Review: Barack Obama Biography (Election Update)

The kind people at the Biography Channel were nice enough to provide us with advance copies of the Barack Obama biography that goes on sale at Wal-mart tomorrow.

The forty seven minute DVD covers mainly Obama’s rise to be Senator; a last segment that is added on covers briefly his chase for the nomination (not including his ultimate winning of that nomination). Obama’s biography draws a lot of attraction. At a local Barnes and Noble store yesterday, I found multiple books on Obama’s biography; conversely, there was only one on McCain’s biography, and it was written by the candidate himself (and is really more about his family than simply McCain himself, as evidenced by the name).

A challenge for me in reviewing this is to figure out what the DVD was trying to accomplish. This is not any fault of the Biography Channel, but rather a challenge for me, as I have essentially read everything I could on Obama; thus, I already knew a lot of this information. For people who already know Obama’s life story and have followed the campaign closely, there is not really much to be gained from this. Conversely, someone who wants to look at the DVD to get deep insight into Obama’s character (for instance, figure out why he joined Trinity Church), there is also little to be gained, which frustrated me. Jeremiah Wright is mentioned only in a footnote towards the end, without even mentioning why he was so controversial in the first place. The DVD is very good, though, at telling the story of the rise of Obama while glossing over political questions that really do not belong on a DVD.

The main narrative of the biography is the rise of Obama to give the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. Featuring interviews from his half sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and brother in law Craig Robinson, the parts of a young Obama growing up in Indonesia and Hawaii are really well done. It also heavily emphasizes the outsider status of Obama in terms of racial identity, having grown up in a white family but being perceived as an African American.

I’d highly recommend the DVD for the parts of Obama’s life outside of politics. Whenever the DVD veered into politics at all, it made me cringe, as it made a lot of broad statements that weren’t always necessarily true. The nonpolitical parts, by contrast, are good at highlighting Obama’s background and general worldview. Like Obama’s book, Dreams From My Father, the narrative focuses on his father significantly even though his mother seems to have more directly influenced him. The biography also details the rise of Obama at Harvard Law, focusing on the importance of it, and not as much on the specific details.

It’s important to be honest: This is an introduction to the character of Barack Obama, not a critical study of it. As an introduction, it’s a success, and encourages further research into his positions. For instance,

If you know a lot about Obama, and have read his books, insights on his character from family members and friends such as Marty Nesbitt and political advisor David Axelrod will be interesting. But it’s unlikely to be drastically different from what you have heard, and as the narrative gets further along, David Axelrod seemingly pops up more and more, and it feels like an extended campaign ad. But that’s not to complain. That’s just the nature of this sort of biography. Consider this the cliffnotes version of Obama’s own book. If you want a deeper and more critical look, I’d recommend for starters David Mendell’s book.

The much touted “Election Update” is already outdated - and will be even more outdated come the middle of November, win or lose. I’m a little perplexed at releasing this DVD now instead of then; but as I mentioned above, there’s a strong demand for biographical information on Obama.

However, it may be worth getting just for the footage of Obama walking around a cow at a local state fair, and for the look on David Axelrod’s face when talking about Jack Ryan.

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Michelle Obama: Our Souls Are Broken

In case you were wondering, Michelle Obama would like you to know what’s wrong the country and what can be done to fix it:

We have lost the understanding that in a democracy, we have a mutual obligation to one another — that we cannot measure the greatness of our society by the strongest and richest of us, but we have to measure our greatness by the least of these. That we have to compromise and sacrifice for one another in order to get things done.

That is why I am here, because Barack Obama is the only person in this who understands that. That before we can work on the problems, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation.

Uhh…why are we talking about souls in a presidential election? I’m serious.  I wasn’t sure Michelle Obama could top her dreaming journey line, but she just did…

Could we please drop the vacuous rhetoric? Or, at least recognize it as such.  If she really believes this, then some serious questions need to be asked.  For instance: are we really not going to work on or solve problems until our souls are fixed?

In other Michelle Obama news, she’s finally proud of the United States as she indicated at a recent campaign stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

“Hope is making a comeback and, let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change,”

I have seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues and it has made me proud.”

