'Aura' is just another word for nothing of substance ...

  Barack Obama, the first "postracial candidate," is heading to the Democratic nomination almost entirely because of his near-universal support from black voters in the Democratic primaries. In both states Tuesday, his share of that vote was 90% or more. If one resets the black vote to the norm of earlier elections, Hillary Clinton is the nominee.

  The idea that Obama was a postracial politician dates to his famous keynote speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. He set the postracial template himself in the speech's third sentence, describing his father born in a small Kenyan village, herding goats, etc. His mother was "born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas." Over the next three years, writers ratified this postracial definition of Obama's own design. From this idea, a Democratic star arose.

  Hillary Clinton, who now resembles the robot's crawling hand in the final scenes of "The Terminator," can plausibly argue to the superdelegates that much of this is electoral bunk. In Indiana, her share of the white vote to his, men and women combined, was 60-40, a huge lead. In North Carolina, 61-37.

  They won't buy it. Ever. The "first woman" running for president would have to be pulling 90% of her own piece of history, women, to compete with his achievement. Obama has locked up 90% of a constituency that Democrats not only must have to win in November, but that they've elevated to mythic status the past 40 years. As well, the black vote came spontaneously to Sen. Obama, without him having to make an overt appeal for their vote, as she did with women.

  The Democratic superdelegates are products of their party – nice liberals, nice people. To stiff Obama's black voters at this late hour, most of the superdelegates would have to be as hard and clinical about politics as the Clintons. They aren't. Obama moves them and validates their commitment to the Democratic idea. Shelby Steele described the force even Hillary can't match in these pages last March: Race lifts the Obama candidacy "to the level of allegory. . . . Because he is black, there is a sense that profound questions stand to be resolved in the unfolding of his political destiny."

  Barack Obama is going to run an aura campaign. As it has been from the start, it's going to be a speech candidacy, a rhetorical candidacy, a JFK candidacy, the promise of another Camelot. Link

  And a candidacy totally devoid of substance beyond that which his far left supporters and his own radical conscience will allow. He is dangerous. Not only do we not know enough about him - it is likely were we to know more - it would be frightening. He cannot possibly win in the general election - unless he puts his opponent on the ticket with him and it's uncertain she'd entertain that notion. Can you imagine the awkwardness of Bill Clinton pacing the halls of the White House or the vice president's residence?

  Obama has just that - an aura. An ephemeral quality borne of the ether - something intangible and the stuff of nothing. His words - his ability to speak - are his only currency. Beyond them - he has no more carriage or history than some used car on some used car lot in some unknown part of some town in someplace you have never been. The car lot has cleaned it up - detailed it - it shines. The salesmen won't let you get close enough to it to check under the hood or to even kick the tires. Take it - as is.

I ain't buyin' it and I don't think most Americans will either.Spread the word! 

Comments

[OINK]

I've wondered if we don't need a King/Queen in the USA. Someone charismatic who makes awesome speeches but has no role in government. It would give the President a rest. Obama would be fantastic.

HA! Hillary as the disembodied hand of The Terminator!

[Oldcatman]

QUEEN-KING.....

REGARDLESS of what folks babble, Bill Clinton is perhaps the most popular living American politician in the world (haha, Jimmy Carter is probably #2.)

And we now want to 'present' to the world, a half black, former
mooosie, unknown, named HUSSEIN!

I am begin to really question the intelligence of those 90% who voted for him.

I suspect THEY would support Al Jolson just to vote BLACK.

We are doomed.....

[David]

Why does the national media constantly harp on the premise that whites vote by color when it is just the opposite? Obama received 92% of the black vote in N.C. and the numbers were similar in most of the primaries to date. In Tennessee's last Senate race, Harold Ford from Memphrica received almost 100% of the black vote and won every predominately black district in the state, yet we hear this same old shit anyway. I have no problems with voting for a black candidate just not Obama. If we are in so much trouble as a nation, is now the time to vote for someone with NO experience whatsoever? This guy has has never authored a major piece if legislation in Illinois or in the U.S. Senate, has never run a business, etc. He wants to raise the capital gains tax even though he has acknowledged revenues would drop and admits he wants to do this just to make it fair. I cannot imagine a US with this douche bag at the helm.

[Lee]

With so many negative comments about Obama, I am wondering where's the statements of truth are hiding about Hillary and McCain? The Clintons are alleged unpunished criminals and McCain, like Bush, can't even speak in public and appears to be a useless zombie. Give me a break! All three are lacking leadership skills and will proceed to push this country further into destruction. Doomsday? Yep!!

