Reply #12: Kennedy had his problems

[PATRICK]

which he over compensated for with a relentless exhausting and brilliant tactical campaign utilizing his talented clan. What JFK did to poor Humphrey won't likely happen this time. Some parity of traditional campaign structures has leveled that advantage. Big money TV is the key, however, and Barack can swamp Hillary with image alone. Too easy in a way. Leviathans based on TV commercials as a substitute for getting one's hands in the political soil.

I think unease will grow, not make Obama look great by comparison, as each media clash contrasts these two images. Any unease, any recognition of negatives of weakness, of writing off negative impacts and surrendering percentages to the salmonella ham sandwich GOP will madden a twice betrayed democratic primary electorate. Though each of our candidates in and of themselves and in their values and promise is messianic compared to any conceivable GOP ringwraith, the support of the primary voter is nervous and demanding. Very. LAST time they bluntly wanted a solid winner. This time they want to add on, not subtract, charisma, and regional hopes, and coattails, and populism and boldness.

If Obama floats above this and balloons his charisma and youth at the expense of the range of basic voter desires he will have sold his possibilities short and neglected his weaknesses. It is the voter who has the coldest desire, the most burning passion to win and win big and win with the truth. Compared to the miasma and frustration of the Eisenhower years this season will produce voters with vastly more fire and savvy than the most ambitious candidates. Even JFK would have gotten a stern eye this time around and for all the right reasons.

People who start glomming on to the mantles of past, fondly remembered legends, reduce their connection to the present and will receive very little from the heritage of the past. The people, not the laughably disgusting mainstream opinion brokers will shape their candidate or have to prop up one who is not up to their real desire. The mandate could be shoved aside as it is for reforms the people naturally want and the news that by and large they are denied. Strange that in this fertile political field no one has the eye of political opportunity in all its depth and possibility?