Obama Gets A Nudge From An Unlikely Source
George Will says now is the time for Barack Obama, and he gives four reasons why:
First, one can be an intriguing novelty only once. If he waits to run, the past half-century suggests that the wait could be eight years (see reason four, below). In 2016 he will be only 55, but there will be many fresher faces.
Second, if you get the girl up on her tiptoes, you should kiss her. The electorate is on its tiptoes because Obama has collaborated with the creation of a tsunami of excitement about him. He is nearing the point when a decision against running would brand him as a tease who ungallantly toyed with the electorate’s affections.
Third, he has, in Hillary Clinton, the optimal opponent. The contrast is stark: He is soothing; she is not. Many Democrats who are desperate to win are queasy about depending on her. For a nation with jangled nerves, and repelled by political snarling, he offers a tone of sweet reasonableness.
The fourth? Well, you’ll have to go read for yourself…
And now Evan Bayh has dropped out. Man, the anti-Hillarys are falling fast and furious just as the Obama talk is peaking. The Democratic race is looking a lot more interesting than it did just a few weeks ago.