A New Kind of Democrat

Posted on 10/23/2008 at 3:49 pm by Bob Cesca

This piece by Joe Klein is an extraordinary look at the way Senator Obama deals with crisis and decision-making. The opening section about his trip to Iraq and meeting with General Petraeus is such a breath of fresh air to be sure, but it pales in comparison to the section about the economic crisis.

Apparently, when McCain suspended his campaign and flew back to Warshington, Senator Obama was in the midst of debate prep in Tampa. Democratic villagers urged Senator Obama to follow McCain — or McCain might appear more presidential.

Of course, this is the traditional Democratic instinct. To follow. To scurry from point to point without direction. To constantly play on Republican turf rather than defining a a separate path. And of course Senator Obama ignored the leadership and remained calm — detemined to debate on schedule with or without McCain.

“You gotta be kidding. I’m going to debate. A President has to be able to do more than one thing at a time.”

Who turned out to be right?

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  • http://obamaproject.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    Yay! I’m glad you commented on it.Seriously – it’s a great great read, and everyone should read it, and forward it to all their friends. (Hmmmm…)I respect your appreciation for how the Senator handled the democratic hand-wringers, but my favorite part was the part where he engaged Gen. Petraeus. The pictures after the fact really showed a mutual regard – so much so that I thought perhaps Petreaus would get the nod for VP. THAT’s how well the two men seemed to regard each other after their meeting. It was a beautiful thing to behold. Moreover – it puts him in a very good position to have a strong working relationship with the good General if he’s elected.QT

  • AdamC

    I have already forwarded the article to several people Bob. Thanks for pointing it out to everyone!

  • MatthewN

    Klein can’t help but get his “presumptuous” digs in, though. He literally says that only a sitting president should make speeches like Barack made in Berlin.It’s as if he just can’t quite bring himself to write an article without barbs.Maybe I’m just being oversensitive.

  • http://www.clusterdouche.com Elvis Dingeldein

    Just this little bit here is enough to make me want to weep with joy, after the last 8 years of reading account after account of how utterly unengaged and insulated Bush has been:

    A “spirited” conversation ensued, one person who was in the room told me. “It wasn’t a perfunctory recitation of talking points. They were arguing their respective positions, in a respectful way.” The other two Senators — Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed — told Petraeus they agreed with Obama. According to both Obama and Petraeus, the meeting — which lasted twice as long as the usual congressional briefing — ended agreeably.

    I don’t envy the job President Obama will have before him in January, but I am more confident than ever that he is up to the challenge. His staffers better be prepared to work 18 hour days.

  • http://www.clusterdouche.com Elvis Dingeldein

    I run my mouth a lot about the White House Wonderland Government Fantasy Show that was Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant West Wing, and I understand that it was hagiographic and often painfully naive and maudlin. But honestly, I’m starting to feel like we could have that White House with an Obama Administration: young, talented, fiercely motivated, extremely energetic, highly organized and dutifully worshipful of the man that put them all there.I may have an unhealthy devotion to the Bartlet Administration. Is it wrong to shout out “Donatella!” while in the act of The Lovemaking?

  • http://livefreeordie08.wordpress.com LiveFreeOrDie08

    Where do I apply? I’ll happily give up nights & weekends to unratfuck my country.

  • http://misterfurious.blogspot.com/ Mr Furious

    That’s awesome because it shows fortitude the party needs, but more importantly, it was also the right decision for both the short- and long-term. That single moment—more than any other i can think of—altered the race: Defining Obama as steady and level-headed, and McCain as an erratic, undisciplined drama queen.I think any other Democratic candidate would have gotten that one wrong, and be looking up at McCain right now.

  • JimmyJames

    I think Obama will do so well in office that it will usher in a new American era of tolerance and wisdom. In a sick way I’m almost glad Gore and Kerry never made it into office…..

  • JG

    To all the Clinton concern trolls: I will not rest until Obama wins–and the race is not over, but I honestly do not think she would be playing half as well as Obama is in the red states–Clinton plays to the old 51-49 model.Obama is a new paradigm.