What really excites me about Barack Obama are the new voters he is bringing into the mix.
He has gotten people interested in politics who either never were before, or who have become so disenfranchised as to not care anymore. Whether or not he himself is more of a liberal or centrist is debatable, but the people he is bring into the political fold both anew and again, are undoubtedly a far more progressive block of voters than we have seen for quite some time.
Through the evolution of society it seems that each generation is of a more progressive mind set than the last. Trouble is, each generation is also seems to be decidedly more cynical than the last, and as a whole, only become interested in politics later in life, if at all. With Obama’s youth, charisma, energy, optimism, and innocence(some might say inexperience) he is helping to bring these younger generations into the game much faster.
Like the saying goes: ‘if you aren’t a liberal in your 20’s you got no heart; if you aren’t a conservative in your 50’s you got no money’.
I think Obama can bridge this gap.
Now, granted Obama is not of the truly progressive ilk as say Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, or even Dodd, but lets be honest, with big money media helping to control and frame the conversations and debates, these are not yet mass household names. The internet too is helping to change that. However for many of these voters all they know of politicians are the Neo-Cons that been in charge as of late.
Like Phlosphr was saying of inspiration- Barack Obama is who has inspired all these usual non-voters to become voters. Just think, if even a fraction of these voters continue to learn about politics, learn the rules, the players, the teams, the plays and the plans- think of how much louder the progressive and liberal voice becomes.
To be honest though, there are often times I have wondered, “but what if Obama is just a plant, what if he is one of “them”? Some sort of corporate Manchurian?” His life story, his words, even his name; it all just at times has seemed “too” perfect. The way he has missed important votes(this is his biggest sticking point with me btw) and the way he speaks so much in abstracts, rather than specifics such as Edwards does.
However, and this is nothing more than just purely gut-speak, so take it for what you will, but upon learning more of his childhood, the maturation process, where he has been, who he has seen, who he has been, worked with and for. It’s not Capital Hill experience but it is life experience. I just refuse to allow myself to be so cynical as to think that after all that, he would sell it all out now and turn into what he has fought against the whole time.
Further more, to listen to his wife Michelle speak, just solidifies the notion that the Obama’s are for real.
To tell the truth I have a feeling Obama is actually far more progressive than he let’s on, I think he just understands how to keep the peace within a debate. We could use that.
Though I am shocked and a bit disappointed that Dennis Kucinich didn’t back Edwards, who btw also has that same type of life experience I just mentioned, he has, since I learned about him(no thanks to the m$m), been a bit of a personal hero and I very much trust his judgment as well.
Ultimately though, I don’t think the worries I brought up matter that much. Even if there was some sort of Manchurian conspiracy, well then, just like all the other messes the ‘powers-that-be’ have made (racist policies, gay-bashing policies, enron, iraq, gonzo-gate, etc…), it will just come back and bite them in the ass.
Set up or not, Obama has sparked a fire back into people in which has long since died or was never lit to start. This fire gives fuel to their voice. Their, nay, Our new found voice- that’s where the change will come.
