Barack Obama

Updated below:

I was just looking over Kissweb's post on Barack Obama, here. I suppose it may be sheer coincidence that this morning's NY Times had a column by conservative hack, David Brooks, which came about as close as Brooks can come to endorsing Obama for 2008. Here are the concluding paragraphs:

Coming from my own perspective, I should note that I disagree with many of Obama’s notions and could well end up agreeing more with one of his opponents. But anyone who’s observed him closely can see that Obama is a new kind of politician. As Klein once observed, he’s that rarest of creatures: a megahyped phenomenon that lives up to the hype.

It may not be personally convenient for him, but the times will never again so completely require the gifts that he possesses. Whether you’re liberal or conservative, you should hope Barack Obama runs for president.

I don't know whether Brooks really means this or whether he's simply hoping Barack will run because he's beatable.

Update:

Digby weighs in with his view on Brooks and Obama:

Right. Thank Dave, for all your concern, but don't you worry your pretty little head about the Democrats, ok? You've got your hands full keeping your own party from a full scale implosion.

Apparently both Joe and David think we are such idiots that we would put the callow young pup Barack Obama up against the manly old lion John McCain for president in 2008. (Jesus, I hate having my intelligence insulted by people like the Kumbaaya twins.)

I have nothing particularly against Barack Obama, he seems like he has a lot of good qualities. But this nonsense about how Democrats should nominate him because he's a nice bipartisan boy who can change the ugly tone in Washington is just a tad presumptuous.

Here's an idea. How about if the Republicans nominate a bucket of vapid lukewarm spit instead? Joe Lieberman would be a good choice. The Democrats will nominate somebody who is qualified to run the government for a change.