Obama for President. But...

Since Obama announced his intention to run for President, Two Fairly Liberal Dudes have been unabashedly in his corner. Unlike any other politician, Obama represents most closely our values and policy positions. But as a responsible fake journalist, I'd like to provide a balanced view of our favored candidate.

Today's Washington Post's endorsement of Barack Obama recognizes his two biggest policy flaws: Iraq exit strategy and free trade.

Binding foreign policy should not be developed during campaigns. Obama's Iraq position was developed at the height of civil war in Iraq. Instead of rigidly following his 2006 plan, he should respond to conditions on the ground with the goal of shifting resources away from Iraq to Afghanistan and to restoring a capability to deter current and future adversaries from taking steps counter to American long-term interests.

As for the anti-trade rhetoric, the WaPost is dead on: Obama's criticism of NAFTA and free trade during his primary fight with Hillary was the low-point of his campaign.

Today also brought an editorial memento of a different kind: David Brooks' quasi-endorsement of Obama. This otherwise glowing article contains a caveat that even the most ardent Obama supporters should recognize:

Of course, it’s also easy to imagine a scenario in which he is not an island of rationality in a sea of tumult, but simply an island. New presidents are often amazed by how much they are disobeyed, by how often passive-aggressiveness frustrates their plans.

It could be that Obama will be an observer, not a leader. Rather than throwing himself passionately into his causes, he will stand back. Congressional leaders, put off by his supposed intellectual superiority, will just go their own way. Lost in his own nuance, he will be passive and ineffectual. Lack of passion will produce lack of courage. The Obama greatness will give way to the Obama anti-climax.

Obama campaigns today with the full backing of the entire Democratic party (with the exception of Rev. Jackson?). His campaign has been remarkably disciplined and controlled. But once Obama begins his Presidency, he may find that running the country, even a country with a Democratic, fillibuster-proof Congress, may not be as easy as running his campaign. With members of his own party doggedly pursuing their own parochial interests, Obama's ability to lead the country out of economic disaster and foreign policy quagmire will probably be constrained.

Now that my concerns are out there, I have one more thing to say. Obama for President.

-Law Dude