If Barack Obama is the Black Candidate is John McCain the Republican Woman Candidate?
Posted: Saturday, February 16, 2008
by Jon Searles
I was going to call this article "What Prejudices Do You Use?" but it was not enough to peak your interest. I thought a little sarcasm may get you interested.
I tread carefully with this topic so that you understand the spirit in which it is written. Barack Obama's recent series of wins was lauded by members of all races for "breaking the glass ceiling" for Black Americans in the race for a Presidential nomination. Mr. Obama's black and white heritage is a tremendous example of the people that make up our great country. He is a prime example of the "melting pot" our country is known for in the world. Mrs. Clinton too is breaking new ground for women in our country and has shown amazing leadership. But do not be misled, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton were born on the soil of the United States of America . Whatever their sex, race, religion, or political alignment, they were made eligible for President of the United States because they were born in this country. I for example, was born to two American citizens on German soil which disqualifies me for the office because I was not born on U.S. soil, which is the sole reason my children think I decided I would be unavailable for nomination to President of the United States.
The fact that Mr. Obama can pick the race to which he identifies seems a little unfair. Mr. McCain was born of a man and woman and yet he does not call himself a woman which, using Mr. Obama's example, he could do as a Republican candidate. After all, women too have been victimized and oppressed. Mr. Obama and Mr. Huckabee did not win the Iowa caucases because one was black and one was a retired Baptist Minister, but because the voters felt they were the most qualified as presented to them. Whatever labels you use to qualify your vote for a presidential candidate, you are voting for an American who is willing to lead the country under an electron microscope of American scrutiny with the very over zealous media many times stirring the pot of public perception with their own opinions, slant, and buzz words.
Each voter must make a personal decision on who to vote for in the upcoming elections. Some will even come up with a litany of excuses why they will not vote. This allows me to label them as "irresponsible". We all feel that the groups we identify with are right and the ones we do not identify with are wrong. As labels have increased we have had to decide which labels are more important to make our final decision as to the appropriateness of our choice for President of the United States . We have to rate our prejudices to pick our candidate. It is generally unacceptable in today's United States to qualify your vote based on race, gender, or sexual orientation, but many will. It seems a little short sighted to pick a leader based on a pro-choice or pro-life platform, but many will. It seems limiting to choose a candidate base on personal religion, but many will. Most of us cannot agree 100% with any candidate unless we ourselves were the candidate (I mentioned earlier that I do not qualify because I was not born on U.S. soil so this decision is easier for me). Most of us will have to make a verbal public list as well as a private mental and balance each label's importance to us to qualify our vote for our final choice. Hopefully your choice will not be changed because a candidate is black, a woman, an ex-POW, or an ordained Baptist Minister. Also, my most fervent hope for you is that you will be proud of the candidate that you choose to vote for in your state's election.
George Washington would probably have one of the highest approval ratings if people were polled today on him as President. Unfortunately, during his own time he was viewed as too old, too opinionated, and many wished him an early demise than have him as President of the United States . We tend to remember great men and women in history with fondness and great pride. It is too bad we can not have the same love and national respect for those individuals during their time of service.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)John, Excellent article. Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly, made the case that in many ways men have been victimized by the military/industrial complex. More votes for McCain? More pathetic was the women I heard on a cell phone saying to a friend that she couldn't vote for Obama because he was a Black militant. Your point is well taken and well stated. Thanks.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you James. I am fascinated by this Presidential election. I find myself even feeling a little sorry for the candidates I do not plan on voting for in the election. I will look up Sam Keen's book. Thanks again for reading.Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi jon, first impression-these words seemed to be flowing out of your mind onto the paper (or whatever computer language is) it was such a smooth article, funny at times, and very serious at others, you seemed to hit on all the key points. very interesting. i think you are a very good writer. best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for reading and the encouragement.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Jon, it seems to me many have lost site of "works". In the case of GW his exploits were well known to the nation in a time where there was no media. Certainly his love for the country and leadership were unquestionable. What I am getting at is to use a religious saying, "we shall know them by their works". That is what they have done or failed to do. Simple. Can they lead for America, this same bunch that has placed us where we average Americans are today and has not shown me leadership by works that I care to continue with? Sadly that is a mute point since the two parties control the process. The real change will come in Congress, that is the real battle ground. Do not doubt it for a second they are all part of that same bunch. To be sarcastic as you said and not toward you, I for one could care less about which Easter Bunny gets in, they are in my opinion bookends. Good job, best wishes RTM.Please log in to respond to this comment.It would be nice to know how to fix it (government process). I think each one individually understands that their "works" are important but once we put them all together in a room together they get lost. Thank you for reading!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Jon, using sarcasm and misdirection to pique interest in an article? Man, you should be in advertising! You bring up good points, and one or two which actually bother me because I'm guilty as charged in those areas. Choosing a President is never easy, and in many cases we end up choosing not the best person for the job, but the one whom we think will do the least damage. All the more reason to make sure we vote in all elections, especially at the state and local levels. Thanks for your insight!Please log in to respond to this comment.
Jon,Again, a great article. Especially this: "...He is a prime example of the "melting pot" our country is known for in the world..."Thanks for sharing this!Please log in to respond to this comment.Ronyae,Thank you for reading. President elect Obama has a lot in front of him. My hope is that he is exactly what the country needs.Have a great day.JonPlease log in to respond to this comment.
I wish President Obama all the best in his second year. He is a good representative for the statistical mode of the population, though I can appreciate the reasons that some (black, lower SES) wish they had better representation. As for loving America, of course he does. Some people entitle themselves to more self-righteous patriotism, as if they owned the franchise.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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