Yes, thank you, Charles.
The difference between Palin and Obama’s charisma is that, while of course it has a personal aspect, Palin’s is more like Ronald Reagan’s: rooted, as Charles notes, in concrete political ideas.
The conservative base, unlike the moonbat base, is not one that is energized solely by personal charisma or celebrity. What hooked the conservative base was that it was immediately evident that the source of Palin’s charisma was her committment-—her actual living out-—of some of conservative’s treasured ideals.
That’s why she’ll last in politics and Obambi won’t.
Obambi will become a rich man, writing books, serving on boards, giving speeches. But his political career, for all intents and purposes, is over.
Perhaps. Obama's biggest problem is that his charisma is not backed up by any serious experience. Should he take the time to build it up -- maybe run for governor of Illinois -- then perhaps he can make himself a force to be reckoned with.
OTOH, his career up to now is marked by self-promotion and impatience -- a tendency which is made stronger by the sycophantic support his charisma engenders. He clearly wants now, what he should have started seeking 10 years from now.
I suppose the best comparison for Obama would be ... well, maybe Vince Young (as eviscerated by Jason Whitlock).
Of Young, Whitlock says,
But the truth is, I told you before the 2006 draft that Vince Young was primed for NFL failure. He entered the league with an attitude, mindset and supporting cast totally unprepared to survive the pressure, challenge and responsibility that goes along with the most prestigious and difficult job in all of sports.
Replace the sports words with their political equivalents, and you've got a fine description of Obama.