The last time that an inspirational/charismatic speaker lost to a man of mediocre oratory was, as far as I can remember, 1908, when Taft beat Bryan. Maybe lightning will strike again one hundred years later for John.
Nixon almost beat Kennedy. Besides, most charismatic figures are knocked out in the primaries. The reality is that true demagogues very rarely win the presidency. Reagan and Kennedy are among the few examples. Usually some variety of establishement politicians wins out.
Is it fair to characterise Obama as a demagogue? He's a gifted orator, no doubt about it but a demagogue?
Obama is a very modest, very unassuming man. It's true that he's, politically, appealing to people's hopes and expectations for a better future, but not to their fears or prejudices; which is why I've come to see him in a highly positive, rather than negative, light
Dave
He fires up crowds with empty words, appealing to emotions instead of appealing to reason. And he does it to an extent that makes him a bit of a demagouge. He offers false hope in many areas and that is what strikes me as demagogic. He reminds me a lot of Bryan, though I'm certain that Bryan sincerely believed in what he said. I don't really think Obama does, deep down.
I don't really disagree...I'd just like to say that the "false hope" I feel today due to Obama is a hell of a lot better than the "no hope" I've felt ever since 9/11/01, and more specifically, since March of 2003.
