During his first 100 days of office, Obama has proven that he is a different type of politician. He’s not only president, but he’s cool. His walk, talk, body language, expressions, and clothes shows he got a hip attitude, rhythm, a sense of humor, contemporary tastes. This has allowed Obama to cast his popularity over a wide range of people domestically and internationally.
When dealing with the current crises: the economy and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama has used his coolness to push his political policies. Obama’s hipness allows Obama to better connect with the people and reinforces that he’s different and inspire hope. His personal charisma is a nonverbal form of communication that tells Americans we need radical and sacrificial change and that he is skilled and knowledgeable enough to solve the problems we face today. Obama has shown he's intelligent, possessing an in-depth understanding and intelligence on a wide range of subject matter, causing his initial support to strengthen.
Obama's emotional coolness is what comforts most Americans, giving us confidence that he can make the best decisions for our country: one of the reasons why he still has a very high approval rating (70% according this site). People like leaders that remain composed, but still care. Because his personality is popular, his status of being culturally cool is continually reinforced.(This is evidenced by the current pop culture status of Obama. He’s on all sorts of merchandise: T-shirts, golf balls, button pins, hats, cups, stickers and featured in all types of magazines .)
This mass popularity is a huge boon in Washington , too, as it is a bludgeon that demands political respect, if not support, making it easier for Obama to push his policies through. One of Obama's biggest accomplishments, the economic stimulus package, pushed through Congress by the sheer force of Obama's poltical might. By pitching his plan directly to the American people and gaining their support, he convinced reluctant conservative democrat senators and three moderate republican senators to act quickly and vote on a compromised 790 billion dollar package (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/06/stimulus/index.html, http://digg.com/...
Internationally, Obama has transformed America’s image from a superpower who abuses its power to one that wants to be productive in the global community. America is finally getting some respect (no more 'We hate America’ signs).
"During the recent G-20 summit in London, presidents, prime ministers and statesmen alike fawned on Obama as if he were a royalty of some kind. Obama received so much positive media coverage that many almost overlooked the actual purpose of the summit. Obama made a similar impression at the recent American conference. Even hardcore critics of the United States like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales were impressed with the rookie U.S. president." His cool and modest approach to politics took the sting out of even most hardened critics. (http://www.infocusnews.net/content/view/34408/1044/)
As nations abroad realize that Obama sincere in trying to improve its reputation and repair damaged relationship, more of their nations citizens have began to praise Obama and believe in his message of hope and change. He is greeted with standing ovations by thousands to hundred thousands of people when he goes abroad. Obama’s influence on a global scale may make it easier for him to use his popularity to initiate global responses to the economy, global warming, a continued war on terror, as nations will be more sympathetic and receptive to the United States.
Obama's personality is a decisive factor for his sustained popularity. His emotional coolness has driven his cultural coolness.