I've been talking to friends who support Fmr Sen John Edwards for President and trying to figure out some of the key differences between their view and mine. For the record, I strongly support Sen Obama. Part of their frustration, it seems, as well frustration vented by folks who "haven't decided yet" is that Barack Obama isn't doing enough. That he's talking about hope and ideas and not policy...
...Why is that we think? A lot of folks, it seems, think that it's because Senator Obama is too new, too naive or too idealistic. Some see it as the indication that he has nothing behind his talk. Now, he's been in politics a lot longer than he's been running for President - so I think we can agree that he has some walk behind the talk (by looking at what he's done here in Illinois and to a smaller degree, in the first 2 years of his Senate term).
So what is it? Furthermore, why does John Edwards (who served only one term in the US Senate) get more cred for being substantive and on the issues. I'd venture it's because John Edwards GAVE UP HIS SEAT (won by a Republican) in the Senate. He no longer is held accountable for the things he suggests which means that he can suggest pretty much what he wants.
On the other hand, Senator Obama is first and foremost a Senator for the state of Illinois. He will be that until, at the earliest, January 20, 2009 - just under 2 years. He has that obligation to fulfill and that constituency to support (and that comes, I imagine, way before making random people on the internet happy). But with that comes a responsibility to himself and his party. How might the leader of the majority party of the Senate react if Obama hijacks the agenda?
This is a real possibility if he's forced to announce a position on every single issue that comes up. How? Well, it goes like this:
Day 1 - Senator Obama doesn't do anything about Iraq War.
Day 1 - Blogosphere goes complains and Senator Obama realizes that although he is against the war, he needs to say so publically for people to know that.
Day 2 - Senator Obama goes on Countdown with Keith Olbermann and says he wants the war to end.
Day 3 - Some bloggers are happy that Obama spoke out, but many people are livid that he is willing to talk the talk but not walk the walk. "We've had enough discussion, it's time for real leaders to take action."
Day 4 - Senator Obama needs to commit some kind of action. First, he needs to get it on the agenda of the US Senate (forget the other things going on). Second, there are the details (what law it supports/upholds, facts, etc etc etc). Third, there has to be time for committees and voting and so on.
Days 5-213 are spent on the news cycle of a conflicted party, a Senate that gets nothing done, a majority leader without any power and a Presidential race. The other important things in the world (and there are other important things in the world) take a backseat (further pissing people off because their number one issue isn't being taken care of).
Yet John Edwards, thankfully, can extend the debate by announcing firm plans and ideas (that won't be brought to the floor because he's no longer a Senator). I'm not saying that we should avoid talking about issues. I'm not saying we shouldn't get substance. I AM saying that too many people are purists, too many lose focus of this being the beginning of a term of Congress and that the world isn't just about their concerns. Every little thing, between now and November 2008, will be picked apart. I hate it, but that's what it is. But let's be realistic in that sense. A lot of people bring up Fmr Sen Edwards past in the Senate negatively - and I don't think it should be done to be an attack but it is indicative of how things change when you're part of that body and not just a former elected official.