In this, I will assume three things. If you agree with these assumptions, then please read further. If you do not, nothing I say afterward will make any difference.
- Nearly everyone on this site would like to see a Democrat in the White House in 2009.
- The difference between Barack Obama and every other Democratic candidate is insignificant compared to the difference between every Democratic candidate and every Republican candidate. I will therefore leave aside the nuances of the respective Democratic candidates' positions.
- This country needs radical change, and it needs that change fast.
In a sense, this post follows an anybody-but-Bush/Romney/Giuliani/McCain/ad nauseum line of thinking. At the very least, I think we can all agree on that basic idea.
Whatever else may be said about Senator Obama, I think we can also agree that he is a very charismatic man. Very charismatic. A one-term (or less) junior senator from Illinois who took very little time in becoming a heavy-hitter, a serious candidate, one of the Big Three on the Democratic side. Money poured in, support poured in, and he made quick work of becoming a national figure. Not bad for a "skinny kid with a funny name."
In reductionist terms (ever dangerous), Senator Clinton is the Veteran, with experience and gravitas. Senator Edwards is the Man Of The People, who radiates compassion and a working stiff aura. But Senator Obama is the Lightning Rod - an electrifying, engaging, and (again) charismatic candidate. Which is not to say that the others don't share these qualities. But, Barack Obama has them in spades.
Which is exactly what we need. Let's face it; Americans don't like change. As Bill Maher correctly pointed out, we nearly called for Al Gore's head for daring to suggest that we phase out the internal combustion engine over a period of decades. And we need change. A lot of change. Radical change. A lot of radical change. I would emphasize this point more, but I think I just lost 2 of the 5 people reading this.
Overhauling the health care system, creating a substantial energy independance initiative, not only adhering to environmental standards, but drastically raising them and becoming a world leader in environmental protection, rebuilding the decimated job base, repealing foolish tax cuts and trade agreements, cementing civil liberties into place - including unpopular ones like same-sex marriage, creating a living wage... this list could go on forever.
Some of these things are going to cost us. Dearly. And a majority of the people are simply not going to like it. Change is scary. Change is different. But change is necessary. Therefore, someone is going to have to either get people to like it, or, at least, get them to believe it is necessary.
And that's where Obama comes in. More than any other candidate, he is a natural born leader. Someone who can get people to think again about things they were absolutely convinced of. Maybe he's not the most experienced. Maybe he isn't right on all the issues. But he's the best shot we have at getting the other side to go along for the ride.
Just a small point in his favor.