Twofer with Michael Gerson: Bush's man says Obama extraordinary political talent

"It will be a dramatic moment, one of the great culminating moments of American history". That is the verdict of Michael Gerson, on the prospect of President Barack Obama being sworn into office.

In this frank and fascinating Twofer interview, Gerson formerly chief speechwriter to President Bush, decribes himself as "very impressed" with Obama.

"I think he is an extraordinary political talent," says Gerson. "Likeable, a non-threatening liberal in the same way that Ronald Reagan was a non-threatening conservative. Eloquent, naturally eloquent, but also a compelling figure in the context of American history".

"It would be an historic day for him to take the oath of office".

Gerson also offers an acute analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of John McCain.

Comments

[Julie]

I pray Barack Obama becomes the next president because l like him as a person and l see him as authentic, transparent and very sincere.

I am praying for you Barack Obama and also for Amricans to make the right choice and pick Barack as our next president.

[John Houlihan]

Listening to Obama reminds me of JFK and RR - not so much for what they say, more the way they tell it. If oratory matters, then Obama wins the nomination. I am sure that if HC could morph into BO she would. Her lifetime game-plan has gone wrong and she feels cheated. Welcome to the real world Hilary.

[Dionysius Williams]

I am "hopeful" that Obama will win the presidency, he is the most honest and has the most integrity out of all three candidates.

[Daphne Kenward]

Obama knows the problems America faces, and this is why he decided to run for President. He is Transparant, and open. He knows who the world does deals with, will be based on foreign policies. Trading with the wider world will be a problem in the coming years, for America. American foreign policies has accused every one on plannet earth as Terrorist. People want to see the Back of G W Bush, and till that day comes people will not be interested in America, or their currencies, many may well dump the Dollars and I would be careful who America ellect at the next election. Visitors will by pass America. And leave them to destroy them selves from within. America's foreign policies are like bullets in the head for America, the worst way to kill a Tyrant is in their pockets, without a single shot being fired. Rome was a Super power where are they today? Britain was an Empire where are they today? Egypt was a Super Power where are they today? Spain, France, Turkey, Iraq under Neb BC where are they Today under a deminishing Super Power who is losing their power on a daily basis. Europe want to Unite with other European members to re create the Super Power status, but they have no natural resources, and that fact will kill their dream. So what do they do? they will fight with Russia, America has plans with Britain to use force against Russia. What will happen is the People America called Terrorist Axis of Evil, will have to come with it;s begging bowl for oil and resources, Europe who went along with them will need to beg the Russians & the Arabs, like when Josephs brothers sold him into slaver, and later having to come to Egypt to beg for food, and did not recogonise their own brother, due to famine in their area. The Bible says who was first will be last, and those who was last shall be first. What people see as valuable in the West is rubbish, what we need is what we can't do without, that is valuable, food clean drinking water something Africans have never had. SHEALTHER, it;s strange Americans are now facing what Africans have suffered for 400 years, droughts, homelessness, desease, and hatred, forest fires dust bowls where people cant afford to feed farm animals, and people living in poverty, and it is only going to get worse. The only people that will be affected are the people in the west who have something to lose. Poor Africans have nothing all they ever had was stolen, by the West. Global warming will have a surprise for America & Britain. Constant Flooding that will Bankrupt all insurance Brokers. America & Britain is in Bible Phrophecy, Surprise Surprise the two who are in Iraq, going to war with those people has dammed our economy and our future, it's like the people who enslaved the Jews. These two countries was who enslaved Black People. And many also persecuted the Jews as well, their crimes against Humanity has reached the heavens, and the Power of the Univesre has been shaken by them. The Bible says those destroying the Globe will them selves be destroyed, many people are not interested in politics because it is a worldwide organisation of crooks and criminals. That have amunity against being answerable in any court of law, this is why Hillary was surprised any one would vote for Obama, Obama is not a chip off the old block, of crooks and worldwide criminals lining their own pockets while the poor are imprisoned and left to go hungry with no education. This is why there has never been more people coming out to vote in their lives, because people know and normally would not vote, because they know it is a waste of time.

[Greg]

As a resident of Allentown, PA---I urge the people of PENNSYLVANIA to go to the website of Senator Obama and research his platforms at: barackobama.com.

His platforms are conducive to the NEEDS of our state. Obamas stance on creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investments to support our communities and businesses are just a FEW issues I'm certain will benefit us.

[Musheerah]

If everyone would just put all of the foolishness aside....rev. wright etc. and really compare Barack Obama with Hilliary Clinton....look at their policy platforms.....personal demeanor.....their websites.....only then can you really make a solid decision.....I know both candidates platform and I agree with Barack Obama.....Hilliary is more of the same...now if Hilliary was more like Barack I may give her a second look....American deserves so much better......and Barack Obama is the man of the hour.....I am a woman and this country is not ready for a woman like Hilliary....If you look at how Hilliary ran her campaign in the beginning it was very unstable....Barack Obama has been consistently consistent....which is what I admire about him the most....I would be proud to call him President Obama......

[San Ying]

Obama is the Franz Liszt of politics. Like Liszt Obama is a rare comet that seems to have come out of nowhere.
Liszt changed the course of musical history. Obama will change the course of American and world history.

[William]

oh come on, one good speechwriter (Gerson) praising another (Obama)? When did that become the only qualification for president?

[Ambrose]

I have always known that Obama is a gift to us at this time. His candidacy is far more threatening to the Republicans than Hillary Bill Clinton. Republicans understand that victory over Hillary is as cheap as going to the mall to shop for candies. Obama is the president americans need at this time.

