. “He has this incredibly calming effect. There’s no question in my mind it comes from Hawaii.”...

***

As he traveled across the United States mainland during the presidential race, campaigning on a promise of a different kind of politics, Mr. Obama was repeatedly asked by voters and reporters whether he had the stomach to win the contest. His standard answer? He learned how — and when — to use his sharp elbows from navigating the thorny terrain of Chicago politics. Left unsaid was that he learned his composure from Hawaii.

“He has more Hawaii in him than Chicago; he’s laid-back, cool and collected,” said Neil Kent, a professor of ethnic studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa who has lived on the island for three decades. “It’s hard to express anger here. It’s a very small, enclosed environment in which you have to live with other people.”...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/us/politics/25obama.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. This passage about sums it up. He's unflappable.

"The mood of Mr. Obama, to many observers here in Hawaii, embodies the Aloha Spirit, a peaceful state of mind and a friendly attitude of acceptance of a variety of ideas and cultures. More than simply a laid-back vibe, many Hawaiians believe in a divine and spiritual power that provides a sustaining life energy."

[Hekate]

2. 5th Rec. Slowly but surely at least *some* of the Mainland MSM are starting to figure out...

... the profound impact of Barack Obama's Hawaiian origins on his worldview.

Cokie Roberts' stupid comment about "exotic and foreign" Hawai'i was so skewed as to be incomprehensible. Hawai'i is different from the Mainland -- very much so -- just not the way she meant.

Good article -- thanks DMM for posting it.

Hekate