Obama is a Genius ...

[RoyGBiv]

I don't have a lot to say here really. I just wanted to say that.

I didn't support him in the primaries. I have yet to vote for him. I still don't entirely trust him, just as I don't really trust any politician.

But, the man is a genius. This last week has convinced me of that.

And that gives me hope.

Hope is what he wants me to have.

So, it's personal now, and I appreciate the fact he was able to do that, even for me, a cynic of vast proportions.

[LiberalAndProud]

1. What has convinced you?

...
I'm headed to sleep for now, but I look forward to your illustrations of Obama's genius. I'm hoping right along side of you.

[RoyGBiv]

3. His tactics ...

I've been deeply involved in political campaigns since Dukakis and was aware of them enough to form basic analysis since Carter/Reagan. Back then, I listen to what Grandma said. In '88 I saw it with my own eyes. I didn't have any answers, but I experienced it, and I thought I knew what was going wrong, but didn't have the words to articulate how to make it right.

Obama's campaign, from the moment of its inception, has struck me as something incredibly different from what I've seen before. As a historian of semi-professional standing, I study this kind of thing a lot, and I'm seeing in his campaign the kind of genius that marked the back-room shenanigans of the 1860 election and the more modern strategy associated with 1960. (It just struck me to add this aside that I am in NO WAY trying to create some kind of linear relationship between Lincoln-Kennedy-Obama. I'm just looking at the way the process worked at the time and how they handled it, and the association is ironically coincidental.) In other words, what I see is a politician who knows what he is doing, has the courage to move forward with it, and gives no quarter to those interests that demand he act in a certain way when he knows damn well whatever policy positions he takes in the future will never see the light unless he is able to weather this storm coming his way.

I think I'm too deep into metaphor now, so let me regroup.

It's this. I disagree with him on many things, but unlike most politicians, he has this ability to allow me to see a larger goal in his policy positions that helps me look into that larger goal and find that I like that even more than my individual interests.

I guess you could say he inspires me to hope, which I know is trite and straight out of the handbook, but that fact in and of itself is part of the point. I've never had a politician do that.

[hokies4ever]

2. What specifically did he do to make you think he's a genius?

[RoyGBiv]

4. See above, post #3

[hokies4ever]

5. I demand a personal response to my question!

Just kidding.

[RoyGBiv]

6. Umm ...

Okay.

He wrote an essay on how to use play-doh for nuclear fusion energy production.

Frackin' genius, I say.

[hokies4ever]

7. If you had to forecast how an 8-year Obama presidency will turn out

what would be your honest predictions and assessments? Might as well pick your brain since you're a historian.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Semi-Professional ...

Which means I don't have a PhD but follow several of them around a lot and work with them from time to time. Also means I get shit wrong on occasion ... and boy don't they let me know it when I do.

I don't know that being a historian gives me all that much insight into the future. I think it allows me to view things that are happening now in a context that allows a somewhat greater understanding than can be gained without that context, but I also claim no unique or unnatural awareness in this. Anyone can do it. You just have to see the links.

My standard example is the nature of political campaigns. They've *always* been nasty. People, literally, called Andrew Jackson the spawn of Satan and predicted a literal war that would destroy all civilization merely because "common" people voted him into office. It's all happened before, and it'll all happen again. (Borrowed from Battlestar Gallactica ... so, yes, I'm a sci-fi geek too.)

Anyway ... to answer your question.

Honestly ... and I really hate to use this comparison because it comes off as so trite ... Obama is a Lincoln-esque politician. He has very good ideas. He understands things on a level the vast majority of people simply cannot, but he also has the ability to express those ideas in ways that individual people and groups of people can understand. He is inspirational on a level no one alive today has seen in a Presidential candidate, at least not in terms of mass inspiration. (I'm sure Dukakis inspired some people, but I don't know them.) With that in mind, he has the opportunity to do great things, and I think he in fact has the will to do it. If he has a Congress to back him, I think he will succeed in much of what he plans.

