What is it about this guy that, not only don’t I like him, I don’t think he’s remotely impressive? In fact, I think he’s cringe-worthy. His talking grates on me. I don’t think he thinks he’s full of shit (like some politicians actually do), but I think he’s full of shit.

I could say he’s not made from presidential timber, but as my reading of presidential biographies has taught me, few people have been, and somehow this country has stumbled along. What I’ve decided to do is read some of his speeches, and see if I can get into the man behind the persona. Maybe I just don’t like his persona, which strikes me as being ultra lightweight.

I remember a story about Harry Truman. When Ike was coming into the White House (and here I paraphrase), Truman sat in the Oval Office and said, “Poor Ike. He’ll sit here and say ‘do this and do that’, and nothing will get done. It’s not the army.” I feel that way about Obama. He’s all energized with hope, and will tell the government to do this and do that, and nothing will get done.

Truman was truly a common man (so poor that when he left the White House, it was his dire straights which forced Congress to vote former presidents a pension - until that time, they received none). He spoke, acted and legislated for the common man, fought for civil rights when it didn’t even have a name, stood for the New Deal and liberal policies and helping everyday people. To the extent he succeeded (and today he is considered a “near great” president), it is because he railed against the republicans, he fought furiously for his programs, he worked hard at defeating his opponents.

Truman’s experience had taught him something very valuable: it is not enough to work day and night for your programs, you have to work hard at defeating your opponents, too. Obama has no experience, and is so damn touchy-feelly he has refused to address his opponents in this way. (We’re all just one big happy American family - I mean, where has this guy been?) This is why Truman succeeded where Obama will fail - if he is elected.

– Maui Curmudgeon