Are You Listening, Ed Balls & Ed Miliband?

You see, this is part of the reason I supported Barack Obama for President. This is what he said in a recent speech on the economy in Cleveland.

"I’ve never believed that government’s role is to create jobs or prosperity....
I believe it’s the drive and the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs, our small
businesses; the skill and dedication of our workers - that’s made us the
wealthiest nation on Earth. I believe it’s the private sector that must be the
main engine for our recovery."

He, a Democratic president, gets the private sector in a way in which Labour politicians in this country don't. And probably never will. Apart from Blair.

GQ: Brown & Obama's Match Made in Hell

The June issue of GQ Magazine (on sale from next Thursday) contains an article by leading American media commentator Michael Wolff about the 'special' relationship between Britain and America, and the rapport - or lack thereof - between Barack Obama and Gordon Brown. According to Wolff, most people in America continue to regard Blair as the British prime minister and don't know who Brown is.

Of all the recent pairings of British prime ministers and American presidents, none is as strained as Gordon Brown and Barack Obama... His recent visit was an excruciating affair... Well, it may not have been the least successful visit ever to Washington by a foreign head of state, but it could be among the most ignominious... From a namerecognition point of view, he’s a nothing... Part of the problem is that at the Obama White House they're pretty sure that Brown is not a keeper. The new president is not going to lavish affection and attention on someone he doesn't know, or care about, or expect to be in office very long.

Cutting. But true.

Reflections on Barack Obama

As the drama fades away, it's perhaps time to reflect on a momentous night and try to work out what it all means both for America and the rest of the world.

As Barack Obama wakes up this morning he will know the heavy burden that rests on his shoulders. If he gets it wrong, he will have let down not only African Americans but all those across the political spectrum who lent him their support. In short, he needs to be a Ronald Reagan, not a Jimmy Carter. He will look at his 'to do' list and shudder. He takes over the Presidency at an incredibly difficult time, of economic and military crisis. He is neither an economist nor a military specialist and will therefore be relying on advisers in the same way that George W Bush had to in 2000. Bush appointed a top level Cabinet team - possibly the strongest Cabinet lineup in US history. But even that prevent some calamitous decisions. So the world will be watching to see what kind of Cabinet Obama appoints. I expect to see a few Republican names included as he reaches across the political divide.

A lot of Democrats will be expecting radical things from President Obama. I suspect they will be disappointed, at least initially. He may have campaigned on the slogan of 'change' but I suspect he will be far more conservative that many of his most enthusiastic supporters expect. He won't want to rock the boat too much until he has proved his competence to the nation. There may be one or two headline announcements in the first 100 days, but from a military point of view I am not sure much will change initially.

But it is not only his fellow Americans who are expecting great things from Obama - so is the world. I suspect the world is going to be very disappointed by the gradual pace of change. Obama may enter into talks which his predecessor would have baulked at, but if America's enemies think he will be a soft touch, I think they will be mistaken. I expect him to adopt a very tough line against Iran, which is at the root of most of the evil in the Middle East.

Domestically, the economic challenges the Obama Presidency faces are massive. His economic legacy is arguable worse than the one inherited by President Reagan in 1981. And his room for manoeuvre will be limited.

The speeches given last night by McCain and Obama were a mark of both men. Both struck exactly the right note and American can justifiably be proud of the two candidates who fought it out for the most powerful political job in the world. McCain was gracious in defeat and clearly understood the significance of his rival's triumph. Obama was visionary and inspirational.

America and the world expect a lot of Barack Obama. He has been a lucky politician, as well as a skilful one. His luck will need to hold if he is to take his country with him over the next four years. It's going to be one hell of a show.

UPDATE: Watching Gordon Brown's reaction to Obama's victory you'd have thought he was expressing condolences. I can't believe how downbeat he was. Cameron, on the other hand, struck exactly the right tone.

How to Shame Americans into Voting for Obama

Newsweek columnist Jacob Weisberg has written what I can only describe as a deluded article for Slate.com in which he essentially says that if Obama doesn't win it proves America is racist. This is the key passage...

