THIS PRE-ELECTION REPORT FROM RON FOURNIER OF AP, which I’ve referenced before, looks pretty prophetic now:
Arrogance is a common vice in presidential politics. A person must be more than a little self-important to wake up one day and say, “I belong in the Oval Office.”
But there’s a line smart politicians don’t cross — somewhere between “I’m qualified to be president” and “I’m born to be president.” Wherever it lies, Barack Obama better watch his step.
He’s bordering on arrogance. . . . both Obama and his wife, Michelle, ooze a sense of entitlement.
“Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics,” his wife said a few weeks ago, adding that Americans will get only one chance to elect him.
Obama’s cool self-confidence got him into trouble in New Hampshire when he said Clinton was “likable enough,” faint praise that grated on female votes who didn’t appreciate him condescending to the former first lady. . . .
It may be that he has just the right mix of confidence and humility to lead the nation (Obama likes to say, “I’m reminded every day that I’m not a perfect man”). But if the young senator wins the nomination, even the smallest trace of arrogance will be an issue with voters who still consider him a blank slate. . . .
Voters won’t cut Obama as much slack on the humility test because he’s sold himself as something different. While rejecting the “me”-centric status quo and promising a new era of post-partisan reform, Obama has said the movement he has created is not about him; it’s about what Americans can do together if their faith in government is restored.
So how’s that going? And Paul Rahe wonders what happens next.