Darcy Burner and political star power

I am now approaching the end of my first NN and have had the privilege to see a number of the brighter lights in the Democratic firmament.  While we didn't have a current presidential candidate - unless you count Bob Barr - We had Al Gore, Wes Clark, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom and no doubt others I'm forgetting.  These are all very big names.  Some we love, others we have a more complicated relationship with.  But each of them has undeniably played a very important role.  And yet one sweet-faced and unassuming woman who has yet to hold elective office was loved and cheered like no one else

Al Gore's unannounced entrance was a very big hit.  He got a long and loud ovation, born of genuine respect for the role he has played and the causes he has championed.  But even he did not receive the outpouring of pure love the crowd here showed for Darcy.

At the DFA reception for Darcy on Friday, I heard another congressional candidate say to her "I wish I knew how to get what you have".  That got me thinking: what is it she has?

After much thought and watching a number of better known figures over the weekend, I am forced to conclude that there is a single quality that makes the difference.

There are lots of things that go into her charisma: Her natural warmth,  her commitment to principle, the high wattage smile, all that we know of her personal story in the last few weeks.  But all that would not set her apart without the one thing that ties it all together: Absolute genuineness

In a world of coached and handled, made-up and buffed political figures, surrounded by handlers who have carefully taught them to watch every word, that's the uniquely appealing quality.

Whether talking to her one-on-one, or standing at the back of a crowd of thousands, one feels the absolute certaintly that the person speaking is the real her.  You know that there is really just one person there - not one for public consumption and another for real life.

I have a sneaking suspicion this is not learnable, not transferable and not easy to come by, but I do think there's a lesson there for other candidates: leave the manufactured persona behind and just be who you are.