Obama, the Enigma

In my earlier post, I indicated that I felt that Obama has yet to be defined. It was nice to see an article, entitled "Teaching Law, Testing Ideas, Obama Stood Slightly Apart" in that bastian of liberal thought, the New York Times, which highlights the point I was trying to make. The article is based on interviews with faculty and former students of Obama while he spent his 12 years at the University of Chicago. The article does not trash Obama - I really don't care for pundits that use exaggerated fighting words and diatribes to belittle the target of their contempt. (In fact, I must say that I do respect Obama for not stooping to that level.)

Its nice to know that while I haven't figured him out yet, the faculty and his students at UC couldn't do it either after 12 years.

Who to vote for?

News Flash: Due to the implosions of the McCain and Obama campaigns, the Republican and Democratic conventions picked the runners-up as their candidates for President of the United States. In November, it will be Mike Huckabee vs Hillary Clinton ...
Just kidding ;-) I did think that I heard some stomachs rumble a bit ... and a few flight reservations to Canada ...

In browsing the net, I found this article interesting: "Obama and the illusion of leadership". Its a bit long, and you may need a dictionary for some of the words, but there are some nuggets of truth in the thing.

As far as McCain is concerned - he is a known quantity. He has his own mind, gets really upset at times, has a good idea from time to time. He has become better in the last few years in the Senate at moving the levers of power. While he can be a bit of a loose cannon, no one would ever claim that he would be controlled by his vice president.

Then there is Obama. Because the current president's popularity is in the dumps, one would expect that any democatic candidate could beat the Republican's candidate. However Obama, despite his two inspirational books, has yet to be defined - which causes some uneasiness among the electorate.

For example, Obama's second book "The Audacity of Hope" is derived from a sermon by none other than Jeremiah Wright - who Obama was later to abandon. While I will admit that I have yet to read Obama's books (I plan to), I've found that lots of folks can write and speak grand phrases, yet hide the real person. The question is: Who is the real Obama?

I must admit, I have more respect for Michelle Obama than her husband. She, at least, appears authentic. I'd rather vote for her.