Showdown, 2008
“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans”
-John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address
“It’s time to turn the page”
- Barack Obama’
Senator Obama’s speech announcing his candidacy was a perfect summation of what would surely be his campaign message-.the merging of Red and Blue America. Drawing on “purple” American values such as liberty, self-reliance, and government accountability, Obama seems genuinely interested and committed to using his experience as a community organizer and reaching out to both sides of the political spectrum. Obama’s message is one of hope. His promise is to reform government by empowering the middle class and reducing the power of special interests. Like Kennedy in the 60’s, Obama is ready to accept the torch for the new generation of post baby boomers.
Patriot of ’76 was at the announcement in chilly Springfield. The most intriguing part of the event had to have been the crowd in attendance. Illinois power brokers such as Lisa and Charles Madigan, Pat Quin, and Alex Gianolous walked through the audience completely unnoticed. Even Senator Dick Durbin had only a few people interested enough to speak with him. This crowd was completely apolitical. They were there for the moment. The few that I spoke with had never even voted. When I asked one man who the current Vice President was, his response was, “the white guy”. These people bared the elements to witness history.
If Obama opens up a political science textbook, he will discover that this demographic rarely votes. Many are unfamiliar with the registration process while others simply lose interest. They were in full force last Saturday, but will they still be as passionate, driven, and well mobilized in eighteen months?
A recent poll indicated that more than half of all surveyed knew very little about Obama, but found him “captivating” and “likeable”. He will be well funded, and has ample name recognition. However, these two traits are not in short supply at the Clinton Camp.
Obama vs. Clinton. Washington outsider vs. the epitome of backroom politics. Dove vs. Hawk.
It’s primary season, and Patriot of 76 wants your prediction.
posted by CitizenPatriot at 7:17:00 PM
5 Comments:
It's a tough one!
Honestly, my view is expanding to a few of the conservative candidates.
I like Obama a lot, but he seems rather young, and a bit too unexperienced to run our country.
Clinton has plenty of experience, but her personality bothers me!
Mr. Sleezeball in New York is looking pretty good right now...
8:34 PM
In my opinion Obama controls his own destiny. If he speaks to a greater number of people than Hillary i believe he will win. Obama I think can do something that Hillary can't and that is win voters. I think Hillary's audience is pretty set. The one thing I have noticed is that Obama is being spoken about a lot more than Hillary. Now i don't open a paper everyday. Nor do I check out the news on TV. However, I don't think that the majority of Americans do. So me being like them and hearing more about Obama, I have to believe that is what they hear too. Maybe I'm biased because I plan on voting for Obama. I just really enjoy how he can captivate a crowd and hopefully one day a nation, if he gets that far. So like I said, I think it is Obama's to win and Clinton's to lose.
12:09 AM
Stating this another way, is it a sad day in American politics, and American history in general, when we vote for someone who is “captivating” and “likeable," rather than someone with extensive political experience who we think can best fill the role? Presumably we don't make employment decisions based on which employee had an interview that was the most "likeable" or most "captivating." Why do these traits matter so much in politics? Truthfully, I am not sure I know the answer...
4:13 PM
It's important to feel the candidate you are voting for is trustworthy. That's why watching them speak in person is critical. It is OK to judge someone on if you think they are "captivating" because body language does tell a lot.
On the other hand, vague slogans like "it is time to turn the page" is not something worth trusting. It is common knowledge that this is what the people want to hear.
Obama is charismatic and has a likeable philosophy on unity between Red and Blue America. But what will he do specifically? We need to hear specifics on how he will acheive this.
10:41 PM
I really believe Clinton seems like she is too distant from the common person. I mean Obama is a lawyer and went to Harvard, but his likeability and charisma captivates people into liking him. As we have learned only 10 percent of people are ideolouges so i think that many people will use their hueristics to vote for Obama.
7:37 PM
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