Counting your Chickens….

Is Obama assuming a little too much at this stage of the game?

One might think so based upon his recent statements and a couple of presumptuous moves that have left heads shaking.

Some have even suggested that Obama’s over-reaching may be just the wrong strategy at this juncture.

Being presumptuous has its place but not when you are just points apart from your adversary. Some consider it even a display of unwarranted chutzpah at this stage.

To many, it seems as if Obama has moved from a successful trip to Europe—where he appeared like a president “in waiting”—to meetings yesterday and today with leaders in the present government. A move that many think was a little over the top. Instead of courting the voters, for example, he chose to spend his time with Bush advisors and others in government.

The fact is that he is not the president yet and too look overly confident may just send out the wrong vibes to a voting base that has not made up its mind about the candidate.

To make matters worse, he has even stated in remarks that the election “looks good.”

Of course, most of this confidence is premature and Obama should remember that meetings with Angela Merkle, the president of Germany, and Nicholas Sarkozy, the president of France, does not a presidency make.

True, he was treated as a potential president.

And, yes , his speeches were strong and reminded us of a former president’s visit more than forty years ago, but that visit was by a president; not a candidate.

To stir the pot a little more, in discussing his performance, some of my own friends criticized Obama for being too good an Orator which caused me to get my Irish up.

What do you mean?, I asked defensively.

They explained: Orators don’t win elections!

They cited Kerry and Gore….

And that gave me pause.

I think what they were really saying was that both of these candidates seemed to be above the fray, perhaps too intellectual and not the kind of guy you might feel comfortable kidding around with at the local pub.

And I see that as a real danger with Obama.

He is not that guy.

Yes, he smiles a lot and he pats a lot of backs, but does he pass the kind of personal litmus test that most people seek and want in a president?

The answer to that question is not clear.

But what can be a turn-off is the fact that he already seems to have inherited the mantle of president without the approbation of the public.


In the end, it is after all, the voter who makes that distinction by casting his or her vote.

And too much confidence too early in the game can keep people home on Election Day.

Just a thought or two but perhaps Obama needs to surround himself more with real people who have their fingers on the pulse of what the voter is really seeking in a candidate….and get out there like the candidates of old and press the flesh.

It wouldn’t be beneath him.


Les Aaron