A Possible Endorsement

I know that my endorsement carries a lot of wait in Presidential politics. One need only look back over the years to see the influence I yield. In 1992, my blue Buick was emblazoned with a Perot sticker right below the Smiths and Grateful Dead. In 96, I said "Go Pat Go", until Pat stopped going, and then I reluctantly voted absentee for a man who made me feel a little validated when he declared 12 national monuments during term 2. In 2000, I was one of 62 people in the county I lived in to vote for Nader. In 2004, I was for any Democrat but Leiberman, and when Kerry got the nod I offered full-hearted support with my nose pinched, eyes blindfolded, and mouth closed tightly so as not to breathe in the stink from that pathetic excuse for a candidate.
That of course brings us to 2008. Like many I fell for the charisma, and almost movie-quality of Obama's speech the other night. He seemed like a perfect portrayal of a president in a film, using the grandest style of oratory to say nothing specific. That said, however; I am prepared to say that I'll be a backer if he can demonstrate in tonight's debate that he can be just as lofty and inspiring in 90 seconds as he can be in 25 minutes. If he is capable of doing that I think he will be the next president. Most American's will not watch 25-50 minute speeches, most candidates outside of swing states will never see him speak in person. Most American's will be exposed to him from soundbites on the news and by seeing the debates this coming fall. If he can use his excellent rhetorical skills to the level he did the other night in a debate against McCain, Romney, or the Bunny Toothed Jailer he will be swept into the White House.
I see nothing in his policy positions to really make him stand out from his two chief rivals at this point, but his almost AntiChrist-like charisma could take him far provided there is no love child or previously undisclosed criminality in his drug past.
As a serious leftist, not a liberal, I hold mainstream Democrats in low regard. I fear he is just another one that happens to give a speech like it's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Edwards' attacks on corporate power appeal to me far more than all this vague hope stuff. Kucinich and Gravel were my ideological soul mates. Ditto for Nader. But I'm thinking about Obama's broad appeal and how that could lead to 6-10 senate seats on Election Day (maybe even Mississippi!), and a couple dozen more house seats. With that kind of balance great things could truly be done.
So I watch tonight to see if he can function in the time constraints of 21st century politics. If he can I'm skeptically in, because I really think he could win.