The unlikely story that is America
In 2006, a friend of mine, Alexander, worked in the US Congress. He told me about this exciting new Democratic Senator from Illinois, named Barack Obama, who excites his crowds and is going to challenge Hillary Clinton in the presidential campaign. At that time everybody, the media, the political establishement, almost everybody, believed that she would win the Democratic nomination.
18 months later I find myself going to the Youtube-Video-Channel of Barack Obama almost every night, hoping that their campaign team has put a new video there. And even though I was skeptic for a long time that one person can change a whole country, can redefine its economic and political interests and give the people the perspective of change, I think Barack Obama can do that.
The videos of his speeches are amazing, the crowds really go crazy. He hits the nerve right on the spot, choses the right words. An amazing talent. His New Hampshire speech was made into a song, his campaign slogans of “Change we can believe in” and “Yes we can” have already altered this election. When accused of being a hopemonger, he replies that in the unlikely story that is America, there was never anything false about hope.
Hope will not be enough to win this election. The American voting system is far from being representative and the media-stations have a big influence on the elections. Washington politics is a complex power-sharing system and the President is not as powerful as Europeans often think. Lobbyists and Think Tanks play a role, but not only as influential channels, but also has soundboard for other ways of thinking. Yet the inspiration that Obama gives to the American might allow him to break some of the deadlocks in American politics.
He is often accused of not being specific enough. I think he is already quite specific on many issues. I would not be surprised if in the later part of the campaign he will have to face huge criticism on his “protectionist” economic agenda. What people don’t realize: there are several ways of protecting jobs and communities. One way is economic isolationism, but this already caused a Great Depression in the 1930ies.
The other way is investing in green technology, public transport infrastructure and alternative energies. The United States has huge investment potential for these kind of projects. But the USA has also neglected the health, education and well-being of its citizen. Drug companies might not realize this, but investing in universal health and fighting diseases can be a huge economic boost. Affordable education can increase the potential of the American workforce. There is much work to do to reconcile the resourceful American Way of Living with a more sustainable lifestyle. I think it is too early to give up on America.
The other day, his wife Michelle Obama was on Larry Kings Show. Well, it could be that it was all perfectly staged, but I don’t have the impression. I thought she was sincere and open, and surprised with interesting insights into the personal side of her husband. For instance she said that Barack Obama still attends every parent-teacher-meeting of his daugthers.
These personal issues are important when judging a candidate, even though politics might be different. I think the Hillary Clinton Campaign Team did not learn from New Hampshire that voters are interested in the personal motivations of candidates. I wonder why Hillary Clinton does not come forward more often, using her experience to explain to voters why she is passionate about changing America.
I think Hillary Clinton should publicly acknowledge the momentum that Barack Obama has achieved. The plans for universal health care would never be as popular right now if Clinton, Obama and the other Democratic Candidates had advocated so hard for it. Apparently she has not even congratulated Obama on his victories, while he has congratulated her on her victories several times.
Even though the media is celebrating her defeat as if she has given up this race, I think it is far from clear who is going to win. Senator Clinton should not be underestimated and the upcoming primaries might not tilt the balance to one side. I personally think that in the end both their cause would be helped best if they acknowledge publicly that in the end they will work together as a team.
In the last couple of days, I used my breaks from studying for surfing Youtube to watch the speeches and debates given by Republicans and Democrats in this race, but also in previous elections. It is fascinating much this election is focussing on issues and how the political debate seems to emerge from seven years of war-muted silence.
These elections will have an impact all over the globe. If I had the time and the money right now, I would love to be in the middle of this elections and support Obama in his campaign. Unfortunately for now, I have to stick with Youtube.
