Clarence Page: Obama closing in on Clinton

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-071125page-column,1,5379948.column

Obama closing in on Clinton

Clarence Page
November 25, 2007


Perceptions are nine-tenths of reality in politics. If the voters think you're a winner, they are more likely to jump on your bandwagon. If they think you're sitting dead in the water, you're a bum, no matter how appealing your ideas might be.

That's been U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's problem. After his rock-star presidential campaign launch, the Illinois Democrat has been languishing in second place, running 20 points or more behind U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

Recently, though, as the clock ticks toward the casting of actual votes, Obama appears to have risen out of bum-hood and onto a roll.

What's changed? He's gone on the attack.

Or, as he puts it, he is drawing sharp contrasts and distinctions between his own positions and those of his leading opponent. The perception of decorum is important in politics, even as you quietly put on your brass knuckles.

snip//

Obama's lead in the ABC/Post poll is within the survey's margin of error, pollsters caution, which means he and Clinton remain in the statistical dead heat in Iowa that they have been in since at least mid-summer. More ominous for Clinton is the apparent shift in what Iowa Democrats say they are seeking in a candidate. A majority in the new poll favor "new direction and new ideas" over "strength and experience" by 55 percent to 33 percent. A July ABC/Post poll found the ratio was 49 percent to 39 percent. Suddenly the lock that Clinton seemed to have on the nomination appears to have come unlocked.

The new battle of perceptions between Obama and Clinton is one of "honesty" versus "experience," in the Iowa poll. Even among Iowa's women, who have been more supportive of Clinton than Iowa's men, 30 percent believe Obama is more "honest and trustworthy," while just 18 percent say that for Clinton. For Obama, Iowa has turned from lackluster into a love fest.

doesn't he realize that she is inevitable.
Oh wait! Clarence is black. Obama is black. Ergo, Clarence is a racist!
Oh wait! Clarence is male. Obama is male. Ergo, Clarence hates women!
Oh wait. Clarence cites facts. Obama cites facts. Ergo Clarence is a fact-ist!

You are a damn good political poet/satirist.

If she's not the inevitable winner, why would anyone support her?

"Obama appears to have risen out of bum-hood and onto a roll."
:rofl:

that Obama needed to start giving voters a difference between Clinton and himself. I'm glad to see him starting to come into his own. Hopefully, it won't be too little too late.

Barring any unforeseen events, his upward trending should continue.

"If the voters think you're a winner, they are more likely to jump on your bandwagon. If they think you're sitting dead in the water, you're a bum, no matter how appealing your ideas might be."

That is how Bush got elected. (that and diebold).