09-23-2008, 02:53 AM
mrbigstuff wrote: Hitchens certainly does understand this, but there's almost no real story, nothing to hang his scarf on.
A third consecutive term is usually a hopeless cause for any party. That this is a close race at all is the story, worthy of a comparison to another ponderous Democratic candidate who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. That's a fairly strong hook for Hitchens to hang his hat, coat, and scarf on. Obama--or any opposition party candidate with a built-in advantage like this--should have a commanding lead, not a tentative one. There's zero reason for independents to "swing to the right" in a climate like this. GWBush, a universally disliked two-termer, hasn't exactly set the stage for a Republican win.
So we now we get this half-hearted attempt at linking Obama with a known quantity, a person we know to be synonymous with failure (who, btw, is a real intellectual and a great speaker, so he does have that in common with Obama). It's a blithe analysis and rather glib, IMO.
Comparing Dukakis' oratorial skills to Obama's is a unique minority point of view. LOL
I agree that by the standards of Hitchens usual writing, this is a minor trifle. Not deeply original or insightful. The guy can usually write two scholarly books and three critical essays on a single glass of scotch. This was a mere burp between deadlines.
mattkim wrote:
if obama is vapid and hesitant and gutless, what is mccain?
None of the above? Until the day he announced his candidacy, McCain was a darling of Democratic centrists, respected for his experience, common-sense, and willingness to flip off fellow Republicans when the situation called for it. I'd like to see Obama start flipping off Democratic special interests, and grow a pair.