Monday, July 14, 2008

FORGET THE COVER, READ THE ARTICLE

Is it a racial slur, or an attempt at New York high brow humor? The cover of the New Yorker magazine depicts Barack in the usual slanderous Muslim garb and Michelle with a gun strapped to her with an American flag burning in the fireplace. Is it a desperate attempt to sell out this month's copies, or the magazines not so subtle way to be noticed on the national scene?
What it is, is an unfortunate distraction away from a very interesting article by Ryan Lizza (click here). As I have warned you, with an unknown like Obama, the vetting process will continue right up to election day. Here are some quotes to wet your whistle for a very thought provoking and well written article...
“I think he was very strategic in his choice of friends and mentors,” In retrospect, I think he saw the positions he held as stepping stones to other things and therefore approached his public life differently than other people might have.” Obama joined Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ for political reasons. “It’s a church that would provide you with lots of social connections and prominent parishioners,” she said. “It’s a good place for a politician to be a member.” “Can you get where he is and maintain your personal integrity?” she said. “Is that the question?” She stared at me and grimaced. “I’m going to pass on that.”
That should be enough to intrigue to read the article, but let me finish with the articles finish for a great look into Obama....

Obama has always had a healthy understanding of the reaction he elicits in others, and he learned to use it to his advantage a very long time ago. Marty Nesbitt remembers Obama’s utter calm the day he gave his celebrated speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, in Boston, which made him an international celebrity and a potential 2008 Presidential candidate. “We were walking down the street late in the afternoon,” Nesbitt told me. “And this crowd was building behind us, like it was Tiger Woods at the Masters.”
“Barack, man, you’re like a rock star,” Nesbitt said.
“Yeah, if you think it’s bad today, wait until tomorrow,” Obama replied.
“What do you mean?”
“My speech,” Obama said, “is pretty good.”

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