I have very much admired the dignity and reasoned approach that Senator Obama has shown throughout this campaign. His natural manner and calm sense of purpose and reasonableness are a major contrast to Senator Clinton and, for that manner, most politicians we are forced to deal with.
This contrast appeals to many Americans who are both well educated and want to see the political process elevated. This approach has served him well in our primaries and caucuses but I sense it is time to evolve the campaign and the candidate to assure its success.
Senator Obama for the next stage of securing the Democratic nomination and especially for November needs to move from his current consensus 24/7 manner to display some of the killer instinct essential for a winning run at the Presidency. I am speaking of coming forward and defending himself, when appropriate, in clear and forceful ways.
He clearly also needs to know that going on the offensive forcefully and with class is part of the campaign and an essential part of winning the Presidency. It helps differentiate his candidacy by drawing sharp and strong distinctions but also leaves the impression that in tough situations he is someone to be counted on and not tampered with. In these last areas he needs coaching.
We are not selecting the President of Princeton but rather the US. We are a a trading and capitalist nation of the first order as much as a beacon of hope and democracy for the world. Many Americans see the world as uncertain in both economic and security terms and want a leader that they can feel safe with and that will be as tough as required. I don't think he has yet reached that bar.
As Democrats we should not so wrapped up in Kumbaya that we fail to see the multiple roles Barack will have to play in the eyes of most Americans as he interviews for the job against a decorated war veteran. He is the right candidate for our times but he has to show his tougher side to make it all the way to the White House.