Q&A: Obama

Tyler Durden wrote in with this question:

I'm finishing up a trip to Ghana ... . I have just caught up on news and it looks like there is a good shot at a Obama vs McCain Election. I find Obama's charisma refreshing, and I think he could be what the world needs from America right now. However, his "troops will be home my first year" pledge has me worried. I think he'll be shown through various Pentagon briefings that his pledges are not viable, but that may make him look foolish for promising it in the first place. Do you see him A) winning and B) carrying out his Troops pledge?

Tom writes:

I believe Obama may well win the Dem nod. It's getting harder by the day to see Hillary stopping him, because where she wins, it's tight and where Obama wins, he wins big.

I think Obama's contrast with McCain will wear well (old v new on complex world, plus fatigue with GOP arrogance after 8 years (somewhat inevitable in our system--to the good of all)). Plus, Obama puts south in play and west trending Dem.

Once in, or hopefully long before, someone close to him gets him off that nonsense of troop withdrawals. Simply can't happen without sabotaging a new administration--thus the profound strategic overhang for any next prez.

Comments

[Galrahn]

I'm glad you are willing to explain your comments on Obama, I've been wondering why you are so excited about Obama when he appears absolutely oblivious to what is happening beyond the nearest border.

His comments to Unions make it sound like he is going to stop Americas role within globalization, well beyond the NAFTA nonsense, while his foreign policy speeches raise questions regarding vision. National Defense and National Security is the same speech, bring the troops home from Iraq?

I think many want to believe that a man who is as inspiring as Obama will also be very wise and intelligent in the primary roles of a president, most of which look out into the world, but I find that his message of hope and change, while emotionally inspiring, isn't very intellectually inspiring.

[Mark McGuinness]

As in, Tyler Durden from Fight Club?

[Anonymous]

right, Mark. this is a reader we only identify by alias.

[Bryan Howell]

Ummm, but in the book/movie, Tyler was just an alternate personality of the protagonist. Does that mean Tom is asking himself questions? And if so, is he aware of it?

[Anonymous]

geez, Bryan. nice spoiler ;-)

the Doc picked the name, so you can take up any objections with him.

though it lends credence to your theory. maybe we're just gaming all of you ;-)

[Dan Hare]

Like so many other politicians, Obama virtually has to shift his foreign policy view. I've noticed how he sneaks in the comments: "I will always reserve, as President, the right to assess any situation after consulting my Commanders"

His message during this primary season will be different in the general election.

[JFRiley]

"For some reason I thought of my first post.......to Barnett"

"This is your blog, and it's ending one word at a time"

"You write a book. You tell yourself, this is the last book I will ever need in my life. Write the book, then for a couple years you're satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you've got your book issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you're trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you"

With apoogies to Chuck Palahniuk!!!

[Michael]

I think Dan's hit the nail on the head. One of the disadvantages of our current system is that candidates have to go straight from winning the nomination for a party with one range of attitudes to winning the votes of an electorate with a different range of attitudes. The result is, we're forced to guess which set of rhetoric represents their real attitudes.