Obamamania
I believe American politics is well on its way to reaching a zenith of both excitement and bewilderment. Asian Americans, Americans living abroad, Women, Latinos, Youth and African-Americans are all breathless at the upcoming decision to be made by the deep-rooted white men – go over to the promising young Obama or choose the Republicans, like they have always been prone to do? Even with this seemingly-general trend to become an Obamafan, Obama’s victory is not yet certain – white men come in…well, huge numbers!
Although problems still exist at home, the man whose middle name is Hussein enjoys a never-before-seen popularity all around the world:
If the business of electing the most powerful man in the world were up to the world, rather than just those pesky Americans, Barack Obama would face no contest. [...] Britons would back him against John McCain by the astonishing margin of five to one. The Pew Research Centre reported last month that, in each of the main European countries, at least twice as many people have confidence in Mr Obama as in his rival. Elsewhere things are a bit more nuanced, but from Mexico to China, and from Russia to Australia, the foreigners are firmly in the Obama camp. (The Economist – July 17th)
With his well crafted rhetoric, Obama managed to win the attention and hearts of millions. One volunteer for the Obama-campaign actually told me that every time he heard the campaign’s “Change” message he got goosebumps… These goosebumps made him volunteer. “This movement…is fascinating. I had to be a part of it”, he says.
If we take a closer look at Obama’s approach on his campaign, it is somewhat easy to see why he inspires so many. Besides cleverly thinking out strategies on political, economic and social issues, he tells the people to believe not only in his power to change the status quo, but in theirs. One of the more or less ‘veiled’ messages he is transmitting is this: ‘You have the power’. In other words, he is labeling people, by saying: ‘You’re the one up for the challenge’. Now, although this may not seem revolutionary, it is one of the key-ingredients of persuasion, it has an immense effect on people.
You can see what I’m talking about just below. Enjoy!
So that’s who you would vote for? Unsurprising, given your views.
I wonder how many in Europe, America, and Russia have actually perceived mr Obama’s subtle message. For, in truth, that is the fundamental stone of the American state, the power of the individual. It’s quite efficiernt too, making the will of the majority affect the leadership that all humans are so obsessed with having. Actually SHOWING people that they have the power to change things amazes them, and that is, truly, why Obama is so popular.
As a bottom line, I’m voting for change too… A change of color, that will hopefully bring a change of policy as well.
Like the quote from the Economist pointed out, too bad it’s those ‘pesky Americans’ that have to vote and not the rest of the world. :))
Watching the review of the last day from the Democratic National Convention today, the main challenge Obama is facing is persuading people that his specific future actions for him as a would-be president need not be correlated with his past actions – the past experience for him is more or less a tabula rasa.