If Obama loses, our children will grow up thinking of equal opportunity as a myth. His defeat would say that when handed a perfect opportunity to put the worst part of our history behind us, we chose not to. In this event, the world's judgment will be severe and inescapable: The United States had its day but, in the end, couldn't put its own self-interest ahead of its crazy irrationality over race.

So, there you are America, vote Obama if you don't want the world to think you're racist. Never mind what his qualities are, never mind his experience, vote for him coz he is black. Weisberg is himself displaying a kind of racism.

It's like saying if English people don't vote for Gordon Brown it proves they hate the Scots. Or, dare I say it, it's like saying that because the voters of North Norfolk chose not to vote for me, they're all a bunch of neanderthal homophobes. What utter rubbish.

What Weisberg is doing is trying to shame people into voting for Obama. It's negative politics at its worst and runs entirely counter to the spirit of optimism which Obama has exuded throughout his campaign. Weisberg is an idiot.

Obama Passes One Test But Fails Another

Well, I just about managed to stay awake for most of Obama's speech, but having got up this morning with what I imagine a hangover feels like I'm not sure I'm in the right state of mind to pass judgement on it. Anyway, here goes...

I think he just about avoided the Sheffield moment, although when he started by saying 'Thank you' and 'Thank you so much' repeatedly - I think I counted 70 mentions - while the crowd applauded him at the outset, I did wonder how it was going to turn out.

Obama is almost physically incapable of giving a bad speech. While the rhetoric in this speech did not match the soaring heights of previous speeches, it was always going to be difficult in a stadium environment. I thought he concentrated too much on individual anecdote - "the factory worker in Des Moines" or "the woman I met in Dallas". I can see the logic of doing this - showing empathy with individuals and their personal circumstances - but you can over do it. And he did.

The other thing he 'overdid' was the negative attacks on his opponent. According to ConservativeHome he mentioned John McCain 22 times, 21 of which were negative. Of course you need to attack your opponent in a speech like this, but somehow this attack didn't really hit home. When he said:

John McCain may want to follow Osama bin laden to the gates of hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave in which he lives...

... I scratched my head in bemusement. Was I alone in not having a clue what he meant by that?

Like many people, I was hoping to emerge from Obama's speech with a better idea of what he would actually do as President, rather than what his general approach would be. I admit I fell asleep for the last five minutes (!), but up to that point I had heard little that I hadn't heard before.

Obama doesn't need my vote - I don't have one. But I suspect there are many Americans who have a similar opinion of Obama to me. People who I would describe as 'soft Republicans' - people who were moved by Ronald Reagan's rhetoric and signed on to his optimistic view of life and the world. I wanted to be persuaded by Obama. I have already made clear that for the first time in my life I could consider not supporting a Republican candidate. But over the last few weeks I have slowly but surely been drifting back to the Republican camp having failed to be convinced by Obama.

Of course I recognise the historic moment of an African American getting the nomination. I applaud Obama's political campaigning ability. But for me there is something missing from his appeal. I love his optimism. I love his speaking style. But I have yet to fall in love with his policies. Largely because I still don't have a clue what they are. And he's only got 69 days to tell me.

Obama (and Cameron) Must Beware of Sheffield

The Democratic Convention in Denver closes tonight with the Second Coming. So carried away with his own popularity is Barack Obama that the Convention Centre is being abandoned and the Chosen One will be descending on 80,000 people in a nearby sports stadium. I am not sure if this is advisable. It made me think of Labour's 1992 triumphalist Sheffield Rally - but then I discovered Donal Blaney had got there before me. Although I do not go along with those who thought that single event lost Labour that election, it reinforced people's view that Labour was getting a bit too pleased with itself, and counting too many chickens. That's exactly how the US media is reporting Obama at the moment.

There's a lesson here too for David Cameron. It is reported that Cameron's advisors are looking for a bigger venue than the Birmingham ICC for his close of conference speech. My advice? Forget it.

