Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Bubble Boy

It is not easy being a Messiah. This Washington Post piece notes that Obama travels in a bubble tighter than that of a President. The contrast with McCain is striking. Add up the hours that Obama has had in the public eye in unscripted events and I suspect the number is astonishingly low, particularly if compared to those of McCain.

It is striking that this has not become part of the story in the mainstream press. Imagine if it were a Republican that was out doing $10,000 a plate lunches and meeting only with audiences pre-screened for adoration or Washington pols while a Republican were out on a bus doing completely open town hall meetings? The stories write themselves. You see the lines of limos outside the private fund raising event while the man of the people comes down among the people to hear their voice. And what is wrong with Mr. GQ that he can't speak without a teleprompter?

Right now the arrogance story line isn't catching on, at least the way the mass media polls it (asking people is he arrogant is not the best way to capture what is likely to be more of a vague uneasiness rather than a all or nothing conviction). But the material is there. How long before the media worm turns? Just one too many line reporters left barking questions while a media big foot gets to do another softball interview and the pent up flood of resentment could break all over the anointed one.

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