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Obama Is No JFK (Or MLK Either)

Der Spiegel says all the hype isn't doing the candidate any favors

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 20, 2007 11:43 AM CDT

(Newser) – On TV, the Barack Obama show works seamlessly. But " unplugged," the candidate is unexciting, even disingenuous, Der Spiegel’s Gabor Steingart argues. In a tough assessment, the political correspondent finds the ambitious marketing of Obama as the Democratic savior is undercut by the candidate's lackluster performance in person. 

Obama, overburdened with expectations that he's the next Kennedy or King, underwhelms in stump speeches and on campaign appearances. He stays safe, addressing the "comfort zone" of an audience, Steingart charges: "He talks of leadership but reeks of following."

Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, greets voters who stood in the rain for more than an hour to see him during a campaign stop, Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Sunapee, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, greets voters who stood in the rain for more than an hour to see him during a campaign stop, Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Sunapee, N.H....   (Associated Press)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., focuses on the struggles of the nation's poor, during a policy speech at a recreation center in Washington, Wednesday, July 18, 2007.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., focuses on the struggles of the nation's poor, during a policy speech at a recreation center in Washington, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. (AP Photo/J....   (Associated Press)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks to the media with District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, after the mayor announced his endorsement of Obama's 2008 presidential bid in Washington on Tuesday, July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks to the media with District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, after the mayor announced his endorsement of Obama's 2008 presidential bid in Washington on Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
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