Peggy Noonan on the Presidential Candidates
The upshot: Clinton is finished, regardless of what happens in Pennsylvania next week. She's already been branded as dishonest and manipulative. Obama has won the day for now, but he will have to overcome the two-fold stigma of inexperience and elitism to beat McCain. Most provocatively, Noonan discusses the pros and cons of McCain publicly pursuing a one-term Presidency. The entire essay is clear, compelling, and engaging.
Comments
I thought Noonan did a good job of characterizing the current Democratic race. Clinton has routinely thought she's smarter than everyone else and shouldn't have to explain herself. "Too late to get serious," was a smart assessment, especially since Clinton has been touting how "experienced" she is. Obama has listened to his handlers and believes in his own charisma too much. I'm not as optimistic as Noonan, especially considering Obama's policy stances, when she says "He'll be better older."
Her nod to McCain was thin and disappointing. It reads like she thought she had to say something but didn't want to think very much about it. We've yet to see the kind of advisors McCain will use.
Posted by: Bill Nettles | April 19, 2008 12:25 PM
Bill,
Thanks for the comment. I'm not sure Noonan was herself saying that Obama will be "better older." I think Noonan's argument was that if McCain offers America a one-term candidacy, those in the "undecided middle" may vote for McCain rather than Obama, with the logic being that they could vote for a more seasoned Obama in four years.
The argument is intriguing. But I think you are right about her tepid support for McCain.
Posted by: Alex Chediak | April 19, 2008 12:41 PM