(Danville, California)
An e-mail from a family member inspired today's column. One of her basic points is that every time Barack Obama is criticized, he takes it as a personal attack that is somehow unfair. He did this when former President Bill Clinton called his stance on the Iraq war a "fairy tale." 
And he did it again Friday when President Bush criticized Obama's plans to speak directly with leaders of Iran, Syria, etc. Some Obama supporters even labeled these attacks as racist. Why, I am not sure. People are criticizing Obama because they feel his position is wrong, not because he's black!
And he did it again Friday when President Bush criticized Obama's plans to speak directly with leaders of Iran, Syria, etc. Some Obama supporters even labeled these attacks as racist. Why, I am not sure. People are criticizing Obama because they feel his position is wrong, not because he's black! Welcome to "hardball" politics, Senator Obama; and you'd better get used to it. The road to the White House is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a gauntlet, not a cake walk. Whether you like Chris Matthews of MSNBC or not, he wrote a seminal book on American politics entitled "Hardball!" It is a must read for any political junkie, and - quite honestly - should be required reading for every college level Political Science 101 course in America.
Matthews's premise is that politics is a "full contact sport." This is NFL football with hard hits, not tennis with easy lobs. Politics is combative and bruising. It is not for the faint of heart. I may not vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton this year (or ever), but I admire her fight and combativeness. The lady may end up losing, but no one can ever call her a quitter. And for that reason alone, she's not really a loser. I like her tenacity, especially against all odds. She's trying to be Eli Manning of the New York Giants in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl. He won; she may not. But that's not the point. It's how you fight the battle that matters.
And that brings me to Senator Obama and his need to develop a thick skin.
"Hardball" lesson #1: People are going to criticize you for the controversial people with whom you associate. Ronald Reagan was pummeled from the left by people who thought he was too cozy with the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Rev. Pat Robertson. Your friends, supporters, associates, and, yes, pastors are fair game in American politics. So, your relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is fair game! Whether it matters is up to voters. That the Obama campaign never recognized this "powder keg" was just naive.
"Hardball" lesson #2: Political attacks should be viewed as professional attacks, not personal. It has been a long standing platform of American foreign policy that we don't talk directly with our enemies, particularly people labeled "state sponsors of terrorism." This has been true for Republican administrations, as well as Democrats. Senator Obama wants to change this policy, which he certainly would be welcome to do as President. That would become his prerogative. You win the election; you set the policy. No question. But, if you put forth the controversial idea during the campaign, then you have to be willing to take the heat. President Bush and Sen. John McCain have both referred to the policy as "appeasement." That's their right to say, and if certain members of the voting public are upset, then so be it. The foreign policy issue is "fair game" in the world of hardball politics, and history can be a harsh judge. 
Gerald Ford may have cost himself reelection in 1976, when he stated, during one of his debates with Jimmy Carter, that the Soviet Union was not really dominating Eastern Europe. He never recovered.
Gerald Ford may have cost himself reelection in 1976, when he stated, during one of his debates with Jimmy Carter, that the Soviet Union was not really dominating Eastern Europe. He never recovered. With all due respect, these candidates are running for the most powerful and important job on the planet. They are not running for president of the local Little League. Senator Obama got an easy ride into the U.S. Senate when his Republican opponent was caught in a sex scandal. 
The road to the White House is NOT a free ride! Perhaps Chris Matthews should mail Obama a copy of "Hardball!"
The road to the White House is NOT a free ride! Perhaps Chris Matthews should mail Obama a copy of "Hardball!" I will be in Oregon Monday through Wednesday, covering the Tuesday primary. Voters also go the polls in Kentucky. Check back often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
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