In the first segment of a multi-part exchange, KA Dilday reminds Anthony Barnett of how Barack Obama's rise is very un-European. Read on: part II, part III, and part IV.
Dear Anthony:
It's been several months since I told you that Barack Obama's nomination as the presidential candidate for a major political party, could only happen in America . But even as I said that, I also insisted that he would never be elected president because of his race, particularly since he was running against a patrician white man. Now, and I say this with a cautious optimism, it seems that on the night of 4 November (EST of course) I may be eating a dish of crow, and relishing every bite.
I've lived in three countries in Europe - France, The Netherlands and now the United Kingdom - and despite the western European belief, particularly in France, that their countries are more liberal and tolerant than the United States, none of them have ever voted someone from an ethnic minority to a major position in national government. France, despite having a Muslim population (mostly of north and sub-Saharan African descent) of nearly ten percent, has never elected any Muslims to their National Assembly, the directly-elected body of their bi-cameral parliament.
In a way I'm embarrassed that my excitement is based on a politics of identity - Obama's black, I'm black, hooray for the race! - because as a thoughtful person, I've always tried to base my decisions on a candidate's ideas and policies. And despite that I've always been registered as a political independent, unaffiliated with either major party, I didn't vote for another black man, Jesse Jackson, when he ran as an independent candidate for president in 1988. But I can't deny the thrill I felt when I colored in the dot next to Barack Obama's name on the absentee ballot that I scoured the mail for each day until it finally came last Monday. I'm still expecting an unpleasant surprise. I don't think the exposure of Obama's aunt as an illegal alien will derail him, but who knows what the Republican's dirty tricks strategists will throw up. They're fiendishly clever and unabashedly dissolute when it comes to winning elections. But could it be? A black man, president of the United States! Who would have thought it in my lifetime?
Optimistically yours,
Kay
KA Dilday was recently a France-based fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs. She covered integration and immigration in France and traveled frequently to North Africa. She has written and edited for many American publications. She was an editor for the New York Times opinion page.
Comments
Kay Dilday is absolutely correct. The stormy and noisy criticism of the United States of America´s political system coming from all corners of the world does not let us see the facts pointed out by Ms. Dilday. Nobody can guarantee that Mr. Obama is going to win the election on 4th November, but there is no doubt that what is going on nowdays only happens in America.
gore lost in 2000 because nader split the progressive vote. this is a serious barrier to political innovation. this time nader did not go in, for which much thanks. but nader is a good guy, and deserves a hearing.
in ireland we have a transferable preference vote. when mary robinson stood. brian linehan topped the poll, but mary got in with austin currie's transfers. mary transformed our presidency, and went on to head un human rights.
why is there not a transferable preference vote in the us?
I wish skin color were not considered a basis of race. Or for that matter any other superficial characteristic of people. We are all humans. Members of the human race.
I live in Iowa. Thank goodness Obama prevailed over McCain. I hope the Republican party rights itself.
Regarding transferable preference voting, I think that would be called in the US instant runoff. A voter could vote for more than one person in order of preference. If a first choice did not win, then the second would be voted. Most voting here is regulated by the state. Also, we have only two major parties. Unless we change to a form of parliament, it is hard to imagine a third party gaining traction.
And, Nader did run in 2008. A selfish person, in my view.
One should see the generation of hope and dream of a change that Mr. Obama has instilled in the younger generation of the Americans. This dream is shared by people accross the board, white, black, Asians, Latinos, male, female, irespective of their caste, creed and religion.
I can pray and hope that this hope is transcended to all all parts of the World; especially in the present times of recession.
One should take Obama as a prophet of hope and change as Nelson Mandella and Gandhi, who created hope and fulfilled their dreams through non-violence and democratic means.
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