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The phenomenon which is Barack Obama
Thursday, February 14, 2008
We continue to watch with a great deal of excitement the unfolding race between Mr Barack Obama and Mrs Hillary Clinton for nomination by the Democratic party as its presidential candidate for the November 2008 elections.
Whoever the winner, American political history will be created, with Mr Obama becoming the first African-American nominee or Mrs Clinton becoming the first woman nominee of the Democratic Party.
The excitement being generated by that race has migrated beyond American shores, as the big news networks throw considerable resources into the coverage.
Mr Obama is emerging as a phenomenon, drawing unusually large crowds to his meetings and out-raising his formidable rival in campaign funds. Often referred to as the junior senator from Illinois, he has also inspired many young people and others who had demonstrated political apathy to join his "Yes we can" campaign.
At Observer press time, he had overtaken Mrs Clinton in the delegates count, having won 21 primaries and caucuses, to her 10, despite her large support base among the so-called super delegates.
Admittedly, it is still difficult to project Mr Obama as the winner of the nomination and eventually the US presidency. There is very little by which to reference the surge he has made.
Prior to Mr Obama, the only African-American to stake a credible claim to the nomination was the Rev Jesse Jackson, and not even he came anywhere close to what the Chicago senator has achieved.
The momentum being developed by Mr Obama seems to have taken even the Clinton campaign by surprise. The clearest sign yet of the pressure reaching her campaign is the removal of her campaign manager to the post of senior advisor, replaced by a black woman, and the resignation of the deputy campaign manager.
One of the interesting points being raised is the fact that Mr Obama could not have won that many primaries and caucuses without the solid support of white Americans, given that blacks constitute only about one-twelfth of the US population.
There is a view that many whites are energised by his message of hope and change and are so tired of the current Washington politics that they are willing to give Mr Obama a try. They have also dispensed with old racial stereotypes.
Mr Obama is being compared with names like John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson in respect of his charisma and oratorical skills. He is drawing support from across the social and economic spectrum and is increasingly being seen as one who can attract independents and even Republican voters fed up with the politics of their party.
Interestingly, early polls pitting him against the likely Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, put Mr Obama slightly ahead, suggesting that his racial origin would not be a handicap in the presidential race to come.
This is critical for Mr Obama to gain the confidence and solid backing of the Democratic Party going into the elections.
Of course, whichever candidate or party wins, Jamaica will continue to enjoy its historically close relationship with the United States. But it is always exhilarating to watch as history unfolds.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
We continue to watch with a great deal of excitement the unfolding race between Mr Barack Obama and Mrs Hillary Clinton for nomination by the Democratic party as its presidential candidate for the November 2008 elections.
Whoever the winner, American political history will be created, with Mr Obama becoming the first African-American nominee or Mrs Clinton becoming the first woman nominee of the Democratic Party.
The excitement being generated by that race has migrated beyond American shores, as the big news networks throw considerable resources into the coverage.
Mr Obama is emerging as a phenomenon, drawing unusually large crowds to his meetings and out-raising his formidable rival in campaign funds. Often referred to as the junior senator from Illinois, he has also inspired many young people and others who had demonstrated political apathy to join his "Yes we can" campaign.
At Observer press time, he had overtaken Mrs Clinton in the delegates count, having won 21 primaries and caucuses, to her 10, despite her large support base among the so-called super delegates.
Admittedly, it is still difficult to project Mr Obama as the winner of the nomination and eventually the US presidency. There is very little by which to reference the surge he has made.
Prior to Mr Obama, the only African-American to stake a credible claim to the nomination was the Rev Jesse Jackson, and not even he came anywhere close to what the Chicago senator has achieved.
The momentum being developed by Mr Obama seems to have taken even the Clinton campaign by surprise. The clearest sign yet of the pressure reaching her campaign is the removal of her campaign manager to the post of senior advisor, replaced by a black woman, and the resignation of the deputy campaign manager.
One of the interesting points being raised is the fact that Mr Obama could not have won that many primaries and caucuses without the solid support of white Americans, given that blacks constitute only about one-twelfth of the US population.
There is a view that many whites are energised by his message of hope and change and are so tired of the current Washington politics that they are willing to give Mr Obama a try. They have also dispensed with old racial stereotypes.
Mr Obama is being compared with names like John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson in respect of his charisma and oratorical skills. He is drawing support from across the social and economic spectrum and is increasingly being seen as one who can attract independents and even Republican voters fed up with the politics of their party.
Interestingly, early polls pitting him against the likely Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, put Mr Obama slightly ahead, suggesting that his racial origin would not be a handicap in the presidential race to come.
This is critical for Mr Obama to gain the confidence and solid backing of the Democratic Party going into the elections.
Of course, whichever candidate or party wins, Jamaica will continue to enjoy its historically close relationship with the United States. But it is always exhilarating to watch as history unfolds.
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