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January 08, 2008
Exactly what is Obama changing?
You've heard the word "change" so much lately that it jingles and rattles in your head; and news producers have found an excuse to play snippets of a great David Bowie tune.
But what is at the root of all this talk? People have been claiming that Barack Obama is the candidate of change — yet policy analysts and others are skeptical. Isn't Barack Obama, after all, just another Democrat? And not even a very centrist one at that?
Well, for one thing, consider this comment I left over at Volunteer Voters:
We have to ask ourselves: what’s changing, then, if not policy? I see the point there; but don’t forget the fact that Obama is energizing hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of young and/or otherwise disaffected, apathetic citizens to be involved and to vote, and to do so with a sense of hope for the future.If that’s not change, I don’t know what is.
Turnout in today's New Hampshire primaries is astounding, particularly in the Democratic primary.* Of course not all of those voters are lining up to select Obama, and we shouldn't rule out the draw of major candidates Clinton and Edwards, and even Bill Richardson; but I think you'll find, at the end of the day (and this is a time when that overused expression works), that a great many of them were drawn into the process by the Obama promise.
*Is this good news for Mitt Romney?
Presidential Elections | By joe lance | 03:43 PM
Comments
My take?
He's young, seemingly hip, and somewhat unknown. And people believe him.
Hillary is old(er), acts like she's owed the presidency, and is nauseatingly shrill. And people don't believe her.
In an era when sound bytes, innuendo, and superficial factors get people elected, that might be enough.
This is going to be an interesting race, though, no matter who makes it to the end.
When people are trying to decide Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama, something odd is happening.
Perhaps sincerity (or at least perceived sincerity) is trumping ideology this time around.
Who knows...
Posted by: Bill at January 8, 2008 04:05 PM
I meant to say "decide BETWEEN Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama"...
Posted by: bill at January 8, 2008 04:07 PM
I'm not trying to denigrate the Presidency, but it has been reduced to a figurehead position. Oratory is more important than policy in our culture. Granted, GWB has moved mountains with his words, but his policies (even after 7 years) remain unclear.
We have turned the Presidency into a cult of personality. As much as I like Obama, you could put his words on a Conservative platform and they would still sell. Him being a Democrat just makes his message of change more poignant compared to the current Administration.
I also agree with Bill in that sincerity is a major factor this election. I disagree with Mike Huckabee on policy (again, who cares), but I can't help but trust him.
Finally, Hillary Clinton is creepy.
Posted by: davidm. at January 8, 2008 04:33 PM