Obama is politically adroit

What we have witnessed over the past week -- Obama's larger-than-expected triumph in Iowa and his surge going into New Hampshire -- doubtless owes much to the mood of the nation and our collective thirst for something new and different, as Bob Herbert, Frank Rich and others have suggested in recent pieces.

But I note something else: Obama also played all his cards to perfection.

Why did Richardson's caucus-goers tend to go to Obama, rather than to Clinton or Edwards? Surely they were wooed by all three. It would be fascinating to know how Obama won Richardson over.

During Saturday's debates, it seemed to many commentators (including here at daliykos) as if Edwards and Obama we allied (as the proponents of change) against Clinton and Richardson (the proponents of experience). But I saw something else. Richardson's strongest moment in the debate was when he seemed to praise Obama, comparing him to JFK, "his hero", and recalling the excitement of the 42-year-old candidate in 1960. He wasn't Clinton's ally in that moment. She didn't need anyone reminding the audience that Obama at 46 is already more seasoned than Kennedy was when he began his presidency.

My point isn't that there was some conspiracy between Obama and Richardson. It's just to marvel that this young man tapped into the legend of JFK -- or whatever black hole exists at the heart of American politics for you (because perhaps its only my generation that looks into that well of disappointment and sees JFK, MLK, RFK and John Lennon staring back out). It wasn't an accident, it shows monumentally skillful timing. Unlike Dean, Obama has not peaked too soon. He benefits from our hopes, but somehow he skillfully shepards them, and summons them on cue at exactly the moment needed. We were all a bit surprised by Iowa, were we not?

To me, all this bodes well. When critics say he's young, that he doesn't have Hillary's political clout and infighting skills, perhaps the answer is, well, he beat Hillary, didn't he? Despite all her preparation -- despite her husband, the world's most consummate politician (up to now) -- despite all the beltway crowd and the mainstream press and the New York bloody Times shilling for her every single day for a year -- she couldn't take Iowa, he did. If he takes New Hampshire too on Tuesday, I'll rest easy about his tactical skills.

And the hell of it is, he makes it look so civilized. Never an ill word.

•  Bill Clinton is a brilliant politician.

  Barack Obama is making Bill Clinton seem a complete novice.

  - Albert Einstein

  by Walt starr on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:40:20 PM PDT

  •  Bill Clinton is making Bill Clinton seem like a

    novice.

    by JustAngry on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:03:44 PM PDT

    •  No one ever ran as Co-President like this

      If Hill had realy been treated as Bill's equal in their co Presidency she wouldn't have become cloistered after she ran health care aground. Bill didn't go into hiding after any disasters - and he didn;t always smell like a rose in that garden either.  Does anyone think Bill would be stifled as Hill was for YEARS if he becoomes co-President again??  This was not the right candiate. There is too much baggage for this campaign and not a great politician at it;s helm.      

      by SmithsLastWord on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:22:44 PM PDT

•  tip jar

  by samizdat on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:40:27 PM PDT

•  Makes it look easy,.

  And the hell of it is, he makes it look so civilized. Never an ill word.

  This is precisely the thing that makes him so effective with the other side.

  by broui on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:41:52 PM PDT

•  I still say overall Bill Clinton

  but he has defnitely been slipping the last couple of months.

  But I do give Obama all the credit in the world to outdo Bill and Hillary.

  by duha on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:53:16 PM PDT

•  Obama has been underestimated - but no more

  Every office he has won, he was the underdog and then "miraculously" ended up winning.  It is happening again.  This is no miracle - it is an amazing skill!

  by machiado on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:26:04 PM PDT

  •  The way it seems to me, is

    that he's studied MLK Jr. It seems that he's using his speaking style. And it's working like a charm.

    I'm very impressed.

    by Opakapaka on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:11:03 PM PDT

•  Obama is in Bills league

  But instead of maneuvering for the agenda of the DLC Obama is angling for the agenda of the Urban League.  Just like the more succesful politicians of the day he will accomplish that agenda best without announcing he is going to poleaxe some powerful people first.  When you telegraph your right cross too often you usally get poleaxed yourself first.  Obama isn't lying about things. he just isn't going to invite the conservative media to find out what he pays for a hair cut.  

  by SmithsLastWord on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:26:47 PM PDT

•  what has to be acknowledged is the

  nature of his organization using networking, computer and otherwise, to build grassroots organizations all over the country; that's a big part of it.  Us Obama supporters don't just support him; we're actually excited about the future of this country for the first time in 7 years.  I voted for Gore in 2000 and Kerry in '04 but I was not really excited about it.

  by cheforacle on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:27:15 PM PDT

•  tough call!

  Bill Clinton, of course, is a born politician. Charming, energetic, and able to size you up and figure you out instantly. Makes both friends and enemies very readily, but he gets by on the sheer force of his charm. He's very quick on his feet.

  Gore's not a natural charmer like Bill Clinton, but he does have considerable political acumen. More analytical and introspective, but he's got a sharp strategic sense. He prefers to build a consensus through persuasion on the issues.

  Obama, to my mind, has some of Clinton's personal charm, but shares Gore's diligence and analytical skills, as well as his ability to build consensus. He has tremendous potential.

  Part of Gore's appeal stems from the fact that he's found his mission. I like Obama but sense he has yet to find the issue that fires him, the real reason he's in politics. When he does he will be truly formidable.

  by limpidglass on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 07:31:20 PM PDT

•  I think Obama

  is more comfortable in his skin. Bill's charisma seemed to come in some part from his need to have people like him--his appetites from a similar place. Without going into psychoanalysis or anything, while both came from "challenging" backgrounds and became successful as adults, they seemed to have dealt with things differently. Obama, despite being younger, does seem to be an adult--someone who grew up early and quickly. So, in a way, he's hm...how to say this exactly, playing a little hard to get? People seem to want to want Obama to like them because he seems like the kind of guy whose approval means something.

  For a long time, being a good politician meant being a "Reagan" or a "Clinton"--which frankly made me a little uncomfortable--either the falseness or the neediness. Obama has managed to make "politician" and political skills seem a little more respectable--shown a different way to be a good politician.

  by JMS on Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 08:00:31 PM PDT