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Why millions won't be voting for Barack today
Roger Kimball04.11.08
ONE of the things that most amazes people about Barack Hussein Obama is the suddenness of his rise. Barack who? A year ago, most people didn't know his name. The conventional wisdom on all sides was that Hillary Clinton, beneficiary of the mighty "Clinton machine", was certain to snatch the nomination and then march triumphantly to the White House. It was one of those certainties that was inevitable until it didn't happen.
An important point to grasp about Obama's success is that his obscurity, far from being a handicap, has been a tremendous asset. And I do not mean only the adventitious obscurity of Obama's birth, in reduced circumstances, to a black father from Kenya and a white American woman. I mean also the anonymity he has assiduously cultivated throughout his adult career.
There are many advantages to being a cipher. For one thing, it is a powerful goad to re-invention, not to say dissimulation. If people have no idea who you are, where you come from, what you believe, a canny campaign manager with lots of cash Obama has outspent McCain 20-1 on television advertising can pass you off as anything he likes.
"Who is Barack Obama?" That is the biggest unanswered question of the 2008 Presidential campaign. Even now, on the day of the election, the electorate doesn't know the answer.
Obama's original birth certificate has not been released. His records at Occidental College, where he started college, are not available. His records from Columbia University, where he was a student in the 1980s, are sealed. His Selective Service Registration? Not released.
If he wrote anything when head of the Harvard Law Review, it has yet to turn up. During his 12-year stint teaching law at the University of Chicago, he published no scholarly work. His list of law clients? Not released.
When he was a state senator in Illinois, he voted "present" 130 times instead of casting a vote. As a first-term US Senator, he has sponsored almost no legislation. The Los Angeles Times possesses, but refuses to release, a 2003 video tape of banquet at which Obama dilated on his friendship with Rashid Khalidi, a radical PLO sympathiser.
Is it surprising that some commentators have compared Obama to Jay Gatsby, the charismatic anti-hero of F Scott Fitzgerald's novella?
Then there are Obama's friends and associates. There's Bill Ayers, for example. As a member of the Weather Underground, Ayers was responsible for some 20 bombs at government buildings and banks in the 1970s. When asked about Ayers, Obama said that he was just "a guy in the neighbourhood". But his first political fundraiser, in 1995, was held in Ayers's living room. Obama was chairman of the board of a foundation that Ayers's started and guided. For a decade, they worked hand in glove on several Left-wing initiatives in Chicago.
It's easy to see why Obama is (as Colin Powell put it in his endorsement) an "electrifying" figure. Leave aside the $650 million his campaign has raised (you can buy a lot of "electricity" for $650 million). Obama is young. He is suave. He exudes energy and confidence. He is the anti-Bush: a first-term Senator who has already distinguished himself as the most Left-wing inhabitant of that august chamber.
Above all, he is (at least in part) black. What better receptacle for the hopes and dreams of liberal, guilt-infatuated America? What prodigies of expiation might be accomplished were this young, charismatic, half-black apostle of egalitarian change elected President of the United States?
And how might a President Barack Obama govern? The media has trodden gingerly, but we've had some clues. At a rally a couple of months ago, Obama called for the creation of "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military. That bit is not in the official transcript, but you can hear it on the video clip.
Then there is his famous off-hand comment to "Joe the Plumber". His tax plan, Obama said, wasn't intended to stifle ambition, it was merely meant to "spread the wealth around". Lest there be any doubt about what that might mean, a radio interview from 2001 surfaced a week ago in which Obama advocated breaking free "from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers and the Constitution" in order to address "issues of the redistribution of wealth". Because he regards the American people as essentially "selfish" (a sentiment memorably reinforced by Michelle Obama when she described America as "just downright mean"), Obama cannot help regarding success as a form of failure.
The bottom line is that, on domestic issues, Obama would govern as the Nanny-in-Chief, enforcing a Left-wing, politically correct, big-government agenda on everything from health care and energy to free speech and welfare policy.
What would an Obama presidency mean for the rest of the world? Two points are revealing: Obama's professed willingness to sit down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "without preconditions" and his three-step response to Russia's attack on Georgia earlier this summer. His first response on Georgia was to say that there was "fault on both sides". Then he suggested handing the problem over to the UN. And then, noting how well John McCain's categorical condemnation of Russian aggression was playing, he quietly signed on to a toothless version of that.
There is every reason to agree with his Democratic running mate, Joe Biden, that Obama, were he elected, would be quickly be "tested" by a serious international crisis. What Biden didn't say, but what is also true, is that Obama's response is likely to be one of accommodation if not capitulation.
The polls and pundits are nearly unanimous in telling us that Obama's victory is inevitable. Of course, he may win. But it wouldn't be the first time that something was proclaimed inevitable until it didn't happen.
* Roger Kimball is editor and publisher of The New Criterion magazine and publisher of Encounter Books.
Reader views (32)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Sandra,
You exemplify Ms. McCormick's comment. Here's hoping for your sake the first nuke doesn't fall on San Diego.
