Published: April 12, 2008 12:08 am         

Mark Bennett: Obama’s charisma may be the determining factor

TERRE HAUTE — You have to wonder whether John McCain or Hillary Clinton could stir a packed gymnasium as Barack Obama did Friday night.

Policies matter. Few Hoosiers wish to see America continue to be administrated as it has been under President Bush. Indeed, no status quo advocates appeared to be among the 2,700 people listening to Obama in Terre Haute North Vigo High School.

All three senators carry the mantra of change. On Friday, though, Terre Haute got its chance to witness that long-discussed quality held alone in this presidential campaign by Obama, a captivating voice, an ability to change the spirits of people listening.

Whether that skill is enough to change the country is left to be seen. Obama assertively insisted his presidency would “not only change America, but change the world.” But it’s more sure that a commanding presence in front of thousands might be the tipping point in Obama’s favor in his duel with Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and then in the general election against McCain.

The reaction of the crowd, a diverse group, was more intense than Sen. McCain received inside an Indianapolis office building in February. It generated a more passionate response than Sen. Clinton got outside a Terre Haute restaurant a couple weeks ago.

That effect is something Clinton and McCain will have to counter.

Obama knows how to make an impression.

He admitted that many of his policies “overlap” with those of Clinton. But he deftly drew her into a circle with Republicans McCain and Bush, claiming, “They all seem to criticize me in all the same way, which is interesting. Think about that.”

The more voters think the Illinois senator is different, the better his chances. He drew distinctions all evening, most sharply with President Bush. His political jabs got the desired applause, such as, “After seven years of George Bush, we’re finding that pain trickles up.” But Clinton and McCain both have an equal talent at such one-liners.

Obama was most effective when he combined a strong oratory and a strong message. The war in Iraq and the struggling American economy gave him ample opportunities to use both, although he also outlined some of the highlights of his plans for health care, college tuition increases, boosting aid to foreign countries, curbing gun violence and dealing with the mortgage crisis.

“If we can spend $10 billion a month in Iraq, we can spend $10 billion a month right here in America, rebuilding our economy,” Obama said, bringing the audience to its feet.

He countered criticisms by McCain and Bush that his intention to bring the war to an end includes a “precipitous withdrawal” of U.S. troops. Obama insisted his plan would pull one or two troop brigades out of Iraq per month. “At that pace, it will take 16 months,” he explained.

Stressing the need for diplomacy, Obama quoted John F. Kennedy, saying, “We can never negotiate out of fear, but we can never fear to negotiate.”

The political shadow still cast by Kennedy’s much-romanticized presidency nearly a half-century ago emerged Friday night. The podium used by Obama was the same one JFK stood behind during a 1960 campaign speech in Terre Haute.

Ironically, comparisons with dramatic speakers such as Kennedy and Ronald Reagan have brought Obama some of the sharpest attacks from his campaign rivals. Reagan elicited similar criticism … an actor, all speeches, no substance. Yet when Americans had to make a choice for president, Reagan won. Kennedy won.

Obama spent the final 20 minutes taking questions from the crowd. The last questioner asked what qualities he would require from a vice presidential running mate. Obama insisted that prospect was premature, but gave some details. Among them was this statement, “I want independence. I don’t want people who are just going to say, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir.’ I want people who will argue with me, and tell me when I’m wrong.”

Again the crowd cheered.

Finally, Obama reiterated his confidence that his administration would change America and prove “the American people are not looking for a way to bring each other down, but to find a way to lift this country up.”

Clinton and McCain may insist Obama is merely all speeches and no substance. But if they want to beat him, they’ll have to change a lot of Americans’ minds in the next few months.



Mark Bennett can be reached at mark.bennett@tribstar.com or (812) 231-4377.