State of the Race

Although I am a wholly uninvolved observer (Belgian), I too am tired of the fact that America keeps choosing the wrong leaders. Why is election politics so fickle in its rightful result? From the start, and after initial research, I immediately knew Sen. Obama was the leader right for America and the world in this point of time in history. Just like FDR was right his day, Roosevelt in his, Reagan in his, etc.

The cynical truth however is that election politics is still a game, and both senators have played it masterfully so far. Barack Obama has set up a modern, internet-plugged bureaucratic campaign with grassroots organisation and funding, the topic of change and a calm to constantly analyze new events without being played by them. This is how his campaign won from Sen. Clinton's, who, as a candidate, has immensely more credentials, but whose campaign was ridden with overly strong individuals and an unsteady course and message.

Up until the appointment of Sarah Palin, Sen. McCain campaign was nowhere. He was nominated simply because the other GOP candidates were so weak. The Mitt Romney story however (and his parting concession speech) showed that energizing the GOP base with core conservative values can lock down the majority of red-leaning states swiftly. Sen. McCain has tried to do this, and has partially been succesful, eroding Obama's lead in polls during the summer.

However, I bet this didn't feel right to him.

An independent by nature, holding conservative ideals yet with libertarian morals and modi operandi, any observer could feel that when McCain was on the conservative stump, it wasn't his message. Sure, he's for the Iraq war and Reaganomics, but he does not hold these ideas as absolute truths and undebatable facts, unlike the hateful GWBush-Rove-Rumsfeld administration (the current administration is much more common sense, partly due to the quiet admission of its past failures, but also because of the influence of individuals like Condi Rice).

Both his independent nature and his deficiencies in public oratory have kept enthusiasm levels for his campaign low - compared to the rock star World Tour that is Barack Obama's campaign.

However, with Sarah Palin, McCain has made a choice as brilliant as that of Nerva (Roman emperor who was old, wise, and died quickly, but who did appoint Trajanus - the herald of Ancient Rome's Second Golden Age). As posted previously, she brings to the GOP what Obama brought to the Democrats: vigour and a clear message. And like I said about my comments on Obama, I immediately felt that Sarah Palin was an intriguing and impressive personality.

In the coming days, it was proven that Palin was the full conservative Monty, easily weathering personal attacks (because Democrats are bad at exploiting them) and on the stump on Obama's weaknesses.

However, Sarah Palin pure and simple is a character candidate. Like George w. Bush, her appeal simply comes from the fact that she's identifiable to the electorate she represents (Hockey Moms, Heartland USA), but not as much of the ideas she can bring to changing America for the better.

But again, this is why her choice was so brilliant. John McCain is now liberated from addressing the conservative morality issues and can reclaim his Maverick image. And Palin also brings Obama-levels of enthusiasm to the GOP base.

The big question is how independents will react. In a country and world on the brink of economic recession and unmendable environmental peril, who to choose? There have been signs that Palin is sweeping female voters, but honestly, I hope not.

Sen. Obama is the only candidate with such a clear, yet sufficiently worded and complex answer to the challenges the world faces. Although I respect John McCain very much (more for his years in Congress than for his veterancy), his values would take America to a lesser place than that what Obama would take it.

But this is not the time to sit back and bask in the media glory that is Sarah Palin. We need to appreciate her being as a strong vice presidential candidate and viciously stump Sen. Obama's message while taking apart the GOP's. The road has been long but hope for a better future for the entire world lies at arm's length. Hold the course, react accordingly to current events, and never forget why you've supported Barack Obama in the first place.

It's for the end of politics as it has been played forever. It's for a belief in shared responsibility as opposed to suburban individualism. It's for the ideal that if one tried, one should make it, in dignity and respect. It's for a planet that needs to be saved and that has been ignored a shamingly amount of time. It's for you and me, who trod day by day, just hoping for some common sense and goodwill in America's leaders.

Elect Barack Obama. The time is now.

The Word of Barack

As you may have noticed, I've been away for a long time. I got fed up after March 4th, the bitterness across campaigns, the endless punditry, the sickening spin. I abandoned the campaign trail simply because I couldn't stand being disappointed and gutted until August.

Then Sen. Obama spoke.



