I had a drink with the blogger Gege on Monday evening and he challenged me to write a positive post about Barack Obama.
So... deep breath... here goes...
1. It would be wonderful to see a black American become President. It would prove that there are now no limits to what a black person can achieve in the world's (second) greatest nation. European critics of America who dwell on its racist past would be silenced (at least for a time). A black American would have achieved the ultimate office. No minority European has become a PM/ President/ Chancellor. Former Bush speechwriter Mike Gerson described the importance of such an event:
“So much of our history is the history of race and it would be an historic day in America for him to take the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol, given how divisive these issues have been. It will take place 100 yards from where there used to be slave pens, where slaves were sold in the 19th century. It will be a dramatic moment, one of the great culminating moments of American history.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about that. We can be sure that an Inaugural from the finest speechmaker since JFK would be memorable, too.
2. Barack Obama has a big view of the Presidency. I attended a Democratic presidential debate in South Carolina last July. Each candidate was able to broadcast one video during the debate. This was Obama's choice:
I don't agree with Senator Obama on climate change or ending the war (I'd prefer America won the war) but there's a boldness that should characterise the most important and powerful position in the world.
3. He has a chance to push back anti-Americanism. All opinion polls show that Europeans, in particular, want him to win in November. He has an opportunity to give the USA a fresh start in European eyes (I emphasise European because his global popularity is far from uniform). If he takes the tough decisions on Iran and the environment, for example, Europeans may quickly become less enthusiastic. I happen to believe that Americans shouldn't aim to please Europeans - the aim should be to do the right things and win (grudging) respect - but anti-Americanism depresses me and it would be a relief to see it recede.
4. His rhetoric is unifying. His policy positions less so but he is giving people hope and not just on the Democrat side of the aisle.
5. He could pull his party back to the centre. He may not do this - particularly if, on his coat-tails, the Democrats win a lot more House and Senate seats. The protectionist, anti-war positions of Pelosi and Reid may be irresistable but I hope (and it's only a hope) that he might be a more centrist president than he's been a senator. If he can pull his party back towards free trade and liberal interventionism he will have restored some healthy balance to American politics.