The downside is that he is inherited an economy that has been ripped to shreds, and he will have to deal with that, probably before he can even attempt anything else of any substance. It's all good to claim one of your goals to be universal health care or ending poverty, but when your economic foundation is falling out from under you, you've inherit some limitations. If the economy doesn't kill his Presidency, I think we will see a realistic universal health care package go through, and I think we'll see an end to at least our part in the war in the Middle East.

And, I think we'll start to see a turn in the Judicial branch with his appointments. I expect at least two during his first time, which will be significant.

Above all that, if we give him a chance at all, I think you'll see people at the very least inspired enough to *try* to make things better, and that's important because he cannot do it all. We have to help him. We have to work to make his policies works, and that is his greatest strength as a leader. He makes people want to try.

[hokies4ever]

12. Great analysis :-)

I like the Lincoln analogy as well, because I see both Lincoln and Obama as superb uniters for this country. Watching a show on the History Channel a while back I heard an excellent quote to sum up Lincoln's presidency. Before Lincoln our country was known as a collection of states. After Lincoln our country because know as THE United States of America, one country above all else.

I also think it's wise to set the sights somewhat low for an Obama presidency, especially for the first year or two. He's inheriting an absolute mess. It'll be hard enough to get our country back on the right track, let alone move it forward into prosperity.

[Skidmore]

40. I trust him to do the right thing when he gets into office.

You can't unite a divided nation without speaking to the concerns of all people. I think Obama tries to do this. The part of his message that has alway appealed strongly to me is that he continually asks us to step us and to do our job to rebuild America. It is a very inclusive, bottom-up message. The only real change will come when when Americans again own their government and their nation.

[merh]

42. Get out of my head

It's this. I disagree with him on many things, but unlike most politicians, he has this ability to allow me to see a larger goal in his policy positions that helps me look into that larger goal and find that I like that even more than my individual interests.

[27inCali]

66. I'll take a shot at that

1) begins immediate tax credits to help ease the middle class crunch.

2) uses the bully pulpit to force through a bill closing the Enron loop hole.

3) starts shifting whole brigades from Iraq to Afghanistan.

4) almost instantaneously restores world faith in America after giving rafter shaking speach at UN.

5) sends Gen Clark to work on Sudan and ends genocides.

6) poors billions into green energy, plus improved public transit, forces American car companies to improve gas milage drastically, reducing American oil comsumption by almost 50% during administration.

7) gives up presidential powers seized by Bush. Investigates Bush admin, lands Cheney and Rove in jail.

8) appoints an agressive, gutsy AG that absolutely kicks the shit out of corporate America.

9) ends privatization of military.

10) delivers us Bin Laden's head on a silver platter.

or something like that.

[dailykoff]

9. So after six months of inspiring speeches, he goes into neocon overdrive

and suddenly you feel hope? okay.

[RoyGBiv]

10. Well ...

If I agreed with the premise that he's gone into "neocon overdrive" I might see a problem here, but since I do not agree with that, I fail to see it.

I see a masterful politician working the system for all it is worth and controlling both his and his nation's destiny in a way few politicians have been able to do.

[dailykoff]

11. I see a misadvised opportunist making deals with the devil.

Handing Bush and Cheney a heart shaped box of our civil liberties does not strike me as hopeful.

[RoyGBiv]

13. Okay ...

I was just going to let this go based on the subject, but your commentary demands a question.

How in gopod's name is anything Obama is doing ... or more precisely saying ... handing "Bush and Cheney a heart shaped box" of anything?

Be specific please.

[dailykoff]

15. I see you haven't figured out the FISA bill yet.

Let me guess, you heard or read his little FISA speech and thought it was inspiring?

[RoyGBiv]

18. Oh, I've figured that out ...

And I hate it, and I have been *quite* vocal in my criticism of it, going head-to-head with some people who incorrectly inferred that my criticism of the bill was a criticism of Obama himself. (One of these people has posted in this thread, in fact. Might want to ask about that and take note of the fact we ripped at each other over it.) I loathe that bill, and I think Obama's expressed stance on it is wrong on its face.

But, again, to the brilliance...