Once again he is the unique politician with one of the most compelling views and ideas in the history of the United States. With his back up the wall after low blow after low blow, Sen. Obama responds. Admitted, some of Rev. Wright's statements are downright bigotrous and destructive. But instead of downplaying and ignoring the problems, he faces them head-on. Not in an ignorant way, but by bluntly showing us the complexity and nuance of real life and moreover, by using deeply personal relationships and experiences as examples, not betraying friendships for politics. No politician of similar significance has ever used such insight, vision and disarming honesty.
All great politicians have a few traits in common. They were great speakers, had a keen insight in the matters at hand, and asked the right question at the right time. Like when Lincoln questioned American unity and freedom at Gettysburg, when FDR announced that December 7th, 1941 was a date that will live in infamy and when Ronald Reagan dared Gorgatchev to "tear down this wall".
Now Sen. Obama looks us square in the eye and asks us if we want to keep playing the games, the immobility, the hate. Not through slogans or cheap tricks. But by facing facts and proposing to work them out.

*That's* the Audacity of Hope, stupid.

Me, myself and Barack

Canongate Books UK edition, hardcover. First impressions - some passages were omitted in the audiobook. Very nice jacket, nicer picture than on original Crown US edition.

SHOUT OUT - pose with your copy of "the Audacity of Hope" or your favorite poster, put it on your blog, and spread it across the blogosphere! Silly? Probably. Cool? Definitely.

Obama sweeps Nebraska, Louisiana, Washington, Virgin Islands

Nebraska: 68% - 32%
Louisiana: 57% - 36%
Washington: 68% - 31%
Virgin Islands: +- 90%

Although the delegate and voter mass in these states is a lot smaller than those of the large states and of Feb.5, the wide margins show that Obama's campaign was able to materialize the raw excitement leading up to the vote.

Here's Sen. Obama's speech at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Richmond, Virginia.



Sen. Clinton also spoke at the event (parts 1 and 2 of the speech can be found here). She made no reference to Sen. Obama's victory.



Next up is the caucus of Maine, where 24 delegates will be pledged.

Obama outside the Key Arena, Seattle, Washington

Sen. Barack Obama speaks to people outside of the Key Arena on February 8, 2008, in Seattle, Washington, who couldn't get in because full attendance (20,000) was reached.



These rockstar scenes are repeats of what happened in New Hampshire and across the nation. A common observation however is that not all of these huge, energized crowds actually come out and vote. This has been the lingering strength of Sen. Clinton's electorate: they don't come out to cheer, but they cast their ballot en masse.

However, this does not minimize the importance of Sen. Obama's crowd appeal. It is very rare for a politician to arouse such strong emotions amongst the young and political uninitiated, and not only because of his looks and posture, but because of his message.

Funny: note the "young man" Obama doesn't want to see falling, is probably the guy in this picture -

Eye on Obama hits off! Commitment, opinion and excitement

Hello everyone and welcome to my coverage of the 2008 United States' election for President.

"Eye on Obama" will try to present a fair, critical and common sense report on my support of Sen. Obama's presidential candidacy. I do not wish to enforce any ideas, after all, this is all just opinion. What I do want to do is to try to convey some of my observations, and point out criticism that is fair to any candidate.

Below is my personal motivation to my support for Sen. Barack Obama.

Since the 2000 Presidential election, I've been disappointed in the democratic process of the United States. While it is true GOP have become masters in the Machiavellian arts (ie. winning at all costs by any means), Democrats have become almost as divisive as their political counterparts. Although understandeable after many years of congressional and political hardships and ruthlessness, the American political system has become a very cynical place where the best attainable goal seems to be appeasement of interest groups, powerful entities within one's constituency and maintaining a truce with the press.

This is not what it was supposed to be. Although power corrupts all, and no democratic system in the world is entirely loyal to its founding principles, at least politics should be about policies and trying to make a positive difference for the people and the nation. Politics should not be about left versus right, black versus white, liberal versus conservative. It should be about justice as opposed to injustice, freedom against oppression, and a common good and respect for one another that binds us all.

This is something that has been Sen. Obama's creed since the very beginning, long before the primaries, elections, and promises of political glory.

I believe that Sen. Obama has struck a chord with his ideas, which seem to stem out of a sincere belief and confidence in what has made America so great. I believe that Americans have a unique opportunity to reach out to one another, sit down and face the issues, and at the same time deal with some of the demons of the past.

I'm Erwin Ho, medical student and Belgian supporter of Sen. Barack Obama. And I believe Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States of America.