OP-ED: “Obama: Man of the World: Can a Jakarta ‘street kid’ grow up to win?” by Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times, 6 March 2007, p. A23.
Cool piece by Kristof exploring what nifty international life experience Obama brings to the table. Indeed, in terms of knowing the world outside of America (if not the leaders), he truly brings a lot to the table. I mean, don’t you want somebody who “gets” Islam to lead us in this crucial early phase of the Long War? Doesn’t that make a certain amount of sense?
If I were God (sometimes considered a possibility), my bipartisan ticket would be Rudy for prez and Obama for veep. I’d pick Rudy to be a reasonable continuation of what was good about Bush but likewise a pragmatic fixer of what Bush got so terribly wrong--especially the explanation. Obama would be my bridge-builder to the future, and my articulate strategic communicator. It would be a killer team.
Frankly, I welcome the death of the primary season. I think a national referendum or by-party run-off vote is the way to go. States have with congressional delegations to kiss their collective asses. We’re picking the leader of the free world, or as close to globalization’s king as it comes. That’s a global election. So the run-ups should be at least truly national elections.
But beyond a national run-off to decide the nominees, I’d also kill the team-ticket concept and let the two offices be contested more independently. I like the idea of mixed tickets as a way to avoid the inbreeding we so often get in administrations--the self-licking ice cream cone phenomenon.
Just dreaming, I guess.
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Comments (9)
The self licking ice cream cone? Do you mean self-congratulatory or aggrandizing?
Posted by Russ | March 20, 2007 10:15 AM
As a NYC-area person, please no Rudy! He is appropriately titled King Rudy for his time as mayor. God knows who within the administration he'd be clashing with each week as president. His post-mayor business deals and recommendations (Kerik) literally stink. And his personal life speaks volumes about his temperament.
I hope he's never near the White House in 2008. He doesn’t have foreign policy bona fides anyway. People just like to act as though he does because, well, he looks tough and in command I guess.
Rather Romney than Rudy.
Posted by Amit M | March 20, 2007 11:09 AM
Sounds like a great ticket to me.
How about reversing the two? Obama as the strategic guy with the nice smile, cross-cultural understanding and amazing communication skills. Rudy as a behind-the-scene, detail-oriented "hammer" to flatten out the bumps. From reading Guiliani's book Leadership, he is great at getting down into the weeds on issues, something that could get the Prez in trouble, but a VP might be able to get away with. Need to pick up Obama's book.
Also, I cannot help but think that the day where the leaders of the world are caucasian men in their 50s and 60s is coming to an end.
Posted by Matt R.![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 20, 2007 11:34 AM
Your "mixed ticket" dream is really a back to the future vision. The original Electoral College voted for two canidates for President, (first and second choice). The majority votes won the Presidency and second place became Vice President. That format entirely changes the dynamics; the Founding Fathers were wise beyond their years.
Posted by Hugh | March 20, 2007 12:57 PM
Tom:
Suggest that you make your recommendation to Unity08.
Posted by Bob Lanphear | March 20, 2007 4:35 PM
Isn't that the way the founders planned?
Washington/Adams Adams/Jefferson et al
Posted by thenode![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 20, 2007 5:18 PM
It does help to have a candidate that has lived outside the United States for part of his/her life. It brings a far different perspective to the table.
Posted by PoliticalCritic | March 20, 2007 8:03 PM
Amit: I'm with you (thought not an NYC person). Giuliani's personal life rules him out for me.
did anybody see Chris Rock on SNL on the upcoming race? hilarious!
'Giuliani's like a pit bull. He's great when you have a burglar, but you don't, he just might eat your kids.'
i happen to have the YouTube video of Rock on my weblog ;-)
Posted by Sean Meade | March 21, 2007 7:08 AM
Tom,
I don't think a national primary would be a good thing, because the person who was the front runner and successful at raising money early would be able to blanket the nation with ads. We should be looking to modify the current system so different states get the honor of being the first to vet the candidates. This allows for the traditional retail politics of Iowa and New Hampshire without the corn and granite lobbies aquiring disproportionate power.
Posted by jon | March 21, 2007 8:30 AM