Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Obama's Priorities and Intellect

A few days ago CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer got some scant minutes to interview then-candidate Barack Obama before he was to go on stage at a campaign rally. "Senator Obama," Blitzer asked, "what will your order of priority be for these five issues: health care, energy independence, the tax code, immigration reform and education?" Obama's response tells us some important things about the man who will be our next president.

Obama began by adding a sixth. "Even before any of the others, I think first we have to stabilize the financial system," he said. "And part of the picture is that the economy will need stimulus. Without these none of the rest of the things you mention are possible."

After that, Obama placed energy independence second. He pointed out its relationship to national security and jobs. This evidences an analysis that our dependence on foreign oil drives our foreign policy and makes it hostage to energy calculations. It also shows an understanding that dependence provides other governments with leverage over us. The jobs component illustrates Obama's solution to the problem, his plan to turn vulnerability into opportunity by investing $15 billion a year for ten years into installing green energy systems. He has often stated his estimate that this will provide five million domestic jobs.

Obama placed health care in third place. He made it clear that this is something he really wants to get done by the end of his first term. He views health care as a "right" that all should enjoy. He cited the examples of the success of other countries in reigning in costs and covering all of their citizens and seemed incredulous that the United States could not accomplish as much. "This is a case of special interests controlling an agenda. For the good of the American people, that will have to change."

Next was tax reform. Obama pointed out a relationship with his first priority, financial and economic stability, and mentioned how the tax code was strongly related to it and would be part of the same overall solution.

Coming in fifth was education, "not because it is not important, but because in this list the other items simply have to take priority." Obama did feel his service-for- tuition proposal could still be implemented in this environment. "If we are going to compete in the world we must find a way to get every deserving student to college."

Immigration wound up last on his list and garnered little in the way of emphasis or explanantion from him. If seemed definitely low on his list of concerns.

The first thing that struck me about the interview was Obama's mental facility. Wolf Blitzer gave him a complicated question with five things to remember. He added a sixth and never had to ask for a refresher on what all the issues were. Next, he displayed strong powers of integration. He thought about the big picture and the little pictures. You could sense him thinking the problem through as he spoke. He recognized relationships, such as how oil dependence creates problems in multiple areas and how tax, fiscal and economic issues can be addressed together so that one solution improves several facets at once.

Another thing I took away were Obama's powers of mental organization. The logic of his priorities is hard to argue with, despite his having to come up with them ad hoc and on the spot. Finally, I was quite intrigued with his ability to focus and concentrate. The interview took place in a tent behind the stage where Obama was to deliver a campaign speech at an outdoor rally. The din of the crowd and the amplified voices of the preceding speakers on the stage filled the background of the CNN interview. Obama was not distracted. He remained on topic and imperturbable throughout. As might be expected, the former President of the Harvard Law Review and University of Chicago Constitutional Law Professor is a formidable intellect. It was an impressive display.

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