Looks like another round of Clintonian panhandling about the 'Pastorgate Crisis' (on a side note, the *gate cliche needs to die a horrible death).
I read an article by Frank James from the Baltimore Sun Tribune entitled "Can Obama Show Real Anger?" James argued that Obama's recent televised renunciation of his former pastor Jeremiah Wright lacked the anger that was needed:
James writes (abridged):
Does Sen. Barack Obama ever cut loose and let his anger and, more broadly, his emotions show? And if not, what is that about and will voters go for a candidate who always seems buttoned down?
If ever there were a perfect opportunity for Obama to really show what most people would recognize as anger, it was yesterday, the day after his former pastor Jeremiah Wright's histronics at the National Press Club.
Then a man the candidate once counted as important to his life, his former pastor, essentially calls Obama an opportunistic, say-anything-to-win politician and appears intent on doing everything he can to sink his former congregant's chances.
Candidates have been driven to public displays of ire over less. And it may have helped some voters connect with more since most people would understand a candidate getting "fired up," as Obama might say, over such a perceived betrayal as Wright's.
While some reporters in the room said they saw glimpsed anger, watching on television it was very hard to see. What was more apparent was pique. Obama seemed very tamped down. He didn't even appear to be doing a slow burn.
Because I'm guessing many Americans want to see some fight in their presidential candidates. They want a president who at times will kick a little you-know-what and take names if the situation calls for it. A candidate needs to show that ability.
[Americans] want to see anger when it should be there, a popping vein on the forehead, and a well-aimed "How dare he!" They want to know the man or woman they choose to be president has not just the head for a fight, but the heart for it.
I tried leaving a comment on his article page, but apparently the web page doesn't work. Which is a bit ridiculous considering the premise of their blog, The Swamp, is to interface the reporters with the community.
I watched the NYT video of Obama's speech, and he appeared clearly angry. His rhetoric was forceful and to the point. But he was, as James said, also tamped down.
Personally, I see that as a good quality that will avoid a burnout like Howard Dean. A leader needs to keep a cool head despite adversity, and leave the vein-popping to the Marines. If a candidate snaps over something this minor, how are they going to handle a real crisis?
