Barack Obama is a Freakin' Political Genius

2 things happened this week with the Obama campaign that not only reassure me of the man's intelligence and political savvy; but also "embiggens" (to quote Jedidiah Springfield, of The Simpsons fame) my faith and hope that this election could be a real turning point for our country.

1> www.FighttheSmears.com is the new Obama website. What is different about this website is that he lays out all the rumors, innuendos and smears against him and BAM! debunks them on site! He is obviously not intimidated by the lies and falsehoods; he acknowledges them as existing and then he sheds light on them. This is incredible for a number of reasons.
First, for a supporter of Obama nothing is more satisfying than to know you not only have such a tool at your fingerprints, but it makes you feel like "Hell, Yeah! THAT is MY President." It keeps any lingering doubt from creeping up wondering what the truth is, or how the campaign will handle it. Second, for a generation that is more and more internet savvy and internet dependent, having a "political" SNOPES.com directly tied to the "urban legends" of your preferred candidate is pretty awesome, and yet a natural fit. Now rumors and "hidden emails" can be refuted as easily as a key-stroke--just like those other emails that filter through the office. Third, it is PRO-ACTIVE. He is putting it out there before he gets hit. He's drawing a line in the sand and saying "There will be no swift-boating this time." He is directly addressing the lies and rumors that Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity put forth in their passive-aggressive way. He's making sure they know he has their number.

2>Obama's campaign has started a new program called The Joshua Generation, it is directly aimed at reaching evangelical youth under 30 (probably under 25). It is aimed to reach them on their level, using the language they know, promoting the values they have chosen. It is aimed at that group of evangelical youth that have grown up on "youth group" and yet are in their college years. And its point is to work with them to see that their faith is more complex than gay marriage and abortion. Watch for this plan to be SUPER-successful.

So, again, Obama is a FREAKIN' political genius. I just hope that our country is ready for a smart president.