The Democratic Convention

Published in El Comercio
(Peru) on August 25, 2008
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Josselyn Atahualpa. Edited by .
The greatest obstacle that Barack Obama faces is not that his color is different than that of any other men that have reached the White House, or that his name doesn't sound American, or even that his some of his ancestors are of African descend. No. The greatest difficulty that Obama, his wife and his supporters are going to have to face in this week's Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado, is how to shatter the perverse perception that his color, his name and his origin bring. All of those aspects invalidate his "Americanism", they cast doubt on his patriotism, highlight his "otherness" and facilitate him being type casted as being outside the traditional American "values".

We should stress the similarities that he has in common with his fellow Americans, but that shouldn't be all. It is necessary to persuade the independent voters who aren't biased, that the old cliché of the country [that of a nation racially homogeneous], has long since ceased to exist.

In a convincing way, we need to modify the traditional idea of what it means to be American and restore it in broader terms.

We have to begin by admitting that no, Obama is not the typical "All American" white collegiate football player with the short hair and the middle class family. But that instead he is one of the 102 million Americans that form the minority in the United States that represent 34% of the nation. And that he, too, is similar to Anglosaxon-Americans like Bill Clinton, or to Jewish-Americans like Congressman Henry Waxman.

Hilary Clinton's participation, programed for the second day of the convention, reinforces the message that political parties should come together in the moment of truth. It also shows the need for change of direction and of focus on the country's economic policy for the benefit of ordinary people who have lost their jobs and their homes, and who have no health insurance and can not pay the cost of a college education.

Wednesday's program will discuss the topic of national security. On top of affirming Obama's position about the war in Iraq [placing it as a fatal error of the current administration that will continue if in Novemeber the voters vote Republican once again], he will also have to confirm his decision on removing American troops as soon as possible.

Another important message that day will be brought up be a select group of politicians who have strength in New Mexico, Indiana, Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Having the backing of ex-President Bill Clinton and Senator Ted Kennedy symbolizes the unwavering support of the two highest-ranking politicians within the Democratic Party candidate.

This is the framework in which Barack Obama will give the most important speech of his life. Although he is regarded as one of the most talented orators of his time, this speech that is in store will provide us with a unique opportunity to understand Obama's main message. The applause of the masses can not be achieved with subtle, paused, calm, intelligent and nuanced messages. It is found with the birth of passion and enthusiasm of the people.
What Obama has to do is show the nation that he can reach the 75 million Americans who are expecting to either hear his speech live or watch him on television just as he was able to reach hundreds of thousands of Germans during his recent tour of Europe.


El gran reto que Barack Obama enfrenta no es que el color de su piel sea diferente al de todos los hombres que han llegado a la Casa Blanca. Ni que su nombre no suene 'estadounidense' ni que el origen de algunos de sus antepasados sea africano.

El gran desafío que Obama, su esposa Michelle y sus estrategas enfrentan la próxima semana en la Convención Demócrata en Denver, Colorado, es cómo hacer añicos la perversa percepción de que su color, su nombre y su origen invalidan su 'americanidad', ponen en duda su patriotismo, destacan su 'otredad', y facilitan definirlo como ajeno a los 'valores' estadounidenses tradicionales.

Hay que resaltar las semejanzas del aspirante a la presidencia con el resto de sus compatriotas, pero no basta con eso. Hay que persuadir a los votantes independientes que no están prejuiciados, que el viejo cliché del país, como una entidad nacional racialmente homogénea, hace tiempo que dejó de existir.

Hay que modificar de manera convincente la narrativa tradicional de lo que significa ser estadounidense y replantearla en términos más amplios.

Empezar por admitir que si bien Obama no es el jugador de fútbol americano colegial blanco, limpio, de pelo corto y de clase media que cumplía con el estereotipo del 'All American', sí es un ciudadano estadounidense que se parece a muchos de los 102 millones de estadounidenses minoritarios que representan el 34 % de la población actual, pero que también se parece a americanos de origen anglosajón, como el ex presidente Bill Clinton, o a judíos estadounidenses, como el congresista Henry Waxman.

La participación de Hillary Clinton, programada para el segundo día de la convención, refuerza el mensaje de la unidad partidaria a la hora de la verdad. También le da credibilidad al mensaje sobre la necesidad del cambio de rumbo y de foco en la política económica del país para beneficio de la gente común y corriente que ha perdido sus trabajos y sus casas, que no tiene seguro de salud y no puede pagar el costo de una educación universitaria.

El programa del miércoles aborda el tema de la seguridad nacional. Además de ratificar la posición del candidato sobre la guerra de Iraq, planteándola como un error fatal de la actual administración que se perpetuaría si en noviembre los votantes se inclinaran por un candidato del mismo partido del actual presidente, deberá confirmar la decisión de empezar el retiro de las tropas estadounidenses a la brevedad posible.

Otro mensaje importante ese día estará a cargo de un selecto grupo de políticos que tienen fuerza en estados claves, como Nuevo México, Indiana, Colorado, Nevada, Carolina del Sur y Pensilvania.

Contar con el respaldo del ex presidente Bill Clinton y del senador Ted Kennedy simboliza el apoyo incondicional de los dos políticos de mayor jerarquía dentro del partido demócrata al candidato.

Este es el marco en el que Barack Obama dará el discurso más importante de su vida. Y aún reconociendo sus grandes dotes de orador, lo que habría que esperar en esta ocasión única es mayor claridad en el mensaje del candidato. El aplauso de las masas no se consigue con mensajes sutiles, pausados, reposados, inteligentes y matizados. Se consigue despertando la pasión y el entusiasmo de la gente.

Lo que tiene que hacer Barack Obama es mostrarle a la nación que puede emocionar a los 75 mil estadounidenses que se espera asistan a oír en vivo su discurso, y a los millones de compatriotas que lo verán por televisión, de la misma manera que logró conmover a cientos de miles de alemanes durante su reciente gira por Europa.
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