Harry Plopper

As an non-US citizen, as an European, as a person interested in politics I have a question for our US fellows here:


Why Obama attracts such (media) attention & being considered as an agent of change?






People & media are treating the guy as a Messiah - massive crowd are gathering to see him & listen to his speeches, media love him, he got an instant pop-star status.

I have difficulties to understand his status of being agent of change since he is endorsed almost by the whole "old garde" ( Kennedy & Co.) of Dem. party excl. the Clintons.

OK, I see Mrs. Clinton as a very ambitious women - acting very Machiavellistic - to bring her & her husband back to power.

But why Obama is seen as an agent of change? Only because he is anti-Clinton?

I'm very concerned voters all over the world show a tendency to vote for / support candidates who:

a) look good,
b) deliver populistic speeches,
c) have a rock-star charisma.

Characteristics that definitely do not define a good politician. What's next? Bono Vox as president of EU?



Also: do you think Obama is experienced enough to lead US as a global super-power, or he will end up being a puppet of special interests (via his advisers) just like GWB?

Is he strong & credible enough to face McCain in November (and Karl Rowe + FoxNews dirty tactics)?



PS: I hope objective views will be presented, and not just propaganda by Obama or Clinton fanboys.

Centurion

All American presidents have been white, so it's natural that Obama who is black and is one of the opinion leaders gets a lot of attention. Thanks to his relatively low age he has a young state of mind which enables him to bond with voters in a way that presidency contenders like Juliani can't. His speeches are sincere, down to earth and pretty good.

His experience has been a subject of discussion and he comes up short in comparison to the highly confident Hilary who is more than ready to rule the US.

As for Obamas chances of winning I'd say that they are a bit remote. Although he doesn't tick all the boxes, his skin and most importantly his lack of experience are barriers. Obama still has some proving left to do before he can convince the entire nation that he 100% has what it takes to guide the US in the dark wally of darkness. Because at the end of the day it is 3 times as hard to run a country than what it is to get elected to do so. I can tell you that if he wins presidency and fails the media will be incredibly harsh on him, not to mention all those who have been opposing him. Just look at Bush and what is being said about him.

Hypersonic

Too much emphasis has been placed on Obama's race, his popularity is also a personality thing. Obama is naturally charismatic and also very flamboyant (by politician standards) -- he does attract people.

However, I have not seen any real evidence that Obama is so much different from any other politician -- people might be disappointed if they are expecting him to perform miracles.

Harry Plopper

Hm ...

GWB also promised change & a fresh (conservative) breeze after 8 years of Bill Clinton. And see whet USA got with him. What a change it was.

Like one of the GOP candidates have said: "Changes can be either good ... or bad." So, there is no guaranty there will be same change, and if - whether it will be a good change.

And yes ... too much anticipation & hope can lead to a big disappointment is promises are not delivered (as promised).

Watch out, Obama.

Is he really sincere, or he is such a great preacher he was able to deceive himself (by himself) as well?

Wasn't this campaign supposed to be about issues & proposals of solutions, and not a "Mr. / Ms. Congeniality" contest.

USA can't afford another green president in the White House. 8 years of GWB was enough.

IMO McCain will be elected in November ... if he survives the campaign at all. Although the guy has no clue about economy - and that's bad for the current times USA are in. Recession can hurt more people and more badly than Al Qaeda.

Hillary ... Do you guys really think she will run the office, or (in the case of her victory) this will be Bill's 3rd mandate ...


Btw, where is Al Gore to endorse either Barack or Hillary?

Hypersonic

Maybe the US is sick of having a President who is [often unfairly] treated like a joke around the world.


I think Hills is a very strong lady ....she would definitely be in charge I think.

Hillary has many enemies ....and a Presidential campaign would be really tough for her (especially since she has broken down a couple of times already). Her opponents have not even begun to dig up the dirt from her past yet .....and there is a lot of it.

Oh please, lets leave that guy out of this, Gore is only interested in his own publicity.

450SEL6.9

Amen!

I can't agree more, EnI. The world cannot afford another inexperienced president.

I think American voters are off the rocker because they immediately dismissed the most experienced man in the Democrat field, Joe Biden.

Hillary, for all the talk of her experience, has only been an elected senator since 2000. Obama's experience is - err, what is his experience? Gore, despite being out of office since 2000, still has more experience than Hil, Obama and Edwards COMBINED.

