Do you ever get the nagging feeling that Sen. Obama would almost always take the easy way out? If he hasn't taken determined steps toward maturity by now, it's unlikely he will ever choose to grow up. Beyond his soaring rhetoric there is little in the way of substance built on core moral principles.

Obama's "substance" appeals to a minority of Americans who find that growing up is too hard. Perhaps for folks on the left, substance is all about nuancing issues to death and constant Kerryesque re-inventions. Hopefully, most Americans will see through the facade by early November, 2008.

Obama reminds me of some students I've taught over the years who acted out in order to observe the reaction to their behavior. They would say things to entertain, or to generate a shocked response. Many of these students craved attention, and they'd try to get attention in creative ways regardless of the consequences. However, unlike students that are struggling to communicate and grow up, Obama's immaturity could have a negative impact on American prosperity and security.

Let's explore some examples of Barack Obama's hollow nature. As a senator, Obama is supposed to represent the people of Illinois in Congress. Senators that run for president should represent the interests of Americans. Yet Obama last visited Iraq well over two years ago.

This lack of awareness illustrates what little regard Obama has for Iraqi democracy, our troops, and the success of the surge. Perhaps he thinks he ought to be consistent and ignore the region, since he opposed the war from the start. Perhaps he really dislikes the armed forces and Pres. Bush. I think Ralph W. Emerson once noted that "foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds."

Even if Obama visits Iraq this summer, it would appear to be far too late, and the trip would be carried out due to criticism. Visits to Afghanistan and Iraq should come naturally for any presidential contender.

Isn't it peculiar that Obama ignores progress in Iraq, yet he wants to sit down with dictators around the globe? If he is currently unable (at age 46) to recognize the great distinctions between democratic nations and brutal dictatorships, then it's unlikely he will ever wake up.

Next, graduating college students want to be inspired by commencement speakers. The last thing they want to hear is another lecture from a leftist professor. Yet recently, Obama told Wesleyan University grads that they should renounce materialism for the sake of universal socialism.

All this from a self-absorbed man who pursues the money and power culture relentlessly! All this from a narcissist who was a twenty year disciple of a spiritual charlatan! Obama possesses a staggering level of hypocrisy, yet he's blissfully unaware of it.

He conveniently ignores the fact that for nearly a century, socialism has been an abysmal failure everywhere. He also forgets that the key to American greatness is that Americans are generous not because they have to be, but because they freely choose to be. Unfortunately, Obama rarely challenges voters with the timeless vision of freedom and personal responsibility.

Third, Obama keeps reminding his clueless followers to prepare for the GOP attack machine during the general election. This is hilarious because the GOP strategy is to record Obama's own behavior, votes, and words and play it back to the public.

On the other hand, the Democrats have a well funded machine (MSM, Hollywood, Soros, etc.) that attacks conservatives based on hysteria rather than facts. It is much easier for many liberals to initiate personal attacks than to seriously discuss domestic and foreign policy issues that will shape the future.

Moreover, Obama is hung up on the idea of a Bush third term. He thinks that McCain is
merely an extension of George Bush, and a McCain presidency would be a replica of the prior eight years. What Obama fails to realize is that McCain has always been his own man and makes his own decisions based on experience, observation, and reflection.

By contrast, an Obama presidency would be an extension of the moral relativism of discredited socialism. It would be an extension of authoritarian government and judicial dictates. This power grab would threaten our natural human liberties, and weaken our national security.

In Obama's society, folks could express themselves freely as long as liberal socialists agreed with the ideas. If they disagreed, all bets would be off in a brave new world of "fair and free" speech.

In Obama's adolescent world, Americans would have to bow down to mandates churned out by an Orwellian UN, or other international organizations. Obama would attempt to cede American sovereignty to bureaucrats who couldn't care less about American ideals of freedom and progress. He would strive to accumulate absolute power because he is a snake oil salesman who speaks with a forked tongue.