As America is about to have its Mandela moment, I thought it might be an idea to catch up with bits and pieces that I have come across on their election.
There are people who are saying that race could still undo Obama’s achievements thus far. This is referred to as the the Bradley Effect and the Bradley Effect in reverse i.e. where people say one thing to pollsters and do another in the ballot box.
A black participant at one of Obama’s rallies is quoted as saying that the reason Obama has attracted so many people to his campaign is due to the fact that America has moved beyond racial stereotypes; the speaker himself was black and married to a white. Andrew Sullivan has hit the nail on the head when he points out that Obama has redefined identity politics.
The inclusive nature of Obama was also spoken of by Bruce Springsteen when he had endorsed Obama’s campaign with these words:
“He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where 'nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone”
Those who have any doubts as to the best candidate for the job in question would be well advised to read this article by Andrew Rawnsley
And when Mr Obama wins and is expected to deliver on every front by everyone, he may be well advised to take the advice of Deval Patrick who had said, upon becoming Governor of Massachusetts: “I don’t have to be the black oracle. All I have to be is as good a human being and as good a governor as I can be and the rest will take care of itself”
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Submitted by karamat on Sun, 2008-11-02 23:23.