Two looks behind Obama and Clinton

On Tuesday, Oct 16, Charlie Rose hosted two guests in a show I think anyone with an interest in the 2008 election should watch.

The first guest was Samantha Power who is a senior policy advisor to Barack Obama. As Ms. Power spoke, I found myself captivated by the freshness and insight she revealed with her perspective on the topic of American foreign policy. Time and time again during the conversation, I heard myself saying “this is what we are missing today.”

The second guest was Mark Penn who is the chief strategist for Hillary Clinton. This conversation was illuminating for different reasons. Mr. Penn has written a new book called Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes. I was unsure what to expect but Mr. Penn was disarming as he showed an almost Rovian understanding of, well, the “small forces” that are at play. Just as Carl Rove understood how to mobilize key factions to win an election in a closely-divided society, Mr. Penn demonstrates a similar mastery.

For me, this episode encapsulated the essence of these two candidates as I see them. Obama presents a fresh perspective that offers hope for a more successful approach to governing. Clinton represents an uncanny understanding of how the power is harnessed.

Thomas Friedman on Charlie Rose

On August 16, 2007 Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat, was on Charlie Rose (PBS) and I thought it was an interview worth watching. During the hour-long interview, Rose asks Friedman to comment on three main topics:

1) The paperback edition of The World is Flat and is the outlook optimistic or pessimistic?
2) The Iraq war and whether Friedman wants to apologize for supporting it.
3) Global Warming.

Whatever one thinks of Friedman, I respect his opinion. His outlook about free trade is tempered an understanding to create social structures that facilitate our workforce (e.g. portable pensions). While I don't necessary agree with his position on the Iraq war, he probably has the pro-position most reserving of respect. (NB: I respect his position, I don't support it.) Finally, he understands that for there to be real progress on reducing carbon emissions, the government needs to play a role.

Like him or not, he is one writer/reporter who seems to take the time to scratch beneath the surface.

You can watch and buy the episode on Charlie Rose's website. I certainly think it's worth an hour of my time.