[Winston Ifillw]

All said and done, they are no honesty in politics, from Marx and Lenin, through to the second world war you would not find an honest politician. Now we have these modern day folks calling their selves honest. If you think matching Obama to Kennedy going to make him honest, then I have news for you, Kennedy was not an honest politician, yes, he spoke a good politics, but, is this not what the mojority of politicians does? We are so cought up in the rhetoric of Obama, that we have not gone out to research Obama on the other side. Believe me, they is another side in all of us. I guess, time will tell, this is just the beginning, and the American public are just waiting for the moment.

[Deb Simmons]

Is this the same Michael Gerson who just this month poured ice cold water over Obama and his campaign – indeed his recent rousing speech -- with at least three Op-Ed pieces for the Washington Post? Are Finkelstein and Strange both naïve and misguidedly enamoured of this conservative Spin-meister?

In ‘The Speech that Fell Short’, his Op-Ed piece last week, Mr Gerson’s latest attempt to be anything but encouraging to Barak Obama generated 1470 comments. His critique clearly was perceived as a negative take on Obama’s tremendous speech. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/18/AR2008031802594.html

I cannot understand how Mr Finkelstein and Ms Strange seem to have completely missed out on what clearly is a contradiction of terms as far as Mr Gerson’s written record on his views of Barak Obama to date.

Gerson’s travel with Obama's team notwithstanding, Finkelstein and Strange should apply liberal doses of discernment to Gerson's own political motives.

[Sharon]

When I reflect on Obama's speeches, I am reminded of "Macbeth" and the quote: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more: it is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing." Obama's speeches are full of sound and fury but, in the end, his words are hollow: the same old liberal (in the American sense) cant, and worse, all of which signifies nothing substantive. It is unfortunate that such a poseur should have arisen to capture the public's imagination when we so desperately need REAL leadership.

[SEO Charlotte]

I have lived in the United States since 1995 and have followed politics with great interest.

Rest assured if we do not get Mr. Obama as President my wife and I are coming back to the United Kingdom.

[George Delaney]

Please don't make me sick Obama is honest and up standing.What funny book have you brits been reading.He is hooked up with crooks around the world from Chicago organized crime to Iraq saddam Hussien the man he is named after.Type Nadhmi Auchi and Tony Rezko Into your browser and read. check out the million plus house he bought at a discount from tony Rezko.Listen to the minister where he go's to church at. and then tell me how honest richous upstanding he is.

[canadagirl]

So excited many bloggers appreciate Barack Obama's message to his country. I listened daily to the news, know this man will, if elected, be a dynamic and wonderful change for 'our neighbors' to the south. We interact daily with them and worry that an 'irrisponsible'candidate such as Clinton, would undoubtedly increase global anti-Americanism which is out there from years of unwise decisions, especially in the 'Clinton' years. She is 'not to be trusted', and talked about daily and with good reason. She is intelligent, hardworking, but, 'irrisponsible'. Any candidate that clings to the ideal that 'Power' is there only need....loses. Our country has a questionable relationship with this couple and preferrs to cast it away. Tooo much baggage.

[Alphonso3]

Interesting commentary, what is the source of the cmomments and when were they made.

Seems like folks are beginning to realize they are witnessing history.

[indo45]

Why people dislike Hillary? Why now?
Why did not talk bad when she was a first lady. Obama is affraid Bill Clinton's woman is in politics.
From beginning Obama tried to make Amricans hate Hillary.
To save this country, Hillary is better to join McCain.'Save this country from "Obama" .Democrats treated her badly. Obama fooled young voters. Media media media , democrats democrats you are all stupid, fooled by Obama.
Race doesnot matter, but Bill Clinton & Ferraro Comments did matter to you.
I pray, Obama will not be a president. God bless America, God damn Obama

[Sandy in Albuquerque, New Mexico]

It is so refreshing to see the voters picking up on the history in the making moments of Senator Obama. If you read through the blogs here, Senator Obama's supporters are very positive. No name calling, no put-downs. I, too, see not only the relationship between John Kennedy and Senator Obama, but also the quiet, inner strength of Bobby and Martin Luther King. Senator Obama is the leader of our time. Jacob Bronowski one said, 'The personal commitment of a man to his skill, the intellectual commitment and the emotional commitment working together has made the Ascent of Man.' We are witnessing the ascent of a personal, intellectual, and emotional man to the people in this country.

[GEM]

To George Delaney: Unfortunately you are the one who is sadly misinformed. You've been reading too many of the political pundits to even know what the truth is. You should do more of your own research, as I have. Your post is too full of inaccuracies to even address them.

[Adjei Boateng]

Senator Obama is once-in-a generation leader qnd will be a great president not only for USA but also for the world.
Only morons don't see Senator Obama as great leader.

[mike]

I am afraid of Obama's connections Obama, Rezko, Mahdi Auchi, AlSammarae, Rev Wright, Farakhan, William Ayers, Rashid Khalidi, Raila Odinga, Obongo Obama, Khaleel & Zubair Ahmed. If any other American had these connections, they would definitely be on the Do No FLY LIST.

[john mwangangi]

I have watched, listened to the three candidates in this election but i find Baraka Obama to be extraodinary in the sense that he appears honest, straight forward and a sense of peace in his speaces.

Others in many occasions have attacked him especially about the issue of his pastor, but he chose to be truthful and honest about the whole issue. I praying that the American people will notice that he is the kind of leader they need and vote for him. I praying for him to succeed. God bless you Obama and the team.

[Riverrun]

Barack Obama, despite his age, is the one true adult running for the presidency of the United States. He is the only one who can stem the hemorrhaging of American regard among the international community, and the only one who can bring Americans to a decent regard of themselves.