Reed Galen has a must read piece on RealClearPolitics that examines the personality traits shared by President Bush and Barack Obama and why it wins elections.
Some excerpts:
Ideologically speaking, Barack Obama and George Bush could hardly be more different. Theirs is a dichotomy of Democratic big-government, dovish liberalism and Republican low-tax, free market, hawkish conservatism. But their personalities, when beliefs are removed, are not terribly different to the outside observer. Both shine in tightly-controlled, set-piece environments where the rules of engagement are based on their comfort-level. Although their speaking styles are clearly divergent, their charisma is a defining quality; turning arenas full of people into adoring fans with a turn-of-phrase, wink or thumbs up.
Despite their personal magnetism, though, they are also both clearly uncomfortable in more dynamic situations. Barack Obama in front of a teleprompter and well-screened crowd is a far different candidate than the Barack Obama dealing with Charlie Gibson asking pointed questions during a debate. Obama's reaction to that particular event also points to another trait he shares with the White House's current occupant: Neither reacts well to criticism from quarters they believe unworthy to bestow it. Additionally, Obama's infrequent media availabilities and rare trips to the press cabin of his campaign plane tell us we should expect the same type of minimalist dealings with the fourth estate under a President Obama as we have had under President Bush.
During both the 2000 and 2004 Bush campaigns, leaking (unauthorized leaking anyway) was almost unheard of. After all, it was absolutely a firing offense and every member of the staff knew that. For most of the 2008 cycle, the Obama campaign has been able to drive its message day-in and day-out through thick and thin. The latest dust-up over Revered Wright has severely tested its ability to continue this patter. Both organizations share an ability to drive the press corps to distraction by their unwavering ability to recite the day's message points ad infinitum.
That sort of discipline is made possible because both men engendered near-total, reverent loyalty in their staffs. Obamans and Bushies, while they would probably not drink beer together, would defend their man to the end. Both groups are full of hundreds of people who have given up high-paying jobs or barely any money at all because of an almost mystical belief that their candidate is the best and most effective answer to what ails America. The staffs of George Bush in 2000, and Barack Obama in 2008, are probably strikingly similar in make-up and work every day believing that they cannot lose. This sort of esprit de corps, while intangible, is an essential element to running a national campaign. Everyone, from the war-room intern to the campaign manager gets up every morning knowing that they must do as good a job as possible because to do any less would be to let their man down.
As presidential candidates, Barack Obama and George Bush hold radically divergent world-views. But their campaigns reflect their personalities and vice-versa. They share large, well-funded, well-organized organizations that a relentlessly on-message and make few major mistakes. While Barack Obama publicly disavows almost all of what George Bush stands for, it's clear that when it comes to politics, he's willing to learn something from the other side of the aisle.
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