Hi Alea-
Sullivan certainly shows great insight into Obama's appeal, and he makes connections that I have seen nowhere else between that appeal and events in American politics over the last thirty-five years.
The part of the article that I found most intriguing was the analysis of the culture struggle between the ultra liberal and ultra conservative halves of the Baby Boomer generation, and the resulting effects on the American political atmosphere. I have watched this debate for years, and heard much venom from both sides, so this struck a chord with me.
Sullivan also nails the Bush/Rove role in this divide, using it for their gain instead of trying to bridge the gap between both sides. This is what many misapprehend about Obama when he speaks of change. Some try to fob it off as a mere platitude, but I think he simply intends to move past the old divisions by not getting sucked into false dichotomies like you can't be tough on crime and soft on drugs, or "you're either with us or against us." The more I hear from Obama, the more I realize how thoughtful and nuanced his ideas about the American body politic are.
And, good lord, can he give a speech. Best I have heard in my lifetime, and I think on par with John F. Kennedy.
If you haven't had a chance to hear his 2004 speech to the Democratic National Convention, you should check it out. It's on Youtube.
What a historic election this is shaping up to be, with an African American as the current favorite, and the impending fracturing of the Republican Party over John McCain.
It's also significant that fund raising seems to be less connected to large corporate donors and special interests, especially in Obama's campaign, and moving to direct appeals to the people via the internet. In the end, that might be the best development of all.
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