The primaries for Presidential nominations have become a tight, intriguing and interesting saga especially in the Democratic camp. I have watched with great interest the dramatic turns in the campaign tone, tide and talk with the media in the umpire booth.
It is interesting to me as a visitor to the US at this crucial time, coming from a recent tour as Campaign Manager for Reverend Chris Okotie’s Presidential Campaign in Nigeria where my candidate was almost an Obama look alike touting “Hope, Change, Inspiration and Can Do” attitude.
While I would not rate our success with the almost cultic movement Obamamania has become, especially among young idealistic voters between 18-24 , the issues are basically the same and the arguments against us very similar; starting with “too young” to “no government experience”. We lost, but it piqued my interest in the contest playing out on the US political scene in the Democratic Party.
Evaluating the issues in this contest, it became clear that Senator Obama had blazed through more than half of the primaries on the comet of charisma, inspiration, vibrancy, motivation and integrity. While these may seem ‘vague and rhetoric’ to older Americans and Clinton’s camp, it has resonated with the younger generation whom I refer to as Future America who have become disillusioned with the double speak of the Establishment from parents to teachers and now politicians. This is a generation desperately in search of a role model and troop rallying General who seems close to them enough to understand their challenges.
On the other hand, the older folk, who I would call Experienced America, have been there, done that and have a reality check t-shirt to prove it! So they are obviously not impressed with the change momentum. The ‘real’ issues of safe & working America are more important to them with the imminent threat of home foreclosures, unemployment (63,000 job cuts in February alone), and an economy in possible recession, with loved ones in constant danger to terrorists overseas and on US soil.
To these weather beaten group, the Clinton message of ‘a lifetime of experience’ is safe and comforting; and these divergent views show up in waves, forcing one of the most tumultuous and closely contested primaries in decades, kept ever alive and clashing by good old American News Networks and the International Media.
One of the most controversial points in the campaign has been foreign policy and the best candidate to lead America in a post Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts and imminent terrorism threat. Senator Obama seem to be losing that battle, what with Senator Clinton’s ‘lifetime of experience’ being aggressively pushed as her qualification for the post of US No 1 citizen. The Obama campaign have been unable to provide convincing arguments to turn the tide which was probably accountable for the massive loss his campaign suffered in Texas and Ohio on Tuesday March 5 primaries.
The American electorate, palpably concerned for the safety of their nation and in the wake of foreign policy blunders of the outgoing Bush administration, seem to be reluctantly stepping off the ‘Obama Hope Express’ with its euphoria of change and hope and grudgingly climbing the ‘Clinton Experience Wagon’ with its reality show of fear and longevity. However, it is interesting that no one, not even the media have bothered to ask what kind of foreign policy the US needs in the next 8 years and which of the two warring candidates is better placed to deliver to keep America safe and working.
As a foreigner observer looking in, it appears that the Americans either have their facts distorted or maybe they only see the situation from the American perspective; one that has ill served the world’s leading democracy in the 'Bushy' years. Contrary to what most Americans believe, the world would rather be friends than foes…even the much dreaded Islamic militants in the Middle East.
The frustration of the world with the United States is a perception of high handedness and superiority which is never appreciated by other sovereign nations, as seen in the on going conflicts on various continents with the US involved directly or indirectly. The ideal US President who will succeed in the turnaround of such negative global perception has to be one with a disarming demeanor who appears less threatening and more approachable.
President Bill Clinton was successful in foreign policy (though he was even less experienced than Senator Obama is when he, Clinton became President) because he was approachable, appeared to listen and didn’t seem to push the sometimes sooo irritating “American Agenda” too doggedly like Bush has done in the last 8 years. Sadly, his wife, Hilary somehow doesn’t give that same impression.
Her rival however seem to have all the odds stacked against him…from the American perspective, that is. He is young, black, lacks experience, and even has his faith questioned with a Muslim middle name and a last name sounding like America’s most wanted enemy! Obama sure beats every stereotype of an American President.
Strange as this may seem, his unpalatable credentials might be the magic portion to change US foreign image. Take the fact that he is of mixed race, born of a Kenyan father and a white American mother from Kansas.
While loads of blue collar America find this rather unpalatable, it may appeal to the despots and rebels on the African continent who might finally feel a sense of belonging with 'intruding big brother America', after all, its No 1 Citizen is one of them...albeit technically (DNA only!) I mean, imagine that the American President has a grandmother in the shanties of Kenya. Wow! his blood grandma! 'good...that makes America feel like a real blood brother and in Africa, you don't fight your brother...see? instant tension dissipater.
Then again, his middle name is Hussein...100% Muslim...by name only though. Finally, the camp of Osama's kinsmen finally achieve a victory even they could never have dreamt of...an American President with a Muslim middle name.. and not a political gimmick! That's ten for the price of one!
However,
Then lets talk inexperience. While this look like a negative, it actually does have a positive slant to it. It takes experience to step on toes, offend sensibilities...and bruise egos. The longer you have been around, the more your brownie points. You will agree, 'senior' Hillary does outwit 'junior Obama' in this category: which may work in US favor. He is a clean slate and dealing with him might provide egotistic leaders like the short man with a long name of Iran, a face saving trap door to backtrack on his nuclear madness.US may be able to to rewind and start again...and veryone is happy.
It gets even better;Obama is too young...yes...and so is many world leaders these days...look at the new 'darushka' in Russia now..he is only 42! with Senator Clinton's "I am older and more experienced than you" campaign platform, she might not connect with Valvedev (she couldn't even pronounce his name...and neither can I!)and he might make it more difficult for the US to stay on top of the impending Russian/American face off.An Obama will be a better choice ..they are contemporaries same generation...equals better understanding. Who wants to sit at a negotiating table with someone who reminds you of your mother?
