That Certain Inspirational Quality: Obama has it, Clinton doesn't

[ErnestoG]

So let's get the obvious out of the way.

Curious about this "inspirational" thing that Obama clearly has going on, I decided to do a quick Google search with the string "obama + inspiration". Boom. The first several pages of the hit returns were all articles and posts about Obama's inspirational talents, in a positive light. Then I Googled the string "Hillary + inspiration". Here's what was at the top of the first page:

Hillary's Inspiration Deficit
clivecrook.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/hillarys_inspiration_deficit.php - 59k -

Scientific? No, but it is so telling that it's plain spooky. Unless we want to dissemble a clear conspiracy involving Google in a plot to discredit Hillary Clinton the presidential candidate, we're left with the question about this being pure chance, or being the tip of a PR iceberg that is a huge problem for the Senator from New York. Does Clinton, truly, have an "inspiration deficit"?

There are opinions all over the place these days but if you look at the polls, and how Obama is quickly closing the gap in places where he was trailing Senator Clinton, it's obvious something is going on. Especially when you take into account that he is closing in on Clinton most quickly where he makes personal appearances. This week in Boise Idaho, Obama showed up for a campaign stop in a large arena. He packed the place. End to end. Now in order to understand why this matters, you have to understand Idaho. You can't get 15,000 Idahoans out to witness the Second Coming, let alone a presidential candidate. But Obama did it, and it shook the small town to its foundations.

Take a look at the young people who swarm to him. The frenzy of supporters who just want to hug the guy. I haven't seen this since witnessing the almost frightening charm possessed by JFK, in old newsreels. It's not just emotional stuff, the numbers tell the story. The initial state primary poll evaluations show that this guy can get the young voters out in droves. Youth who are known for being so bored, so turned off to politics that they will gleefully tear into their college textbooks before having to sit for another fundraising pitch. Yet there they are. In unprecedented numbers.

Senator Clinton gets them out there, too. But her audience is more likely to be the "been there, done that" older folks, those who are sort of worn out on the whole thing but desparately want the GOP out of power. They will feign excitedness just one more time on the off chance we don't see another crap disaster like 2004. Yeah, they'll come out. They'll cheer a bit, they will clap. They may shake her hand. But anyone who is perceptive in the least can see the lack of electricity going on between Hillary Clinton and her audience. They are there almost as an assignment, a must do. Obama people, they are ready to explode. They will drive 300 miles to go see the guy, and celebrate in their hotel room between speeches. They sense in him something new, something wonderful, something that makes them want to be a part of the system again.

Senator Clinton, you're not an evil lady. But you have to come to grips with the fact that you just don't have....it.