*Please pardon my English, it's not my native language
Being gay gives you the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
So I'm an Arab, a atheist one, raised in the Netherlands and a fan of this site since 2007. I was there at the rise of Obama. The moment I saw Obama speak I was convinced. Here is someone that has the talent to defeat anyone. Here is someone black, with an Arab middle name, that also happens to have the talent to equal and surpass Kennedy and Bill Clinton. I was imediatly convinced he would win the presidency. There was no doubt in my mind. To me, raw talent and charisma combined with genuine intellect (to avoid being just an empty puppet) in politics is a coctail that is unbeatable.
Sadly, I've not felt that of any of the candidates as much as I want to. Not Bernie, yes he created a revolution, but if he had that talent and charisma as Obama had, he wouldn't have lost against Clinton, he would have completely crushed her. Not Harris, O’Rourke either. Both are likeable candidates, good candidates, but they don't have it. Same goes for Warren, Booker and Biden. Yes Biden is likeable, and he is actually a good debater. Warren is smart and has content. But none of these candidates will fill stadiums of hardcore fans.
I actually also like Tulsi Gabbard, I think she is actually extremely talented and could win the nomination and the presidency. Not a popular opinion but lets leave this for another debate.
Now make no mistake. I will support any of these candidates over Trump, easily. But I've had this sad feeling lately that with a little bit of his wall done and an economy still roaring, he could easily defeat our democratic candidates. He is, I believe, still underestimated.
Until I saw Major Pete. I read a lot about him. I read he learned Norwegian because he wanted to read a book in the original language. Wow, smart guy, I thought. I read he was gay. Nice, good to see that being a viable candidate, so much has changed. Read he could also speak Arabic. Wow, interesting. Read he was become somewhat of a dark horse candidate. I saw pictures of him, and thought, nahh, too young, too nerdy. He will get crushed by Trump.
But then I heard him speak on this weeks Maher. For the first time. And I had that moment that I've not had since I first saw Obama. As soon as he began to speak, I was like the audiance in that Susan Boyle audition that made her a star.
He's the one. I'm convinced now. Anyway, that's not what this blog is about.
The Arab world (and frankly to some extent the world in general) has a huge problem with gay people. If the combination of incredible charisma and ability to connect, talent and raw intellect is still a deadly combination as it has always been, then he will be the next president.
How will the world react to a gay President? A gay president that can speak ARABIC for frecks sake! How will the Arab world react to it? Will the Saudi's (and other Arab and Muslim leaders) refuse to give him an audience or a courtesy? Will they allow his best man to come on their trips? I don't think they will have a choice. And it will be interesting to see how that changes the psyche on this subject in this part of the world. As an Arab, I really want to see this. It is a long past time for the Arab countries to accept homosexuality.
Will Putin dare to take advantage and insult the US president? Will Americans accept that?
I hope he, and Americans, won't shy away from demanding respect all over the world.
Now I don't think that having a gay President will suddenly mean the entire world will be ok with it, far from that. In fact there may be some backlash in some regions. But I still think it will be good overall, and very powerfull.
It will give gay people all around the world hope. The day he gets elected president, a little bright rainbow will shine all across America, and the world.