Posted on 01/02/2007 9:11:49 PM PST by FLOutdoorsman
Rarely in its history has the United States disappointed its admirers as deeply as it has in the present day. The Iraq debacle has made the American political elite look clueless and incompetent to the rest of the world. The anti-terror war has shown that despite a long tradition, American constitutional principles rest on a precariously narrow foundation. It is also depressing to see the disproportionate lack of attention devoted to American and Iraqi victims of this conflict.
But even in times of weakness, this country retains the capacity to inspire greatness, which can serve as an example to others. The battle to succeed George W. Bush will begin in earnest in the coming year. One of the candidates to be taken seriously is Senator Barack Obama. If he succeeds, it would not only change the way the world looks at America, but it would mark a historic turning point in the history of the country.
AN INSPIRING SPEAKER
Obama, the only Black man in the U.S. Senate, is the new star on the political firmament. In the two years since his 2004 Senatorial election fight, the Democrat from Chicago has risen from being a local politician into a national political magnet, whose attractiveness is so great that his support crosses party lines. Obama, the photogenic son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, is a gifted speaker and eloquent author. But this by itself doesn't explain why - considering his lack of experience on the national and international stage - he is capable of challenging Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Obama’s emergence into national prominence came with a short speech at the 2004 Democratic Party convention, when he introduced the Party's presidential candidate John Kerry. The Senate candidate, who was practically unknown outside his home state of Illinois, delivered a speech that inspired party delegates like no other speaker at the convention. He therefore enjoyed a level of recognition upon entering the Senate that other Senators only achieve through years of hard work. As events have shown, the success of the Junior Senator from Illinois was not a random event. The topics that Obama took up in his convention speech are ones that he continues to raise in his speeches, and his ability to tap into the American political psyche can only be compared to the great communicator, Ronald Reagan.
The American dream; the hope for a better life; the meaning of faith and the importance of community; those are the central messages that Obama expresses in his remarks, and which form the emotional framework for his political positions. Politically, Obama stands to the left of Clinton; but clearly soothing to European ears is the fact that his language is free of polarizing issues. This serves the need for harmony on the part of the American people, who are tired of the aggressiveness of much of the political debate. And Obama is one of the few Democrats who can successfully talk to Americans about faith, for whom the Christian attitude of a candidates is even more important than his or her political positions. This opens up a potential a voter reservoir which up to now has reliably voted for the Republicans Party.
Obama also has the ability to address delicate topics without creating uneasiness in black or white listeners, such as when he talks of his role as a Black citizen and politician in a mostly-white America. In his language and his demeanor, Obama works differently than other black politicians who grew with discrimination as an everyday experience. His parents separated when their son was two years old. The young Obama was raised by his mother in Indonesia and his grandparents in Hawaii where he attended a traditional private school. Due to his comparatively privileged upbringing, he displays a relaxed elegance which is an important part of his star appeal.
AMERICAN GENEROSITY
American commentators, political analysts and bloggers have debated for months whether as a presidential candidate, Obama can overcome the handicap of his lack of experience. As a candidate, he will have to survive the pitiless competition for his Party's nomination without being too damaged in the process. Obama has publicly addressed the possibility of a presidential run and has taken the steps necessary to get into the race. Most connoisseurs count on him daring to jump in.
There is hardly a political process of similar importance with as many unknowns as the fight for an American presidential nomination. A responsible forecast of how a candidate Obama would do is impossible. And it is unclear how the remnants of racism in the U.S. would affect a Black candidate laying claim to the White House.
But the fact that Obama has become such a serious contender within just a few months marks a turning point in the political life of the United States and confirms that America continues to function as a model for the world. The son of an African immigrant and the representative of an ethnic minority is considered a legitimate candidate for the nation's leadership. No European country would be capable or ready to give a politician with such a biography the chance to reach the highest and most powerful public office.
To fact that the U.S. developed as a country of immigrants explains the generosity of America, but it doesn’t explain the narrow-mindedness of Europe. The continent has been a destination for immigrants for too long to condone the exclusion of minorities from leadership positions in society. One can criticize the U.S. for the Iraq War without misjudging its greatness, especially when Europe needs such a role example.
Thomas Klau is FTD's Washington correspondent. He writes here every second Thursday.
"Where's Obama?"
LOL!
"Where's Obama?"
LOL!
Unadulterated twaddle. The low level of political discourse in Germany is truly disgraceful. Good beer though.
loser euro-weanies... suck, suck suck suckc suck suck. We should have let Russia have it.
What BS. Europe is delighted, not disappointed, to see us tripped up in Iraq. And Europe could care less about whether we're true to our Constitution. No one is fooled by their tongue-clucking concern and "disappointment". What it comes down to is this: Because Europe has failed to live up to its own ideals and expectations, it seeks unhealthy solace in imagining that we aren't living up to ours.
Europe wants Obama because he's a communist.
Sorry, you might say that Iraq was a mistake, mismanaged, whatever, but a DEBACLE, it is not, sorry, but then, the media are always there to inject hyperbole into any story, in order to put forth their narrative, instead of the news.
What a crock o $hit
I am sure he's equally impressed with Condoleeza Rice.
Financial Times Deutschland should talk about something really disappointing. Like the german economy.
This writer is completely ignorant of "political life" here. Obama-Osama isn't a "serious contender"; the MSM is just hyping him.
essen mich!
You´re talking BS! Tell me more of your insights from Europe that you can claim Europeans were happy to see you stuck in Iraq.
Yeah, I loved this bit. And so George W. Bush's comparatively privileged life (intact family, wealth, travel compared to Obama's) is what gave him that super- relaxed elegance all Germans are wild about.
Euroweenies love all leftist American politicians and can never understand why they don't get elected.
most succinct and best reply on this thread so far. If the thoroughly naive and unqualified Obama espoused conservative principles, he would instantly fall from his high perch as perceived "savior" of America by Euro leftist elites. Much of the commentary I read from Europe leaves me wondering how some of those nations can function being so clueless.
This guy should get the Walter Duranty Prize for Dangerously Misleading Journalism. Obama Hussein Barack is going to dig deep into that wellspring of Christian voters? This guy is a couple sandwiches short of a picnic. Even Black Americans can't identify with this guy. He grew up white. Outside of the Beltway, I don't see his natural constituency.
You can find them in insular communities of "deep thinkers" located in such diverse places as Ithaca, New York; Madison, Wisconsin; Berkley, California; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Cambridge, Massachussetts; and Portland, Oregon. Anywhere the over-educated and under-experienced gather in citadels of irrelevance known as Universities, you will find Obama's natural constituency.
I could hardly tell! Hey Klau...we dont care what the rest of the world thinks. Why dont you and Osamabama get a room.
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