Having grown up in a non-New Hampshire state with a population of less than a million, I've never had many opportunities to see important candidates in person (the major exception being a senator who helped put the Congress in Democratic hands). This morning, though, I had the opportunity of hearing Barack Obama speak. It was a fascinating experience, and along with his truly incredible speech on Tuesday, helped me to really identify the things that make me such a fan of his.
In the interests of full disclosure, I will admit that most of my demographic characteristics predispose me to support Obama. I am a young, upper-middle class student at a selective private arts college in an extremely liberal city who identifies as an Independent. Nevertheless, I truly believe that my rationale for choosing Obama as my preferred candidate is based on who he is, not who I am.
To begin with, there is the simply fact that I don't support either of his opponents. Hillary Clinton is probably unelectable, represents a dangerous trend toward dynasty, and, most importantly, seems to have changed her attitude toward the Iraq War simply because it's unpopular and not going well, not because her fundamental views on combating terrorism and war in general have changed. John McCain, frankly, scares me. If you can't understand why, look at his habit of "accidentally" linking Iran and al-Qaeda in his speeches. (The media is focusing on his most recent slip, at a press conference in Jordan, but Glenn Greenwald cites several other instances in which he's made the same mistake.) To make an error of this magnitude more than twice within such a short period of time seems to me to be a sign of one of three things: 1) senility; 2) ignorance; or 3) an intentional, war-mongering attempt to mislead the American people. None of these options bode well for his chances as president, and this single example doesn't fully address the issues I have with his political beliefs and affiliations.
However, none of this really explains why I think Obama is the best candidate, not merely the least of three evils (though I don't think Hillary is necessarily "evil" either, given the right foreign policy advisers). To paraphrase his words this morning, I don't just want something to stand against, I want something to stand for, and I think Barack Obama is a candidate I can support for who he is, not merely who his opponents are.
As an ideological liberal with generally "mainstream" beliefs, of course I support his positions on
education, the economy, the war, and so forth. In all honesty, his policies would probably not be that much different than Hillary Clinton's, with one huge, essential exception: how each will address terrorism, especially in the event of an attack or other crisis. Obama's willingness to engage countries like Iran and Syria in discussion and to consider other options before taking military action is precisely what this country needs. His address on racial issues proved not only that he is an extremely eloquent public speaker, but also that he is a highly intelligent politician capable of understanding and appreciating the nuances of an issue. This is vitally important in a day and age when most politicians and journalists try to simplify everything to its most basic black-and-white outline, while the problems facing us growing increasingly more complex and multi-faceted. Our commander-in-chief should be someone who's not afraid to talk to countries that we currently consider enemies, someone who will approach the problem of terrorism from many angles rather than simply the military side of it. Obama is the only candidate who has had the courage to demonstrate his willingness to see the shades of gray on all issues, even when it may be dangerous for him politically.
This honesty, courage, and intelligence appeal strongly not just to me, but to many other people all over the world, and from this stems the second key reason I am hoping so fiercely for an Obama victory next November. He has the power to change American politics, both domestically and abroad, and that is something America desperately needs. In recent years, our country has achieved historic levels of political cynicism and apathy, and if we return to that trend our democracy may be in danger. One of the most important parts of democracy is citizen participation, and Obama is helping to shore up that shaky pillar.
The involvement (or lack thereof) of young people in politics has been a concern in recent years. Voters who were younger than 25 were far less likely to vote than their older counterparts ever were. Yet in the past two election cycles, a strong distaste for George Bush's policies and competitive elections have brought college students to the polls in droves. Obama represents all of the beliefs that are finally motivating young voters to vote - the chance for discussion, inclusion, and change. This generation is more liberal than their parents, and far more liberal than the neo-Conservative coalition of G.W. and Karl Rove.
But Obama appeals not just to youngsters at home. He appeals also to those abroad who have lost faith in America through eight years of Bush's bully-boy attitude. The very fact of his election would go far to begin the process of rebuilding all the bridges that Bush has burnt. He has come to symbolize change the world over, and college kids aren't the only ones who are ready for some change around here.
It has been fashionable among right wing hawks to decry anything that might make anyone anywhere else in the world happy, but life is hardly a zero-sum game. Sometimes making nice with the neighbors makes everyone better off, and America would be far more secure if she stopped living up to the warped expectations that have arisen for her and that Bush has been more than happy to reinforce. It's time for us to take the high road and prove not all Americans are the selfish, rude, racist, and culturally insensitive cads we've come to be caricaturized as. And we can do that by rejecting the politics of fear and embracing a more nuanced approach to the world.
Much has been made of Obama's race and his struggle to become a post-racial candidate. Which is all very well and good, but regardless of his personal opinion, his race is important both domestically and around the world. Though there are very few countries left where having a woman in office could still be considered revolutionary, ethnic minorities are still struggling almost everywhere in the world. Racism and xenophobia in Europe taints the image of all Westerners. The fact that we have a candidate who can even claim to be post-racial
sets us apart from almost every other country. For all the successes of Northern Europe's Socialist democracies and our own struggles with immigration and terrorism, the truth is that America's democracy is remarkable for its ability to integrate citizens of every culture, color, religion, and ethnic origin. There are many things that are wrong in our country, and sometimes they overshadow all the things that are right in our country. Barack Obama is proof, for Americans and for the rest of the world, that America really does stand for something more than McDonald's and Coca Cola.
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