So John Kerry endorses Barack Obama? Is it just me or do the Democrats always seem to find defeat in the jaws of victory? At any consolation, the ascendancy of Senator Obama shows they've come up with new and improved strategies of losing elections. The rapid rise of the first electable African American presidential candidate and the beguiling awe he brings each and every time he addresses throngs of diverse supporters is unquestionably a story bookwith or without the approval of Oprah. Seriously, one would be amiss to discount the oratorical greatness of this guy. The innumerable amount of Americans disenchanted with the state of country and the cynical Washington mentality are easily enthralled and seduced by Barack's refreshingly straightforward rhetoric. Indeed, Senator Obama's message does transcend partisan politics: his opponents on the republican side are now using change as their stated strategy, despite the fact that it's more of an oxymoron than anarchy.com.

On Jan. 3, Iowans chose Barack Obama, the feel good candidate of the year who talks of hope and change but whose specific goals upon being elected are narrowly limited to pulling out of Iraq with little regard to the repercussions to the Iraqis we devastated. For my part, Iowa's voice is similar to that of a teenager who was just grounded on prom; they'll do anything just to piss off their parents. Hillary Clinton of course is the parent. I think it's great that Iowa debunked Hillary's campaigna campaign seen as a shoe in from when she announced it . . . in the womb. And while I realize that Joe Biden was essentially campaigning to become Hillary or Barack's Secretary of State (hopefully VP), I'm still livid that flowery rhetoric can somehow trump seasoned experience in both domestic and foreign affairs. Begging the question, are all Americans this clueless or just Iowans? Moreover, are we electing an Ipod or a president?

In all fairness to Senator Obama, because of the current lummox-in-chief, the standards are lower than Keith Richards's blood count. Assuming Senator Obama can continue to ride this wave of success through the primaries, I hope that he chooses a Biden or a Richardson as his runningmate.

Learn more about this author, Michael Hayne.
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