Carol Platt Liebau: What Does It Mean?

Monday, October 23, 2006

What Does It Mean?

The MSM is abuzz with the revelation that Barack Obama may run for President in 2008. (Although I disagree with him on just about everything, in the interests of full disclosure, it's fair to point out was always kind to me when our paths crossed at Harvard Law School).

First, kudos for Barack for having the temerity to admit that he's thinking about it. His candor is a refreshing contrast from the coy cat-and-mouse game his most formidable female opponent has played over the past six years.

But it's worth thinking about what his admission -- and the hoopla that's greeted it -- really means.

Above all, it strikes me as a sign of desperation that so many would embrace the news so enthusiastically. After all, as talented as he obviously is, Barack Obama has been in the Senate -- in federal office, for that matter -- for two years.

That's the same amount of time as Colorado's Ken Salazar. The difference, of course, is that whereas Salazar has served in the executive branch of government (2 terms as CO attorney general), winning statewide election twice in a swing state, Barack's experience (before winning his first statewide race, in a blue state, over merely nominal opposition) was as a state senator.

It's difficult to imagine that a Salazar announcement of a potential presidency candidacy would be greated with the same "coronation" mentality. Usually, senators two years into their first term simply aren't looking to The White House -- not because they don't want to, but because they simply wouldn't be taken seriously.

There's no doubt that Barack is intelligent, hardworking, and charismatic. But the idea that Democrats would welcome him so soon, with such fervor, is a sign that -- if nothing else -- they realize that their presidental "bench" is shallow, highly unappealing, and incredibly charisma-challenged.

And above all, it's also a sign that the Dems and the MSM don't really take the war on terror seriously. They're swooning over a candidate that wants to be Commander-in-Chief based on . . . two years (four in '08) of service on the Foreign Relations Committee.

Even so, one would be a fool to underestimate Barack Obama. If I am aware of these issues, no doubt he is, too. It will be interesting to see how he moves to address them.

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