John McCain’ speech in Columbus, Ohio, today about the country’s status by the end of his potential first presidential term, in 2013, might be wishful thinking or a means to show the American voters that he is the one able to bring about positive concrete accomplishments.

McCain sees “Osama Bin Laden dead or captured,” choice on tax returns, and most of the servicemen back safe in the country after securing our freedom and holding up to our responsibility toward the Iraqi people by helping them achieve self-government. He also emphasized his ability to work on a bipartisan principle and reminded us that his political record is the proof and foresees “an era of bipartisanship.” “I’m not interested in partisanship that serves no other purpose than to gain a temporary advantage over our opponents. This mindless, paralyzing rancor must come to an end. We belong to different parties, not different countries,” McCain said. “There is a time to campaign, and a time to govern. If I’m elected president, the era of the permanent campaign will end; the era of problem-solving will begin.”
UTOPIA OR REALISTIC VIEW
By A.P. (FOXNews 5/15/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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Obama reiterates that he “never supported engagement with terrorists” and considers Bush’ “speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence…a false political attack.” Nancy Pelosi joined in by remarking that it “was beneath the dignity of the office of president and unworthy of our representation at that observance in Israel.” Indeed, one of the issues debated on several occasions in the Democratic race was whether “the president should negotiate with rogue leaders.” Obama did state he would visit Cuba, Iran and North Korea without preconditions, whereas Clinton said preconditions should exist prior to any negotiations or visit.

OBAMA’S RESPONSE TO BUSH’S “NAZI” ALLUSION
By A.P Staff (MSNMC 5/15/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler
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Obama is a man of principles and ethics, at least his ethics. Once he takes a position, he will not change it nor pander with it for any political gains. He knows he has a God given gift of rhetoric and trust it to state his views and appeal to both sides of an issue, appealing to those for and against him. “He is so good at having it both ways, so damn good. It’s standard Barack procedure,” says one former aide. And let’s face it, this rhetoric virtuoso has also great charisma. His alleged lack of experience and track record in Washington are actually an asset because he has no baggage to carry, as is the case with Hillary Clinton. Finally, given his organizational skills and his stance on “change,” his presidential campaign has been new and inventive. “ ‘He has gone out of his way to communicate that he is going about this differently,’ says Mike Feldman, a former aide to Al Gore.”

The litmus test came when faced with the Wright controversy. Any other politician would have just broken all ties with Wright as the optimum political move. Not Obama, even though it was the best political course of action. Instead, he said that “[L]ife’s messy sometimes, and…things don’t proceed in textbook Political 101 fashion,” during an interview with Tim Russert. Instead, he relied on his rhetorical ability to rescue the situation without dropping Wright altogether yet pleasing everybody else.

Obama might seem a suave, elegant, soft and trusting man, but needless to say that to become a politician and especially run for the presidency of the United States require certain traits. Ruthlessness, when needed, is one of them, as was witnessed during his 1995 fight with Illinois state senator Alice Palmer for her seat. Yet there are lines he will not cross because they would contradict his ethics. Obama always seems in control and rightfully so, he is. Unless you know him really well or work with him really close, you couldn’t even guess at how mad he is. Unlike most of us, when he is angry he doesn’t blow up, on the opposite, he becomes cold and distant. His speech is overly articulated and chopped. Those are traits much needed in any diplomatic setting and might come quite handy in any debate with McCain, should he be the Democratic nominee.

Will Obama succeed in securing the presidency, remains to be seen. He still has several gaps that musty be filled and we don’t know yet what the GOP has up its sleeve that might crumble his sand castle.

WHAT IS OBAMA MADE OF?
By Noam Scheiber (The New Republic)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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