NYT: Barack Obama's soaring expectations, perfection problem

[DeepModem Mom]

But Will They Love Him Tomorrow?
By ANNE E. KORNBLUT
Published: March 19, 2006
WASHINGTON


Richard Perry/The New York Times
STRONG OUT OF THE GATE
Barack Obama made a big speech at the Democratic convention in 2004, and made an equally big splash.


MOST politicians spend their careers working to overcome flaws. Then there are politicians like Barack Obama.

So charismatic that his greatest challenge has been trying to play down expectations during his first Senate term, Mr. Obama's enviable plight was neatly underlined at a black-tie dinner here last weekend, as President Bush facetiously tried to roast him.

"Senator Obama, I want to do a joke on you," the president told the audience at the annual Gridiron dinner, an event where politicians and the press mingle to make fun of one another. "But doing a joke on you is like doing a joke on the pope. Give me something to work with. Mispronounce something."

Ribbing aside, Mr. Obama's seeming perfection — as a gifted orator, award-winning author and proven intellect who was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review — has become something of a political marvel in itself, as Democrats survey the landscape of potential presidential candidates and endlessly wonder if he is the one to lead them back into favor after a season of darkness.

But such grand expectations can, by turns, be a curse — not only for Mr. Obama himself but for the party overall. From William Jennings Bryan, who electrified the populace with his 1896 "cross of gold" speech, to former Senator John Edwards, who briefly dazzled the Democratic party before fizzling out in the 2004 presidential race, fledgling superstars have often learned the perils of soaring expectations the hard way....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/weekinreview/19kornblut.html?8hpib

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

1. where's the beef?

he seems like a decent, democratic senator, but doesn't seem to lead, but follow the polls and the conventional wisdom.

I have been disappointed thus far.

[BlueManDude]

3. Give him time to forge his own path

People get elected these day and after serving 2 or 3 years their names start getting bandied about for the presidency (Hillary, Arnold. Obama, Romney). The pols I respect are the ones who are there for the long haul, through the good and bad - just pludgging away on the issues that are important. Ted Kennedy comes to mind.

[madrchsod]

2. he`s a good solid middle of the road democrat

he has a few more years to get the senority to win friends and influence people. if i don`t like him by the next time he`s up i won`t vote for him.

[roguevalley]

4. he's young yet. let him age and then I'll see what I think. Right now,

he's not more than normally exceptional. He needs time.

[beaconess]

5. He has to lay low, take care of Illinois and stay out of trouble

for the next few years. If you have high expectations of him - and many of us do - the worst thing we can do to him is force those expectations on him before he has established himself in the Senate. And he can't do that by ranting and raving and pushing himself to the front of the line. He's 98th in seniority and has to act like he knows his place or he'll get ground into the dirt before he can even get out of the gate.

Be patient, give him time and let him grow. I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

[AmericanDream]

6. Is this a "fangirl" article? Obama has potential, but he is far from

anything close to perfection.

He seems like a competent guy, but for now, he comes across as timid and just-like-any-other-politician. He hasn't done anything to break the mold or present a better version of senatorial leadership. Even Stewart, who liked Obama (and is no screaming partisan), was complaining about how Obama's been a disappointment on Larry King LIve.

Obama has a long way to go before he attains the qualities that count in "leaders"... he is not even a forceful senator yet, far from being an inspiring leader. He might get there some day, but this article is both premature and a little too focused on "sucking up."

And no doubt, when that happens, the world will notice.

Really? What a load of fawning...

[AtomicKitten]

7. He will be president some day.

[president4aday]

8. What a vacuous and superficial article.

Absolutely nothing mentioned of what legislation he's sponsored or supported or any positions he's taken on any issues.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Is Obama taking Viagra?

That's the only reasonable explanation for his having "soaring" expectations!