Right Voices

From VF:

Kennedy believed that to persuade them to remain uncommitted he had to demonstrate his popularity right away by appearing before large and enthusiastic crowds at rallies, airport welcoming ceremonies, and motorcades in both primary and non–primary states. It was a tricky strategy because if his crowds were too frenzied they might frighten moderate Democrats and party leaders, but if they were small and unresponsive, party leaders would probably stick with Johnson. Further complicating this strategy were Kennedy’s shortcomings as a campaigner. Although he had been involved in politics since 1952 and had been a skilled manager of his older brother’s campaigns, he had run for public office only once, in the 1964 New York Senate race. In that campaign, he had proved himself to be a clumsy and uninspiring speaker, stammering and speaking in a monotone, prone to long silences, uncomfortable before enthusiastic crowds, and seemingly unable to shake his post-Dallas melancholy.

Obama seems to be limiting his appearances to large venues. The average voter can’t get near him. Given that his retraction team works overtime, it is understandable.