His stance is no stance. He can personally do very little in the open to prevent it from passing. His expressed views are political calculations that *mean nothing* in the larger scheme of things *except* that whatever stance he takes in the future will mesh easily with the words he expresses now. I don't want to turn this into a FISA bill debate ... simply don't have the energy for it, and I know you're not convinced, but I don't really care at this point because I don't think you'll ever be convinced by what *I* say since I am no one.

But, I'll express my own opinion. I've seen the way Obama works. Referencing something I said above, I also know the way someone like Lincoln worked. Lincoln said clearly that he had *no* intention of ending slavery. And then he did it. And you can think about that or not as you prefer.

[knixphan]

21. great point.

[dailykoff]

22. The problem with FISA is that it's a key to the whole criminal enterprise

that's destroyed our economy and killed at least million INNOCENT victims here and overseas -- bloody, horrible, brutal deaths, and completely unnecessary. Turning deluded teenagers into murderers and torturers is just sick, savage, and CRIMINAL.

I want justice, not triangulation, and so does the world, and handing Bush this one is basically telling me and the rest of the world to fuck off. So I'm not hopeful anymore.

[RoyGBiv]

25. Seriously ...

Tell me again what this has to do with Obama or anything I have said ... I'm really curious now.

[dailykoff]

26. Seriously? Selling out to neocons does not inspire me.

I guess we're different.

[RoyGBiv]

28. So, wait ...

I'm just trying to figure out what you're saying here.

Obama is handing Bush and Cheney something in a heart shaped basket. (Still wondering what that means really.) He's sold out to neocons. (Wondering on that one too.)

He doesn't inspire you. Okay, that I get. Not all people are inspired by the same things.

But the other two things ... I asked for specifics, and you gave me FISA, which was not a specific because Obama himself isn't handing them anything at all with that. So, I'm still waiting.

[dailykoff]

29. OBama reneged on his promise to filibuster the FISA bill.

He was AWOL on the cloture vote. If that's not clear enough you'll have to figure it out yourself, because I'm tired of this thread, bye.

[RoyGBiv]

31. See ya ...

But in case you stick around ...

Cloture on the motion to proceed had 80 votes. Obama's non-vote helps how? Specifics again, please.

Obama promised to filibuster immunity. Okay, just for the sake of argument, I'll grant that he switched courses. He's not in the leadership, so we (well, I) won't give him that responsibility. He's got Dodd and Feingold up there already, and they're working the back channels and doing things like getting to vote delayed despite the vote to proceed ... so I'm still not seeing the Obama connection. Obama is one vote out of a hundred. The vote ain't that close.

Yeah, still confused.

[writes3000]

27. Obama should run his presidential campaign with a guaranteed mission to convict Bush Inc.

Anything less than that is unacceptable. Even if it means he won't get elected.

That's the drift I'm getting.

[RoyGBiv]

30. Yeah, that's the drift ...

"I'm so ideologically pure that I refuse to let anyone who isn't a born again member of (insert your favorite organization here) vote for me, and I don't care if I don't get elected I'm so good, and once I'm not elected, I'll not do a damn thing for anyone. And then we win."

Or something.

[hokies4ever]

14. The FISA bill does not grant telecoms CRIMINAL immunity

Sorry if the facts don't agree with your perception of reality.

[dailykoff]

16. Waterboarding is not torture unless it achieves ORGAN FAILURE.

You see, we would never torture.

[hokies4ever]

19. Wow!

Too many electrodes connecting completely different subject matters in that brain of yours.

[RoyGBiv]

20. Okay, that's over the top ...

Really.

Just ... no, seriously, no.

[dailykoff]

23. To you maybe,

but then you seem to like the Joe McCarthy stuff.

[RoyGBiv]

24. And that's just silly.

[Cha]

61. That's nice..so we won't be seeing you around here anymore..

because we're here to get Obama elected.

[anonymous171]

46. Neocon? Wow. Do you even know what a neocon is?

[The Doctor.]

48. "Neocon overdrive"?!? Where? How?

That just can't be taken seriously.

[27inCali]

67. sending olive branches to conservative america is a good thing

a real leader leads everyone.

he doesn't just preach to the choir and ignore the other 50%

[Whisp]

17. he has really blossomed.

