Right on. Can only happen in america.

I think his appeal comes from a combination of what he says and how he says it. He doesn’t just propose to change by taking the reigns and driving the country in a new direction. He pitches it as collective, grassroots change. No one person can change the country on their own, something Kennedy knew when he asked citizens to consider “what you can do for your country.”

Is it what he’s saying that’s moving people to tears or how he’s saying it?

How.

Has he given speeches where he (a)lists specific policies that he will propose as President, complete with charts and numbers? Or (b)does he spout out populist platitudes about “fighting special interests” or “building the middle class” or “making health care affordable” without giving a single detail?

The answer is always B. “Change” means, I’m young entheusiastic, I got charisma, I’ve got no record to criticize, I stand for nothing in particular so you can project all of your hopes and dreams unto me.

Barack Obama is like the Edward Bernays of American politics. He realized that you don’t sell products by telling people how useful they are, you sell them by putting a pretty face on the package. In fact, I don’t think Barack Obama himself even realizes he is just a tool. Its his campaign managers who are selling him.

You heard those women speak. They were “emotionally involved,” not part of any rational discourse mind you.

Its like when Bill Clinton came here to Massachusetts to campaign for Deval Patrick for governor last year. Bill Clinton said amongst rousing applause, “He makes you feel good, He makes you feel you can do anything.”