Sunday, April 27, 2008
Obama on Fox
Obama's appearance today on Fox News had a percolating humor to it. Fox made it funny with its countdown to appearance. Obama was reasonable and extremely appealing — you understand the enthusiasm of his supporters. Finally though Obama offers a weak-tea of formulaic pronouncements.
Ironically, Obama's claim is one of bringing folks together, but the outcome seems to be one of divisiveness. It is at least in part because the burden was too great for Obama's frail understanding of the Reverend Wright issue — he has little to offer but condescension and an overweening confidence in his ability to convince “folks”. He seems incapable of understanding why his pastor is a parasite on the African-American community and a force for divisiveness. Like many demagogues, Wright can't shut up, and he will do inestimable damage to Obama because Obama early on didn't fully confront the issue. Obama needs to show he has some character and a connection to serious issues. He seems incapable of offering more than a rally speech.
One note about the Fox talk crew — in particular, Mara Liasson. She has been very impressive for a long time. You can see the respect and seriousness with which the other members of the panel listen to her. She seems clear eyed, free of tendentiousness, and makes comments that genuinely enlighten. The other pleasant change is in Juan Williams, who for some reason seems more balanced. Fox is slanted to the right, and it would be easy to polarize, but Williams seems to feel less compelled to advocate and more likely to discuss now. The same seems true of the effect David Brooks has had on Mark Shields on Lehrer. The discussions are more reasonable since the deeply ideological Paul Gigot left the Newshour.