WYSIWYG

Why do the experts, e.g. Joe Klein, think Obama "assumes a maturity in his audiences, and in the press, that simply may not exist." First, that is an unfairly presumptuous declaration on his part, but I can forgive him for being lost in his own greatness, as it were. And, I thank Barack Obama for speaking to the American people like they are adults. Unlike a good many pols, past and present, most of the unwashed millions in America are a reasonably bright crowd and can follow an argument when it is spoken in plain English. Concerns about Obama's lack of experience, and outward appearance of "fire in the belly" are overwrought hand wringing by "experts." LISTEN to what the man has to say. He is Barack Obama. He is always Barack Obama. From what I can tell he does not shift into "Candidate Mode" when the cameras and microphones are on. Was THAT not the complaint about John Kerry? In private he was a congenial, plain-spoken guy. Turn on the cameras and he went into ":Senator" or "Candidate" mode?

Obama oozes intelletual depth and confidence. These qualities are what I would expect to find in any person who is accomplished and comfortable in their own skin. His pitch perfect response to Lauer on the Hillary "victim" issue indicates we have a potential President with the mental agility, and more importantly the temperament, to respond to opponents without sounding like an obstreperous school boy taunting his school yard adversaries.

HRC is Cold and Calculating. Obama is Cool and Candid. We will know soon enough which one appeals to more of us. I'll put my money on Cool and Candid. Sixteen years of Cold and Calculating is about all this great Nation can stand. We need a leader in the Oval Office, forthright and magnanimous in all of its dealings, domestically and internationally. It is our only hope for survival as a nation. (Holy mackerel! Maybe I should write Obama's Inaugural Speech? Nah--He'll do just fine without my help, or Joe Klein's for that matter.)