First, it’s an obvious shot at Bill Clinton’s administration, but, no one’s going to discuss that.  Secondly, I hate to break it to her, but the country was fairly unified around some “basic common issues” in 1984, when Reagan won 60% of the vote carrying 49 states (525 electoral votes).  But, who cares about history…

Diagnosis: Broken Souls
Prescription: Barack Obama

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Miscellanea of the Week

Here’s a roundup of happenings from this past week:

• Tavis Smiley wants Barack Obama to address his “State of the Black Union” conference in New Orleans and is upset that Obama turned the invite down to campaign in Ohio and Texas. Reasonable people everywhere attempt to show Smiley how stupid he is being, while Smiley rejects an offer for Michelle Obama to address the conference. Hillary Clinton is attending, though; presumably in an effort to continue to rebuild bridges with the community should she win the nomination.
• Clinton started her Wisconsin tour today; she’s already made the decision to cut it short, touting surrogates like Wesley Clark.
• Michelle Obama predicted victory in Ohio. The last time she did that, if I recall, was in Iowa. Bold move, for sure. I’m going to go ahead and say it’ll be an uphill climb at best.
• Hillary Clinton launched an attack that “speeches don’t put food on the table” and Matthew Yglesias argues that it’s a false distinction between the ability to give speeches and having good substance, citing some examples. The line of attack here from the Clinton campaign is definitely meant to prey upon some people’s suspicions that Obama is all talk and no substance. We blog these speeches and these debates and what not, but it’s important to realize there’s more out there; both candidates have extensive plans online that are available for all.
• Western Democrat extraordinaire Brian Schweitzer is telling superdelegates to stay out of the way for the time being.
• Rich Lowry at NRO is bewildered more Democrats are not making the pragmatic vote for Obama to just get the race over with and avoid a nasty fight. Honestly, I don’t think many Democrats think that far in advance; and if they do, it’s only about the general election.
• Mike Huckabee dares me to compare him and his futile campaign to suspected terrorists. Haven’t we reached the point where his jokes are no longer refreshing but are just generally worrisome in terms of him being the Commander in Chief?
• Hillary’s gone hunting before, and has shot a duck.
• Obama is off to Texas immediately after Wisconsin.
• Everyone is speculating about McCain’s running mate. We won’t, at least much.
• Interesting thoughts on the dynamics of the media in the Clinton-Obama race.

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Playing The Saddest Song on the World’s Smallest Violin For Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton today:

“The mistake that I made is to think that I was a spouse like any other spouse, who could defend his candidate. … I think I can promote Hillary but not defend her, because I was president. I have to let her defend herself or have someone else defend her.”

Whoa.

1) Does he in his mind somehow believe that attacking other candidates counts only as a ‘defense’ of Hillary?

2) Do other spouses say things like he has said over the past month? The most critical Michelle Obama was of Hillary was that every Democrat would support her if she won, but she would have to think about Hillary before she campaigned for her. And Cindy McCain keeps her grudge list private, at least.

Meanwhile, Bill was off comparing Barack Obama to Jesse Jackson, and saying that electing Obama would be a “roll of the dice.”

3) Bill just now realized that he has obligations and expectations as a former President?

4) Lastly, it’s all still about Bill playing the victim. You would think he could move on by now.

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Détente in South Carolina Ad Wars

Earlier today, the Clinton campaign took down their radio ad (described by Ambinder as ‘misleading’) because as they told him “ad was not intended to air for long, had finished its rotation, and had yielded its space to a ‘closer’ ad that focuses on policy.”

In turn, the Obama ad has recently pulled their ‘response’ ad (my parentheticals, as we could have a lengthy debate to what extent it is a response ad). An Obama spokesman told TPM, “Once we confirmed that Clinton was taking down her attack ad, we instructed radio stations in South Carolina to take down our response ad.”

Of course, that is not stopping a war of words on the issue, as Michelle Obama and the Clintons continue to battle over the same issue, but it seems as if both sides are willing to de-escalate this … if only a little.

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Michelle Obama: “Join Me On A Dreaming Journey”

Speaking in Plymouth, New Hampshire on Sunday, Michelle Obama said the following during her remarks:

“Join me on a dreaming journey”

For a moment, I felt as though I was on a psychedelic boat ride on Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. I recognize that Obama is the candidate now, so I realize that this notation will raise some hair. But, after hearing such a vacuous remark, I’m beginning to think of serious questions regarding the sustainability of this type of rhetoric and whether it can sustain a primary and carryover to and through a general election. Or, will people just get sick of it after they’ve had their fill. I’m not sure yet, I’m still putting my thoughts together on the subject. I will say: Christmas time is fun, but if it was Christmas all year, I bet it would get old pretty fast.

