Barack Obama - just too much change for America?

[almostwitty]

In 2008, as America faces an economic downturn and recession with military forces overseas, America seems to have two choices. To stick with the current administration that's now governing over the recession, or go for an unusual candidate promising radical change, including a withdrawal of military forces.

In 1983, as Britain faced an economic downturn and recession with military forces overseas, Britain had two choices. To stick with the then-administration (Margaret Thatcher) that was governing over the recession, or go for an unusual candidate promising radical change, including a withdrawal of nuclear military forces. Britain voted overwhelmingly for the then-current administration.

There are - obviously - huge differences between the two situations, not least of which that Michael Foot was as old as John McCain at the time, and Margaret Thatcher was as significant as Barack Obama in terms of unusual background for a political leader.

Or there's this comparison:

In 2008, in an environment where there was a perceptive need for change, Barack Obama, the leading opposition candidate for the forthcoming election took to the stage in a huge sports arena, preceded by a rally with performances from key celebrities and music artists. The speech had huge media coverage.

In 1992 Britain, in an environment where there was a perceptive need for change, Neil Kinnock, the leading opposition candidate for the forthcoming election took to the stage in a huge sports arena, preceded by a rally with performances from key celebrities and music artists. The speech had huge media coverage. Labour went on to lose an election many commentators had thought they would win.

I just cannot see an electorate that voted for Dubya twice in 2000 and 2004 voting for a black man, no matter how charismatic and invigorating he is. Plus, even I have to cut'n'paste his name from a news article to get the spelling right, lest I confuse him with another infamous character with a similar name Or am I underestimating the American public from 6000 miles away? Who knows...

Comments

[anivair.livejournal.com]

it's hard to say, but I think there's no such thing as underestimating the American voter.

However, there is one huge issue here. the republican party has done everything in their power for 8 years to segregate t his country into liberals and conservatives and their synonymous counterparts Democrats and Republicans.

Now, in a two party system even the ideas of liberalism and conservatism are party specific.

that hard line will work in Barack's favor, because the country is now in the shitter and Bush (and therefore the republicans and conservatives) are to blame. People will vote for Obama because he's not like Bush.

[shove-this-job.livejournal.com]

Sadly, there are many morons who will play the race card/experience card/name card. For instance, my FATHER, MY FATHER MIND YOU, will not vote for Barack because he did not serve time in the military (my father is a DAV). Bush ran away to Alabama, but technically since he served, my dad would rather him and his ilk be in office. We are fucked. I am moving. Canada, anyone? I like to say 'eh' after sentances. I think patsies are yummy. I look really good in sweaters.

[almostwitty]

Does that mean your Dad thinks future Presidents should also be teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, admin staff? They look after them too...

[almostwitty]

Oh, what's a Canadian patsie? and I need to see you in a tight sweater...

[almostwitty]

People voted Bush in 2000 and 2004. Hell, I believe some people voted against Kerry because his wife was *whisper* European... The Democrats really do seem to have shot themselves in the foot when it comes to trying to win over swing voters (that's not to say Hilary would have been a better choice in terms of winning over swing voters)

[brenda-k-a.livejournal.com]

While I did not vote for Bush in 2004, I did vote for him in 2000 (hangs head in shame). I'd like to think I'm not alone in having become more enlightened along the way. I do believe there is a slow but sure progression towards change in the general populations thinking. Will it be enough for this go-round? I don't know. But I can hope!

[almostwitty]

May I ask why you voted for him in 2000? Just curious!

[brenda-k-a.livejournal.com]

In 2000 I had not as yet shaken my very very intense Republican upbringing. It's amazing how much power there can be in indoctrination!

It took the disintegration of my 22 yr long marriage for me to finally wake up to who I really was and what MY beliefs were. It was there all along I guess but hidden under layers and layers of brainwashing.

It makes me a bit sad to realize how many years (hell, decades) were lost to me living out someone else's agenda. but better late than never, right? And I take great pride in the progress I've made at a time in life when it is all too easy to just sit back and go with the flow.

[almostwitty]

Ah. Tradition is a powerful weapon, so to speak...

Glad you broke free and lived your own life! It's fun!

I'm neither for or against the guy...

[choirgrrl.livejournal.com]

As an American, I can honestly say I have the same worries as you regarding this election. Too many new options are being presented to an overly sheltered society. We've never had a black president, nor have we ever had a woman vice president. Add the fact that our media loves to play up these items, and you've got a very confused society wondering just what they hell they need to do.
Our majority knows what it wants- it wants out of the Middle East and into fixing our deteriorating economy. I don't think our politicians care, nor do I think we really have viable options for withdrawl at this point. I mean, we came, we caused a big mess, and we should at least try to clean it up before we check out.

As for the name similarities... I found that amusing from the day he announced his candidacy. :)

[nhyrvana.livejournal.com]

You mean it's NOT Brak but some other guy?!?!

http://voteforbrak.ytmnd.com/

(kidding....)

-emily

[madmosh-uk.livejournal.com]

Erm... didn't the majority of the US *not* vote for the little retard in the last election? Just everything got screwed so he won? I've heard so many stories of vote-rigging, it's unreal.

Oh, I also talked to a guy 2 days ago who had to threaten legal action so his postal vote would be sent to him in time for it to be counted (he was working in Japan at the time). He did this as he found out that *thousands* of other people were having their postal votes held back - a threat was the only way to get them sent out.

And guess who most travelling Americans *wouldn't* vote for...?

I have met precisely *one* American who voted for him on his first outing and NONE who voted for him last time. The whole system's corrupt.