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* We do this question every now and then, and since I’m busy with a story, I’ll just toss this breaking news out there…
Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign says it raised $52 million last month. […]
Last week the campaign of Republican John McCain reported raising more than 22 million in June, which was his best month of the year.
* Question: More broadly than just money, how do your think our US Senator’s presidential campaign is going?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:36 am
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Long way to go, but right now, it’s his to lose. Check out this Electoral College map. As it stands now, McCain virtually has to run the table in the Battleground States.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:40 am
This has always been the Democrat’s election to lose. There are so many wildfires out there that this shouldn’t be a contest at all.
The fact that this is even a race is very surprising. Obama is doing OK, but has not been impressive. He peaked back in February at a point so high he has mailed it in ever since. He will get another big bump during and right after the convention. We’ll see if he can hold on. This is his election to lose but he has been playing Thomas Dewey circa 1948 and Jimmy Carter 1976.
He does not have this locked up, and he would have if he was a two term US Senator with experience.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:47 am
He’s doing okay but not near as well as he should be, given his fundraising advantage, the damage to the Republican brand, and the current economic condition. The fact that he is only two points ahead in Rasmussen and three or four in Gallup is amazing. McCain is still well within striking distance and can eaily pull this off. If gas prices stay high, and the GOP really pushes drilling as an issue, BHO can easily lose this election.
Comment by Bud Man Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:56 am
impressively well. all the hems and haws come from people who have no idea just how complex a presidential campaign is, and how many pitfalls there can be. obama’s team, who are basically new to presidential politics, have stuck to their plan and performed at a very high level. if you’re not impressed, you aren’t paying attention…
Comment by bored now Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:56 am
He should take some of that 52 million and have all his “FRIENDS” take a 3 1/2 month world cruise without any communication gear aboard and that never stops in port.
Comment by Just Asking Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 11:57 am
By “how is it going” one can mean two things: electability or substance. On the former: fair. On the latter, I’d say blech — not just FISA or lying about his earlier pledge to public financing, but just not telling the hard truths America needs to hear at the moment.
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:12 pm
Obama’s been focused recently on raising money, and outreach to Hillary supporters. And his campaign seems to be testing the waters about which “red” states they might potentially try and turn “blue.” They’re advertising in a lot more states right now than I think they could ever hope to really contest. So some of that is going to be wasted money that won’t budge the polls very much. But I think they are going to see where the numbers move, in response to the ads, and wind up with a broader range of states to play in than McCain, come fall.
I think Obama’s people know what they are doing. The election is still his to lose, big time.
Comment by ZC Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:24 pm
He’s going strong. His team has a solid plan that will out-organize and out-think McCain’s by far. Remember how they beat Clinton — they had a plan from day one, it was based on detailed well-informed thinking, they followed it, and it worked even when plenty of commentators and horse-race experts were worrying.
The question isn’t “where are the pol #’s today?” But “Has anything about the national mood changed that would upset the fundamental premises of the Obama team?” If the answer to the latter is no, then McCain is toast.
Remember, McCain is not a come-from behind campaigner so much as a “stay in place while others recede” guy. McCain didn’t really win the GOP primary — he was just the last man standing after all the others lost. He did not organize well (he did work his backside off personally, but those are different things), fund-raise well, or do anything but have the luck to be the safest default choice.
Comment by Muskrat Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:26 pm
I think he’s right where he needs to be, he will pull away and win big-time.
Comment by Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:28 pm
McCain had the nomination locked up months ago and has had the opportunity to campaign uncontested for months and he is still losing. This is his high water mark and if he ain’t ahead now he’s not going to be when he starts going up against the people that beat the Clintons, something the Republicans could never do. For all the people who think McCain is still in striking distance and could pull this off, sounds like wishful thinking from a campaign that’s been largely ineffective.
Comment by Scooby Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:29 pm
Why couldn’t he just stay in Illinois and get this state in order? BTW I believe he is well on his way to losing.
I’ll vote Democrat, just not vote for President. It’s a sad time for our state and our country.
Comment by anon Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:36 pm
Obama needs a great running mate in order to win this close race.