I recall early in the primaries when I was (and still am) madly in love with Dennis Kucinich. Obama hardly hit my radar, he seems coy, wallflowery to me.

but like the good racehouse he is and the fantastic politician it all worked out as he probably planned. He couldn't come out all busting and loud, he had to stay in the background, maybe even toned down his debate skills purposely so as not to feel too threatening too early on in the campaign. Then his pace started up dramatically after Feb 5 and by the middle of May he was flying.

notice that extra confidence he has in his appearances lately? he's far more relaxed, speaks more confidently and quickly and surely.

He's was holdin it all back on purpose I'll bet. ... Obama? obama who? to... Barack Obama, the Presiden to fthe United States!

gotta admire the man. he truly is something extraordinary. all that and a bag of chips.

[RoyGBiv]

32. Thanks for the positive commentary ...

I should have responded to this earlier, but I got bogged down in the negative comments I should have predicted would come.

Ya know, the thing is, I don't worship the guy or anything. If I wanted to I could provide a detailed list of ways in which he has already clearly screwed up.

But I have this other list ... and it has things on it involving ways he has done thing precisely right, and while I'm at it, it has things on it that are astute corrections of his screw-ups as well, which is something I haven't seen in a very long time.

He had to grow on me. I didn't like him at all at first, but he grew, and he's proved his worth.

Takes some genius to do that.

[Whisp]

35. same for me, as I said I was not much impressed with him early on

and then in a span of a few days something strange happened, like the cotton had fallen out of my ears and I really started listening to him and realized how this dude can really deliver it - how come I didn't notice before?

I was too distracted with the star names and I wasn't really listening to O. sad confession.

[RoyGBiv]

37. Yeah, that's something ...

It's something significant.

I do not think I am exaggerating by saying I have read, multiple times, every important speech given by every Presidential candidate from Washington through at least FDR, and I've read (again, I think ... I always think I've read it all and then come to find out there's this other thing I never knew about) most of the major speeches of Presidents from Truman to Bush I.

And that's left me jaded. I read what they said, and I compare it with what they did, and for the most part I don't find a lot of agreement between stated goals and real actions. But there's another part to political speeches and stated policy positions, and viewed in that context one can draw a different picture. Some of those who achieved or sought the Presidency were clearly just talkers. Others were doers who had trouble with the talking. (Carter is an example of the latter.) Still others could both talk and do, and there is a pattern to their rhetoric that makes them all similar.

Jefferson and Adams (the first one) for example were so opposed in political ideology I am amazed they were able to get along at all, but they did, and I think one reason they did is that beyond all the rhetoric, they had some very basic common goals and both the will and talent to enact them. They expressed those goals differently with policy, and individually they had different degrees of rhetorical skill (Jefferson being the clear winner there), but those basic goals and the ways they expressed them had a common thread, and I do see that thread emerging from Obama as well.

Perhaps this all seems over the top. In this thread I've compared him to Lincoln, Jefferson, and Adams, and the man hasn't even been officially declared the candidate yet. But that in itself is something significant. I didn't feel this way or think this way about Kerry (or Gore or Clinton or Dukakis or Mondale) the day before the election. I sense something special in Obama now, and I see practical results of what I sense.

And as I said to start all this, that gives me hope.

[Eyes_wide_ open]

33. Great thread

I really enjoyed your very well thought out analysis and respectful replies. Haven't seen to much of that here in my short stay.

Thanks I needed that K&R

[RoyGBiv]

34. Welcome to DU!!!

I'm glad I could help provide something you found beneficial.

I lose my cool sometimes, but I do try.

[Eyes_wide_ open]

39. Can't imagine why ;)

but I expect I might too, should I decide to hang around. Before that's taken wrong I should include the disclaimer that Barack has my support regardless (I'm too familiar with the monster in the WH for it to be otherwise) I'm just not too sure about DU yet but you gave me reason to hope

[RoyGBiv]

50. This can be a difficult place ...

But then any place where contentious issues are discussed openly will be difficult. I guess it just requires a mental filter at times, and I've found the filter required here isn't as hard to maintain as it is at some other sites where the politically obsessed congregate.

