The talent sh-Obama

Barack Obama has suffered the attacks of critics who question the substantiveness of his candidacy. The Economist pointed to his failure to present a health care plan at a forum on health care, and the Associated Press leveled a charge of being "all style." And yet, Obama seems to have lost no momentum, and has recently begun revealing key policy proposals, including a carbon cap and trade program limited to transport fuels. He's still drawing sizable crowds, including thousands in Iowa City on Earth Day.

The truth is, I doubt people around my age--people who have been so energized by Obama's candidacy--are concerned about charges of his lack of experience. We grew up during the internet, the Silicon Valley boom, when talented people of all walks of life with little or now experience with computers were flocking to California to join in. I have seen classmates with degrees in Art History and English land jobs at top investment banks and consulting firms. We have been told that in the new economy, where America's manufacturing strength has been gutted, America's comparative advantage lies in a vaguely defined ability to create a talented workforce who can become managers of global capital flows. (I'm skeptical, but I hope it's true because I'd hate to see some Indian management consulting firm start doing my job for half the money.)

The point is, in Obama we see someone long on talent and idealism, and we're willing to trust that raw talent to guide the country. It's a refreshing change from having a dolt and his gang of cynical and corrupt backroom dealers in charge. Who knows--maybe Obama's so-called substance shortfall is illusory. But even if it's real, my generation--and the one older than us, too--have been conditioned to value talent, trusting that Obama will study up and has the capacity to become a policy wonk. I don't want him cramming for the exam, so to speak, and would like to see some solid policy proposals sooner than later. But I don't think the style-not-substance attcks will have legs with core Obama supporters, as long as young Americans trust Obama's style to be riding on a hefty dose of talent.

Plus Obama has the best logo.