It's no secret that Sen. Obama is generating much hype these days. He seems to be effectively mobilizing a generation of disenfranchised twenty and thirtysomethings. So why am I finding it so hard to believe what he says and to jump on the proverbial wagon? I've read blogposts here and there and listened to his speeches. I'm not sold, though. It's hard to believe what anyone says during the heat of the campaign trail. What if he's just spewing inspirational/feel-good/yes we can rhetoric? On the other hand, if he is going to be the next JFK-esque political icon, do I want to be the guy who says no to that?
Help me out, Obama fans. Tell me why you're sold. Without using the word inspirational.
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For me, it is the potential he has to motivate others to bring about change. So many people, I believe, feel helpless to do anything to better the world situation because of what the past 7 years have been like. Obama brings us something entirely different--a person of different generation, with a different background, who in many ways seems as frustrated with the world situation as the rest of us. Si, se puede.
The difference btw Obama and Hillary, to me, comes down to, yes, she can no doubt play the game better--she's had a lot more time to learn it, and make the kinds of connections that allow you to play it well.
But the game, IMO, is crooked.
And that's what I hear in the Obama rhetoric that I've never heard from a politician before. Recognition that it's a crooked game, and that sucks. But it's our game, and we don't have to be resigned to crooked rules. We can change the rules of the game.
Ultimately, I don't want to vote for someone who plays a crooked game well; I think that's a route to very predictable disaster. I want to vote for someone who wants to change the game itself and make it the kind of political process that can result in peace and in taking care of basic needs.
Obama burst on the scene in 2004 when he gave a speech at the democratic national convention. And even though his primary function was to boost Kerry, the themes in his speech of creating change and unity have remained consistent from then to now 2004 Speech.
Ultimately I don't think that someone like Obama is capable of gathering as much support as he has on empty rhetoric. The fact that he is an African American and with a muslim name would traditionally be a non-starter for a person wanting to run for President. But you can't fake authenticity (see Hillary's attempt to adopt the change mantra), and that's what people see in Obama that has been so lacking for the last 7 years. And some could argue for the last 20 years!
Remember when Kerry lost the 2004 election the entire Democratic Party was ready to have a Hillary coronation. Now the Dems are locked in this struggle for the future of their party and the country because of who Obama presents himself to be. People wouldn't drop Hillary for someone who isn't the real deal.
I spent four days last week at various places on the UWS campaigning for Obama. That's the first time I've ever done anything like that. It attracted a lot of comments and questions from passers-by; the most-asked question was simply "So why do you support Obama?" Hopefully I've got my answer worked out for you.
I find it interesting that anyone would acuse Obama of simply being inspirational. He gives speeches about big ideas and they are effective at motivating a lot of people (including me). But I've also seen him in a number of other contexts, such as interviews, debates, and even on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me! When he's not giving speeches, he sounds more like a professor than a politician. He gives thorough answers to questions and is exceptional at explaining his rationale in a clear way. I've never heard a politician speak this way. For example, go to barackobama.com/issues/faith/ and watch the "Call to Renewal Speech". Barack gives a more thoughtful and compelling explanation for how his personal faith and public service interact than most politicians would dare.
Obama always seems to truly believe in what he says. He does not, as far as I can tell, operate on a political/popular basis like Clinton and McCain do (full disclosure, I was a big McCain fan in 2000; I'm so disappointed with him now). Obama has never tried to hide the drug use of his past, even though it hurts him politically. I have never heard him mention his time at Harvard or mention he was the first African American to head the Harvard Law Review, even though it would promote him. He has consistently talked about bringing together Republicans and Democrats...in the primary! I've never seen that before (and he has already said that he will have a bipartisan cabinet). I often hear him say things like "it will be hard" and "we'll make mistakes". Who speaks that honestly?
The Obama campaign has raised all of its funds $25-100 at a time, from millions of Americans. He has not accepted any money from lobbyists. He is the only candidate who can say that. That means a lot to me.
The bottom line is that Obama has character and integrity that I never expected to see in a politician. At least, never in one who can actually win. Judgment beats experience any day in my book.
If you're convinced, or when you're convinced, I hope that you act. Donate to Obama's campaign; I'll match it. Call your friends in Texas or elsewhere that have important primaries coming up, and convince them to volunteer and spread the word. I think we may all be part of something truly historic.
Wow. Many thanks to you who replied. Your response, Brandon, is especially effective in helping me understand Obama and his campaign. Thanks for that. I've got some mulling over to do.
Something to consider, Nathan: you mentioned that he could be the next JFK-esque political icon, which is interesting. I think a lot of people see Obama that way. JFK was a good-looking, young, insp- I mean, well-spoken politician, and he had a lot of the underdog in him. Catholic? That was a breakthrough in his era- he remains the only Catholic president. Comparable to Obama's race and Muslim roots. JFK was a great debator who made it look easy, and television basically won his campaign, albeit narrowly. While president for three years, he did a lot of good things (Peace Corps, civil rights support, immigration), but he was also responsible for some of the biggest presidential disasters in recent memory. The Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the beginnings of the war in Vietnam, while occurring in a turbulent pro-com world, do not reflect well on his presidency, yet many, many people see him as a great political figure. The next president will be taking leadership in an world eerily like American in 1961: according to some, many countries and groups are poised for disaster of incredible proportions. I think a lot of America then was similarly inspired by Kennedy, and his legacy reflects that. Rightly or wrongly, each can decide. But it's a comparison to weigh. It will be a great race, nonetheless, and I think that the momentum that has carried the primaries will influence the next presidency--whoever wins it-- through Congress, state and local govt, and people working to change things: it doesn't all rest on a single office.
KC, Jen, Jason, Brandon ... I thought everything you said was fabulous and agree with it all.
From the beginning one of my trigger points with Hillary is having a Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton White House. That sounds more like a monarchy than a democracy to me. And it shouts from the rooftops that your last name and the money associated with it leads to power in this country.
Nearly 1 million people have donated to Obama's campaign. A guy from a lower-income, inter-racial, single-parent, Muslim-Christian home, is the likely Democratic nominee for president. He's a whole new ballgame, he's rocking the "old boy's club", and therefore I believe he is more on my side than on the side of anyone steeped in Washington politics.
And integrity. Call me old-fashioned and idealistic. I just refuse to shrug my shoulders at Bill Clinton and John McCain's affairs.
And Michelle Obama. She is tough, sharp, and together I think they are a wonderful role model for marriage and parenthood when you hear their candid interviews of their challenges and how they've done what it takes.
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