Wisdom from Yoda for Obama...

Today, I took a break from my insane travel schedule and kicked it in Philadelphia with some my closest and dearest friends. I did get a chance to take in Meet The Press, the Celtics/Hawks Game and Michael Moore on Larry King. As I was clicking through the channels I noticed that "Stars Wars III: Revenge of the Sith" was on.


As I watched Yoda duel with The Emperor I began thinking that Senator Obama could use some wise council from none other than the Jedi Master himself at this critical juncture in the campaign. Yoda had faced much adversity during his long life such as: catastrophic accidents, loss, betrayal and near extinction of the Jedi. His experiences have given him the insight to be able to navigate the most daunting scenarios. Imagine if a long time ago in a galaxy far away, Barack Obama had the opportunity to chat with Master Yoda. What do you think Master Yoda would say?


Maybe something like this:


“Ready are you? What know you of ready? Grave danger you are in. Help you I can, yes.


Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor. Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.


Your ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Already know you that which you need. Always in motion is the future."

Is Barack Obama the Chosen One?

"He is the Chosen One...he will...bring balance."
- Qui-Gon Jinn's dying words in The Phantom Menace

There is a lot of talk about Barack Obama being an almost messianic political figure. Some of my fellow pundits have quibbed that Barack has "jumped the matrix" by 20 years, meaning that he's essentially has shifted the political landscape 20 years with his historic campaign for President. Has Barack Obama really, "jumped the matrix?" Is he the transformative political figure who will be to the left what Reagan was to the right?

More than yes or no, I think the answer is he'll have to be. I believe Barack Obama, if elected, must figure out a way to keep this unique coalition energized, while ensuring a second term. He would go the White House with more pressure, scrutiny and expectations than any President than history. Senator Barack Obama could soon find himself in the unenviable position of a mythical Neo or Anakin Skywalker, forced to carry the burden of saving the world.

How does Obama pull this off? He will have execute a political strategy that moves forward enough liberal initiatives to placate his base, while holding onto independents and moderates. At the same time he'll have to do this while as media ends their honeymoon and the GOP refines their game plan. He'll go into office immediately preparing his re-election campaign, trying to balance a delicate coalition, campaign promises and the political realities of being the leader of the free world.

The only way he can pull this off is by being the chosen one. What does that mean? It means he must bring to bear his biggest strength, the people. He must figure out how to continue to mobilize his base to move his liberal agenda forward. It is not himself that makes him the chosen one, it is the people. It is the people that he inspires who can improve the environment, reform health care and fix the economy. The community organizer who would be President will have to use a page from that old Chicago organizing playbook:

"Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict."
-Saul Alinsky

This means he must agitate his coalition to agitate him to make change. If he's the Chosen One, he'll pull it off. The video below is dedicated to those would-be Chosen Ones.