wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

"Be Obama"... huh. Is that possible? Nah.... Then why say it? Perhaps because there is an essential "like" implied in the phrase. Thus: "Be LIKE Obama." What is it to be LIKE Obama? Perhaps it means "motivated" or perhaps "honest". Perhaps it is a call to the American people that in this man they could find an examplar, a figure they could respect and whose example should be emulated. As far as I can see Obama is a man who has a solid person/family relationship with his wife and children, a solid record in the IL state senate, and an admirable record in the US senate. Not to mention the fact that the sheer drive to overcome his own (racial/finanical/personal/political) position in America is a "textbook" example of the "American ideal". Unlike a Lindsay Lohan or Nicole Richie (or Hillary Clinton) character that predominates mass-media, Obama is a figure I would (and will) encourage my children to look up to. And I would/will also practice what I teach/"preach".

We are too invested in narrow understanding of identity. Not only are we talking about whether Obama is black enough, but whether he is a shade of black that will put off as few people as possible.

I am white, but I can't identify with any similarly-shaded person whose character I can't endorse. I'm straight, but if you're a straight person who lies, cheats and steals, you're not my brother or sister. Why can't we just let people present themselves honestly as who they are and procede from there? Why are we still stuck in these primitive systems of identity?

Re: Steve comment (9)

I agree with Steve and I hope so too.

Don't know if Brian has interviewed any of the authors of the Clinton books. I am in the middle of "Her Way" by J.Gerth & D. Van Natta - both Pulitzer Prize winners. It gives a very different view of HRC than the one promoted by her campaign - a worthwhile read for objectivity.

--BL Show responds:
Yes, we interviewed Don Van Natta on June 20:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2007/06/20/segments/80833

Re: John Lumea

The interviewee is in the unique position of having both access and scope for Obama. It's really up to listeners to judge if the author is being objective enough.

Is there anything else that can be gleaned from more skepticism? I don't think the interviewer has much standing to be doubtful of what's being presented. If he opts to try and let more information come out rather than challenge it for greater certainty, I think he's doing the right thing.

What role did the implosion of the Illinois Republican party play in Obama's growth? Was that just a bit of luck?

The author is pushing a lot of his own assumptions about Obama. The interviewer is not pushing for anything more. This whole interview is a little cozy for my taste.

I haven't heard anything in this discussion that sounds unusual for a person who has climbed to the top of the American political system. All people at that level have strong ambition and ego.
Are you going to follow this examination of Obama's personal minutiae with similar examinations of Hillary Clinton and John Edwards?
I hope so...

being honest is not a "political calculation"

Additional Comment - Michelle Obama says that her husband is "the real deal" Does the author agree or disagree?

It was attractive to the president of the Senate in Illinois to "make a U.S. Senator". Why is this? Because he'd then have a Senator indebted to him? That's a little disturbing. What is the current relationship between this president and Obama?

I'd like to know if Mr. Mendell considers himself politically neutral or right or left.

How is it a "political calculation" to state what you believe? That's called being honest where I come from...

I am curious to know how Barack Obama self-identifies, in ethnic/heritage terms. I believe his parents are a bi-racial couple, yet most of his public comments seem to imply he self-identifies as African-American.

Doesn't catering primarily to the African-American constituency limit his appeal to other groups as opposed to embracing his bi-racial heritage?

Obama is a total fraud- makes slick willy like %100 genuine. he'll do whatever it take to get elected.

Are there any anti-Obama groups from Obama's past back in Il. who may unite as part of a smear campaign if Obama gets the Dem nomination (i.e. like Swift Boat Veterans against Kerry in '04)?

Does Mr. Mendell have an idea in the unlikely event Obama comes in 2nd in the primaries would he accept the vp slot if asked?