Obama Is No JFK (Or MLK Either)

On TV, the Barack Obama show works seamlessly. But " unplugged," the candidate is unexciting, even disingenuous, Der Spiegel’s Gabor Steingart argues. In a tough assessment, the political correspondent finds the ambitious marketing of Obama as the Democratic savior is undercut by the candidate's lackluster performance in person. 

Obama, overburdened with expectations that he's the next Kennedy or King, underwhelms in stump speeches and on campaign appearances. He stays safe, addressing the "comfort zone" of an audience, Steingart charges: "He talks of leadership but reeks of following."