Somebody once said that to be a great politician, you have to give a great speech and tell a good joke. Watch this video (after about 1 min 30 sec in) and tell me if you think Obama get's it.
This in my opinion is the RIGHT way to battle negative false attacks from your rivals.
He gave us a glimpse of this in one of the early Debates last summer. After the first 10 minutes of the Debate, Obama had been getting attacked as being "Naive" and "Irresponsible" for wanting to talk to Iran, Syria and North Korea by the "Very Experianced" candidates...ie, EVERYBODY ELSE. When the questioning came around to Obama finally, his response was that "I prepared for this debate by riding the bumper cars at the fair". He immediately deflated the tension as everyone in the room laughed.
This video is from the other night in Nevada. It is only 5 minutes long, so take a minute and have a good laugh. The good part starts after about 1:30 into it.
David Brooks of the NYT actually used the same criticism, almost to a word, against HRC and JRE regarding their answers to "what is your weakness?" in the paper the other day. Someone who I can't remember here at Dkos, speculated that Barack just ripped Brooks' criticism of the other two candidates and is using it on the stump now. I am not so sure of that assertion. I have another theory...
Brooks mentioned the other night on PBS Newshour that he once wrote an article that was very critical of the Republicans in congress, and that while writing it, he threw a few lines into the article critical of the Dems "just to make myself feel better". The paper came out that morning, and no sooner had Brooks been reading his own article in the paper, noting that the shots he took at the Dems were really only put in to make himself feel better, when he got an email from Obama. Obama said to Brooks, "Ya know, you can criticize us if you want to if you disagree with us, but here in this article, your only trying to make yourself feel better." Brooks was really impressed with that, and amazed at the perception that Obama has. I imagine, knowing Brooks, that his own ego had a lot to do with it too. I do think that a relationship has developed between Obama and Brooks though, and my theory is that perhaps Obama brought this up to Brooks in a conversation, and it was BROOKS that cribbed it from Obama first..Who knows.
The fact is, this is some truly funny shit. Note how at ease Barack is with his audience. He really is in touch with them, and really brings them in to get the greater point which is basicly, he feels the same way we all do when we are getting spun. This is truly one talented man. He is maturing before our very eyes. I wish he would bring more of this in the debate setting. If he DOES start bringing more of this, his opponents are toast.
Watch and Enjoy:
