Barak Obama; America’s redemption?

[xiinfaniin]

Only a black man can wash America off the shame of the history of slavery, and repair its eroded credibility in the eyes of others. American voters seem to be thinking that way. And there are good reasons for that political inclination. Obama is agreeable and friendly. He’s black man with white man’s attitude. He has no cuqdad! Implicit in his proposition of change is the following silent claim: Only a radical and historic change can meet America’s multi-faceted challenges and I am best suited to bring about that change. This is a remarkable. Not because a black man seriously laid claim on the suitability of America’s leadership but more importantly substantial percentage of America’s electorate seem to agree with it. And that in the context of America’s politics where race is a political reality is an interesting phenomenon. He won Iowa, a farm state with negligible black population. He’s expected to win NH, an elitist state where blacks have no political significance.

 

What’s propelling Obama’s rise? Do you think a deep yearning for redemption from the white electorate is what’s helping Obama’s appeal? I think there is! And it’s this inaudible sentiment which will ultimately put Obama on the top of the contested Democratic nomination.

 

Mrs. Clinton Ilaahay balaayuu tusay; how could one strategize in a secular fashion for people raba in loo danbi dhaafo ….

[A.J.]

Whatever reasons are used by the whites to vote for Barrack is fine, as long as they vote for him.

[me]

Obama's American revolution

 

The next US president needs to adopt a more humanistic approach to bring the world on-side and Barack Obama is the ideal candidate

 

Dominique Moisi

 

December 24, 2007 2:30 PM |

 

For eight years, George Bush has managed to reinforce all the prejudices and negative stereotypes the world has of the US. He has antagonised the world more than any other American president before him, seriously damaging America's "soft" power by inefficient and excessive use of its "hard" power.

 

Reconciling the United States with itself and the world should thus be the twin priorities for America's next president. If there is one candidate who can accomplish this, who can contribute, in a split second, to restoring America's international reputation, it is Barack Obama.

 

Exceptional periods sometimes create exceptional leaders. Without the French revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte would have remained a gifted and frustrated junior military officer. Likewise, the current period in America and its relations with the world have been truly exceptional, requiring a leader who can fundamentally challenge a global majority's view that America has become arrogant, impotent and selfish.

 

Of course, diehard anti-Americans will never be persuaded, but they remain a minority, with the possible exception of the Muslim world. The silent majority is ready to be convinced that there is life after Bush.

 

Why is Obama so different from the other presidential candidates, and why could he make such a large difference internationally? After all, in foreign policy matters, the next president's room for manoeuvre will be very small. He (or she) will have to stay in Iraq, engage in the Israel-Palestine conflict on the side of Israel, confront a tougher Russia, deal with an ever more ambitious China, and face the challenge of global warming.

 

If Obama can make a difference, it is not because of his policy choices, but because of what he is. The very moment he appears on the world's television screens, victorious and smiling, America's image and soft power would experience something like a Copernican revolution.

 

Think of the impression his election would make, not only in Africa but in Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe. With its rise to global supremacy, America had become the incarnation of the west, and the west was seen as white. Power in America shifted first from the east coast to the west coast, and then to the south. But if a shift across America's racial divide is not truly revolutionary, then what is?

 

Of course, to reduce Obama to the colour of his skin is a grave oversimplification, even if he has been keen to emphasise his "black roots". In fact, African-Americans do not fully support him. With his white mother and his African father, he does not fit any African-American precedent.

 

But that is another reason why Obama is exceptional: the complexity of his identity makes him truly universal, a global candidate for a global age. By virtue of his unique personal history, he can bridge Africa, America, even Asia - where he studied as a young boy in a Muslim school - thereby reviving the universal image and message of America.

 

But, above all, what makes Obama unique, given what the US has been through during the Bush years, is the nature of the message he embodies, which is best summed up in the title of his book, The Audacity of Hope. If America can move from a culture of fear to one of hope - and again incarnate hope for the world - it will require a leader who embodies the American dream: modern and armed with a humanistic religious message, in contrast to the anxious irrationalism of the Christian conservative movement that fuelled Bush's political base.

 

Regardless of whether Obama can deliver on his promises, America will not regain the stature it had between 1941 and 2000. With or without Obama, the "American century" will not be repeated. But Obama can learn from the early mistakes made by Jimmy Carter in the mid-1970s. Neo-isolationism is not an option, but restraint - based on confidence and wisdom - is.

 

The world needs a more modest and confident America. For a European who has been deeply troubled and saddened by America's evolution in the last decade, Obama, of all the declared presidential candidates, seems to come closest to the embodiment of such an America.

 

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/dominique_moisi/2007/12/barack_obamas_american_revolut.html

[Baashi]

Xiinoow awoowe halkee baad la aaday. Folks who are ready to vote for him are color blind College students and young professionals dominate this block according to pundits.

[ElPunto]

It's not about black and white - it's about his message - one which he expresses in such an eloquent way far above his rivals. The smart thing he's done is to distance himself from 'black' issues in order not to 'alienate' whites.

[Gediid]

Whatever he is saying he seems to be winning in NH as well,this according to the news agencies.....Double digit lead ayey leeyihiin but one thing is for certain more turnout than the last primaryb 2004....Good sign that he might take this state as well but Hilarys camp still far from calling quits,says the race is far from over.Super Tuesday will ultimately decide who will represent the Democrats in my opinion but I have this lingering doubt whether he can beat the republican candidate haddu soo baxo.....Rumorville ayaa leh republicans ayaa macal dooranyaa Obama makes him a much easier candidate than Clinton and if that is correct it explains the large registeration of independent voters.Republicans waa ciyaal suqiin waxiid

[General Duke]

I never gave him much chance, but boy did the man prove me wrong. My firts American election and everyone is calling it "historic".

 

Its only couple of hours until the Newhampshire results are in.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Xiin, Cynthia is out with her donkey campaigning for the Kenyati. What "color" are you talking about?

 

 

Gediid, Carville and Bagala guns are set to join the Clintons' "dirty campaign" so this process is far far from over. It will get nasty.

[Gediid]

True LST,if she loses NH,the gloves are off...No more Miss Nice....

[General Duke]

She is leading him with early results.

But thats only on 20% of the count so far.

[General Duke]

Its real close, 39% Clinton, 36% Obama with 26% of precients in.

[General Duke]

Clinton is holding on to a 2% lead with 43% precients in. Its not looking good.

[General Duke]

Clinton still leads Barack.

[General Duke]

Clinton wins..

[Cara.]

Originally posted by ThePoint:

It's not about black and white - it's about his message - one which he expresses in such an eloquent way far above his rivals. The smart thing he's done is to distance himself from 'black' issues in order not to 'alienate' whites.

Can't resist pointing out that the medium is the message

 

Interesting how the child of a Kenyan is running for president of the US while Kenya's own political future is so uncertain. Talk about a brain drain.