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Wednesday Afternoon Briefing (November 28, 2007)

Here’s what’s going on with Democrats before the presidential Youtube debate tonight at 8:00 EST (focusing on Democrats since I’ll be talking about the GOP constantly during the live blog):

• First, though, the adjective that struck me during reading this Politico story on Giuliani billing the city for trips he made through obscure financing was that this was Nixon-esque. And that may be a charitable interpretation if what is being reported is accurate. I’ll be disappointed if this isn’t mentioned tonight.
• Bill Clinton says he opposed the war from the start, in an implicit challenge to Obama on the matter. Not many people are buying it, including Obama. The most practical take is from Marc Ambinder, who notes the matter will take away from the message Hillary wants to strike in Iowa, which seems to be becoming a trend every time the former President makes a statement. The most meaningful take, if you consider this an important issue, is probably from Ben Smith, who notes that the truth of the matter comes down to what you believe regarding the 2002 vote, which the Clintons have constantly stated was for coercive diplomacy, not a vote for war. Either way is arguable, to some extent. It looks now like a hell of a thesis could be written on to what degree Bill Clinton is actively helping or hurting the Clinton campaign.
• Barack Obama, on the other hand, may have backhandedly insulted rural Iowans by saying that it’s surprising how engaged they can be in the world. Not to get too far ahead, but that statement and the statement on Nightline that “Every place is Barack Obama country once Barack Obama’s been there” reek a little bit of arrogance, something that his campaign has been taking great pains to avoid until recently. They’re arguably the type of mistakes that may have helped doom Dean. But like I implied above, it’s far from a complete comparison at this point, just something to keep an eye on. To me, it does not really sound like that if you are lsitening to him speak, but it certainly reads like it. It’s certainly somewhat risky rhetoric, although as a native midwesterner, I have no problem saying there is a stereotype of ignorant Midwesterners. The more time Obama’s campaign has to deal with non-issues like this, the worse off it will be in the long run. For instance, no one is really talking about the foreign policy summit he held in New Hampshire yesterday. (Although, the conditions on Hamas sound a lot like parsing …). Also, Ambinder also points out how hypocritcal the attacks of Obama on Clinton regarding her comments on health care might be. More importantly, though, might be the fact that health care in insanely complicated, and it seems unlikely people will sort these problems out themselves. (And I might side with the voters on this one: what are the chances anyone’s plan gets passed through Congress unchanged?) On a more positive Obama note, however, this Post profile of Michelle Obama highlights a strength of the Obama campaign that the likes of Bill Bradley and Howard Dean did not have. (Hat tip: Hotline)
• There’s not much going on with John Edwards right now that’s as interesting or prominent as what I noted above. He won’t release what he asked from UNC in addition to a salary when he went back in 2005, but even though it seems nothing was granted, requesting college basketball tickets hardly seems outrageous. I’m all for disclosure, but keeping this harmless information out of the news cycle is a smart move on his part. … He also launched a theme week about being anti-corporate. This also includes launching a pledge to not caucus for anyone who takes lobbyist money (ahem, Clinton). You can basically take this as his intention to make a deal with Obama or another candidate come Caucus time. It really appears to me as if he wants Clinton to lose more than he wants to win. …
• Regarding other Democratic candidates, the IAFF (fire fighters) are launching a Dodd initiative in Iowa starting tomorrow. It’s that support that helped Kerry come back, but I’m not optimistic of lightning striking twice here, for too many reasons. Give Dodd an A for effort, though. … Richardson found an outlet for his pro-gun stance (that no one really seems to care a lot about anymore. Remember when that was one of the top few issues a decade ago?). Speaking of the 1990s, is using the Unser family now just about a decade too late? Also, Richardson won’t be sleeping over at your place anytime soon. … Remember when Kucinich was trying to highlight his more moderate positions to gain more support? Me neither. … Joe Biden keeps talking Iraq, and that’s probably for the best. …

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2008Central.net’s Presidential Election Podcast (11/26/07)

This podcast covers (1) problems with Bill Richardson’s campaign, (2) the reality of Mike Huckabee’s recent momentum, (3) Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama argue over a Novak Column, (4) the significance of experience in the 2008 election, (5) Fred Thompson’s troubles and (6) more…

Feel free to email us questions/suggestions for next week’s podcast (you can also email an audio file of your question and we’ll include it in the podcast).

