Obama's a "cool customer" -- Is that part of his appeal?

[Armstead]

One thing I've noticed about Obama is that he seems to be a cool customer. By that I mean his temprement seems basically level and even-keeled.

Even when he's being "inspirational," he doesn't really get emotional.

Some might dismiss this as aloofness or arrogance.

But I think that could be one of his political assets. Maybe, despite the labels attached to Obama of being messianic that people are attracted to his basic levelness and straightness.

Perhaps people are worn out by presidents and candidates who are mercurial personalities, like GW or Bill Clinton or Hillary Clinton or McCain.

Such politicians can be fascinating, with all their quirks and their larger-than-life personalities. They provide melodrama and they provide fodder for gossip and dime-store psychoanalysis.

But maybe people want someone more solid sitting in the Oval Office for a change. Someone who doesn't have a lot of highs and lows, and who isn't constantly drawing attention to themselves. Someone whose public persona will be focused on the business at hand, rather than psychodrama.

Watching Hillary's performances over the last week brought out the contrast. She's like a chameleon. Charming and cheery one minute, then shrieking the next then being sarcastic then next. Fascinating, but worrisome. If she gets into some kind of situation with a foreign opponent, will she go on stage and do a mocking impersonation? Will her strident demands be the equivalent of Bush's perpetual ultimatums?

In the general election would Obama be a refreshing contrast to the grumpiness and temper of John "Get Off My Lawn" McCain?

Just a theory.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. You Hit It On The Head - Well Done

Obama would disembowel Gramps in the GE.

[amitten]

2. It is absolutely an asset. n/t

[tabatha]

3. Will she throw the kitchen sink at foreign opponents when she can't get her way?

[cbayer]

7. What garbage. Please. nt.

[tabatha]

17. No, just quoting a Clinton aide.

"After struggling for months to dent Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy, the campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is now unleashing what one Clinton aide called a “kitchen sink” fusillade against Mr. Obama, pursuing five lines of attack since Saturday in hopes of stopping his political momentum."

[Bicoastal]

4. 'Bama don't Blink.

I've never never EVER seen or heard him lose control. I'd much rather he was in the White House than John "Ol' Faithful" McCain--or Hillary "All about Meeeeee" Clinton.

[Armstead]

6. LOL -- Ol' Faithful

Yup I'm waiting for him to blow his steam in public

[KittyWampus]

5. The Organizers Obama studied under made a point of channeling hot anger into focused action

this is one reason why I disapproved of Edwards' approach and persona. Too heated. Too emotional.

[VolcanoJen]

12. Such a good point.

I can only imagine him in a debate against Mr. Temper himself, John McCain.

I'm inspired by Obama's intuitive, intelligent control over himself. Good gawd what a refreshing change it will be from eight years of Chimpy McSmirk.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

14. I agree.. :)

nt

[Kokonoe]

8. His maturity level is higher than what were used to in Washington n/t

[Armstead]

21. My teen age nephew has a higher maturity level than the curent resident of the WH

[jkshaw]

9. I agree Armstead

And we need someone rooted. Solid, trusted. The world needs it. Especially after these last seven years of Bush creating havoc.

[Medusa]

10. He has dignity and grace

something you can't buy or fake. No wonder HRC is so damned pissed.

[book_worm]

Yep, that is a big part of it.

Obama is cool and collected. With Hillary you don't know which of her gallaxy of characters you will get.

[JimGinPA]

11. K&R

[Blue_In_AK]

13. As long as he doesn't look down his nose

at those foreign opponents like he does Hillary, he should be fine.

[Armstead]

15. He's 6 feet tall, she is considerably shorter.

Sort of hard not to look down his nose at her unless he crouches down.

[Blue_In_AK]

20. I hadn't thought of that.

Logistically difficult. Maybe as a woman, I'm hypersensitive. :shrug:

[bigbrother05]

16. Statesman

a word we have not heard in a while

[backscatter712]

18. Cool under pressure.

Definitely an advantage for Obama.

It's an advantage when he's dealing with poo-flinging on the campaign trail. It's an advantage when he's in the spotlight, answering questions about his policies and deflecting attacks in the debates.

And it'll be an advantage for him in the Oval Office when he's under pressure and facing tough decisions.

[FrenchieCat]

19. That's what we should have to lead us......a steady hand

Yeah......I like that a lot. Flashing a smile now and then as he does, doesn't hurt either.

[Rocky2007]

22. Just a theory

BINGO!!!!

Spot on Armstead