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October 8, 2008 4:48:26 AM CDT

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Obama as Manager: Crisp, Even, Big-Picture Guy

Posted Jun 16, 08 8:52 AM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Barack Obama's not a micromanager, he's not an obsessor, and he's not a blamer, the New York Times notes in a piece on the Democratic candidate's developing style as commander in chief of his campaign. After losing the Pennsylvania primary, he took a firmer grip on the wheel of his campaign, but tends to delegate the day-to-day. While the campaign has enjoyed grassroots success, it's tightly controlled by a few top advisers who Obama stays in close touch with by BlackBerry. 

Obama listens to a lot of viewpoints, but likes to keep debate crisp and, as one aide puts it, "un-Clintonesque." His priorities, the Times reports, are the policies and messages in his speeches and advertising. Elsewhere, he's willing to be overruled. “That’s one of his talents, his ability to distinguish between things that are absolutely essential and things that aren’t," says campaign chief David Axelrod. "He’ll give you some latitude based on your expertise.”

Source New York Times

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Obama advisers David Axelrod, right, and Robert Gibbs talk with the media en route with to the primary night rally in St Paul, Minn., Tuesday, June 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama speaks about fatherhood at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago Sunday, June 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shares a laugh with his staff and Senior Campaign Advisor David Axelrod, left, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., gets out of the car to board his campaign charter plane in Philadelphia, Pa., Saturday, June 14, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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