Hillary & Obama: Kinetic contrasts

AND NOW there are two.

With the withdrawal of John Edwards from the presidential race, and the inconclusiveness of Super Tuesday, Democratic voters are now down the stretch with two candidates. And as the field narrowed, I was struck by set of photos in last week's New York Times (Jan. 29, Page A21).

In the first, Times photographer Damon Winter captured Barack Obama at a rally at American University just after the Kennedy endorsement. The photo shows a sea of faces - young and enthusiastic - swarming, swelling, sweet. It's an ocean of arms with cameras and cell phones reaching out to touch the moment - and if they're lucky - the candidate. The students are so woven together that it feels organic.

At the very bottom of the picture (and the crowd) is the candidate, with his back to the camera, just the back of his head and shoulders standing in silhouette - arms outstretched, a part of and touching the throng.

It is a kinetic moment and appears to be less about him and much more about something larger.

In the second photo, just beneath the first, Todd Heisler of the Times catches Hillary Clinton on the same day in a similar setting - a rally at Springfield College, Massachusetts. But that's where the similarities end.

At the Clinton rally, Hillary is separate from the students, on stage behind bunting and barricades. She is the feature of the photo - separate and stiff - as her crowd appears small, faceless, silent and still.

The contrast is as undeniable as it is powerful.

I'm lucky in my life to be flanked by that same age group: college-age sons to care about and college students to teach. I often tell my young writers that the secret to good writing is the magical mix of mechanics, message, intellect and heart.

They understand the mandate of mechanics: working parts, like grammar, punctuation and structure. They get the notion of message: that they must have something to say and say it clearly. They also recognize the idea of intellect: they need the intelligence and expertise to say something worthwhile.

But what is the heart?

Yale professor, professional writer and all-around guru William Zinsser explains that the best writing includes warmth and humanity. Humanity is the indefinable: the touching of a common chord with the reader and the leaving of a little of yourself on the paper.

Tom Cruise's Jerry Maguire called it quan.

 
AND SO IT IS WITH public figures.

What is it that made Princess Diana so compelling?

Yes, she was young and beautiful - a princess. But it was her vulnerability and natural ability to touch others not necessarily like her that drew millions to her. In photo after photo, admirers were warmed to see one so above lean down and touch the others. Her essence and inspiration was her humanity.

And so it is with campaigning. Clinton's a master of the first three requirements. She certainly has the mechanics; no one has a more polished political machine than the Clintons. She also has a message and a commitment to be ready on Day One. No doubt, she has the intellect. But she's missing something - something the Hillary Handlers undoubtedly know but can't teach - the heart, the humanity.

But for Obama, Clinton would have already had it - the nomination of her party.

But for Obama. As Sen. Ted and Caroline Kennedy put it last week - with credibility and gravitas - what Barack Obama has doesn't come around often. Maybe once in a generation. Yet Obama has it: humanity.

It's too often said that a picture can speak a thousand words. Kinetic or cut off - pictures can also frame the Democratic race that remains. So, can a picture capture 10,000 votes? Or the more than 2,000 delegates needed to win the nomination?

I guess we'll have to wait and see where we go from here. No matter what, I'm sure it will be a photo finish. May the best human being win. *

Madeleine Dean teaches writing at La Salle University.