Comment by Deleted Daily Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:37 pm
It’s his to lose, but he certainly could. I think there are enough voters on the fence, an embarrasing event or some long-lost nugget could derail an Obama presidency. (putting tinfoil hat on) Or there could be another terrorist attack before November 4.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:52 pm
I would say that they need to stick that money to better use concidering his state is in the hole… I thought he was elected to help the state of illinois… This state is in termoil and i was wondering what his views on this budget crisis and about Blogo wanting to send eveyone to the unemployment line are since he is still supposed to working for the people in Illinois.
Comment by northernights Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 12:58 pm
His campaign is OK, and it is his election to lose, but he looks and sounds like a tired hare, and the McCain tortoise keeps plugging along…plugging along…
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:02 pm
northernights, stick to the question, please. Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:03 pm
It may be his to lose, but it has been bumpy going lately. Between “friends”, subtle but obvious changes in policy since the end of the primaries and the media finally starting to discuss him with less fear of being called racist, some of the Obama star dust is falling off. With all of his “I miss-spoke” and other foibles he will be a chunk of meat for the republican smear machine when the campaigns heat up. It will be interesting.
Comment by Big Mama T Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:09 pm
I do think it is his to lose. What he needs is something that reminds folks why they are/were excited about him. Maybe that will come closer to election time. I know I was feeling Obama fatigue for a while, and then he gave his speech on race, and I found myself saying “oh yeah - that is why I like him so much.” He needs a couple more moments like that between now and November (at least for a certain set of voters).
Comment by montrose Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:10 pm
He has not been impressive in recent poll numbers, and I know those numbers don’t mean anything to some people unless they show your guy waaaay ahead. When it gets close, it’s “well, mumble mumble mumble…”
When you combine his fundraising AND the DNC’s in June against McCain’s AND the RNC’s in June, Obama is a couple million behind for the month. And this is supposed to be a Democratic year? Are all the lefties feeling the pinch already?
As for campaigning, he has still not defined himself or his message on the campaign trail. Hope and Change are wearing pretty thin.
Maybe there’s some potential in all the evening anchors going with him to Baghdad to help him shoot the Fall campaign commercials…
Comment by BehindTheScenes Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:11 pm
How well do you expect anyone to do in these types of campaigns? Every little snigget of information, every trivial flag pin, any fault from 20 years ago is analysed by 10,000 talking heads as if whatever they discuss actually means something. Obama is doing fine. It is still a marathon run of many big bumps and I gotta give him credit for smoothness in many situations. It’s PR sales pitch time right now just as it was for Kennedy, Reagan, and many others. Experience? Where do you get experience for a job like the President. Stick to the plan and do not do something majorly stupid. He is doing fine. Who has stepped up to do better? McCain has many fine qualities. Obama seems to have a far better organization.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:13 pm
Seems to me he’s letting a golden opportunity slip by with this Phil Gramm “nation of whiners” comment. He could use that as a “see, the Republicans really don’t care about working folks” opportunity. There’s a hell of a lot of uncertainty about the economy right now, and he needs to stop going to these wonkish foreign policy summits and start hammering McCain on economic issues. That’s where the “four more years of George Bush” line will resonate. In general, though, if he wants to win, he’s going to have to start sharpening his attacks.
Comment by The Unlicensed Hand Surgeon Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:19 pm
Well, the longer the campaign goes the more obvious to me that the man has no substance at all. I started out trying to be impressed, but at this point I could actually wish Hillary had won the nod. So speaking for me, his campaign isn’t having the desired effect. Of-course, neither is McCain’s!
Comment by Skirmisher Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:21 pm
According to many polls, Obama is leading, but that could change. In July 1980, the majority of the polls said that Carter would defeat Reagan. In July 1988, the majority of the polls said that Dukakis would defeat Bush.
Comment by PhilCollins Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:24 pm
I did stick to the question…. He currently is an elected official for the state of Illinois and if he is not going to stick up for the people that elected in the first place what makes u think he is going to do any better as president? And has anyone heard any input from him on what is going on in his home state? So I personally think he could be doing allot better because Illinois is going down the tubes what makes you think the USA wont?
Comment by northernights Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:24 pm
agree with skimisher-his lack of experience and substance will become more and more apparent to voters,especially the undecided
Comment by red dog Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:31 pm
JM supports are left over Bob Dole voters. Dems in Illinois will win BIG across the entire state and Obama will be the next President with the largest popular & electoral college vote count.