- Anthony Mchugh, New York
Once again women and the young have been led astray by the Pied Piper of the Democratic party. Appealing to their emotions and the nascent cerebral lobe governing judgement in the young, they abandoned all intellectual argument and opted for charisma, suave and ultimately succumbed to just plain slick. Character, what's to care there? The more women Bill Clinton raped the more they liked him. So what if Barack Obama has one of the most anemic political track records in presidential history and most of what does exist is locked behind institutional doors? All the better, the naive can just substitute their own fantasy for his reality. If I heard Barack Obama say "the notion" just one more time I was going to throw up. What an arrogant way to dismiss one's argument as ridiculous and reduce one's opponent to trivia all the while insulting their intelligence. Those of us old enough to remember the 20th Century can think of a few other individuals who were able to sway the masses with their rhetoric. The path of destruction they left in their wake was mind-boggling. Let's hope - no let's pray - this piper's tenure is of short and limited duration.
- W. Mccormick, Los Angeles
If you see or smell smoke ...look for the fire 
Go with what YOU BELIVE and what your ,,soul,,is teling you .Open your mind and the rest will find the way to you !
- Paula, Seattle USA
This man will uplift the country and offers a renewed universal message: there is opportunity and hope in the world and America leads that parade.
What will be destroyed are the haters and the bigots and the dreams of an American brought even lower than these 8 years have brought us.
- Sandra H., San Diego, CA
I think Obama is the right man for the job as President of the USA. Yes we don't know much about him but do we really want Sarah Palin as President if 72yr old John McCain were to die, I don't think so as she hasn't got a clue. Which is one of the reasons why I think so many people would vote for Obama instead of McCain.
I am pleased Roger is one of the few people in the media who have acknowledged Obama is of Mixed Race not fully Black. Which is one of the reasons he appeals to so many people.
- Ben S, London
People must try and remember that it is not actual individuals who run a country, ie G. Bush, G. Brown, Sarkozy etc, but a whole powerful political drilling machine behind them. Bush et al are just their puppets.
- Mariza, Ready, Athens, Greece
Manchurian candidate! This man(?) will destroy this country!
- Pete, Los Angeles
Bill, what a load of rubbish!
- Caroline, Cobham, Surrey
Great summary. It is apparent that neither the US media nor the Obamaians understand the hidden history and agenda of what will eventually be a change in world social order and economics, hindering capitalism for the remainder of this generation.
- Jon, Usa, Springfield
would this be the same Kimball as the one on the governing body of the Mormon church?
- Marjorie Ellis Thompson, london uk
Spot on analysis and a sad commentary on the US media that nothing even close to this has been published over here.
But Obama does have a response for you already!
- Sdee, Colorado
Ah, poor you, Roger, already dribbling, snivveling and still clutching at neo-con discredited guff. Just wait till he wins. I suggest you then take your clutched straw and throw yourself in The Thames, just don't expect anyone to save you.
- Mark Herring, UK
You forgot to mention that Obama is the most pro-abortion presidential candidate in history. He's OK with the partial-birth abortion and even letting a baby die who survived from a botched abortion. When asked when a baby has human rights, he said it was "above my pay grade". I think that being commander of chief is above Obama's pay grade.
- Henry, Toronto, Canada
I don't think the outcome is as clear cut as the polls make out. Obama strikes me as an American Tony Blair - all style and no substance.
If he wins, perhaps it will be a way for Americans to get the race thing out of their system. Next time they'll be able to say "Yes, we've had a black president - now let's vote on policies."
- Mary Jackson, London, UK
Relentless public scrutiny?? You must be insane. For two years this guy has been asked virtually NO questions of any substance. Should someone dare to ask a question, it was brushed aside as a "distraction" and no real answer was given. Why do you think Joe the Plumber resonated so widely? Had BHO actually been vetted, no one would have been the least bit surprised by his answer. The media did a great job of covering for him. Had it not been for the blogosphere, a lot of us would not be as informed as we are now - and we are the ones that are alarmed by the prospect of an Obama presidency. The blogosphere did the research the media refused to do. If you think BHO is so great, do a little research and arm yourself with some real facts before you try to express an opinion.
BTW, I am from one the battleground states and I have zero confidence that this will be a fair and fair election.
- Jen06, Ohio USA
This is almost like reliving the last election, when the press called Kerry as the inevitable winner. Polls everywhere put him ahead. Kerry was a sore loser, and so is the majority of the agenda driven press.
We shall see what we shall see. The polling places are very busy here in what Murtha termed as 'racist' country, where Obama says we like to cling to our guns and God.
- Monica, Lancaster County, PA
OBAMA is the man for the JOB.
Bush was a danger to global security and Mc cain represents more of the same mantra.
Obama will institute a shift in world politics. He is a great man and is soon to be a great leader.
GO OBAMA
- Sasha, london uk
it's american politics. it will always come down the the lesser of two evils. just remember the bush doctrine and spreading us out into two wars to easily decide the least evil choice. we need a president, not a warlord.