I go hide in the computer support forum when I'm feeling it weigh on me too heavily, or I go do something else for awhile and avoid posting.

I pretty much abandoned the main forums during the primary.

But, I've been around awhile now, and I've seen and experienced enough that I can think of this place as a good refuge from my red state existence.

Wherever your journey takes you, I hope you find comfort there. I'm pleased to have made your acquaintance.

[Egnever]

36. This OP is hopelessly vague

But your responses to the responses are stellar! I am glad
I looked at it again!

[RoyGBiv]

38. Didn't know what to say at first ...

Just had a general idea of something I wanted to say, so I said it.

Responses tend to force me to refine what I mean, so even in disagreement, I am thankful for them.

I'm glad you looked again too.

[NatBurner]

43. ditto

the replies were great

[Hokie]

41. RGB, nice post.

I agree with you. I am an Obama convert. I was an HRC supporter mostly because I hated the way the media treated her. I knew little about Obama. I watched a couple of his speeches and said, "Wow, this guy is special". The thing that impresses me is that he always seems to turn things to his advantage. His latest move to take away faith as a Repug issue is brilliant. I think the Clark flap was a mistake by Clark but largely if not entirely a creation of the media. Obama has handled it perfectly. Heaping lavish praise on McCain for his military service while refusing to apologize for something for which no apology is required is the right response to defuse this while still leaving the door open to look at McCain's military career as it qualifies or does not qualify him to be president.

I really hope to see Obama as president for 8 years. It will be exciting. It will be nice to be proud of my country again.

[RoyGBiv]

51. Faith ...

I have to say, I fell headlong when I started to realize what he's doing with religious interests, enough that instilled in me enough courage to approach a dear friend who is still smarting from Hillary's loss and say to her what I said here when starting this thread.

And she said to me, "I think you're right." She had been visiting people on the campus of the college where she got her Master's degree, which has a relatively conservative student body, and said she encountered numerous people who were expressing hope for the first time in their politically aware lives, and that gave her hope, and it was because of Obama.

[Tinksrival]

56. This occurred to me today......

This seems like the place to let it out to the ether...

Obama always said it won't be easy and he's not perfect but we could win and we could change the downward spiral this country is in.
He is doing it. I may not like what it looks like up close but look at the big picture.....He is doing it....He will win.
This skinny, young, black man painted as an unpatriotic, racist, secret muslim is winning hearts and minds of all walks.

He is even bringing part of the religious right back to the center, back to the true roots of their religion. This is no small feat. And this atheist is impressed. I always knew all those Churches on every corner weren't ever going to disappear but I sure do feel better knowing that an intelligent Democrat can speak to these people and get them back on track. Well, some of them.

[RoyGBiv]

58. Religious groups have long been our problem ...

I'm an atheist too ... well, some people who know me and my "spiritual" bent on certain things and who are themselves what I call radical atheists would disagree, so let's just say I don't do dogma.

But I know enough about religious organizations throughout history to know they are not inherently bad. You've got your Bakers and your Fallwells and your Phelps, but then if you start looking at some individuals who are progressive icons we invoke liberally (pun partially intended) you find those people were themselves leaders in religious institutions. The easy example is Martin Luther King, Jr., but it doesn't begin or end with him. They're everywhere.

Obama's ability to speak to these people cross-culturally without distinctions of race or even class is one of his attributes that is both shocking and essential to what I am coming to see as a movement he is leading.

"Jesus was a liberal." This is something I like to say to my relatives because it pisses off their Southern Baptist hearts, but that's also why I'll never make a run at President. Pissing them off is self-defeating. Obama seems to have found a combination of rhetoric and action that can allow at least the more intelligent among this crowd to associate their own personal deity with his message, with a progressive message. It's very subtle, but it's clear if you pay close attention to it, and I'm impressed by that ability.

[Tinksrival]

63. Thank you, ......yes.

It makes me feel better about where we are going in this Christian dominated country. Coming from a southern baptist back round myself, religion can be frightening. I do realize, like you, that it can inspire greatness. I have been very uncomfortable with the direction the religious right has taken this country and usually in the past when I would hear a Dem using religion I would be turned off. Now though, I am comforted in the fact that someone has the gift to reach out and hope they hear his message.

