Barack's Lines

Presidential politics is like making a movie. The candidate is the actor, his job is to deliver the lines written for him by the script writers. Politicians who don't get this, or have a conscience, don't do as well.

Barack is the first candidate, perhaps, to fully embrace this requirement of the TV era. Everything is a prop, every speech a hustle. His grandmother, his preacher, his mentors, they are all props when push comes to shove.

John McCain has a problem with this. He's an old fashioned man, built on dated ideas such as values and honor. So he's uncomfortable at debates when he is forced to recite lies.

Barack spews them with relish - with utter comfort. Unburdened by a sense of responsibility, he thinks only about performance while delivering his well memorized lines. He performs without flaw.

Barack lies about Bill Ayers, his mentor. He lies about Jeremiah Wright, his mentor. He covers up his connection to Tony Rezko, his most important money man during his Chicago years. He doesn't mention his job as chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, his only managment credential.

Harry Smith: The rancorous tone of this campaign - I was with John McCain on Monday, and I said, 'Our poll data shows that it's actually hurting you.' He says, 'I wouldn't be doing it if he weren't doing it.'

He lied about his policy on the war. He lied about his commitment to public financing. He lied about FISA. The list goes on an on.

Barack Obama (laughing): Well, look. I - I mean - politics is tough. ... But I will say this: I don't think there's any equivalence between what we've been doing and what John McCain's been doing. ... Witness some of the comments that have been made just over the last several months, his last several weeks, 'Socialistic.' You know, 'Pals around with terrorists.' I mean, just - the kinds of stuff that - that I can't imagine saying about an opponent of mine.

Isn't that funny? Barack's political and spiritual mentors are Marxists, socialists, criminals and anarchists, but he just can't imagine talking about anyone the way the GOP talks about him. Poor Barack.

Barack may be the best political candidate ever. Because he doesn't let the truth get in the way.