- Crystalball, Oxford, OH USA
barack obama is an anagram of 'nu lab brown bliar'. fact!
- Bill, london
don't be foolish "65%". obama has been under NO scrutiny at any point in his public career. he has fellow travellers in the media protecting him from scrutiny! he is a truly dangerous man, and he does not view himself as running for just president of the USA, he views himself as running for president of the world. if he's elected, his actions will affect you all the way over in the UK. obama will be a tyrant so long as he his party dominates congress. his minions will set about writing regulations and laws to control all aspects of Americans' lives... from what we can eat, to what we can drive, to what we can buy, to what we can think or say publicly. the punishment for disobeying will be severe. he's already promised to bankrupt the coal industry... because... well... he simply doesn't like them. thta's only the beginning.
- Gc, Colorado, USA
Thank you for sharing your analysis and sanity.
- Florida, Naples Florida
I just voted for Obam/Biden. Next?
- Consciousempress, Atlant, Georgia
A question I have for the author of this 'fine article' is did you like what George Bush did to the US economy and the world?
I thought Americans were dumb and easy to forget that horrid Iraq war bit, the lies, the unaccountability...but it appears the mental lapses are more universal.
I think more people are voting for Obama because you vote for McCain and what are you going to get? Another Bush. Look at McCain & Palins backers and advisors...all current Bush staff.
For the last election, did you write a piece about Kerry? Who knew about him until the election?
People are voting for Obama because the majority stand to gain and the speculative crap you bring up about this wicked left wing agenda and conspiracy is just that...'speculative crap'
- Hmm..., Pennsylvania USA
There is nothing new about Obama. His ideas are classic socialist redistribution, and forced social engineering and grievance pandering. He is so inexperienced, so he still believes this nonsense and promotes it enthusiastically, which is why some are attracted to his energy. Reality will slap him and the USA in the face hard if he is elected.
- Paul R, New York, USA
If Obama is indeed voted in, it looks like the US are heading for 4 years of the ultra left, currently something the UK is trying to get away from. Its a shame the republicans did not vote in Mitt Romney, as he would have represented the party better; he is young and ambitious and would have given Barack a better run for the white house as they are both similar; young, confident and charasmatic. I think if Barack wins, its because he was the lesser of the two evils, not the best choice.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
The election is a great anti-bush vote. A monkey would have won this election. Let's hope the American people know what they are letting themselves in for. They didn't with bush.....
- Tony, london
The reason no one knows anything about him is because he is from another planet. In reality he is an alien being who has taken on the form of a human being.
We elected another one from the same planet. Promised a better life and made it worse. He went by the name of Tony Blair, which is an anagram of Not By Rail or Toy B Liar.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
garrulous; glib and gibberish: Sourpuss Mr kimball
if an incoherent nincompoop like George Bush can run America why would it be difficult for this grandiloquent Harvard educated Scholar.
- Herbert Agyemang-Duah, St . Albans
Well-stated and right on! The emperor has no clothes. We can only hope enough still see the light in time. Given his many radical associations the call for a civilian national security force is Orwellian and outright scary.
To 65% "relentless public scrutiny" ? You must be kidding.
- Dutch, Austin, TX, USA
The predicted style of Government in this article sounds just like we suffer under Labour! I hope the Americans know what they wish for if they vote for Obama.
- Anne, Leyburn England
'Because he regards the American people as essentially "selfish"... Obama cannot help regarding success as a form of failure.'
How on earth does Roger Kimball reach the above conclusion, that Obama thinks 'success is regarded as a form of failure.?' The American people (and the rest of the developed world) are essentially selfish. It's a fact. You have to spend considerable amounts of time in third world countries to understand this. You have to see how straitened circumstances, shortage of food, lack of basic essentials are the daily lot for a vast majority, which in turn makes family networks very important. They sustain and nourish. You have to understand how the corruption (often driven by fear of having nothing) of third world countries makes victims of the innocent and powerless. Family networks protect and shelter against unwarranted and commonplace victimisation. You have to experience this and then come to the developed world and see how individualism is placed on a throne and worshipped and greed is considered to be a virtue. Regard and responsibility for others are quite often regarded as an irritant. This 'selfish' attitude percolates through society and naturally infects others. It would appear that Roger Kimball has little understanding of the real world and has certainly never experienced true poverty, long term suffering or war - the commonplace lot of many in this world.
- Morley, London
he's a cipher! nobody knows how he will govern! Except, somehow, Roger Kimball and his empty headed fellow travellers, who can somehow tell that he would be "nanny in chief".
You can't have it both ways. Either you know about him from the relentless public scrutiny he has been under since he announced his candidacy, and his various recorded statements or you don't. If you choose to engage through ruour and insinuation rather than than on important things like policy (it's the economy stupid!), you demean political discourse.
Millions won't, and millions will. That much we can agree on
- 65%, London UK
