Compare and contrast RFK '68 with Obama '08

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What are the similarities and what are the differences?

[book_worm]

1. I prefer to compare with JFK in 1960

Catholic Senator having to prove himself in hugely protestant West Virginia Primary vs. AA Senator having to prove himself in a hugely lily white state. Secondly if Obama gets the nomination he, like JFK, will have a huge effect on young people. Many people recall that JFK brought lots of young people into the political process and it looks like young people went huge for Obama tonight. Finally, both are considered very charasmatic people.

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2. Several similarities, but one difference I hope...................

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3. what one

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6. ...

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4. Actually, not really that much in common with either K except Harvard

Mostly a marketing issue. RFK seemed much more "real" than Obama, who often seems to me as "too clever by half". Maybe I am biased because I prefer Edwards, but I think it is more than that. Something about Obama's "gloss" over issues and facts is quite different from how I remember RFK.

I have been a political junkie since 1956 and have seen various Dems described as the next JFK or the next RFK. RFK evolved a lot between 1963 and 1968 and became much more willing to take political risks, unlike Obama who seems too careful and risk aversive for me.

Still, congratulations to Obama and his supporters on his win in Iowa.

[yardwork]

5. Interesting points. I think that, in photos at least, Obama looks like JFK.

I can see why people are making the comparisons. They just look a lot alike to me - slender, tall, graceful, patrician-looking in the way they hold themselves.

I'm quite concerned about the "gloss" that you mention. I hope that Obama turns out to be as much substance as style, especially if he is our next president. We need somebody very strong in that office now.