A Transformational Figure
Most certainly that would be what Barack Obama represents; a transformational figure in American society, and on the American political scene.Finally, a society that has so long been polarized into camps of white and black, immersed in agonizing attempts at conciliation, has finally discovered an individual who straddles both solitudes. Someone whose personality and style appeals to both camps. Someone whose oratory and promises for a better future enthralls those who would like to believe that much more can be attained than has been possible up to the present.
So he has amassed a flock of supporters representing every walk of life in America; the young and the elderly, the educated and the illiterate, the wealthy and the poor. They see in him a political Messiah, someone who can rescue them from their suspicions of one another, someone who pledges to restructure the country to represent fairness and justice for all, without exception.
Someone, above, all who presents as radically different, more dependable and honest than the current administration. Someone who has seen society from all angles, and who has put in his time struggling to assist those living in the nether regions of neglect.
Senator Obama's support has come from many surprising, and not-so-surprising areas of society's spectrum and the political arena. Academics who have pledged themselves to his support, and Republicans who have disavowed the electioneering tactics of their candidate; above all Senator McCain's choice of running-mate, to stand in support of his rival.
And perhaps most tellingly of all, Senator Obama has been wildly successful in out-raising the Republicans in campaign funding support to a degree never before seen. If public funding alone could win the presidency, Senator Obama has it wrapped up, just waiting for the ribbon to be cut.
And here is another American black, one who attained high office through determination and professional prowess, a popular figure who himself once was reputed to be a potential presidential offering for the Republican Party. And whom the Republican Party, and most particularly, George W. Bush, the incumbent, used and abused, and hung out to dry, destroying his honour and credibility in the process.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has expressed his unease with the Republicans' resorting to sordid campaign techniques, attempting in desperation to smear the character of their opponent. More, he has praised Senator Obama for his "steadiness, intellectual curiosity, depth of knowledge and approach to looking at problems ... a definitive way of doing business that I think would serve us well", in throwing his support behind his candidacy.
The election of Senator Obama to the presidency, said Mr. Powell, would "...not only electrify the country, it will electrify the world". Who could deny it? That the United States would finally have laid to rest its tradition of racial intolerance, to the extent that finally, someone of a black complexion and varied experience would attain the highest office of the land. It's been long coming. And it will gain America great respect; internally, externally.
There is no perfect candidate. There are always suspicions and fears, and hopes that the candidate that one supports will prove true to his promise and his promises. No one can foretell whether a candidate, once in office, will be able to produce a desired effect, be capable of turning around social and political traditions for the end result of benefiting the entire country.
There may be elements of a candidate's personality and past that give pause for doubt. But consider the alternative. And the case rests.
And then there's the endorsement, a really courageous one, of William Buckley's son, Christopher, for Barack Obama. His father celebrated non-conformance to the customary mode of thought, expression and tradition; that people must learn to think for themselves, to weigh options and opportunities, and to come out in favour of the better life well lived. The challenge is there, writ large.
It's time for a change. And sometimes the time is right for a colossal change.
Labels: Political Realities, United States
posted by Pieface @ Monday, October 20, 2008
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