Why I seldom offer Obama free advice: (An Appreciation)

[Jackpine Radical]

For my money, Obama has something like political "perfect pitch." I've never seen anything like it. He may have made a couple of small missteps, but for the most part he has been turning in a virtuoso performance, always hitting it just right. People keep offering him advice on boards like this. Usually they are wrong, and Obama makes a much more skillful move than anybody else has thought of. He hits clean, but he hits hard. He never causes you to fear that he is becoming the enemy. I read people like Drew Westen and George Lakoff, and watch Obama doing things that show his profound understanding of what is happening, what responses will work, and how to get his desired effect. I don't know if he's coming from instinct or from tutoring. Most likely both. He does some things that Lakoff and Westen wouldn't approve of, but they work anyway. He knows how to play the emotional game, but he never resorts to plucking the anger and fear chords. He plays the emotional nerve networks, but his appeal is to the healthier emotions of personal mastery, love, and altruism. So I just sit back and watch. I have no impulse to offer advice, because I'm a chela at his feet.

[vstephane]

1. I could not agree more n/t

[Median Democrat]

2. So, Obama is Tony Gwinn and McCain Is Jose Conseco?

[seabeyond]

3. he has convinced me he doesnt need me to tell him what to do.

i agree jackpine

[depakid]

4. I will say one thing- Obama has to be the luckiest politician I have ever seen

And as Napoleon said: "I have plenty of clever generals but just give me a lucky one."

[FrenchieCat]

6. It's making me believe in Destiny......

What about you?

[GreenEyedLefty]

9. Destiny as being the right place, at the right time, for all the right reasons?

I have to agree. I'm enjoying a campaign season for the first time in decades; no matter what happens, Obama has made it all so worthwhile.

[depakid]

11. I've known a fewlucky people

wouldn't really call it destiny, they just seem to get good cards, roll astonishing dice- or get useful letters in a game of scrabble.

Others more often get left with "eieio" LOL.

With one exception, his politcal career really has been like that.

Of course, some of that is skill- not detracting that, but luck and unforeseen events are often what makes or breaks campaigns.

[cottonseed]

5. He's truthful and honest. Works every time.

I think we get ourselves worked up in the tactics. Unlike McCain, who the republicans need to maneuver and hide, our candidate can get by on personality and just making the right and sensible decision.

[gravity]

7. He also learns from his mistakes

The primaries prepared him well

[MamaDem]

8. Couldn't have said it better!

[barack the house]

10. Well I wouldn't attribute anyone with perfection but yes he does handle himself well...

There would simply be no discussion if we didn't put forward our ideas. Our ideas and perspective for the way forward are just as important as his own and fortunately Obama gets that.