Obama and JFK: A Third Way

On the now familiar territory of JFK-Obama comparisons, Obama shares Kennedy's weaknesses more than his strengths, Frank Rich points out in the New York Times.  Kennedy, too, was judged too glib and inexperienced, a purveyor of mere pretty words. But the dichotomy between Obama's inspirational speech and  Hilary Clinton's wonkiness is a false one, Rich insists.

The Kennedy example also shows that Obama's poetic gifts may in fact be a tool for getting practical things done. His charisma would help him "bring about change without relying on fist fighting as his primary modus operandi." The Clintons' combative incrementalism ekes out micro-initiatives; Obama could get Republicans and enthusiastic youth on board for larger changes.
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