They all shouted
Yes We Can
Then started whispering
Yes He can.
Last night, Andrew Marr was able to successfully do what Channel 4's previous election build up 'The American Road Trip' really failed to do. That being, dig a little deeper into the 2008 Obama appeal, his apparent fall from grace and both his shortcomings and benefits as a politician. A balanced program that explained quite simply Obamacare, raising eyebrows at those who so violently opposed it - what a shame Marr wasn't on hand to help the Obama administration when the bill was being passed. You can find it here - unless you are overseas in which case I have no idea how these things work, sorry! hope you can get a hold of it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ntgsm/This_World_Obama_What_Happened_to_Hope/
The above quote was from a Chicago man who articulated really well a nagging thought of mine. It was "Yes WE can" to that whole change thing, right? It has always felt to me, that a nation stood with Obama and then suddenly dropped back behind him, whispering "Yes YOU can." Or maybe it was always more a question of what kind of change, what kind of hope. Change that costs? Change that might benefit someone else before me? Hope that drags you out of your comfort zone... hmm well then maybe not that kind of hope or that kind of change.
So its a tight race and tomorrow it will be about lawyers and counting machines. But is that any surprise? When Obama took office, the economy was in the worst shape it has probably ever been and Obama was still getting lost in the halls of the White House. I remember watching the inaugaration and listening mesmerised by the wonder of an actual orator, such a gifted public speaker and graceful leader and my heart sank. It was the wrong time. How could this be Obama's moment? No one would survive such a hideous recession. Btw this is the small comfort I take that Cameron, a man also destined to lead but for very different reasons, is in power now.
Yet, here he is still standing and I belive still hoping for change. Marr wanted to know if people have lost faith in him, especially those from his campaigning grassroots in Chicago. From the program it didn't seem like that had, but perhaps they feel there is little choice but to trust him knowing the opposition will have even deafer ears. I'm sure he must feel pretty far away from those campaigners and protestors, perhaps lonely in his West Wing office but I've no doubt he hasn't forgotten. For all that he hasn't managed to live up to the weighty expectations Obama does not strike me as a man whose identity is lost or his political compass broken. This is important because if you had read, watched or listened beyond the smile I think Obama's agenda has always been clear. I don't necessarily mean agenda in a negative way, simply to say that Obama's core is not as a centrist and those that voted for him made the mistake not Obama.
So my question is; Why elect Obama in the first place? When people feel lost, when all that they know is crumbling - as the capitalist banking system was in 2008, they need a Captain to sail their raft in the right direction. So the message of Hope was a popular one. I think what a lot of people misunderstood was the small print in Obama's message. For one thing Obama is not a 'socialist' in the sense so many Americans fling around, he would not be recognised in the USSR or communist China. So please read alittle, learn alittle before hurling back to the McCarthy days. But neither was the Change to only benefit those who were previously benefiting from the free market, and all its consumerism trappings.
Reading over this it strikes me that I sound pretty harsh against a nation that have over the last decade been shaken extremenly hard. I don't mean to attack or dismiss that real poverty and hardship many have faced. What I mean to say is that I believe that there is room within the American dream and the Obama administration for a USA that is more united than it is presently divided. I don't think the Hope agenda was ever about handouts without a hand up. Obama isn't against business, or religion or your civil rights. Isn't there room for health insurance for everyone? Can't you run your business successfully, even be 'rich' whilst not crippling your neighbour? I would love to see a second term, from a political scientist point of view this is a fascinating time and the possibilities for real change and policies that might take root are much more open in a second term than a first.
I'm sure Romney is a very successful businessman and for many is the option that makes sense, that is safe for them that feels you know, comfortable but please America be brave once more. Don't let this great mind and gifted man go down as a one term President.
Hey, if you disagree please tell me why or if you have predictions about tomorrow do share!
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