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Something I've observed for years and even though I hate it, I think savy politicians, celebrities, and others seeking notoriety and opportunity have a lot to gain from any press, even some of the stupid stuff like is seen on Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh's blowhard shows. The petty things they pick up on end up working in favor of some candidates and I got a kick out of Barack's laughing dismissal of the supposed rift or jibe Michelle Obama made that the press immediately turned to a dig at Hillary Clinton. It was easily dismissed but put the whole thing in perspective. His name got on the headlines and noticed, and that's exactly the very thing that the polls are reflecting in Hillary's support, name recognition. The campaign will heat up in the coming year and I suspect even the petty little squabbles that the press would like to see between any of the candidates will continue to infest Barack's campaign. He handles it gracefully, with class, and then brings the focus right back to the important issues and ideals that he hopes will resonate with the intelligent voters of America.
Let the stupid, foolish, easily duped people who buy into the fear and erronious belief that his name equates with Islamic terrorists, or that his mixed race is a sign of the devil, or that he is an educated elite who can't relate to the downtrodden poor, or whatever the idiots who proclaim such messages suggest, let them vote for the Republican candidates who most reflect their own bigotry, ignorance, and mob mentality of fear. We don't need them.
The media seems to believe they have a lot to gain by inciting rivalry, by distorting statements and taking entire messages out of context to manipulate a headline. The mainstream media is not to be trusted, but a smart and effective candidate will use the media prostitutes to his own favor. I like John Stewart's show and the Colbert show, even "Lil Bush" and believe they have a huge impact on the psyche of the voters, especially over time. Barack even went on the Tyra Banks show recently. She's a bobbleheaded Barbie without a deep thought or intelligent perception, but hey!! It's free and he gets a half hr. to speak to the people who would watch her show, thus finding an outlet to relate to the millions who watch daytime tv. I first saw Barack Obama on Oprah three years ago when he was first running for the Senate. I was very impressed with him then and soon started seeing his name in numerous publications, some even worth reading . With Oprahs endorsement it will make a huge opportunity to reach the daytime tv watchers and some black communities that enjoy her brand of entertainment. I believe his staff is wise to use those local and national media opportunities to help get his name and face recognized.
At the polls, it's name recognition that seems to have the biggest impact on voting. Unfortunately, many people will not take the time or interest to actually inform themselves on the various candidates and they tend to vote for the name they recognize, regardless of that candidates position. Why do you think so many candidates spend the bulk of their budgets on scores of postors that plaster the empty lots and yards prior to elections? Barack Obama has great people on his staff who've made a simple graphic sign that says "Obama O8". That's all he needs in signage to create that recognition.
Every time I see Barack Obama or hear him speak I'm taken aback with how dignified, graceful, intelligent, thoughtful, strong, and capable he seems. He brought it out well on John Stewart's show when he mentioned that most intelligent people will look at the history of choices and leadership skills a person has and weigh that over the "experience" that some candidates claim. Sometimes the experience makes some politicians even more suspicious. It infers that they've been willing to play the good ol boys game, that they'll accept graft, that they'll compromise their values to stay in the game. It's often the most experienced ones that I mistrust the most. Barack mentioned that Rumsfield and Dick Cheney had very long political careers and lists of experience, but "how'd that work out for them?" was a very telling statement. From what I gather on the news, internet, and other media sources, very few Americans trust or believe in either of those men and even those that support Bush tend to believe that Dick Cheney and Rumsfield are very corrupt and sinister. Experience seems to equate with corruption in many cases. I'll take my chances with Barack Obama not just because of how he'll play the game in the future, but on how he's allready played the game in the past. His choices, focus, service and intellect are the very things I look for in a leader and I look forward to seeing how all those gifts will benefit all of us Americans.
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