This will be a very short diary, but I wanted to call attention to "The Corner"'s take on Obama's speech tonight. Says Peter Wehner,
Barack Obama's speech tonight was simply exceptional — and a reminder of why he is one of the most remarkable political talents in our lifetime.
[snip]
If Obama wins the Democratic nomination, Republicans have a great deal to fear. He has tremendous break-out potential.
Of course, they don't support him... he's a scary liberal! And, um, all that stuff.
His weaknesses remains his record and his views, which are conventionally and utterly liberal — and that matters a great deal.
But, still, it's almost like Wehner is tempted.
Politics is, at the end of the day, about ideas and philosophy, not simply rhetoric. But, as all the great presidents have shown, rhetoric matters, too. Beyond that, Hillary Clinton is a conventional liberal, as is Obama; the difference is that Obama is a graceful and dignified person who draws people to him rather than drives them away. He is impossible to dislike. And when you see Obama and Clinton together, or back to back, is there any doubt who is the more impressive person — or the more formidable political figure?
Conservatives fear Obama tonight, and with good reason.