Obama’s Search For New Friends

Barack Obama gives an interview on Facebook and is in direct dialog with the voters. That at least gives the impression of participating — a magic trick the Germans have yet to master.

One doesn’t have to be Barack Obama’s friend to recognize the fact that he knows where to find majorities. In that way, he’s the first genuine post-modern politician. He now communicates via Facebook, meaning he has an audience of millions with just one mouse click. We here in Germany are still at square one of this colossal transition, a far cry from those who are knowledgeable and experienced. Party democracy, the political party as a part of the whole and as a conduit of ideas flowing from relevant groups onto the floor of parliament, the market square of compromise — how much longer can that last? The person in charge often has a permanent feeling of helplessness because, given the rapidity with which events now occur, he is unable to immediately intervene; he doesn’t know and hasn’t known for some time that politics is a lengthy process when it comes to making changes and tailoring them to reality.

The announcement that’s made today is consumed by the public tomorrow. This is how Facebook has become the preferred medium for informing while giving the appearance that the informed is also a participant. Plus, it has the added attraction of making you an instant friend of the most powerful man on the planet. Greetings from the new world!