Oh Yes, Obama

Oh Yes, Obama

Barack Obama promises a revival for America, something which stands in stark contrast to the program of Republican John McCain. But how successful the Democrat turns out to be in the general election campaign depends on whether his rival Hillary Clinton quickly accepts a secondary role.

Barack Obama’s most striking quality is poise. His intrinsic composure and reassuring gentleness from the heart give him greatness and strength. Decisions suddenly seem confident, and inner balance creates trust.

Obama’s biographers and those who know him well trace this poise to his childhood and adolescence in Hawaii where people are characterized by a life style different from that on the mainland.

This kind of reverie, however, also gives cause to the greatest doubts about Obama the candidate. No other topic engages Democratic circles more than the question of qualification.

Is he up to it? Is Obama enough of a complete politician? Can he withstand the pressure of the Presidential office? Does he have enough experience? Where are his defeats and his scars?

During the past six months, the candidate has given an answer. The primary campaign against Hillary Clinton was probably the most difficult political litmus test of his life.

From the usual personal and character attacks right up to the central problems of American domestic and foreign policy, Obama had to conduct a thorough political examination of the heartbeat of the presidency. This now allows an affirmative answer for the qualification question. He just barely passed this test, but America’s democracy is accustomed to narrow and even unjust decisions.

With Bill Clinton’s impeachment proceedings, Al Gore’s Florida drama, and John Kerry’s Ohio decision as examples, the readiness for political combat in the United States is intense. The country can be quickly polarized, but can just as quickly reunite.

Now the Democrats will have to live through this with their candidate. The primaries, where the attention was concentrated on the original goal, are quickly disappearing into the fog. The real campaign is just now beginning.

This most rigorous selection process for all democracies knows no rest. Two things will be decisive over the course of the next five months. First, the party must leave behind all doubts about Obama and regroup. And second, Obama must retain control of the process by setting the agenda.

Divided Democrats

The battle with Hillary Clinton divided the Democrat Party so much that there is little hope for a quick reconciliation. Candidate Clinton had the advantage over Obama throughout the campaign. She had mobilized the white working class better. She had been more convincing in key states like Ohio, Arkansas, and Florida. And if one has to allow yet more tactical cynicism, a woman had been less of a target than a black candidate, who had reignited the latent racism in the country.

Hillary Clinton’s negatives certainly belong in the calculation. They include her polarizing nature, which would have ultimately driven jaded supporters of the Republicans to the ballot box in droves; her husband and the former President, who himself did the most damage in the campaign; and finally, the impression that the Clintons represent the old way of doing things.

Also when Obama’s novelty wore off in recent months, he promised a revival for America. The promise of change and the hope for a turning point still stand in the center of the American political conscience.

It was Barack Obama who recognized this overarching motive, and made it the theme of his campaign. In so doing, he showed the best intuition for the sentiment in the country. While the other candidates grappled with Iraq or engaged in discussions of health care reform, Obama promised a new attitude toward life.

This promise of change stands in stark contrast to the program of Republican John McCain, who embodies the total political experience of the United States over the last 30 years. The scenes of battle over the next months will contrast experience versus freshness, and tradition versus revival. Implicit in all of this, however, remains the issue of racism, and one should not be surprised if it comes down to ugly attacks with the goal of tearing open old scars, and dealing with clichés and fears.

America Wants Change

It is foolish to suggest that America is not ready for a black president. Such simplifications are not good for a multicultural country. It does not matter what the color of a candidate’s skin is, but rather which groups of voters he unites behind himself.

The Democrat primaries have demonstrated that both candidates, Obama and Clinton, are able to mobilize most of the country for themselves because their messages have wide appeal. America wants change, and Obama and Clinton are able to bring it about. To do this, they have to put their rivalry behind themselves quickly, and Hillary Clinton has to comply and accept a subordinate role.

It would be in the best interests of the party, the country, and her reputation if she does not make her support contingent on a promise to be Obama’s running mate. An Obama/Clinton ticket would cause more mischief than harmony. The winner’s name is Barack Obama. However, he is still not yet the president.