No Wonder Obama Likes Joe Biden...

On Tuesday my best friend Daniel Forrester emailed from Washington urging me to predict Barack Obama would choose Joe Biden as his running mate. Nah, I thought. Far too safe a choice. I'll listen next time!

Those of us of a slightly older vintage remember Biden from the 1988 presidential race, when he was forced to pull out after the Dukakis campaign released a video showing he had plagiarised Neil Kinnock's "First Kinnock in a thousand generations" speech. He said...

Why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go a university? Why is it that my wife ... is the first in her family to ever go to college? Is it because our fathers and mothers were not bright? ... Is it because they didn't work hard? My ancestors who worked in the coal mines of northeast Pennsylvania and would come after 12 hours and play football for four hours? It's because they didn't have a platform on which to stand.

Kinnock had said...

Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to be able to get to university? Why is Glenys the first woman in her family in a thousand generations to be able to get to university? Was it because our predecessors were thick? Does anybody really think that they didn't get what we had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment? Of course not. It was because there was no platform upon which they could stand.

Perhaps these clips show why Obama thinks so much of Senator Biden...

Protocol Stuffs Gordon's Chance of Reflective Glory With Obama

In Germany Barack Obama spoke to 100,000 people. In Paris he did a high profile news conference with President Sarkozy. In London he will be pictured shaking hands with Gordon Brown by the Downing Street press conference at breakfast time tomorrow.

Doesn't that just illustrate what is wrong with the Prime Minister's machine? Apparently, because he didn't do a joint press conference with John McCain on a recent visit, he can't be seen to be showing preference to Obama. If I were him I would tell his protocol people to get stuffed and milk it for all it's worth. What's he got to lose?

Never mind, I am sure Tony Blair and David Cameron will oblige, and thereby steal any positive headlines there are to be had.

It never rains on Gordon eh?

Inside the Obama Campaign HQ

Ever wondered what the inside of a Presidential campaign looks like? Click HERE to see a CBS video of the Barack Obama campaign HQ courtesy of the Total Politics Campaign Blog. Incidentally, I am very excited to be attending the Republican National Convention at the beginning of September.

A United Ticket Is the Only Way of Uniting the Democrats

Tonight the Democratic nomination will be decided. Whether Hillary Clinton admits it or not, Barack Obama has won.

The best result for the Democrats - and some say their only chance of winning in November - is for Obama to offer Hillary the Vice Presidential nomination. This seems to be the only thing which could unite the Democratic Party and guarantee they are all pulling in the same direction. They would make a formidable campaigning duo. Without the Hillary campaign machine and campaign workers Obama would face an uphill task.

However, and it's a big however, Hillary will do very little to build the broader coalition which Obama needs to be sure of victory. There will be some Republicans who would consider voting for Obama, but would withdraw their support if Hillary is on the ticket.

Job Swaps for Clinton & Obama?

Predictions of a bloodbath at the Democratic convention in Denver seem ever more likely to come true. Robin Lustig has a solution for the Democrats - job swap half way through the term. It's been done before, in Israel when Peres and Shamir agreed to swap jobs at an agreed point in the political cycle. I can't see it happening in the USA any more than here.

It's reported today that Hillary might succeed in her bid to gain the Florida delegates who had been banned from the convention for holding their Primary too early. This would bring her closer to Obama's total. In the end, if it comes down to the Super Delegates they will surely give their votes to the candidate they think is most likely to beat John McCain. Barring any great mishap between now and September, the best bet would have to Obama.

What Dave Can Learn from Barack Obama

Oh dear, I seem to have upset the esteemed readers of COMMENT IS FREE. Last week, my Telegraph column was supposed to have been about what David Cameron can learn from Barack Obama. Sadly, it got overtaken by events and I was asked to write about Andrew Lansley instead. Anyway, rather than let a provocative column go to waste, I thought what better use to make of it than to wind up the Obama supporting fanatics of The Guardian. Judging from the comments beneath the article, I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Read the full column HERE.

