Obama: A JFK Replay?

[illinoisprogressive]

In early August, Senator Barack Obama delivered the most covered, controversial and talked about foreign policy speech this year of any candidate for president – Republican or Democrat.

Obama’s theme, of a need to “turn the page”, was a direct criticism of not only the foreign policy direction of the Bush administration, but also a way to illustrate that even his Democratic colleagues and contenders for the party’s nomination are out of step with the American public.

After a blast of initial intensity by several of Obama’s Democratic contenders, no less than senior statesman, historian and grey-haired guru of the Democratic Party -- Ted Sorenson -- authored an op-ed in the Des Moines Register where he argued not only that Obama is right about his world view, but Sorenson also takes a whack about his fellow Dems who have called Obama “naïve” and “untested”.

Sorenson penned, “As America's standing and credibility in the world - and thus the security of our citizens - continue to plunge with each passing month of the Bush administration, foreign-policy judgment increasingly becomes the overriding criterion for the selection of our next president.

"Those Democratic contenders who, as U.S. senators, voted to authorize the most disastrous blunder in U.S. foreign-policy history - the mindless, needless invasion and endless occupation of Iraq - are trying now to regain ground not by stopping the continuing tragic loss of American blood, billions and moral authority in Iraq, but by questioning the foreign-policy credentials of the one serious candidate who opposed the war even before its launch - Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.”

Later in his op-ed, Sorenson made an important comparison– especially to the Democratic base – as he equates Obama with another youthful Senator who ran for president: John F. Kennedy.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=36162

[aquart]

1. I wish people would stop doing that.

I lived thru those assassinations and I don't want to go there again.

[mitchtv]

2. Thank you, for a very appropriate postI

It highlights Barak's best point, and reveals at the same time the inadequacies of several(not all) of the other D contenders.

[AtomicKitten]

3. Obama is most definitely a contender.

w00t

[Jesse Hemingway]

4. P T 109

Please tell me about Obama's heroics in battle as the commander of PT109 JFK showed his metal Obama is not even in the same league very few people are. Please Obama and Hillary and the rest fraudulent democrats except Kucinich again expect Kucinich would be consider right wing republicans in JFK's time.

[Laurab]

13. Could you maybe repeat that in English? n/t

[Jesse Hemingway]

16. English

The Clinton's, The Clinton's, The Clinton's if the Clinton's are your baseline as successful democrats then I guess your a republican. Enough English?

Jimmy Carter was the last democrat President then JFK.

[Laurab]

20. I never said a word about the Clintons

I just wondered if you could repeat your post in a way I could understand it. Welcome to DU - did you mean democratic?

[sabbat hunter]

21. you realize

that JFK would not be considered a liberal or progressive right?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

23. English: Obama is not a war hero

the way JFK was. Obama would have to sign up and join the Navy and command a swift boat or PT boat in combat and get some medals and prove his mettle or something like that.

[MagsDem]

5. Maybe

I'm quite the historical reader, and the thing that stands out to me about JFK is that he was incredibly inexperienced politically, and mostly got by on the good graces of his Dad's political connections. I think Obama is much the same -- young and inexperienced, and mostly getting by on the good graces of Dems desperate for a change. In my judgment, he still needs quite a bit more political seasoning. That might be heresy here, but that's the way I see it. We are in a different time and place than when JFK took the helm. GWB pretty much proves that we can't afford a president learning on the job like we might have been able to in the past.

[WCGreen]

8. He beat a long time incumbent Senator after serving in the House

for three terms...

He beat Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., Not Alan Keyes...

I don't know how you could call JFK increadibly inexperienced politically and call yourself quite the historical reader...

It's not just about winning elections, which he did against real opposition, not Alan Keyes, it's about forming coalitions in the house and senate to get things done...

Not to say the Barak can't build coalitions in the Senate, it's just that you really need to get your facts straight before you make a sweeping statement that "JFK .. Was increadibly inexpereinced politcally..."

[rufus dog]

17. So when did Obama's dad set him up to be the leader of the free world?

Oh shit, he didn't!

[MODemocrat]

6. Obama is unique in his own way

He doesn't need to be equated with anyone; he does a fine job on his own. I truly like Obama, and
right now, he's second on my want list for president.:thumbsup: :dem:

[Colobo]

7. I'm glad you like him!

I wish your candidate the best of lucks as well. :)

[Ethelk2044]

9. This is a Great Article

[illinoisprogressive]

10. One of JFKs longtime friend and speechwriter wrote the oped and he sees the same qualities.

[Phrogman]

11. Will the real "most JFK like" candidate......

please pick up line 5

[RFKJrNews]

18. A call for Mr. Kennedy...

Posted by Phrogman

"Will the real "most JFK like" candidate......

please pick up line 5>>>


Bobby, telephone for you...

Looks like it's the hotline, sir!

[bvar22]

12. I don't think so.

JFK was principled, decisive, consistent, and issues oriented.

[maximusveritas]

22. Yeah, he was, in retrospect

but at the time, he suffered many of the same criticisms that Obama has gone through.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

26. JFK had 14 years in Congress when he became president

He had exactly as much national experience as Nixon did (both were elected to Congress in 1946--and were actually friends for years until 1960) when they ran against each other. That can't be equated to a guy with 2 years of experience.

[AtomicKitten]

14. future prez

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/09/obama10207_narrowweb__300x387,0.jpg

[illinoisprogressive]

15. I personally am a FDR fan myself.... But, To have Sorenson come out a few times

now saying certain things that remind him of his late great good friend is what is noteworthy.
I think the reason the kennedy's are being evoked here is because of certain qualities Obama possesses that remind many of them. many say Obama evokes the hopes and dreams in people's eyes that have not been seen since RFK

[RFKJrNews]

19. Comparisons to JFK

Let's face it, folks - there will never be another John F. Kennedy.

He was one of a kind.

Of course, we'd like to have him back. We wish he'd never left us. But seeing everyone from Hillary to Obama to Edwards compared to Jack Kennedy during this race is somewhat akin to hearing right-wing fundamentalists proclaim Christ's imminent return to earth.

I like Obama just fine, but he's not the second coming of Kennedy.

Let's judge each candidate on their strengths and weaknesses, where they stand on the issues. Let's look at what they've actually done, rather than indulging in nostalgia of days gone by.

It's very heartening to see that many Democrats today are yearning for a return to the core values the Kennedy era represented. Smart candidates will talk the talk in their speeches, but how many of them will walk the walk once elected? That remains to be seen.

If we want a Kennedy back in the White House, let's just ask RFK Jr. to run. Wouldn't he be the best qualified to carry that torch?

[Grandrose]

24. Fantastic article...thanks! (K&R)

The gravitas of the Obama supporters is beyond dispute and a beautiful thing to behold!
It just keeps getting better and better!:patriot:

[GeorgeGist]

25. I'm very suspicious ...

when a public figure is equated to someone from the past. To me it reflects a lack of originality and respect.