One of Obama's greatest STRENGTHS is his unshakable COOLNESS.

[Danger Mouse]

     He comes across as mature, in control, and very
intelligent. He can shoot you down with calculated precision,
and look bad ass doing it. This is one of the best things
about Obama. 
     Yet many people here seem to want Obama to fly off in a
spittle-mouthed rage at the idiotic attacks being leveled at
him by McCain and friends. They say 'he has to HIT BACK AND
HIT BACK HARD or it'll be Kerry all over again!!!!1'
     We forget, again and again, that Kerry and Obama are two
very different people. The important thing is Obama's
counterattacks are very subtle, very clever, and very
powerful. He doesn't NEED to roll in the mud to get his point
across.
     Meanwhile, McCain is playing all his cards way too early.
Not only is he looking like an asshole to an increasing number
of voters across the country, but he is hurting himself more
than he is Obama in the long run. McCain will be able to
influence the stupidest of the stupid with his slime-throwing,
but people with actual brains will be disgusted with it after
awhile. It's already happening.
The correct response is NOT for Obama to start flinging slime
in return or to tell McCain what we REALLY think of him.
Come on. That's not good politics, that's schoolyard politics,
and it's what McCain WANTS. He WANTS Obama to lose his cool,
he WANTS him to get down and dirty in the mud, he WANTS to get
to Obama, and it infuriates him that he CAN'T.
     The more Obama sits back and lets McCain throw punch
after feeble punch, the closer we get to McCain completely
blowing his top. McCain's notorious temper hasn't come out
yet, but it's seething and getting close. I predict that at
the debates, he'll lose it. And despite media spin, it'll
drive away a lot of voters who are sane enough to recognize
that they don't want a nut job at the controls. 
     Obama may score some points with us if he counter-slimes
McCain, but it would be a losing prospect for him in the long
run. He knows what he's doing...that's why HE'S running for
president, not US.
     So, in closing...let Obama run his campaign the way he
sees fit. If you want it dirty, it'll be coming...from his
surrogates. Obama is too smart to engage in that junk
personally. Have faith in him...I know he has what it takes to
WIN. 

[Skidmore]

1. It's not just coolness.

Coolness is too casual of a word. It is his steadfastness combined with common sense and the ability to the world as it is.

[Danger Mouse]

2. Hmm...I think you're on to something.

Yeah, Obama is incredible in that respect. Totally opposite of McCain.

[Whisp]

10. and by now we all know IT'S NOT AN ACT.

this is who he really is.
he is not a liar or a deciever so he can have confidence in what he is saying - he doesn't have tracks to hide. he can be honest without tripping up.

I'm no political historian, but I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in my lifetime before.

btw, great post Elrond. perfect.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Obama laughs off republicans

and nothing makes republicans more blind with xenophobic rage than being laughed off.

Indeed he is playing them well. Obama is the hand... and they're the yoyo.

[Danger Mouse]

7. That's what distinguishes Obama about the attacks...he doesn't ignore them...

he laughs them off. It's the perfect thing to enrage McCain.

[asjr]

4. I watched his questioning by

reporters this morning and was again struck by his cohesivness and his gracious manner. This is the first nominee in ages that actually talks straight. He makes John McCain look penny ante and stupid. The journalists who report on him should thank their lucky stars they have the opportunity to see and hear someone real. He is a breath of fresh air. I was a die-hard Clinton fan and still love her but this candidate was meant to be.

[Danger Mouse]

5. He can show McCain a thing or two about his so-called 'Straight-Talk Express'

[Cosmocat]

12. Intellectual honesty ...

something SO devoid in politics today, and BO has it at a level we have not seen from a pol at his level in a LONG time ... And, yes, gracious to the max ...

[H2O Man]

6. Exactly.

Nominated.

[bridgit]

8. He's a lawyer. Our personal lawyer is unflappably cool...I thought it was part of being a lawyer

[Clear Blue Sky]

9. Steady as a rock. None of the McCain snarls or temper tantrums.

[Triana]

14. Obama needs to STAY steady as a rock too. That's what I want in a leader...

...not a lunatic like McShame who flies off the handle every 10 minutes.

[Captain Hilts]

16. I wish his views toward FISA, Guns in DC and offshore drilling were steady. nt

[hisownpetard]

11. K&R. Obama's got COOLTH!

[elocs]

13. Obama is at such ease and seems so natural and comfortable when interacting with people.

He seems like such a regular guy, somebody you would want as a friend, a good friend.

[Coexist]

15. No Shock Barack, No Drama Obama