Joe Klein's piece in Time on Barack Obama seems like something I've read before in Men's Vogue. This junior Senator is already being hailed as a potential savior of the Democrat party and it disturbs my friend, Daniel Larison. Read his very insightful post.

But people still seem to have Obama’s 2004 convention speech (which was effective for a lot of people with all of its harping on “opportunity” and “I believe in America,” etc.) ringing in their ears, so much so that they cannot hear the blaring of the warning: no Senator has been elected President since 1960. - Daniel Larison

Jim Antle from 4Pundits and I discussed the similarity of Barack Obama's appeal to that of Reagan- and I'll be the first to blog about it. Obama's speech and his persona are effective politically because, like Reagan, they communicate a worldview that generously includes what should be his political enemies. Jane Right-wing voter may irrationally fear that Hillary Clinton will ban children from reading the Bible but Jane won't think that of Obama. Obama doesn't radiate hostility toward your average, church going conservative voter - just as Reagan, no matter what his policies, didn't seem to hate union men and working class Democrats. What is difficult to watch is the partisans who know that a political star's policies hurt what should be their constituents interests. They gnash their teeth, they complain about how "slick" the package is. They make a real spectacle of themselves.

Another similarity to note: Both Reagan and Obama were esteemed very highly by a base of voters in their own party against an establishment.

Daniel finds the following to be troubling - and I find it hilarious.  

Obama's personal appeal is made manifest when he steps down from the podium and is swarmed by well-wishers of all ages and hues, although the difference in reaction between whites and blacks is subtly striking. The African Americans tend to be fairly reserved--quiet pride, knowing nods and be-careful-now looks. The white people, by contrast, are out of control. A nurse named Greta, just off a 12-hour shift, tentatively reaches out to touch the Senator's sleeve. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I just touched a future President! I can't believe it!" She is literally shaking with delight--her voice is quivering--as she asks Obama for an autograph and then a hug. - Joe Klein

White people are funny like that. There is a reason Morgan Freeman has played God in film. Alot of white people automatically credit articulate black men with special spiritual wisdom. There may even be a good reasons for this - as Christian societies tend to credit those who suffer with wisdom and black men - (when they are not cast as a symbol of thuggishness and rage) are cast as quiet, humble and wise saints. Obama may be wise - he is certainly very talented politically. He seems to have an intellectual talent but I cannot tell if he is a very deep or consistent thinker. I remember quite clearly thinking that alot of people in my high school graduations top ten were not particularly bright - but very good at getting good grades and honorific titles. That is a form of intelligence, for sure.

Now of course, I could bring up another, less flattering comparison. Obama may be a little like George Allen. I know, I know. Hear me out. This is a limited comparison. George Allen was extolled by the media as a possible contender for the American throne based on nothing else but his political and personal style. It seems that Obama is being idolized in the media based on nothing else but that. Admittedly it is a better style than Allen's. To become a true contender Obama has a tough task: building up a flattering, recognizable and (mostly) bullet-proof record in the Senate.