Well, Jot, like I said, he has that “je ne sais quoi” factor, so, basically, I mean an undefinable quality. But, okay, that’s a personal reaction, and I should try to expound a little.

Re the first part of your question, I first read about Barack Obama in a reader’s letter to the Seattle Times in July 2004, the letter’s writer identifying himself as a Republican. He raved about this Barack Obama, who had just addressed the DNC, in particular mentioning the parts of his speech that spoke of there being only one America. My interest roused by this letter, I located the speech on the DNC website, and I read it and listened to it for myself. It was, what can I say, a breath of fresh air, compared to the grating speeches of President Bush.

Quite honestly, to me, Obama simply spoke of ideals that resonated with me, especially the visualisation of an inclusive society, and also the idea of social responsibility.

Obama acknowledged there are still inequalities in the U.S., (“we have more work to do”, he said, citing examples). I liked his passage about the “audacity of hope. He didn’t just speak of the racial divide; he came from the perspective of an American bond to all his fellow-Americans (“I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper”). As a peace advocate, Barack Obama’s reflections about his encounter with Shamus, the young Marine, really struck a chord with me. But, as Barack Obama pointed out, “there are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it”. Indeed, perhaps the most notable point of his message is when he says, “There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America”. I liked that point because I believe this polarity I see today in politics is based in part on false perceptions.

To me, Obama’s vision of America has global scope: we live in one world and we are global citizens. This does not mean that I am oblivious to the reality of the injustices and inequalities that prevail in our world. On the contrary, it means I feel a deeper sense of kinship to my fellow human beings, and consequently a greater sense of responsibility to them. It’s possible different groups can be proud of their culture and yet also be proud to be Americans, Australians or global citizens. I believe this is the essence of the “E pluribus unum” (Out of many, one) maxim Barack Obama quotes in his speech. In Australia, this concept is celebrated in a wonderful song titled “We are one, but we are many”. There is a very poignant and beautiful poem written by a woman named Cheryl Sawyer as a tribute to September 11, simply entitled “One”. I also remember the immediate aftermath of America’s tragedy when the sentiment “We are all Americans” echoed in many parts of the world. It is an appeal to embrace this sense of oneness of spirit in the microcosmos of American society I heard in Barack Obama’s speech. So, this is what impressed me.
Re the second part of your question, I don’t think it’s the case for me that his 2004 DNC speech qualifies Obama for President. Much in the same way as I have been deliberating the meaning of the reaction of Americans to the speech delivered by French President Nicolas Sarcozy to the U.S. Congress, I have deliberated in my own mind my own reaction to Obama’s speech. In the end, I guess that it comes back to a belief I have that the President of a nation should be above party politics. The system is not structured this way at present, but Obama, in words at least, projects as this kind of leader. He is intelligent, articulate and stately, qualities that I think are important in a leader.

Of course it’s a personal viewpoint, and I think it is difficult to justify one’s preferences in politics to others, as each of us will come to decide whom we’d like to be elected based on our own beliefs and ideals. Also, I based my choice on the basis of the list of candidates running for the 2008 primaries, and this is not to say that there are not other men and women out there who perhaps would make a better President.

I am also mindful that a good rhetorician can deceive, and perhaps I’m putting far too much hope in Obama. In fact, to be truthful, I am not at all convinced anyone would be able to change the course of U.S. or world politics significantly. But the U.S. has an election in 2008, and who becomes President can make a difference, I think.

Tethys

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-- Harry S. Truman