"We campaign in poetry, but we govern in prose." Why Obama will soon be the frontrunner.

[Clarkie1]

Or is he already?

I was just watching the Newshour on PBS, and Mario Cuomo's keen observation that "We campaign in poetry, but we govern in prose" entered the discussion. It's interesting, because it dovetails with some of my own thoughts recently. It was said that of all the candidates, Obama has the most "poetry." Now, that may sound trite to some perhaps, but it's not. There's a lot of inherent worth in a good poem. I'd also been thinking about how Edwards attempt to run his campaign on the prose of policy paper after policy paper just isn't working (in my opinion) and won't work. There will be time for policy papers, but now is the time that poetry will win over prose, everytime.

I also remember Clark's concise answer a few months ago when he was asked in Nevada who he thought would ultimately win the nomination. "Whoever has the best vision for the American people," he said.

Yep, it's poetry over prose, at least for now. The details can wait. The consensus on the Newshour was that Obama has the poetry, and further both Marks and Shields seemed in agreement that he's the only one in the race right now that can really "transform" American politics.

I agree.

[Rydz777]

1. If Bush campaigns in poetry,

it must be blank verse.

[Clarkie1]

2. .

:rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

3. ""transform" American politics."........well then we've got our work cut out for us....

because we'll have to "pry" the leadership of this country out of the cold dead hands of the Powers that Be!

I'm Ready!

[Clarkie1]

4. The only other one who could do it is Clark.

Both Obama and Clark have the potential. With Obama more on the "potential" side, but it's still there.

[Colobo]

5. Excellent observation, and as a literature person

I have to simply admire the beauty and accuracy of Cuomo's quote.

[TwilightGardener]

6. I think Obama is the Dem candidate with the "poetry" and the best vision--

agree with you, people respond emotionally to the overall theme of a campaign more than policy papers.

[katmondoo]

7. I haven't seen the vision yet but I am open

[cleveramerican]

8. The TV Camera loves him

But Hillary is getting better all the time. Obama is gaining,no doubt about it, but Hillary is still the favorite.

[JCMach1]

9. Obama has showed me nothing yet... his inexperience is showing, frankly

in the last debate.

The good new is that there is plenty of time to practice.

Obama, so far, is just a good idea for a candidate... not the real deal.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. A thought-provoking post -- thank you! nt