Is Barack Obama an introvert?

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<p>[Our</a> New President the Introvert | Spectatrix](<a href=“http://spectatrix.com/2008/11/08/our-new-president-the-introvert/]Our”>Our New President the Introvert | Spectatrix)</p>

<p>As an introvert, I find it fascinating that the new American president might share some of my behavioral tendencies. Most politicians tend to be extroverts, because obviously, extroverts love attention and interaction, so it’s pretty rare to have a prominent politician, even less so a president, who exhibits some very classic introverted tendencies.</p>

<p>Now, I know what a lot of you are probably thinking: how can Obama be an introvert if he’s so inspiring and popular? But I think this is a typical reaction to society’s misconception of introverts (especially men) as ineffectual, timid, and even effeminate. To me, the fact that Obama’s greatest political strength is the speech actually verifies my belief in his natural introversion. Extroverts like the Clintons and John McCain do better, or at least just as well, in more “social” settings, such as town hall meetings. There is nothing social about a big speech given to tens of thousands of people. With a carefully planned speech, and a massive and faceless crowd, I think the Big Speech is a great chance for an introvert to shine because there is minimal interaction. Obama seems to prefer speaking to thousands, or to just one person. I’m the same way. I prefer having large audiences, or an intimate one-on-one meeting. I hate those mid-sized group things where everybody’s fighting to have the floor and be the center of attention. I suspect Obama may be the same way.</p>

<p>And there are repeated reports of Obama’s detached, aloof nature. The starkest contrast could be made with someone like Bill Clinton who goes out of his way to make sure that everybody likes him. But Obama doesn’t exhibit that same kind of desire to be the “life of the party” type. He seems to be extremely close to only a very small number of people (Michelle, his children, David Axelrod), and he doesn’t strike me as the gregarious type. </p>

<p>And if you read his books, there is a constant examination of the self, whether it is regarding his heritage or his skills as a politicians. As an introvert, this ceaseless evaluation and questioning of the self is something I can relate to so much. </p>

<p>So what do you think? Is Barack Obama an introvert?</p>

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<p>That’s really interesting. I wouldn’t have picked up on it, but it’s obvious now that you point it out. </p>

<p>I once got in an argument with my Dad about my introversion. He treated it like a disease and was trying to convince me that I don’t have to be held back by it and all.</p>

<p>When I pointed out to him that Michael Jordan, Johnny Carson, and Albert Einstein were all introverts, he backed off. </p>

<p>It’s nice to have a deliberative leader. Bush was like from another planet. If his actions to date are any indication, we should be in for a very wise and effective administration.</p>

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<p>I totally agree with you when you say “the Big Speech is a great chance for an introvert to shine because there is minimal interaction.”
I’m a total introvert, yet I do really well at speech tournaments.</p>

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<p>I completely agree with your analysis.</p>

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<p>I also agree with the analysis. I, too, find it easier to give a speech to a large group than to interact with a middle sized group. While I enjoy the interaction at conferences, I will sometimes “disappear” so as to recharge my batteries. Being around large groups of very extroverted people can be exhausting.</p>

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<p>Very interesting. That would be great if he is; it is nice, as an invroverted person, to see other introverts that are in the limelite. From what you write it seems very true. Cool post.</p>

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<p>This was known by the public since his autobiography.</p>

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<p>Not true. There are people out there who believe Obama to be, for example, an ENFP: [Slate:</a> The Candidates – Who Are They Really? - washingtonpost.com](<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/02/20/DI2008022001923.html]Slate:”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/02/20/DI2008022001923.html)</p>

<p>Do some research before trying to smugly crash the party.</p>

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<p>If Obama’s an introvert, I’m not surprised. We only make up less than 20% of the world population. The world has been ruled by those damn exies for too long! Hahaha!</p>