by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright January 18, 2007
All Rights Reserved.

ince Sen. Barack Obama (D-Il.) announced the formation of an exploratory presidential committee Jan. 16, the Internet, broadcast and print media have been deluged with reports about his liberal voting record and undisclosed bad habits. Skeptical supporters suspected dirty tricks from the campaign of presumed Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), whose expected run was thought as a lock on the nomination, nearly a year-and-a-half away. While Obama announced his exploratory committee, he committed to a definitive announcement on Feb. 10. “For the next several weeks, I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together,” Obama said, making his crucial first step.

      Recent informal polls conducted by various media organizations and popular Internet portals indicate Barack commands a sizable lead in popularity over Clinton, despite her name recognition, something working against her. Back in 2000, Vice President Al Gore complained of “Clinton fatigue,” the public's collective disgust with former President Bill Clinton's impeachment and shenanigans with Monica Lewinsky. While seven years later, the public still shows signs that bad memories haven't disappeared. Hollywood seems infatuated with Obama, prompting actor George Clooney to note a presidential bid “would be the most electrifying thing to happen to the Democratic Party since [President John F.] Kennedy.” Since reelected in 2004, the GOP, assuming Hillary would be the nominee, geared its publicity and fundraising machine against Clinton.

      Clooney's astute observation sends chills through the GOP establishment, forcing an abrupt strategy change. With Obama now in the mix, the GOP must direct its efforts toward assuring a Hillary victory. While Hillary worked hard to market herself as a moderate, the GOP painted her as a left-wing fanatic, the same message given to recently approved House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)—the nation's first female speaker. When it became more obvious that Obama represented a real threat to Clinton, the GOP switched gears, now targeting their strategy to defeating Obama. More than anything, Republicans fear a charismatic candidate. No presidential candidate since JFK—with the possible exception of former President Ronald Reagan—possessed the kind of charisma capable of usurping GOP votes more than Obama, whose message is one of hope and inclusion.

      Hillary originally thought she had a lock on Hollywood cash. While it's early in the game, powerhouse Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel, whose clients include Michael Douglas, Paris Hilton, Martin Scorsese and others, announced he would host a fundraiser for Barack next month. Oprah Winfrey, whose popular TV talk show and media empire is based out of Chicago, already committed herself to Obama's presidential goal. GOP strategists now believe Obama must be derailed to give the Republican ticket the best shot in 2008. Democratic strategists believe voters are looking for a fresh face and are beginning to line up behind Barack. Unable to dig up dirt during Barack's two-year U.S. senate career, the GOP has scoured his personal habits and voting record in the Illinois state senate. Highlighting his liberal record on abortion, the GOP hopes to paint Obama as another wacko leftist.

      GOP strategists hope to rally Bush's evangelical base, whose major issue involves “right-to-life” and opposition of embryonic stem cells. Few evangelicals will crossover as long as Obama supports liberal abortion policy. “Everyone's going to see this and pound him over the head with it,” said Daniel McConchie, vice president of Americans United for Life, a pro-life lobbying group. Yet the pro-life issue only concerns about 30% of the electorate, with the vast majority siding with Democrats. That problem also exists for expected GOP frontrunner Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) who hopes to court evangelicals, like the Rev. James Dobson, despite supporting a woman's right to choose. News reports have also focused on Obama's support for gun control, his past drug use reported in his 1994 memoir “Dreams From My Father,” and, more recently, his dark secret that he smokes cigarettes.

      Media attention on Obama's liberal voting record and bad habits reflects the GOP's appraisal that the junior senator from Illinois represents a real threat for the Democratic nomination. GOP operatives would like to take down Barack and give Hillary a leg up, believing their candidates have a better shot against the lady senator from New York. Obama's liberal voting record, past drug use and current bad habits pale in comparison to his charisma and positive message. His infectious rhetoric and oratorical skills raise expectations and give hope to voters disgusted with the present and worried about the future. Leadership, popularity and intelligence carry more weight with voters than a long track record. Voters in 2008 want a leader that can help end the bitter partisanship that has taken the country down the wrong path and solve tomorrow's problems.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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