Opinion Piece - The Message Behind Obama-rama.

By: Infinite Hope

There's something mysterious behind the Obama frenzy. Something that is unique to him - something no other candidate or potential candidate in the race has. Is it his message for hope? No. Is it the lack of a Washington identity? No. Is it his charisma? No. These all contribute to his popularity, but they can be found among the other candidates, even within the same one - Edwards.

So what is it? What is the unique and mysterious message being sent by the frenzy surrounding Senator Obama? While he's not among my top three choices; I don't think he will run; I don't think he'd get the nomination if he did run (this time); and I don't think he'd win the general election (depending upon the GOP nominee); I must admit there's something intriguing in the demand for his candidacy across the nation.

He doesn't have an extensive record yet and for that matter his speeches often avoid delving into specifics. What is it about Obama that has people http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Favorables/Favorables.htm">Stirring?

They've given up on the white men.

Obama of all people, for what the http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Favorables/Favorables.htm">poll is worth, has 52% approval among the respondents. I've been saying for a while, and polls like this demonstrate, the country is more ready to elect a man of African descent than some think. It might have to be the right "type" of man of African descent to win nationwide, but perhaps that's what we're seeing expressed in the frenzy over Obama. He's a man of African descent who is the right "type" for a nation still struggling to let go of its racial past. He's someone all races can identify with, hence the StarTribune quote: "Obama has cross-racial appeal. He's a politician who happens to be black, not a black politician."

I believe people want a fresh face and not just someone they haven't seen before. They really want a fresh face that's different from all those that have ever occupied the oval office. I believe people, to a large degree, are getting sick of the white men. After more than 200 years, voters are finally fed up enough to try something completely different.

Maybe a lot of the Obama phenomenon is because he's black and generally appealing enough to cut across subsections of the electorate. It certainly isn't his record, and I don't think he's said anything specific or outstanding compared to other potential candidates.

I think it's because Obama comes across as a novelty. I do not know that it's so much "white man-fatigue."

Let's talk *'s record. He came into office (via the supremes) with the only record of public service, as that of the Governor of Texas. Facts are that the office of Governor in Texas doesn't give the Governor any power. He/She is more of an overseer than anything else. Doesn't even show up most of the time; rather a 'figure head'. He hadn't even traveled outside the state of Texas (other than Kennybunkport)...He couldn't find the U.S. as a whole unit on any map. He rode his silver spoon to keep out of Viet Nam, was a failed manager of some baseball team.. in fact had failed at everything he had ever done. Is it any wonder we're in the mess we're in with this bozo at the helm???

Obama has state legislative experience, seven years of it, and now 2 years in the Senate. I would consider him far more 'experienced' than the clown who is sitting at the helm of this country.

So...I keep hearing about how Obama is inexperienced.... Hog Feathers!!!

Obama would make a better president than Bush and by no small measure. That doesn't change the fact that voters, especially in a word with such complex and dynamic problems, that we have someone who's dealt with the issues hands on for a few years, especially in foreign policy. While experience is far from determinative of success, it certainly is relevant.

he's a great man, he would be if he were white too.

half white, or half black? Everyone is referring to him as a black man, but can't we just as accurately call him a white man?

Historically, those with any African ancestry at all are considered black.

(Like Obama, I am 1/2 White).....but we are still "Black" cause that is how society sees and defines us and we have no problem referring to ourselves that way....because, frankly, we don't have a problem with our "blackness", and we are proud to be Black; just like Halle Berry is Black, Alecia Keyes is Black, Kobe Bryant is Black, Frederick Douglas was Black, Lena Horne is Black, Colin Powell is Black, Harry Bellafonte is Black, Dorothy Danridge was Black, Rosa Parks was Black, James Earl Jones is Black, Harold Ford is Black, Angela Davis is Black, Thurgood Marshall was Black...and I could go and on! Many Illustrious Black people, some with fair skin, some even with one White parent have contributed to these United States.....and so, it goes that Obama is whatever HE says he is, and he says he's Black and he's proud. That should be enough.

The test is if one was born and alive anytime from 1775 to 1970 would they have been able to go round claiming that they were White, or would they have been told to get their ass to the back of the bus? Answer the question and then you can decide why Obama does not, nor do I...consider himself a White man.

