Obama rolls on

Barack Obama’s crushing victory in the Wisconsin primary confirms him as the favorite to become the next president of the US. That possibility is so amazing to me that I have trouble taking it in. In less than a year, George W. Bush may just be an unpleasant memory and we may have an American president who is not a total asshole. That’s the first time since 1980 as far as I am concerned.

CNN streamed Obama’s victory speech, which was the first chance I have had to hear him at any length. He was just as good as everyone says, with every pause, every cadence carefully balanced. Obama would certainly inspire me if I were a young American, especially when compared to the stuttering efforts of the current president.

The contrast between Obama’s fluid delivery and the clip from Bush’s efforts in Africa on the news tonight was damning. Bush sounds to me like someone going through voice therapy after a particularly heavy blow to the head. Obama sounds like a leader—like someone cleverer and wiser than the rest of us, not like a retarded cousin.

I never liked Billary’s campaign much but two recent elements have particularly turned me against her. For a start, after her last three defeats she has refused to congratulate Obama, in defiance of normal practice and good manners. Someone asked me what pikon meant the other day, you won’t get a better example of it than that.

Or take her campaign’s insistence on fighting for the Florida and Michigan “ghost” delegates to be reinstated. Gimme a break. When the Democratic Party announced that those states would be allowed no delegates at the convention (as a penalty for moving their primary dates forward) Obama and Edwards didn’t even bother to put their names on the ballot. The fact that Hillary is now fighting to change the rules of the game halfway through—and doesn’t seem to realize how tainted such a victory would be—just shows how she and her team want to win at any cost. She is a vindictive woman who would make an awful president -- I have no sympathy for her at all.

Comments

[Carla]

Hi Torn,

That's what gets me about Hilary--she's pikon. She's vindictive, she doesn't connect readily with people. You can't be like that and be a great leader. She might be a better manager, a more astute policy wonk, but it takes certain qualities to be a politician. Though we take potshots at the worst of them, it takes so much to be a great politician.

[Betol]

The Obama-Nation is rising! Just like the Manchurian candidate.

Most of his backers don't really care how smart or how qualified this guy is. To them his most important quality is that of a consensus builder not only here in the states but, as a lot of leftwingnutters are hoping, in the Muslim world as well because of his Islamic background.

The only problem is that the Muslim world aren't all that interested in building a consensus.

[Gerry]

I've never been interested in visiting the US, partly because I've no hope of getting a visa and also, my peso savings wouldn't go a long way in dollar country.

But now I'm thinking of getting an appointment at the US embassy to secure a visa just so I could witness Obama's oathtaking as the 44th US president.

That's how intense I've been afflicted with Obamamania.

I just don't know if US consuls would buy my reason for wanting to go to America.

Maybe not. Sigh.

[cvj]

I'd take Hillary over any Republican but she reminds me too much of Gloria Arroyo.