OBAMANIA

Nov 09, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot is still squawking on the recent U.S. Presidential election. It is of vital importance to countries across the world, including us.

The U.S. is a major donor to many programs and projects here and similarly within CARICOM. Being an essential trading partner to many countries, any shift in U.S. policies can affect others.

As usual, a new President for any country can infuse change. The U.S. is no different. However, whilst no major shift is expected in U.S.

Foreign Policy with regards to countries like ours and those in the Region, as alluded to by the new Ambassador here, one would prefer that if changes are to be implemented, the effects would be minimal.

Of course it’s too early to pronounce, but given what was said in the campaign, one can definitely expect some Foreign Policy changes with regards to the U.S. international image and the current wars being fought.

Barack Obama won for various reasons, one being his commitment to bring about change in Washington. This found favour with millions within the U.S. and similar numbers across the world; some in remote areas.

Never in my lifetime have I seen a U.S. Presidential election that attracted such attention and scrutiny in almost every country on the globe, not only because of who the candidates were, but also, because of what it means.

Obama created a tidal wave across the world. His charisma, the issues he so eloquently articulated and his reflection of the current generation are factors that made him trounce John Mc Cain.

From John’s stand point, it is unfortunate that despite his contributions and sacrifices and what he stands for, it didn’t strike a chord with the majority of voters.

Many believe that it was an impossible task for him after Obama won the Democratic nomination. Some cited the age factor which reflected the generation gap which was mainly responsible for the millions of young voters who gravitated to the Obama camp.

This gravitation extended beyond the shores of the United States. Never before did I see the kind of adulation meted out to an American Presidential candidate by millions of supporters across the world. The town of Obama in Japan would love to take credit for setting the trend. Maybe they deserve it.

For months they basically kept vigil for his victory. They even made a bust in his image. His ancestral country of Kenya rivalled Obama Town.

They claimed direct ties through his father; a native of Kenya. I recall seeing a Hindu priest performing a sacred ritual for the wellbeing and success of Obama, the candidate.

Thousands of children and adults in Indonesia, the country in which Obama attended school for some four years, were proud in their show of support for him.

These are only some of the many such events that were the hallmark of the Obama march to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. These were events that were organised solely by those who executed them.

In other words, these shows of support were spontaneous and free from any form of coercing. It must have been humbling for Obama and his campaign staff and I dare say for other Americans too.

Maybe it’s a precedent, and of course I stand corrected. What seems a precedent is the endorsement of Obama by President Jagdeo.

I cannot recall any of our sitting Heads of State endorsing a U.S. candidate. I want to believe that it is the same for Leaders across the region. It is a bold step and one which must be commended.

Leaders must not be made to feel hemmed-in by such situations. An endorsement like that must be as spontaneous as the others by people across the world; free of any feeling of repercussion if the candidate endorsed loses. Millions can relate to an Obama: his background; his childhood; his rise to prominence.

He has shown that it is not impossible to achieve a goal that seems elusive. His understanding of the universal issue of poverty, his olive-branch-mentality to engender initiatives to dilute acrimonious relationships with other nations, and the need for change, echoed with others.

This is where President Jagdeo must have found commonalties; not only between the two, but with the clear understanding of how an Obama Presidency can benefit countries like ours and in the Region.

The Obama phenomenon was hard to resist. It struck the right chords on pertinent issues. One can only wish him well.

After all, what happens in the U.S. has rippling effects on the globe. The recent financial crisis is a glaring example.

His victory was of a wide margin, something which would have been inconceivable forty years ago. Maybe this is why Jesse Jackson was in tears during Obama’s acceptance speech. Jesse knew how impossible it was four decades ago; so impossible then when African Americans were segregated.

His victory is testimony to the “I have a dream” speech of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When Obama takes the oath on January 20, 2009, one aspect of that dream will be materialised. It shows that no dream is too big.

On a lighter side, some felt that Jesse’s tears may not have been solely as a result of joy; they felt that it was more like “it should have been me” and “why wasn’t it me?” Of course the contributions of people like Jesse to the American cause are immeasurable.

If there is going to be one uneasy person in all of this, at least for the next four years, it’s President Bush. His dad, while President, waged war with Saddam. Saddam outlived the Presidency of Bush Sr. The current Bush was successful in bringing Saddam’s reign to an end.

Saddam was executed during his term. He, Bush Jr. that is, thought it was the end of the nemesis Hussein’s name when Saddam was hanged. As fate would have it, Bush Jr.’s feelings of euphoria in this regard are short lived. He will once again be “haunted” with the name Hussein.

Come January 20, 2009, the Oath of Office to the White House will be administered to the Democratic candidate for 2008. He will say “I Barack HUSSEIN Obama do solemnly swear to…” Look for George wearing ear-plugs that day.
Squawk! Squawk!