Subscribe to 2008Central.net’s Presidential Election Podcast

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Saturday Afternoon Catch Up (9/29/07)

Before getting into some serious blogging, here’s a crib sheet on what’s been happening in the ‘08 field:

• Following news that Newt Gingrich would enter the race if he could get $30 million in pledges by October 21, 2007, Gingrich officially stated today that he would not be entering the race after all.  Why? Because the 3 week pledge drive would present legal problems for his non-profit group, American Solutions for Winning the Future.  We’ll try to connect with Steven Parkhurst over at DraftNewt.org this week to get their reaction.
• Democratic candidate, John Edwards, has decided to opt in to the public financing system.  We’ll take a closer look at this decision in a later post, but for your information now…(1) Entering the public finance system places significant spending restrictions on a candidate…(2) Ambinder looks at the pros and cons of this decision.
• Transcript of MSNBC’s Democratic Debate in New Hampshire hosted by Tim Russert.  We’ll have more on this later, since it was certainly a noteworthy debate.
• Michelle Obama stirs things up when she says that if Barack Obama doesn’t win Iowa, then “it’s just a dream.” Was I the only person who thought of Ralph Cramden upon hearing this? ‘One of these days, Michelle…bang…ZOOM…to the moon!’
• Mike Huckabee tackled the Bush Administration’s foreign policy in an attempt to substantially distinguish himself from his primary rivals.  Huckabee concluded that “this administration’s bunker mentality has been counterproductive both at home and abroad.”
• Bill Richardson launched a new website that details his plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq and promises not to leave any residual forces.  Chris Dodd takes issue with the details.
• If Iowa was your answer to the question “What state will decide who gets their Republican convention delegates first?” then you would be wrong.  It’s Wyoming (for now) and they will make the decision on January 5, 2008.

Anymore links you’d like to see?  Send them along (tips).

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Pay No Attention To This “Controversy”

Visitors to the Drudge Report right now are greeted with a large headline that Michelle Obama criticized Hillary Clinton for the way she ran her house. It’s taken from this article in the Chicago Sun-Times which is incredibly complimentary towards her. The paragraph in question was almost an aside, saying:

At another stop, in Atlantic, Michelle said she travels with her husband in part “to model what it means to have family values,” adding “if you can’t run your own house, you can’t run the White House.” She didn’t elaborate, but it could be interpreted as a swipe at the Clintons.

I would not have read Clinton into these comments had I read them without the commentary. It justs seems really out of place for what I’ve seen from Michelle Obama, who often talks about her own home life on the trail. Sure enough, Barack Obama said as much as soon as anyone asked him if the comments were about Clinton:

In a just-concluded conference call, Obama responded to the suggestion that his wife was slamming the Clintons. “She wasn’t making any reference to that,” he said. “If anybody who’s been listening to Michelle on the stump, she’s talked about the importance of family, and the need for our family to make sure that we’re thinking about our kids during the process of this campaign. And she’s repeated that in every stump speech. So, you know, there are no references beyond her point that we’ve had an administration that talks a lot about family values, but doesn’t follow through on it, and part of the challenge for us in this campaign is making sure that we are talking the talk but also walking the walk. That’s all it was referring to, and as I said, that’s been a standard aspect of her speech for a long time.

TPM Cafe has the transcript of the line in question:

That one of the most important things that we need to know about the next President of the United States is, is he somebody that shares our values? Is he somebody that respects family? Is a good and decent person? So our view was that, if you can’t run your own house, you certainly can’’t run the White House. So, so we’’ve adjusted our schedules to make sure that our girls are first, so while he’s traveling around, I do day trips. That means I get up in the morning, I get the girls ready, I get them off, I go and do trips, I’’m home before bedtime. So the girls know that I was gone somewhere, but they don’t care. They just know that I was at home to tuck them in at night, and it keeps them grounded, and, and children, the children in our country have to know that they come first. And our girls do and that’s why we’re doing this. We’re in this race for not just our children, but all of our children.

The facts seem to be in alignment that this isn’t about how Hillary Clinton runs her house.

The interesting thing is that in what is meant to be a glowing profile of Michelle Obama (which there seems to be a lot of this cycle, for whatever reason), a throwaway line on the Clintons is getting the most attention; and given how out of bounds that sort of attack on Clinton would be (even Mike Huckabee would agree), it will probably hurt the Obama campaign to the extent it gets any coverage.

It’s interesting how much something as trivial as a faulty media impression of one line of a speech could impact the election. And given how much traction this has gotten, it’s clear that controversy really just feeds on itself to grow, even when there’s little evidence of substance behind it.

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