The XX Factor: Slate women blog about politics, etc...

The Dark Side: Obama's Second Act

Hanna, you're right that Obama has to do a better job of showing his dark side, or at least his response to the world's dark side. But can't he sort this out after he wins the nomination—or at least Texas and Ohio? In a race against John McCain, the questions you're raising are going to be tantamount, because McCain will remind us of them as often he can and then some more. I get Wieseltier's argument that this is all the more reason for Obama to prove himself on this front now. But I don't think the contest with Hillary is lending itself to drawing that grim and resolute contrast—much as she wishes otherwise. And, for now, I also find Obama's "Hope" mantra useful as well as a smart tactic. A Democratic candidate who has persuaded voters of his "Yes, we can" vision is one they're more likely to trust on the hard and bleak stuff. So for me the test is whether Obama's "Hope" primaries have a second act. There's plenty of time for that long, stiff drink of realism we're all going to have to swallow down. 

About the debate last night: The moment that stuck with me was the one at the end, when Obama said that of course Hillary is a worthy nominee. It wasn't as lovely as her "I'm honored to be here with Barack Obama" remark (I'm paraphrasing) at the previous debate. But it was in the same spirit, without sounding like the beginning of a concession speech. It's more boring when they recognize each other's accomplishments but a lot healthier, too.