The quote suggests that Barack Obama has been fortunate throughout his political career, encountering a series of weaker opponents who were relatively easier for him to defeat or neutralize. This good fortune has allowed him to achieve significant political milestones despite facing unlikely odds at various stages.
Digging deeper into the statement, Eric Alterman implies that Obama's success is not just due to his own abilities and strategies but also because he has faced adversaries who have been less competent in comparison. By suggesting a pattern of "self-destructing opponents," Alterman highlights the idea that Obama’s path to political prominence may have been significantly influenced by external factors beyond his control or design. This insight challenges the notion that Obama's achievements are solely due to his personal qualities and instead points towards an interplay between individual capability and circumstantial ease in competition.
Eric Alterman is a well-known American journalist, author, and professor who has written extensively on politics and culture. His work often focuses on critiquing political figures and policies from a liberal perspective, making him a respected commentator within the realm of American political discourse.
