"The Case Against Barack Obama"

I am sure we all remember the 2004 bestseller "Unfit for Command" which drove the final nails into John Kerry's political ambitions for the presidency. David Freddoso, formerly of National Review, is in the process of finishing up his book "The Case Against Barack Obama" and we can only assume, based on Mr. Freddoso's excellent credentials, it will be devastating:

The same publisher that distributed the 2004 best-seller that took aim at John Kerry’s Vietnam service is planning a summer release of what’s scheduled to be the first critical book on Barack Obama.

Conservative journalist David Freddoso’s “The Case Against Barack Obama” will offer “a comprehensive, factual look at Obama,” according to Regnery Publishing president and publisher Marjory Ross.

But the book’s subtitle makes clear its perspective: “The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media’s Favorite Candidate.”

Ross contends that the mainstream media has offered insufficient scrutiny of Obama and likens the goal of Freddoso’s book to that of “Unfit for Command,” the scathing assessment of Kerry’s war record that rocketed to No. 1 on The New York Times best-seller list.

By highlighting negative aspects of Obama’s record and background, Ross says, Freddoso may compel others to offer more critical coverage of the Democratic nominee.

We doubt the media will pay much heed to this book, other than trying to find a way to keep any of the more damaging aspects off of their news reporting. It is a historical fact that the majority of voters do not pay much attention to an election until after Labor Day, and the book is being released almost a full month before that day. It is being released exactly three weeks before the Democrat convention in Denver.

But what will the book examine?

Ross declined to share any exclusive details of Freddoso’s reporting since the manuscript hasn’t been filed yet, but said the 31-year-old journalist has material from Obama’s days in Chicago, Springfield, Ill., and Washington, D.C.

In an effort to tarnish his cultivated image as a reformer, the book will examine Obama’s relationship with members of the Windy City’s vaunted politician machine, including Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Freddoso also will probe Obama’s ties to more radical Chicago figures including the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ, and William Ayers, the Hyde Park resident and former Weatherman.

Moving to the national stage, the book will argue that Obama’s political views are far to the left of the mainstream. “He’s the No. 1 most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, and nobody has really examined his record,” says Ross.

We are sure that this book will hurt him, gravely. He has tried to cover up his past dealings. He has tried to maneuver the political waters with as little controversy as possible. He uses only rhetoric to persuade people to believe in what he says. We recall a piece posted by Byron York lat week that examined his community organizing days. The gist of his accomplishments? Not much.

Mr. Freddoso's book, if done right, could easily sink his campaign. We are not saying this is the "October surprise" that will kill his candidacy, but it could prompt enough doubts in the minds of others -- especially among Democrats and possibly superdelegates -- that he is the wrong guy for the job.

Marcie