Comment by ItOverfor JM Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:36 pm
The New Yorker article affirmed my assertions that he is an ambitious, lucky guy. His campaign is being expertly managed by Axelrod, but can implode at any moment with his Chicago connections getting ahead of themselves at times.
The mess that is IL government does not need to be exported to DC…he needs some insiders on the team to help him negotiate the next few months, keep the blacks, latinos, and women on his side, not tee off further his most ardent, unrealistic supporters by shifting to the center, perform splendidly during the debtes, and hope Fitzgerald waits until after the election for further indictments in the Land of Lincoln…he is still light in the experience department in my mind…time will tell…
Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:43 pm
Wonderful, the emdia is focused on whether he is a secret, gay, Muslim, black radical rather than the records and plans. They are focused on the silly stuff and he has momentum and people are afraid to/won’t criticize him. He has run a good campaign, is a smart guy and people keep underestimateing him for some reason.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:49 pm
Sen. Obama is doing very well, which I’m certain is because he eschewed the D.C. consultants. It’s definitely his race to lose, but I’m certain he’ll win. This country is hungry for change and what more change could there possibly be from the current crew of kleptocrats and wanna-be fascists? And more abroadly speaking, his election would be the clearest sign to the world that our national 7 1/2-year freak-out is finally over, and that responsible, reality-based adults are finally back in charge.
And Anon 12:36 p.m.: If that’s really your plan, you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face. Grow up.
Comment by Railfan Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:54 pm
Obama will lose. Polls mean thing this far out. I, too, was going to vote for Obama but I just can’t do it. Perhaps Obama will lick his wounds and come back to Illinois and run for governor.
Comment by Just My Opinion Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:58 pm
With news on the economic, Iraq and Afghanistan front constantly changing, its a toss up.
If the economy continues to tank, McCain is in trouble. If the Afghanistan/Pakistani border deteriorates, Obama is in trouble. If Iraq news continues to be much better since the surge, Obama is in trouble.
This may be one of the first campaigns for President for both parties where events may cause careful planning to be thrown out the window.
On the fundraising front, both candidates are doing well, but how many TV spots can you run before you turn the electorate against you (overexposure)?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:03 pm
I like Obama. Although I can’t stand Hillary and I used to think she could not win in Nov., I now think she would have an easier time than Barack will. Don’t forget that Archie Bunker is still alive and well. Obama needs to be leading in swing states by 5 or more points to actually win them. If you look at the Electoral map, McCain is still in this. Obama will win the popular vote but may still lose.
Comment by GOP Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:08 pm
Seems to be going quite well for him, wish he did that much work for the job he was elected to do by the people of the State of Illinois as their US Senator. Just does not seem right to have a job and not do it but still get paid for it.
Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:10 pm
Obama is doing just fine - he has a superb campaign organization and is the most charismatic and eloquent Democratic candidate since John and Robert Kennedy. McCain is still organizing and reorganizing his campaign.
Although there is a well-known anti-intellectual streak in the American electorate, Obama in terms
of raw intellect is smarter than Bush and McCain
put together. Let’s face it McCain is not at the top of his political game anymore. He looks tired and worn out compared to Obama and he is wedded to the failed policies of the Bush administration.
I think Obama’s major weakness is an inablity to really connect with lunch-bucket,blue collar Democrats and independents without college educations - those Hillary Clinton referred to as “hard-working white Americans.”
I am amused by the remarks pertaining to Obama’s lack of experience given that the current occupant of the White House never achieved anything in his life that wasn’t because of his last name - before Karl Rove took W under his wing.
Obama has the organization, the message, the money,the issues,the brains,the style and a flexible strategy that includes multiple different paths to electoral college victory.
I’d estimate that 25-33% of the American voters
would not vote for African-American Presdiential American candidate under any
circumstances.Luckily most of these people are in the Republican base already - most weren’t
going to vote for a Democrat anyway.If Obama wasn’t African-American,and if he didn’t have a Muslim-sounding name,this election would be over already.
Obama wins by the popular vote by an impressive margin, which will lead to a correspondig more modest electoral college victory. If it weren’t for the Bradly effect, Obam would win both the popular vote and the electoral college by a landslide.
