Barack Obama officially launched his "Presidential Exploratory Committee" today in a somewhat surprising show of authority this early on in the race. I think that the timing was masterfully chosen in light of President Bush's recent blunders, crippling approval numbers and yesterday being M.L. King holiday. Senator Obama launched a slick pre-campaign complete with a video biography and hopeful, heartfelt personal statement of intent.
I think that Barack Obama is going to be a tough man to beat in 2008 but I predict that America will have to wake up to and deal with some vestigial prejudices with him as a front-runner. Senator Barack Hussein Obama (D-IL) has a stellar background that will appeal to America on a number of levels. On the other hand, we must be honest about the ugliness that is American politics and the unfortunate downright ignorance of the average American voter.
1) "A rose by any other name"
Barack... Hussein... Obama... I would guess that the vast majority of Americans will encounter a phonetic speed bump here. Let's be honest, his name sounds foreign and definitely calls up Arabic/Muslim linguistic roots compared to the usual rich-white-guy presidentialfrontrunners. Despite America's undeniable call for change in the cesspool of politics, even some moderate Democrats will still have problems with the market viability of the platform that will inevitably be called "Barack Obama 2008". I'm guessing most of these prejudicial ponderings will remain below the surface. I doubt that big media will spend a lot of time covering this issue (though the issue of his name has already appeared in some brainless innuendo from the conservative media) . I think it's an undeniable factor in deliberating Senator Obama's electibility.
2) We knew it would happen eventually, but now?
Barack Obama is getting a lot of press recently, as is Hillary Rodham Clinton, his most likely front-running competitor. Is America ready to elect a historic first anything right now? In short, I think so, Senator Obama's votes against the Iraq War may be his trump card in the upcoming race. His outspoken anti-war record and relatively short time in Washington will be key in his messaging. If his campaign is as smart as I think it will be, he'll position himself as an intellectual centrist that is willing to enact an agenda of fixing domestic grievances and damage control on the international stage.
3) Video killed the radio star.
Senator Obama will likely pull out the Clinton playbook and reach out to the younger generation, whose rampant distrust of old-man government will bring back the days of Clinton's legendary saxophone and will play to the MTV Rock The Vote crowd. Younger Americans are seemingly more comfortable with setting aside legacy racial stereotypes and have embraced the African-American identity wholeheartedly. At the same time, Senator Obama will have to mitigate becoming labeled as "the black candidate" while at the same time carefully choose which ties he builds to more established African-American politicians.
4) Mr. Smith smoked what?
He should be unapologetic in regards to his admitted use of (gasp!) illegal drugs in his earlier years. The media will make some pretty outrageous coverage to this, and his entire colorful biography. As I'm writing this, there are armies of interns pouring over his recent works in hopes of launching some kind of smart-bomb scandal. Owning up to all of this in conjunction with his impressive resumé and people will start to see him with the "everyman" clout that seems to win elections in recent years.
In closing, it's going to be an exciting campaign. So far, The Devil's Advocate would have to say that Senator Obama has come out of the gate several lengths ahead of the pack. Hopefully his high-minded and hopeful message will persist in the midst of the increasing nastiness of political warfare. His cross-cultural following will be motivated, his charismatic un-cola attitude and outsider status will be a saving grace in the hearts and minds of frustrated left and moderate America. If the election were tomorrow, he'd be Commander-in-Chief.
-DTB
Barack Obama Wikipedia
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