Posted by
Bryn T. Jones on Monday, October 20, 2008 11:17:54 PM
I have heard it too often to ignore: Barak Obama will make a great President because of his intellectual curiosity.
I understand that he lacks experience (he was a state senator, then a U.S. Senator for a couple years before he started campaigning--jobs that do not require full time, 7 day a week effort). I understand that he has accomplished nothing to recommend him to any executive office. I understand that he has aligned himself with the corrupt political machine of Chicago and liberal radicals who seek to destroy our youth, one mind at a time. I understand that he proposes vast amounts of spending that likely do not include the actual cost once the programs are implemented and that he hasn't begun to propose enough taxes to cover those costs, let alone our deficit (or pay down our debt).
With all these strikes against him, what's left? I guess Intellectual curiosity. A cool head. A confident demeanor.
Well, a fool can be cool in the face of turmoil he doesn't understand. An imbecile can stare down a charging bull with utter confidence if he doesn't realize he's not Superman. But what on earth is intellectual curiosity?
Does this mean Barak Obama is simply curious? Like George who constantly caused trouble and messed things up? Does it mean he's curious about intellectuals? Or about intellect in general?
Based on how he changes his mind as frequently as the weather in Minnesota, I'd say he's intellectually curious about what position may, in fact be the right one for any given moment. He's against the war in Iraq and he's going to get us out yesterday. Well, until he refines his position in light of the fact that he was wrong about the surge, which he still opposes for good measure. He's opposed to drilling because there's no way more supply will ever affect the price in a supply and demand game. Of course, he's open to it if it means he'll get more votes. He's going to tax all those "super-rich" unless the economy is doing poorly (thus admitting that taxes would hurt the economy) but we haven't reached that point yet.
Then we have John McCain. He's not intellectually curious. He's allegedly impulsive, eratic. Although he's been rather consistent on what our economy needs: low taxes and less government. He's been unwavering on when life begins and that it is sacred. He's been solid on National Security and stands behind the Iraq war (though unpopular) and the surge, which proved him right. He was an early voice against the dangers of unrestrained Fannie May and Freddie Mac.
It seems to me that John McCain has something far greater than intellectual curiosity. He has moral certainty.