Comment by Captain America Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:18 pm
Tough question. Obama’s support seems broad but it isn’t that deep outside of his core supporters. McCain has poor support with the Republican base but has enough appeal with independants and Clinton supporters that he might be able to overcome dissatisfied conservatives. I would argue that Obama needs to repeat another Iowa campaign (meaning winning over white independants) but with all of these missteps he seems to be heading down the path of Ohio/Pennsylvania.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:24 pm
Obama is comfortably ahead, and barring a catastrophic misstep, he’ll take the WH. On a related note, I’m quite surprised that the McCain campaign and/or the RNC has not hammered home the state of dysfunction in both the state and Chicago. Whatcha waiting for, gentlemen?
Comment by The Doc Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:27 pm
I have to agree with-
- Skirmisher - Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 1:21 pm:
BHO is all sizzle and no steak. In time this will come out.
Comment by Big Mama T Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:27 pm
I come to this site because it seemed to me that the readership is for the most part well-informed, level-headed, and as wonkish as I am. But to think that OCS drilling and the “good news” from Iraq are going to help McCain in the next 3 months is certifiable. Obama will have 300+ electoral votes sewn up by September. McCain will continue to stumble, prevaricate, and rant until most voters see clearly that he shouldn’t be president.
And if you’re looking for polls to give Obama a 15-point lead, then you need to go find the results of recent presidential elections. I’ll do it for you: Reagan beat Carter 51-41 in 1980, Reagan killed Mondale in 1984 59-40, Bush beat 53-46 in 1992, close ones in 1996 and 2000 and 2004. Obama up by 5-10 in the polls right now and McCain hovering around 40-45% will give Obama the huge win and fits in with the trend.
With that said, Obama is playing it safe. The real fun starts post-convention.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:35 pm
- Big Mama T -
Don’t forget - “Big Hat, No Cattle” ! He displays no substance, a lot of Sunday Preacher flash but what do we do for Monday through Saturday? It’s still impossible to discern what he really stands for, other than “inspirational” feel good speeches. That’s just not enough and it becomes more and more apparent as the clock ticks away.
Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:43 pm
So far, so good.
If there are no major gaffes he is in! Smart move not to take fed money. I can’t wait to see Barack and Gramps on the same stage.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 2:46 pm
I have never seen a candidate for president with so many negatives as Obama. If he wins this contest it will again prove that it doesn’t take substance to win an election.
Comment by Thinking without the box Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:07 pm
It is a presidential campaign, isn’t it? And he has not even been nominated (nor has McCain, for that matter). If so far is so good, it does not look for the United States, IMO. Why? I believe we will see decisons being based on political cover than sound policy considerations, pretty much the way he is running his current campaign. I have lamented here before that Obama is not the candidate his supporters want us to believe he is, but what other choice is there?
Comment by anon Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:09 pm
I agree with the others–it’s Barack’s election to lose. A well-managed campaign. My greatest concern is his personal safety and security. Among that 20-30% that one writer says will not vote for a person of color are the James Earl Rays of the world. Do candidates receive Secret Service protection or are they on their own?
Comment by rudy Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:20 pm
Lefty Lefty is right. Obama takes McCain by Nixonian margins.
Comment by Illinois Eddie Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:20 pm
Obama gets Secret Service Protection. Actually he got it earlier than any other candidate who wasn’t already Prez or VP in history.
As for how the Obamamaniac is doing I think pretty well. I guess we will know in November.
Comment by Irishpirate Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:25 pm
Captain America:
If 25-33% of America would never vote for a black, and they largely reside in the Republican Party, then the vast majority of Republicans would have to fit your classification. You may hold that perception, but I think your numbers are way, way too high.
My gut is that a lot of these unique characteristics are what makes Obama Obama, and that rather than having the election locked up but for his race, he instead wouldn’t have even won the primary.
Either way, I find the characterization of such vast numbers of Republicans as racist ironic given today’s discussion of knee-jerk racism accusations, with respect to Davis.
Comment by Greg Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:34 pm
Rudy, Obama has had Secret Service protection for several months.
To Irish Pirate’s point, it was specifically requested earlier than normal for the very reasons Rudy describes.