[Steel]

Lee ...

This election for POTUS is NOT about leadership, the economy, or even national security.

It's a given that Congress will be very much more Democratically controlled for at least the next 4 years.

If they have a kindred spirit in the White House, then all the socialist crap they pass will be signed and enacted into law.

If there is a Republican there - it won't.

All YOU have to do is decide whether you want more big government, higher taxes, more regulation, less energy independence, restricted growth, a vastly increased 'welfare state' and the very real possibility of a worldwide economic depression ala 1929 or not.

It's as simple as that.

Historically, we have been here before.

Study up.

Get back to me when you have.

[David]

I had an open mind at the start but that door was slammed shut with Revernd Wright. Obama is nothing more than a dirty Chicago style, race-baiting liberl politician with no experience, credit, patriotism or honor. If you go around criticizing people's deeds or misdeeds you better have your own shit in order. It has been proven Obama does not. I am not even sure he would put this country first over other interests. McCain IS NOT Bush. He has proven to be willing to work as a bi-partisan and has tried to pass earmark and campaign reform. Hell, the man BLED for this country and I do not believe Obama has enough loyalty to do so.

[Lee]

"Steel" said: "Study up. Get back to me when you have."
How patronizing.

Well, "Steel", now I understand more than I did before. I understand that you are not tolerant of others' questions or opinions if they do not agree with yours. Your' "explanation" as follows:

"All YOU have to do is decide whether you want more big government, higher taxes, more regulation, less energy independence, restricted growth, a vastly increased 'welfare state' and the very real possibility of a worldwide economic depression ala 1929 or not. (Steel)"

You mentioned it, so do YOU remember 1929? Are you a senior citizen that has seen many presidents occupy the oval ofc. and have YOU seen the rapid fall and decline of the honorable and trustworthy in the U.S.Congress/Supreme Court/Law Enforcement/Politicians; etc.?

Have YOU witnessed the degradation of America's work ethics, moral standards and the resulting loss unity and pride in our beloved country? Have YOU lived during the thirties, forties, and fifties so that you base your opinions on KNOWING what it was like and not heresay?

I am old enough to tell you that I have seen all the above things and more and consider "LEADERSHIP SKILLS" extrememly important. I am entitled to MY opinion, as are you, and I would like to have an honest reply from someone that can express themselves in a mannerly fashion.

Once again,:
With so many negative comments about Obama, I am wondering where's the statements of truth are hiding about Hillary and McCain? The Clintons are alleged unpunished criminals and McCain, like Bush, can't even speak in public and appears to be a useless zombie. Give me a break! All three are lacking leadership skills and will proceed to push this country further into destruction.

Have a good week-end!

[Steel]

Lee ...

I'm old, but not that old. I did, however major in History and 20th century American history was my chosen focus.

First of all, I was not trying to be patronizing - I was trying to suggest you follow my train of thought re 1929 and the period leading up to it.

At this point in history, the very most important thing for the president to be is NOT a Democrat - Congress is poised to turn this country decidedly socialist and without the power of the veto, will be able to do without check.

As to the decline of western civilization, you DO realize that theme is always with us, do you not? That lamentation has been made since the Dark Ages.

In the current state of the world - it is socialism which is the major contributor to our decline as a culture. It was 'Hollywood' in an other bygone era. 'Demon rum' in yet another.

As to leadership - have you heard what George 'Bud' Day has to say about McCain's leadership while a POW? It will make you cry. McCain is a good and honest man of integrity. Far outside the mold of other politicans. He has principles and he stands by them - often at his own political expense.

McCain might not be the perfect choice but the alternatives are positively the worst.

I apologise for my rudeness.

[Lee]

Steel...

A thought provoking response.

Thank you.

[Mouse]

Lee, I sometimes feel that the good Steel borders on the fanatical in his fervor to make a point. I always know that he encourages every viewpoint that he can garner, and sometimes those will give him pause for thought.

Steel, Where do they get these statistics on the color scheme of the voters? Are persons standing outside the poll stations with clickers? I am a voter and I do not recall ever putting my colorscheme on a ballot.

[Steel]

Heh, yep, that's me - I do get carried away.

The article is from the Wall Street Journal.

Pollsters do literally station themselves outside of demographically representative polling places with clickers.

Then they can extrapolate the greater whole to arrive at some very precise statistics - plus or minus 5%.