Jun

6

This Blog Supports Barack Obama

Filed Under Opinion 

an historic night for america

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

I started paying close attention to Barack Obama when it became obvious that he was a serious contender for the Democratic Party ticket. And I liked what I saw. What is there not to like about him? A combination of intelligence, good looks, and an almost rock star-like appeal sure makes him demand your attention whenever you see him talking on the TV. Someone on a listserv to which I belong – a listserv of academics – said that it would be a good thing to finally have an American president who speaks good English. Mr Obama’s appeal is not just that he speaks good English but that he seems to be a cerebral candidate; for one whose credentials in national politics are not that impressive, standing in his current position must have demanded a lot in character indeed. The match of accessibility to the media and the dignity with which he has carried himself through the campaign has earned him much respect in the media

For Blacks and more
A friend has said that his support for Mr Obama is based simply on the fact that he is black. Imagine how much good it would do for the psyche of the African American to realize that no ceiling exists for them anymore. What other barrier would there be to break after one (or ones kind) has attained the highest possible position in the United States of America? I share this opinion myself, and so does The Economist. They said this much in their May 10th – 16th edition, in an article Briefing Black America. For the rest of America, the kind of hope Mr Obama represents presents a refreshing picture. And how much tamer can the image of America get if they had a black president whose middle name is Hussein? There is hardly anyone with whom I have talked who does not think that America deserves the kind of change that Mr Obama does not just promise but that he actually embodies.

A lot more still
Yes, he has got the ticket now, but that is just the beginning of the race. We all know how dirty and dramatic American politics can get. The opposition will go through his past with a very fine comb. It is arguable that less would be found than if the comb were to go through Mrs Clinton’s; but there is always something to find. They will make a lot of his inexperience in matters of national security, an area that is considered to be Mr McCain’s forte. They will also make issues about his sins of affiliation – remember the Reverend Jeremiah Wright issue(s)? Questions about his patriotism will be raised, just like it was done with the flag-pin issue. But I hope the main issue will be reduced to policies. And I hope this is the case for the sake of America. Mr Obama has brought out Americans who are traditionally apathetic towards politics. Just like Mr Al Gore’s movie about climate change educated the average American about the topic, it is hoped that this would be a stage for the education of the American public about the policies of their country. That is hoped especially since the two contenders are strong personalities.

This will be a closely-watched race, partly because of the personalities in the race, but also because it comes at a particularly opportune moment, a moment that combines a near-depression in America with a global food crisis. This attention will not be surprising if one sees the slightest connection between the current global crisis and recent incidents in the United States. This may be a good time for people to learn more about America.

And mating
The choice of a running mate will also be crucial in the race. Many have written about the advantages of an Obama-Clinton ticket (to think that only a couple of months ago Mr Clinton was suggesting a Clinton-Obama ticket), just like many have written about the disadvantages of such a ticket. I am just a blogger who has no idea about the inner workings of the Democratic Party so I shall not attempt any discussion of the merits of the combination; all I can hope for is that Mr Obama gets the right running mate. A person who will appeal to the section of the party that does not see Obama as their representative, but who does not come with Mrs Clinton’s baggage, a baggage that incidentally includes a spouse who is a former American president.

This sure is a race to watch with relish. And I will be doing this in the following months.

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Comments

2 Responses to “This Blog Supports Barack Obama”

  1. This Blog Supports Barack Obama on June 6th, 2008 12:37 pm

    [...] Continue Reading [...]

  2. pseudo on June 8th, 2008 8:56 am

    I am taking my time to comment and yet to see all the party’s cards

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