FYI, as a former First Lady, Sen. Clinton was also entitled to, and had and continues to have, Secret Service protection. Sen. McCain as the “presumptive” GOP nominee also has it.
As to the question, the replies here seem to have more to do with the commenters’ partisan leanings than anything else.
He is comfortably ahead but not crushing McCain. Voters are still fluid and making up their minds. That speaks to McCain’s inability to seal the deal during the time he had the stage to himself (with the national press literally eating out of his hand as with that private Sedona barbecue) and to Obama’s inability to put this thing away early a la Bill Clinton in 96 (thanks in part to the drawn out primary process).
Most non-TV network polls show him up by 5-7 points which is larger than Bush’s margin in 2004. That will tighten up in coming months, but the fundamentals like voter registration margins and independent voter leanings, plus the Electoral College map, are definitely in his favor. (He’s leading off and on in Colorado and Virginia and close in places like Georgia and Alaska.)
Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 3:44 pm
This campaign is over!
Comment by ANON #2 Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 4:02 pm
My neighborhood (60% elderly) was pro-obama in the beginning. They have all jumped off the wagon now except for about 15%. Most are saying they won’t vote or will vote for McCain, not because of his race, but because of the lack of substance and the fact that he’s supported by the Chicago machine. Plus, what he hasn’t done for Illinois. They are constantly complaining about the uneven coverage. Most feel as though he’s been pushed down our throats and they suspect it’s because he’s not presidential material. We’ll see…
Comment by fan of cap fax Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 4:03 pm
Obama will win 55% to 45%, win the popular vote by 3 million, in an electoral landslide. I volunteered for his campaign in the primary, and will do so again this fall in the general. I’ve known the man for 12 years. He’s full (no-overflowing with) of substance, intelligence, common sense, energy, is for the working person who lives paycheck to paycheck, as he did not so very long ago. Barack and his life story is pretty close to a common reference to the American Dream. Raised by a single mother, and his grandparents, worked hard and studied hard in school, college, and law school. He created his own success with hard work. Just the type of person I want to be my president. We’ve had 7 years of Bush, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, enough!!
God Bless, Barack Obama (Yes We Can, Yes We Will, Fired Up and Ready To Go)
Comment by Eddy Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 4:07 pm
Dan S - “Just does not seem right to have a job and not do it but still get paid for it.” There’s a lot of that going around in Illinois.
Comment by Just My Opinion Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 4:39 pm
Obama is doing a great job! With his trip to Europe, Iraq and Afganistan coming up, he should increase his advantage. McCain is just too old and repeats whatever he thinks the public wants to hear.
Comment by Independent One Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 5:15 pm
Well, as he has a few weeks to secure the nomination, it’s hard to argue that his campaign so far has been anything less than mind-boggling. Of course, there’s just one more thing he’s got to do - win enough Electoral Votes come November. At this point, he should be blowing away the competition. This is a Democratic Year on the national scene like none I’ve witnessed. That he isn’t viewed as the shoo-in is odd.
But contrary to the “see racists behind every rock” crowd, there may be more to this than meets the eye. Kerry did no better, and in many cases, worse with some of those geographic areas that some Obama supporters label as racist merely because they’re for McCain. Obama has great strengths, notably a supine media. But that, too, may be changing, which is why this race seems still a toss-up.
The media was widely criticized for what was widely viewed as being completely (or at least hugely) in the tank for Obama. As a result, they may be trying to be more critical of Obama to shake the rep that they got. And the media still does like McCain. There are also still plenty of p.o.’ed females who, despite what the mainstream media may say, will be hard-pressed to vote for Obama.
And there are many who, upon examination, find that despite his star-power, Obama’s meteoric rise leaves too many questions. Having known him for a longer period of time, those of us in this echo-chamber may not quite realize it. But for the guy in Richmond, or Little Rock, or Butte, or Montepelier, who never heard of Obama until less than a year ago, well, there’s going to be a gut check at the polling place. And it aint no Brady-effect, people. It’s just how people think about candidates - this isn’t some name on a palm card that you vote for because your precinct captain says is a good guy. This is the whole enchalada.
