This afternoon I was watching Obama on MSNBC giving a speech surrounded by his foreign policy team. He was making the general point that the current economic crisis/panic/whatever can't be separated from foreign policy and security concerns. He went on to talk in generalities about this general point and my eyes began to glaze over. Then I realized that he was talking in a not very animated voice, looking down at his notes, and generally low in energy. I noticed this "new" Obama in the first debate. Many of the commentators said that they thought that Obama was "flat" as opposed to McCain who seemed energized. Yet all the polls showed that people thought Obama had won the debate by substantial margins.
So what's going on? Where is the Obama of old, the Obama of rhetorical eloquence, of rhythmic cadence, the guy who get a crowd rocking and rolling? Where is the Obama of "yes we can" and "hope" and "change"? I have four theories:
1. Obama is a master politician who understands that what people want right now is steady, sober, calm, concerned but even low key.
2. It's been a long campaign and he's just getting tired (there's even some gray in his hair now).
3. He is suspending his campaign to fly to Hawaii to be with his beloved grandmother who mostly raised him and from whom he gets his values. So he is distracted and thinking about her as she is perhaps in her last days.
4. He's worried about Biden's "gaffe" about foreign policy and is trying to repair the damage (I think this is a stretch since I don't think there is much damage because I think most people don't care).
Well, what do you think? I'd be interested in any other theories. Or am I wrong about a change in Obama's image? (I'd hate for the old Obama to disappear from the scene entirely--he was more fun).
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3 comments:
Dr. Bob,
I whole heartedly agree - the old Obama was much more fun.
I think if we see a return of the old Obama in the next few days, his changed style must have been related to his grandmother's illness. Maybe the visit will fire him back up in a - go at it 110% to make sure you get elected for her in her possibly final days.
Although I have absolutely no experience to base this off of, I doubt he would be just running out of steam. It would be incredibly tough to campaign for well over a year, but I feel like with the election so close, Obama would only pick up speed like a horse coming to the finish line. He knows the old Obama works; if he wants to be elected I'm sure he would stick with it regardless of fatigue.
While part of me thinks, man... the democrats sure do know how to lose an election... another part of me thinks that Obama must be changing his style on purpose. (if it's not caused by his grandmother's illness that is).
I think you're on to something when you say that Obama knows what people want right now. In the Leading and Following text, the author states that:
Group members are attracted to leaders whose skills and abilities address whatever problem is most pressing at the moment When new problems arise, group members become attracted to individuals or groups of individuals perceived as able to handle those new problems.
Right when the economic crisis reared its ugly head is when we started to see the new - boring Obama. Barack's campaign must understand that a fiery, idealist candidate would not be what the American public wanted to see during this crisis, but someone who's cool, calm, and collected. The leadership text suggests that the public would be drawn toward a leader who can fulfill their dependency for economic security and protection while at the same time mobilize them to fix the problem and create new economic growth. I think Obama's too smart and his campaign too well run to let Obama ruin his chances at winning the election. His new style must be intentional and for the best interest of the campaign. (as boring as it may be.)
It seems to me like Obama's change in public character is both offensive and defensive. Like you stated, it is very wise for Obama to project quiet confidence and stability in this time of crisis and uncertainly. This steadiness is probably also important to his criticism of McCain as volatile and unpredictable. It is also likely a response to McCain's portrayal of Obama as a celebrity. I think it is very tactical to for him to project this calm, even if boring, image of himself. It might even turn the common fear of the unknown, which is usually directed at him and his "mysterious" past, against McCain. The public wants to know what they will get once they cast a vote, and this technique raises the question "Who knows what John McCain will do next?" I think it portrays McCain as the risky candidate, which is quite a turnaround from previous sentiment.
I think Obama seems to be changing his approach based on his audience rather than in an overall manner. From what I hear and read it seems the old Obama still exists at small and local rallies. When talking to a large national audience, politicians speak in generalities because they need to appeal to the masses, not just their own base. Of course, the calm, cool, and collected image seems to be working very well for Obama and I am sure he realizes this and is capitalizing on the public's demand for steadiness in times of turmoil.
His image out of the debates became one of an informed, thoughtful, and charismatic politician. He retorts calmly, and stays on message in nearly all of his answers. I do not think that this is a case of "new and old" Obama; rather, I think we are seeing the entire range of his character. A person can not be upbeat, idealistic, and optimistic at all times. Maybe it is his grandmother maybe the grueling election, whatever the case, he seems simply a bit more somber in recent times and to me this only makes him seem more human and normal (a positive considering his "elite" image).
I am sure that in the week ahead we will again see a fired-up Obama (as well as McCain) as he tries to encourage voters to turn-out on election day. It should be a hectic week....
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