Thanks for the comment.

[Demi_Babe]

44. the man is a critical thinker and he is genius and he will be our President

[Kali]

45. Great thread.

Thanks. (do I ever say anything else to you than Help! and thanks?)

[RoyGBiv]

49. Actually, you do ...

Every once in awhile.

Thank *you*, Kali.

[butterfly77]

47. What I love about him is...

the way he draws the RepubliCONS in a conversation about something they have been using to attack Dems with over the years such as religion,patrotism,racism and shows how hypocritical they are, which also makes the country discuss and look at who and what they really have been voting for and how it goes against their own interests..

[RoyGBiv]

52. That just makes me giddy ...

I have to admit I love to see a Republican squirm, and I've seen far more of them squirm when faced with Obama than I've ever seen. Throughout all the political campaigns I've experienced in my life, I always had that group of right-wing acquaintances who liked to call me or post up in front of me and challenge me on my candidate of choice. These days, they're running the other way.

[Carrieyazel]

57. But is he succeeding at this? I'm not seeing it. Many sheep out there still believe

he hates America, and are obsessed with Rev. Wright.

[RoyGBiv]

60. I would say he is ...

As one example, you have a religious leader closely associated with Bush coming out and slamming Dobson into the dirt, establishing his own website to counter Dobson's critique of Obama's self-proclaimed faith.

And you see articles like this:

Senator Obama just took another giant step toward winning the presidency. Actually, someone who considers himself a sworn enemy of Senator Obama took the step for him. Dr. Dobson of the Focus On the Family radio program (and evangelical media empire) has aired a program in which he attacks Senator Obama, the Senator's theology and his credentials as a Christian. With enemies like this Senator Obama doesn't need friends.

No, I'm not talking about Dobson energizing liberal Democrats. I'm talking about Dobson energizing his fellow evangelicals to vote for Senator Obama.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/dr-dobson...

When have we seen stuff like that?

[mtnsnake]

53. I don't know if he's a genius. He might be. I do know he's a natural, though.

And yes, he gives me hope, too, as long as he doesn't compromise with the repukes on important issues like the environment.

[JVS]

54. K&R

[On the Road]

55. At the Beginning of the Campaign,

I couldn't understand why people were so passionate about the candidate. But as the campaign has progressed, I have been more and more impressed with Obama. Not only his speaking ability, but his management skills, timing, and leadership. He is closing every area of attack, and increasingly going out in the lead to inoculate himself against areas of certain attack in the future.

From that vantage point, McCain has nowhere to attack with any traction, and is looking goofier and more desperate every time he tries. I don't think that would have happened with any other candidate.

The position that really bugged me was FISA, and I'm starting to understand where he's coming from (his vote is moot, and court oversight is paramount). All the others are letting him command the front and center of the political discourse. McCain has less and less to stand on each passing day.

It's kind of a miracle. I am used to seeing Democrats in McCain's double bind. But no more.

[Carrieyazel]

59. We won't know that until November, now will we?

I myself don't see much genius in him at all. His campaign's efforts to have him run away from his long-held views may backfire. I don't see it helping him in the polls. McCain's hanging in, and he should be falling away.

[Cha]

62. But, you never had much positive to say about Obama

so there isn't any revelation here.

[Egnever]

64. tell em zidzi!

[Trajan]

68. Chuckles ..... So easy, a caveman could figure it out ....

Some things never change ....

[ConsAreLiars]

65. A Comm-Unity Organizer.

Bringing together those who have been divided against one another. A genius, as you say in the OP, and using those skills you elaborate on in subsequent comments, to maybe (we can hope) serve the greater good. Not just better than McInsane, but maybe a "for the people" candidate.

[Trajan]

69. Posts like this lift me up .... Thanks ....

Obama's abilities are obvious, and he does seem to be closing the circle nicely ...

Election strategy is an art, and sometimes feints and jukes are required to dodge the expected fusillades and missiles from the opposition ... Given they are already pushed back on their heels, it is nice to see someone keep running circles around them .... Keep it up Obama ....

Thanks for this one ...