The Atlantic: For Obama the key is: look at John McCain, and see Alan Keyes.

[kpete]

September 2008 Atlantic Monthly

Who will win the presidential debates? What does each candidate’s use of words say about how he would govern as president? Can Obama’s rhetorical skills lift him to the heights of Lincoln, FDR, and Reaganor will his speechmaking do him in? After watching all 47 (!) of the primary season’s debates, our correspondent has the answers—and some harsh criticism for the moderators.

by James Fallows
Rhetorical Questions

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200809/fallows-debates

Obama "is vain about his idealism and 'nobility,'" a staff member for one of Obama's Democratic opponents (not Clinton) told me on the phone. "He is thin-skinned about having his motives and competence questioned, so that's what you do." Grizzled pols like Hillary Clinton or her husband would laugh off such an attempt; Obama may still be innocent enough to be shaken by it. McCain made many dismissive references to Obama after Obama became the presumptive nominee. The easy next step is to do so while looking at him.

For Obama the key is: look at John McCain, and see Alan Keyes.

fascinating article
more:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200809/fallows-debates

[Alter Ego]

1. This isn't true at all.

Obama withstood so many assaults on his character during the Wright and Rezko fiascoes--and now McCain's comparing him to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and the man hasn't batted an eye. He's been cool as shit--he's like the Tom Brady of politics.

How anyone could think he's thin-skinned when you have McLoseshistemper opposite him is beyond me.

YEAH THAT'S RIGHT I'M A PATRIOTS FAN.