BOSTON -- Despite all the Democratic criticism of the war in Iraq, there isn't much of a difference on war policy between their man, John Kerry, and President Bush.

Republicans have been insisting as much for months, even as Democrats thwack the president. With the economy improving, Democrats must make the election a referendum on Bush's handling of the war in Iraq.

But it wasn't a conservative Republican who said there isn't much difference between Kerry and Bush on the war.

It was Barack Obama.

The Democratic Party's new icon and opponent-less candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, Obama was preparing to give the keynote speech Tuesday night at the convention here. He sat down for lunch with Tribune writers. He opposed the war.

"On Iraq, on paper, there's not as much difference, I think, between the Bush administration and a Kerry administration as there would have been a year ago," Obama said. "There's not much of a difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage."

That wouldn't have surprised the Deaniacs and other anti-war activists of the Left gathered here. While Kerry has acknowledged as much on the main points--a Kerry presidency wouldn't mean a withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from Iraq--it is not something the Democrats draw attention to or brag about.

Because if it's not "the economy, stupid," and if there's no difference between Bush and Kerry on Iraq, then what the heck are we doing here?

Watching a scripted TV show, waiting for Bill and Hillary sightings, wondering which Baldwin brother will say something ridiculous while munching on great Italian food in the North End?

Obama didn't deviate entirely from the bash-Bush theme. He did stress that Americans like Bush but don't trust him. I disagree, but that's his argument. And though I respectfully disagree with some of his politics, I couldn't help but be impressed by the man.

Sitting there watching him discuss issues--seeing him willing to consider the faults in arguments, not simply dispensing sound bites like a political mannequin--made me realize something: He's the real thing, and Illinois Republicans had no chance, sex clubs or no sex clubs.

Obama reiterated that if he had been in the Senate during the vote on the war, he would have voted no. Kerry voted yes. At the same time, Obama wouldn't advocate pulling out now, responsibly arguing that the U.S. cannot accept a failure there.

"How do you stabilize a country that is made up of three different religious and in some cases ethnic groups with a minimal loss of life and minimum burden to the taxpayers?" he said. "I am skeptical that the Bush administration, given the baggage from the past three years, not just on Iraq. ... I don't see them having the credibility to be able to execute. I mean, you have to have a new administration to execute what the Bush administration acknowledges has to happen."

Republicans might suggest that's a tough argument--hiring Kerry to complete Bush's war policy--but what I like about Obama is his willingness to consider different angles out loud. Such as race.

It is one reason he was chosen to offer the keynote address, obvious to politicians and voters but difficult to acknowledge publicly. He acknowledged it himself, straightforwardly.

"You know, look, there's no doubt that part of the reason I was asked to speak is because I'm an African-American candidate," he said, picking at a salad.

He was asked: So how does Kerry connect with African-American voters?

"There's no doubt John Kerry has not captured the hearts of the black community the way [Bill] Clinton did," Obama said. "... His style is pretty buttoned down. He's not the guy who is going to play the saxophone on MTV."

Still, Obama said Kerry didn't have to stoke emotions to connect with black voters before November. "He'll make them feel he cares about them," Obama said. "The African-American community doesn't need a preacher. We see preachers every Sunday."

Again, Obama answered honestly. I'm not used to that from Chicago politicians. As he grows into the job of senator, he may change his style and stick to the script. But he's riding so high now that he doesn't have to.

For all the adulation and the rock-star status, Obama is levelheaded enough to know there will come a time when all his incredible political fortune will tempt others to try to knock him down. Some of those people may be young, ambitious Illinois Democrats, whom he has eclipsed.

"There will be some deflation, which is good. It's healthy," Obama said. "... I have to walk a careful balancing act, of not seeming ungrateful for all the hype around my election, which I think is a little over the top."

All glory is fleeting. But for now, there's Tuesday night, and the speech he'll give to the nation. Good luck, Senator.

----------

jskass@tribune.com