Article Contributed on: 7/26/2008 7:43:14 AM
So far during Campaign 08 I've noticed two Barack Obamas.
1. TelePrompTer Obama
2. "Uh...um....uh..." Obama.
A couple of "moments" stood out from watching the reports on Senator Obama's "World Victory Tour."
The speech in Berlin was a first class media event, invoking memories (with limited success) of JFK and Ronald Reagan. And Obama liberally (get it?) borrowed from both for speech themes. Plus Bono. Other than that it was totally original.
His campaign team staged the event magnificently. The images were powerful and the
TelePrompTer worked great. What wasn't mentioned in most of the coverage was there were two rock and roll bands on the bill, plus a lot of beer. LOTS of beer.
By contrast, earlier in the week, Katie Couric of CBS News (much to my surprise)
really hammered away at Senator Obama about the surge, which by all accounts has worked. Obama opposed the surge from the beginning and each time Couric Pressed Obama, he stammered and stuttered and simply avoided giving an answer.
I think the media, chastised for pouring tons of resources into this overseas campaign stop tried to compensate, at least two senior CNN reporters describing response to the speech as less than stellar. And Obama hurt himself by not visiting American troops stationed in Germany and there seems to be
some confusion (really?) as to why.
Net result of the trip: A wash, at best. But nice try.
There will be more dramatic speeches, not the least of which will be at Invesco Field when he accepts his nomination. Souring rhetoric, lofty ideals and little substance. Long as the Prompter works and it doesn't rain. I wonder if they'll sell beer?
But soon come the debates. And this is where the rubber will hit the road because there are no TelePrompTers in debates.
This is where we'll truly miss Tim Russert, but if Katie and others can be that tough, we'll get the true measure of both candidates when it comes to real answers vs lofty rhetoric.
Both McCain and Obama will be asked pointed and tough questions. Real answers will be required. Not the political version of Jello. You can splish-splash while taking a bath, but if you flip-flop, you flop.
Saturday memo:
I'm not sure if you're following the story of
Kaylee Anthony, a little Florida girl who has been missing for over a month. While focus is on the mom, there's something that creeps me out about the grandmother.
Also the little
"incident" involving former Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards first reported by the National Enquirer, is picking up some legs in legit media. Oops. No speech for you in Denver.