Are you hungry, Senator Obama?
Posted : March 5, 2008 at 10:02 am [America/Los_Angeles]
I like Senator Obama. I always have, that is, ever since I heard his speech back in 2004 during the Democratic Convention. Did I have doubts about him? Absolutely. Not because I did not think he was just the kind of leader this country (heck, the world) needed. I was just not sure if he knew how nasty things would get. You see, back in 2004, I was supporting Senator John Kerry. And I mean, I was really giving him my everything. And then he got swiftboated. I was disappointed. Extremely disappointed. And then he lost the election. I had a very hard time coming to terms with it. I just did not understand why the folks of this country could not see right through all the negative attacks and fear mongering tactics that was being dumped on them. It took me a long time, but I finally got over it.
Four years has since passed and it’s time to elect another President. The country has been through quite a bit these past four years, thanks to the ingenuity of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Things are not the same for me either. Today, I am a married man and we are blessed with a beautiful daughter. I had told myself I was going to keep it easy this time around. After all, I had better things to do in my life. Ofcourse, it was easier said than done. Well, to no one’s surprise, this time around we both got sucked in. Luckily for us, we both liked Senator Obama. As pointless as they were, we watched almost every single mindless Democratic Primary debate (20 in all) during this Primary season. We were in India visiting my parents when the news of Senator Obama’s Iowa win hit us. And that was all we needed - “We were in, no holes barred!!”
Super Tuesday happened. Potomac Primaries happened. Wisconsin, Hawaii happened. Senator Obama did extremely well. And then it was time for folks in Ohio and Texas to speak. Senator Clinton, with her back to the wall, did what was expected. She, along with her campaign staff, decided to throw the proverbial “kitchen sink” at him. And all I could think of was - It’s happening again. Please, Please tell me it ain’t going to be the same again. Well, it did. He lost. I could care less by how much. He lost, plain and simple. Why? Cause Senator Clinton was able to convince the electorate in Ohio and Texas that when a call came in the White House at 3 am about some impending National Security crisis, Senator Obama would be looking for “How-to-be-Commander-in-Chief” manual. That all he was worth was giving good speeches. That he had just a speech of 2002 to offer as his life experience and qualification to be the President of the United States. And they bought it.
I listened to Senator Obama speak in San Antonio after the results of Ohio were out and Texas was not looking good either. This man had just lost a big Primary election night. I was hoping he would do what he rarely has done in this Election all along - Be human, not a Pastor. Show some flesh and blood emotion. Some passion. Some raw fighting spirit. Show that he was pissed too at the notion that the “kitchen sink” crap actually stuck. Instead, he did what he always does and does remarkably well - Give an inspiring stump speech. And while it was a good speech, I did not hear in his words a man who had just had a bad night but was determined to fight. I know he said something to that effect. But it sounded more like a stump speech than a passionate plea to his supporters to not give up. And to tell all those who were tuned in - “If you think I, in whose veins flows the blood of a Kenyan father don’t know how to win a marathon, you’re so mistaken. I am ready and yes, I am as fired up as I was on the chilly morning in Chicago almost a year ago when I announced my intention to run for the nomination.” Instead, his speech seemed detached from what had just happened to him and his millions of supporters, millions of folks who really think he is the answer to this country’s problems. And if that was not sad enough, I saw this this morning on some news site that his campaign was thinking of going negative on Senator Clinton.
I wish I could talk to Senator Obama. I know that’s stupid. But I truly wish I could. And if I did, I would tell him this - “Fight. And let your words convey that to your millions of supporters. Americans like a fighter. You don’t have to stoop to negativity to show raw passion.” Remember what people have always said about teams who win World Championships, be it in Baseball or Football - The team that wins championships is never the one that deserves it the most. It’s the won that wants it the most. Is really hungry for it.
Are you hungry, Senator Obama?
- Anand
Category: US Presidential Elections 2008 |
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