Hillary Fails to Land a Blow

I've just watched the whole Clinton-Obama debate screened last night from Ohio. Most pundits called it a score draw. I don't. I call it a win for Obama. Hillary Clinton needed a big win and she failed to get it - hence it is a victory for Obama. I actually thought she copped by far the toughest questioning, but her pleading for sympathy seemed inappropriate and phoney. The only area she came across as more knowledgeable was foreign policy, but few Americans vote on that issue alone. Obama failed to rise to her bait on a number of occasions and came across as sincere, polite and informed. Hillary was shrill, defensive and a little nasty.

Clinton is still ahead in the Ohio polls, but only by four or five points. Obama leads in Texas, but very narrowly. If Obama wins both states next Tuesday we'll see how magnanimous Hillary can be in defeat, or whether she intends to prolong her agony all the way to the convention in Denver.

Let me Introduce You to President Barack Santos

Where truth and fiction meet... This video looks at the similarities between fictional West Wing presidential candidate Matt Santos, and Barack Obama. Or is it the other way round?

Nightmare Scenario for the Democrats

Democratic Party managers are already staring into the abyss. Many doresee a scenario in which the Convention in Denver at the end of August is deadlocked. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama will have enough delegates to be nominated (currently it's 1300 ro 1220 in Obama's favour). The votes of the 796 Superdelegates then become crucial. It is said that these delegates are overhwelmingly white men. Can you imagine the consequences if they voted solidly for Hillary Clinton? Chicago 1968 might look like a vicar's tea party. As Nancy Pelosi has said: "It would be a problem for the party if the verdict would be something different than the public has decided." That may turn out to be the understatement of the year.

Still, it's OK, according to the very well informed Sarah Baxter in the Sunday Times, Al Gore has already offered to broker a deal ... in return for what, we may ask?

UPDATE: Great quote from the same paper: "Hillary is so divisive that McCain could beat her with Britney Spears as his running mate."

Got a Crush on Obama?... Or Hillary...

Somehow I cannot imagine a similar song or video about John McCain... But if you've got a crush on Hillary, she's hittin' back at Obama girl...

Hillary 1984

I'm not sure if this is officially endorsed by Barack Obama, but it certainly has a powerful message!

Wednesday in Washington

It's nearly midnight here in Washington and I'm exhausted as I type this. I've just come back from a dinner held by the Anglosphere Institute at the Metropolitan Club. It's the sort of place where you just happen to stand next to Henry Kissinger at the urinal. Which I did. And no, I didn't. The dinner was in honour of Andrew Roberts - the second time I have heard him speak this week. And he was good enough to give a different speech tonight. Which was nice.

I was sat next to Judge Douglas Ginsburg, who was nominated by Ronald Reagan to the Supreme Court after Robert Bork failed to get through the Senate witchhunt approval process in 1987. Ginsburg withdrew his nomination after the press wrote about him smoking a joint at university. Also sat at my table was Robert Bork's wife. I remember the Bork hearings well as they were happening during my first ever visit to the States in the summer of 1987. On my other side during dinner was a delightful lady called Beverly Danielson. I never did discover what she did, but whatever it is I am sure she does it with supreme elegance.

This morning I spent four hours in the new 18 Doughty Street Washington studios interviewing Fred Barnes from the Weekly Standard & Fox News, former Thatcher speechwriter John O'Sullivan, who is now Editor at Large for National Review magazine, Nile Gardiner from that Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom and David Norcross from the RNC and the Romney campaign. It was a bit of a marathon, but a great experience. Later on in the day we got a 15 minute interview with Mark Steyn too, so all in all we reckon we did well today.

I also discovered a fantastic clothes shop in Union Station where the shirts were about half the price compared to the UK. I binged. I admit it.

In the middle of all that I recorded my Channel 4 News podcast in ITN's Washington studio. It was about the US presidential campaign blogs, the best of which is undoubtedly Barack Obama's.