Illuminating Debate

Mark Steyn, Sun Times, RCP:

Everything's difficult, isn't it? In the Democratic presidential candidates' debate, Sen. Barack Obama was asked what he personally was doing to save the environment, and replied that his family was "working on" changing their light bulbs. Is this the new version of the old joke? How many senators does it take to "work on" changing a light bulb?

He goes on to take the Defeatocrats apart. I have to say, I only caught part of the debate, but I did see the lame light bulb bit, and I as far as I'm concerned Obama had a Dukakis-like moment, reminiscent of Dukakis detached response to an admittedly unfair question of what he would do if his wife were raped and murdered. In Obama's case, it was a fair question, on what he would do if two US cities had just suffered a terrorist nuclear attack. He talked about Katrina, "The first thing we'd have to do is make sure we've got an effective emergency reponse." Guess he's running for America's mayor. In contrast, America's Mayor is running for President.

Robert Kagan thinks Obama might be an interventionist. But his naysaying on the Iraq war and his limp initial response in the debate gives you an idea he doesn't really mean it. He's most likely in the liberal and Bill Clinton mode of intervention when our national interest is not at stake. But I wouldn't even count on that based on his Travels with Barry speech, (WaPo waiting for more clarity here--you'll wait a long time) and Bill's kind of policy made the world safe for Osama. And what world is Obama living in when he cites the EU as our closest ally, and has to be prompted to mention Israel? Very illuminating. Not enough decisive light bulbs going off in that professorial brain.

Postscript: And if you aren't persuaded by me, the karmic analysis bears me out:) No thumbs up yet for the Big O:

The Saturn/Jupiter conjunction could very well be the indicator that Obama is destined to bridge the gap between the conservatives (Capricorn) and the liberals (Aquarius). At its worst, this conjunction could show that the senator has high ideals but finds himself thwarted in his efforts to make them a reality.

The latter could very well be a problem. Take a look at the senator’s thumb in these photos. In every one of them the thumb starts out in a nice spread away from the palm, the mark of a doer, a person who can apply their will successfully in the world. But the top phalange then hesitates and turns back toward the palm, indicating difficulty following through in service to his highest self.

UPDATE: NY Times profiles Obama and his pastor. This is the first time I've heard this spin:

In the 16 years since Mr. Obama returned to Chicago from Harvard, Mr. Wright has presided over his wedding ceremony, baptized his two daughters and dedicated his house, while Mr. Obama has often spoken at Trinity’s panels and debates. Though the Obamas drop in on other congregations, they treat Trinity as their spiritual home, attending services frequently. The church’s Afrocentric focus makes Mr. Obama a figure of particular authenticity there, because he has the African connections so many members have searched for.

Related posts: The Trouble with Harry, Obama on the Spot Again