The Word of Barack

As you may have noticed, I've been away for a long time. I got fed up after March 4th, the bitterness across campaigns, the endless punditry, the sickening spin. I abandoned the campaign trail simply because I couldn't stand being disappointed and gutted until August.

Then Sen. Obama spoke.



Once again he is the unique politician with one of the most compelling views and ideas in the history of the United States. With his back up the wall after low blow after low blow, Sen. Obama responds. Admitted, some of Rev. Wright's statements are downright bigotrous and destructive. But instead of downplaying and ignoring the problems, he faces them head-on. Not in an ignorant way, but by bluntly showing us the complexity and nuance of real life and moreover, by using deeply personal relationships and experiences as examples, not betraying friendships for politics. No politician of similar significance has ever used such insight, vision and disarming honesty.
All great politicians have a few traits in common. They were great speakers, had a keen insight in the matters at hand, and asked the right question at the right time. Like when Lincoln questioned American unity and freedom at Gettysburg, when FDR announced that December 7th, 1941 was a date that will live in infamy and when Ronald Reagan dared Gorgatchev to "tear down this wall".
Now Sen. Obama looks us square in the eye and asks us if we want to keep playing the games, the immobility, the hate. Not through slogans or cheap tricks. But by facing facts and proposing to work them out.

*That's* the Audacity of Hope, stupid.