A lot of Republicans don't like McCain and normally might not vote for him in November. However, there is a perfectly good and simple solution to that problem: Hillary Clinton! Hillary getting nominated would bring the Republican base out in droves, even if they dislike McCain.

I have argued for months that Hillary is a risky choice. Why give the other party the person they want to face? It's just an asinine idea.

There is a scenario that Gore could be left standing, but the probability is miniscule. If there is no nominee going into the convention and the Clinton v. Obama fight gets destructive, Gore could be asked to step up.

I think the Republicans strategists, despite what Rob thinks of him, fear Gore the most. They want Hillary nominated because they know they can handle her. Obama could be more problematic because of his phenomenon status, but can a black senator with little experience really win and win a southern state?

I think neither Hil or Obama are smart choices, but as usual the Democrats don't nominate their best candidate!

450SEL6.9

I forgot to answer the question in my previous post.

I think Obama is seen as an agent of change primarily because he is a black candidate in the whitest of white professions, i.e. US presidential politics.

Rob, where do you think Obama would be in this race if he was white? I ask that in the sincerest, least-controversial way possible.

If Obama (with his experience) was white, I bet he'd be told to go earn his stripes in the senate for another 10-yr. before he even thinks to dream about the presidency.

Think about it, a senator with a mere few years in Washington having enough experience to run the last remaining superpower? Terrifying!

I too am concerned that the world is looking at style over substance in politics as well.

I literally get sick to my stomach when celebrities start parading around with their candidates and endorsing them. Personally, I think it would be bad news if people like Oprah and the "Facebook Generation" had the power to pick the next leader of the free world with their "celebrity". I fear (perhaps unfairly) that they are precisely endorsing style over substance.

Harry Plopper

I'm concerned as well. Young people - even the ones in college - are acting like sheep today. Everything is style over substance. Presentation mens everything. Role models are tho hollow pop & movie stars. Not to think of rap stars or sportsmen. etc

Times of rights, but no responsibilities. Sad.

We live in prosperity and have become immune to the reality. Everything seems like a game, like a virtual reality program. Sensitivity s gone. Political culture is diminishing. Populism is on the rise. Again. Hasn't Hitler been a strong enough lecture where the populism can lead?


What about old people? They are VERY pragmatic & will support everyone who will promise them better lower medical & social security expenses (and better pensions).


What we need is another era of enlightened absolutism. So the people will sober again.

I endorse Google to be the new enlightened absolutist of the new world.

Choleric

He represents a new generation of politics, The baby boomers are out, their time is over. Just as the old civil war generation churned out terrible leaders toward the end of their time; Grant, Garfield, Hayes, Arthur, Harrison and Cleveland ("The Gilded Age", or "The Forgettable Presidents"). Then we had a new generation take over in Mckinley, Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson in suit with the Progressive movement.

He is change, he is young in terms of politics, from a different era (born in the '60s) and resonates with the over 100 million of his generation or later.

Experience doesn't mean shlt. Some of the most terrible presidents were some of the most experienced.

It will be McCain v. Obama in November and Obama will win. McCain is 71 years old, he was born back when FDR was president, how well do you think that man could represent people 50 years younger than him?

Harry Plopper

^

He really does, or he just says he does - and media & his political sponsors paint that?



I think -and as you've said - he being considered an agent of change is merely a symbolic act. Since he is young, black / brown, rookie, and self-proclaimed uniter. But can he really deliver his promises? Like it was said well: words can't pay off (people's) loans.

USA citizens should be aware - GWB is a great example - they do pick a president of a whole "free world" not just a president of USA. USA are still too important to afford sitting anyone in the oval office. Look what Bush have done to the World ... what a mess.

Another question: Ted Kennedy was asked the other day if hhe was not affraid Obama could be assassinated in the case of possible election - since agents of change (eg. JFK and other leaders worldwide) are usually targets of status quo forces. Not meaning Hillary here but eg. special interest groups.

Is it possible JFK scenario is repeated in Obama case? I hope not.

Also another concern: is it possible such a candidate - fresh flamboyant rookie, a bit naive - can end up as a puppet of some forces which enabled his election (if happens)?

I'm afraid that Kennedys and other prominent old Democrats are endorsing Obama since they think he can really win, and his victory will enable them to stay in the power.

Anyway, I would rather see any Democrat in WH for the next 4 years than any Republican. It's time for USA to restore their reputation in the world again.