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February 09, 2007
Blowing Up Barack
What goes up must come down, right? Seasoned observers are waiting for a return to earthly confines for one Barack Obama, after the Illinois Senator's meteoric political rise over the last couple of years. As Obama prepares to officially announce his intention to seek the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination this weekend, the long knives are coming out -- within his own party and beyond.
Mike Allen, formerly of the Washington Post, has penned an excellent piece on the subject for the new must-read Web site -- The Politico. Allen, who spoke with strategists from both parties, outlines the strategy -- focusing on four areas -- likely to be employed to undo Obama. His inexperience, a thin policy record, liberal viewpoint, and potentially problematic personal disclosures are perceived weak spots whcih may be vulnerable to attack.
Obama has been a media darling, to be sure, but that's about to change. Gone are the fawning profiles and musings about the seemingly limitless possibilities for a "different kind of politician." Aided by rival Democratic campaigns, and by GOP operatives wary of facing an undefined opponent with tremendous upside in the general election, the press will begin its dutiful examinatiion of every Obama orifice -- public and private -- looking for those pesky details that could derail his campaign.
Obama, no dummy, seems to know it's coming. Knowing it's coming, however, doesn't mean he won't be damaged by it. The question is to what extent and whether he can survive. Open season on Barack Obama is about to begin. Will he be blown up, or live to actually compete in next year's primaries? We shall see.
Posted by houtopia at February 9, 2007 04:22 PM