Letters to the Editor
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Obama's political future
I'll preface my comments by acknowledging that it couldn't be more anecdotal, so take this as you will.
My mother, who I would describe as
--a Dallas Republican who likely has never voted for a Democrat in an open election. Ever.
--somewhat racist, though a better description would be "racially insensitive." Barbara Bush is one of her heroes. 'Nuff said.
--a Christian regular church-goer, though not necessarily "evangelical"
--about as informed as the someone of the above description could possibly be (has watched the Sunday morning news shows more regularly than going to church for as long as I can remember, and I'm 43)
All that being said, she recently had positive things to say about Barack Obama. He would definitely rank as her current favorite Democrat, whether he's running for president or not. I can't imagine for the life of me that she'd ever vote for him. But what her comments suggested to me are this: She doesn't find him threatening. It means that Obama has a better chance than Hillary to turn the tide of divisiveness. I think my mother's comments and opinion matter in the sense that I think she's a rather typical Republican.
Another thing I'll say about Obama as far as his '08 chances go: Given his current tactics, how will the right choose to swift boat him? There's the black issue, but any obvious effort there will backfire. There's his name issue: referring to him as "Hussein." I think that will backfire as well, hard as that is to believe.
Lastly, I think Obama will have a chance with me, personally, as soon as I get over him voting in favor of Condi Rice's Sec of State confirmation. To this liberal Democrat, that one hurt!