A former student of mine visited me today, in something of a simmering mood. He was thinking about the political and economic situation of Canada, and came to the following conclusion: Canada had reached a calm, contented plateau of stability…and the result of this plateau was a vacuum of leadership. No visionaries, no orators, no provocateurs…nothing but dullness, disappointment and the bland commonality of political parties & leaders that didn’t have anything inspirational to offer their people, other than the same old cautious bromides.
If that’s how an early 20-something feels about the leadership of a pretty laid back and stable nation like Canada, imagine the explosive emotion of those in the United States, who are obviously sick and tired of the hyper-partisan & polarizing political leadership under which they have suffered for eight years. Iraq, a potential economic downturn, social security, health care, illegal immigration, climate change…issues that are ready to explode in a chain reaction of thermonuclear proportions.
Is this the reason so many people are embracing Barack Obama, and his message of hope and radical change? At this very moment, the young rookie Senator is surging in the polls, after his victory in Iowa…and tonight, post-New Hampshire primary, his popularity might soar through the roof.
Call it what you will…a generational shift…the Oprah-endorsement-factor…a desire for change so massive that it has coalesced around the freshest face in the Presidential contest…but it would seem that Obama is riding a tide not seen since Ronald Regan proposed his vision of “morning in America”.
But is he worth the hype?
Why is he better than Hilary? Is she really just a part of the hated system? Can she not bring change? She certainly has experience in government and politics that many politicians would die to possess…but why is the former front-runner suddenly reduced to tears of frustration?
The thirst for change that is consuming the United States electorate seems to be a primal force…but I’m not entirely convinced that Mr. Obama is the man to bring about this change. He’s a great orator…but what else? This is a man who speculated that invading Pakistan to pursue terrorists and secure American interests would be an acceptable action! This world-view takes the U.S. into realms of madness far beyond anything George W. Bush’s limited intellect is capable of conceiving…
…and this from a man quoted as saying he opposes “dumb wars”!
Should Americans vote for this man simply because Oprah Winfrey thinks he’s the right man for the job?
Are Americans so desperate for someone…anyone…who looks new and fresh, that they will be content with style over substance? How will he save the American manufacturing base? How will he battle global warming? How will he solve the crisis in health care coverage and the soon-to-be-dry-coffers of social security? Waxing lyrically about change is one thing…but offering the solutions to achieve that vaunted change is something different altogether. Maybe it’s the boring, content-Canadian within me…but I need some policy with my slickness. Someone once asked “where’s the beef”…when I look at Obama, I’m asking “where’s the Trudeau”?
My ex-student was angry because Canadians seem to be content with the status quo…although he admits that part of the reason is that previous governments worked very hard to achieve a status quo that has left most of us extremely content and happy. But the status quo is far from desirable in the United States, and there’s a hint of desperation in the ranks of tired voters who are aching for fresh, inspirational, and substantial leadership.
Barack Obama certainly seems fresh…he definitely sounds inspirational…but does he have the substance? If he manages to ride his tidal wave of support to the finish line in November, he better have something in mind that’s a step above the Dr.Phil-inspired/Chicken Soup for the Soul pieties. I hope he does…because if the leader of the free world turns out to be nothing but Oprah-lite…in a world in desperate need of heavyweights…then we’re ALL in serious trouble.
Tonight’s New Hampshire primary will be interesting indeed…