To explain...I sorta baulk at the absurdity of the concept, that half is not half when it comes to black in ones bloodline. But it was a theoretical to make a point. Clearly, racism is so deep in our history and culture, that to suggest that Obama could be equally considered as being white, since he is genetically as much white as he is black, is crazy within the world in which we live. The Plessy vs Ferguson decision was an interesting example of how convoluted the thinking had to be to still support the concept of racism. From what I understand, Plessy looked white, and the reason he was denied access to the white section was because he purposely revealed that genetically he was 1/8th black...and the court determined that indeed, he was black because of that 12.5%, the decision rendered to support the prevailing racial concept at the time..."seperate but equal". The huge gap between the theoretical and what we all know to be true from practical experience, as you so succinctly pointed out, is why I offered up the absurdity of Obama being considered white, since genetically, he is equal parts white and black. And of course, in the end it gets down to whatever one identifies themselves as being, although I'd imagine that you wouldn't think much of a white kid saying he's black because he identifies more strongly with black culture than white culture. Unraveling issues of race in the USA is complicated.

Anybody that wouldn't vote for him because of race probably wouldn't vote for a Democrat at all no matter what.

As the fact that's he's more interesting than the other faces the Democrats have put forth. Aside from him, there really aren't any new players in the presidential game this year; Gore and Kerry are all too familiar, and Clark, Edwards and especially Hillary have also gotten plenty of exposure. None of these people have the electrifying charisma that propelled Bill into the Oval Office, and now all of a sudden this new, seemingly unique guy has come along. I think it's pretty clear Obama is a typical moderate politician if you take a hard look at him, but he's managed his image well. If anything, his popularity indicates a severe dearth of leadership in today's Dem party.

The only thing that the public, at large, knows about Obama is that he gave a powerful speech at the dem convention. All the rest that they know of him is media hype.

No matter what the polls say, this country is not ready to elect a black man or a woman as president. Come on, if you were on the phone giving info for a poll would you admit you are a racist? The RW has tried to push us back to the 50's, and they've done a very good job on a very large portion of the population. We need to bring these people forward, before we could ever hope for a black or woman president, or better still a black woman president.

zalinda

spewing the same false faith upon which this fantasy land was created. End of mystery.

I was out at the movies when it finally dawned on me why Obama is such an appealing candidate. Before Casino Royal started there was a preview to the upcoming Rocky Balboa movie. Another Rocky movie?! yeah, I know.
There is even a humorous line in the previews as the aging Rocky stands toe to toe with current heavyweight champ. Rocky mumbles his line "It ain't over til it's over" to which his menacing opponent replies, "What's that, some line from the 80's?" Rocky says, "Nah, I think it might be from the 70's."

And it seems that's where we are in American society today. The Rolling Stones still go on tour. Stallone plays Rocky again. We're told 60 is the new 40...
During the last Presidential election, one of the major topics was how candidates did or did not serve in a war from 40 years ago. The events that shaped their lives...are either vague memories for me or tales from the history books.

I'm no spring chicken. I've got kids of my own. Constitutionally I could serve as President myself but I look at the list of those running and for the most part I see my parents generation. The time has come consider passing the torch. Barack may or may not be be one but I'm glad to see someone who doesn't have to answer "How did you serve in Vietnam?". I'm glad to someone who could be my older brother and not my Dad seeking the highest office. I'm glad people are excited about something other than Rocky VI

...that is another significant part. There are many things about Obama that, as one response here said, are novelties. He's something new and exciting for many reasons. You're right on with your thoughts. That's certainly another big component.

centered on the people at the Ambassador Hotel waiting for the end of the California election, RFK's speeches resounded throughout the movie also intertwined with various spots of him with crowds, speaking live etc. His words are not only still eloquent and heartfelt, they are also inspirational and tutorial. He in one spot reminds us that people are taught hatred, but that he believes we are a great nation of people who can overcome such inferior lessons. Bobby Kennedy was a great humanitarian and would have been a great president. I do not know why they did not protect him better after what had already happened to JFK and Martin Luther King. It is unconscionable. I believe that Obama is such a spirit. He is special; his speeches are rousing, but for the simple reason that what he says is so awe-inspiring. I have heard him in person twice as well as a few times on tv; he quite simply takes one's breath away with the essense of the message.

Smart. Young. Sensible.

I believe that Sen. Obama will not run for the WH in '08, unless he's a VP candidate. All of the current hype is about 2012 or 2016.

It's a VP race just like Edwards in 2004. He wants his popularity and fundraising abilities to become difficult for Clinton (or the eventual nominee) to turn down.

... and I think there's some truth in what you're saying. We are, as a nation, tired of the same old/same old - because we connect it with the same old rhetoric, the same old campaign promises, and ultimately the same old broken promises.

Obama looks different than the traditional white politicians we've been inundated with, and this may contribute to the idea that he is different.

But this certainly is a well-written, thought-provoking piece!