Wow, I really rambled…he’s doing fine, but in a race that should be easy for the Democrats, Obama still may have a fight on his hands. Hopefully the media will learn that it’s fawning created a backlash and will actually provide decent coverage - warts and all. Otherwise, well, McCain isn’t a bad guy either.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 5:24 pm
As far as raising money,Obama is doing quite well.He’s got a lot of big Wall Street money behind him.Obama’s polling should be better.He’s got economic strife,an old competitor.Plainly,Obama should be doing better in the polls.Right now,it’s 50-50 whether he wins.Not a bad place to be.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 6:29 pm
It ain’t over folks. Obama has been a Comet, and it’s his to lose. But don’t bet the farm against a real hero.
Watch the Ohio River Valley: on the north side, Ohio, PA, Obama’s ahead;, on the south side, WV, Tenn, Kentucky, he’s done. Cleveland and Philly are going to be huge in this election.
And who doesn’t like McCain, except Republicans? The guy is a certified hero, tough as hell, stayed in the Hanoi Hilton so others could get out before him.
And you know he’s not going to drink that right-wing wack-job Kool-aid if he’s elected.
Given who was in the running at the beginning, it’s a great choice.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 6:39 pm
Obama will win over 40 states. The economy is in shambles, and the war is another story. Just wait and see Obama and McCain on the same stage debating. I get the picture and it isn’t good for McCain. During these times I just can’t see folks voting Republican. Obama wins very big in Illinois and it has tails all the way down the ticket. I am calling for a Landslide. This will not even be close. Don’t believe those polls. A better baromoter is the Foreclosure Rate, banks collapsing, gasoline prices, and soldiers dying in Iraq.
Comment by emmejo Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 7:13 pm
Obama has a great sense of humor and a common touch. He can also be rather cold and something of an egghead. For those of us used to the Stevensons, that can be OK. But this week’s flap over the New Yorker cover points up a potential weakness - he may be able to take a joke, especially if it’s on his critics, but many of his followers don’t seem to be able to. It was as if the NY was under fire for printing a picture of the prophet. If the idea gets around that Sen. O is getting too grandiose, it could be trouble for him.
Comment by Excessively rabid Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 7:39 pm
The Cub’s usually start out strong too.
Comment by Silverback Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 9:03 pm
With all this talk about Obama I’m suprised no one has brought up Rich’s dear friend Shomon and his bonehead attempt at business development.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0708/Cashing_in_on_CHANGE.html
Editorial privilege? This was probably the stupidest thing anyone could do.
Comment by BONEHEAD Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 9:07 pm
Emmejo, did our friend Bill slip you some Kool-Aid in the warm summer heat? 40 states?
AA is a realist, but as I see it today “Landslide Obama” Tribs will be as collectible as “Dewey defeats Truman” editions.
Former Clintonistas including Ed Rendell in PA may make it or break it for a falling star in the cool fall skies.
As far as the campaign, technologically impressive but no soul; it strikes me as a bit like buying a Lexus.
You could live with it or live without it just fine. (no offense to Lexus lovers.)
The faux presidential seal and other occasional flashes of arrogance from the campaign and candidate are offputting, especially to those of us who knew him back when.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 10:46 pm
Obama’s team is NOT new to hard core or presidential politics. The have learned from the successes and failures of many campaigns they have worked on. These folks worked for Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Daschle, DNC, DCCC, DSCC, etc. The only new thing about the Obama campaign is Obama. He is being run by well-seasoned professional political pros. Nothing new or fresh about it. This is not change. Obama is just a newer, fresher product to sell.
Comment by Sophie D. Thursday, Jul 17, 08 @ 10:52 pm
If the Kennedy analogy holds, Obama’s lead will shrink in the closing days of the campaign as Americans ponder whether they really want to elect the first African American president. Nixon was closing fast in 1960 and many pundits claim he would have won if the election had been a few days later. Actually, Obama reminds me more of Adlai Stevenson than Kennedy. Kennedy had more wit.
Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Jul 18, 08 @ 7:00 am
I am sorry, did you call him our Senator, that would denote that he had actually ever represented us. He may have been elected as Senator, but he will never be “our” Senator. People downstate are a little flustered that since being elected, he has spent more time in CA, Africa, and now Iraq, than South of I-64. If Fox News wants to know how IL really feels about the Senator, they should ask the people who hired him, but he never showed up to work for.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, Jul 18, 08 @ 7:09 am