Three syllables

I promised an entry comparing Obama to Lincoln today, and I still intend to do so. But that will have to come later. Today it seems more appropriate to compare Obama to another president: John F. Kennedy.

As Caroline Kennedy wrote in yesterday's Op-Ed for the New York Times, "A President Like My Father,"

"I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved."

And then today, Ted Kennedy jumped into the race, endorsing Obama with a stirring speech that answered every one of Senator Clinton's talking points: he is experienced, he will be ready to lead from day one, and he represents a politics of hope over division.

"There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier. He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president, who was widely respected in the party," Kennedy said.
"And John Kennedy replied, 'The world is changing. The old ways will not do. ... It is time for a new generation of leadership.'
"So it is with Barack Obama."

As the students at American University chanted "Ken-ne-dy!" and "O-bam-a!" I reflected on the similarities between the two candidates. They were both young, both bright, both dedicated public servants. Both were willing to envision an America not as it is, but as it could be. Hell, they both even have names with three syllables, making them easy to chant.

There's another three-syllable word I considered today.

Momentum.

We need to keep it. We need to use it. And we need to approach February 5th with all our strength and speed and tenacity. But we face it now with the wind ever more at our backs.