Or amaze me anyway. TMVers may not know it, but I am a giant Barack Obama fan. He is just an amazing man in every respect. Those who have not done so should read his autobiography, “Dreams from my Father”. Far from a typical self-serving political pump fest (indeed, Obama wrote it well before he entered the political sphere), it is a both readable and insightful tale that should raise questions for readers of any political inclination.
And not only do I respect his politics, but I respect his style, which is based neither on simplistic, demogogic attacks, nor simpering, blind moderation, but that magic mix of principled and respectful that is so sorely lacking in modern politics.
Today was a textbook example. Obama decided to oppose John Roberts for Chief Justice. A liberal position to be sure, but not unreasonable for a Democrat. But what made what might have easily been caricatured as a crass political manuever into another example of Obama’s unique political standing was his remarks on Senator Leahy’s opposing stance:
I was deeply disturbed by some statements that were made by largely Democratic advocacy groups when ranking member Senator Leahy announced that he would support Judge Roberts. Although the scales have tipped in a different direction for me, I am deeply admiring of the work and the thought that Senator Leahy has put into making his decision. The knee-jerk unbending and what I consider to be unfair attacks on Senator Leahy’s motives were unjustified. Unfortunately, both parties have fallen victim to this kind of pressure.
Wow. Wow. Wow. In addition to being true, there is some serious political guts behind that statement. You just don’t hear this sort of thing anymore.
I should note that the section before this, where Obama explains why he’s voting no, is also a sophisticated and eloquent argument–one which carries a lot of weight with me. Were I a Senator, I’d be inclined to vote yes on Judge Roberts. But if I was not going to, it would be precisely for the reasons Senator Obama articulates.