Beyond Barack Obama

Maik Nwosu

So, you actually expect Barack Obama to defeat Hillary Clinton?”
“Isn’t that happening already? But I’m not making any prediction, even at this point, because the Democratic contest has demystified many political prophets. Hillary lost in Iowa and was supposed to lose in New Hampshire, but she managed to reinvent herself in time to win in New Hampshire. She was supposed to lose in Ohio and Texas. In fact, Super Tuesday II was supposed to be the end of her campaign. But then she became very imaginative in the way she projected herself and she won both Ohio and Texas.”
“I’ll be surprised if Obama eventually defeats Hillary.”
“Well, after the primaries in Pennsylvania on April 22, the contest should become clearer. But it’s beginning to look as if Hillary herself believes that Obama will defeat her, otherwise why is she trying to bribe him with a joint ticket? She’s second in the race right now, yet she’s offering Obama, who’s in the lead, a slot on a joint ticket as a vice presidential candidate. That’s desperate – and ridiculous.”
“It’s time to get realistic. Even if Obama defeats Hillary, he will never win the presidential election against John McCain.”
“Why not? The polls are in his favour right now.”
“Forget the polls. The Democratic primaries have also exposed the pollsters. And you should know the way it is: the deed doesn’t always match the rhetoric. Do you really believe that if the presidential election becomes a contest between a black man and a white man the majority of Americans, white Americans, will vote for a black man?”
“It could happen. Didn’t Louisiana elect an Indian-American as governor recently?”
“It’s not gonna happen. I can tell you that. I was born here, and I’ve lived all my life here. It’s not gonna happen.”
“That was what people said in the early days of the Obama campaign – that he was only trying for the VP slot. And you know what? That was one of Hillary’s main errors. She apparently believed it. But look at what happened. Obama’s campaign acquired a magnetic dynamism.”
“This is different. Obama isn’t running for governor. He could probably get that, but he wants to be President. And he’s gotten this far because many people don’t want to be seen as racist…”
“That sounds like the infamous comment by Hillary’s former strategist, Geraldine Ferraro, that Obama’s done so well because he’s black.”
“I think she’s right. Many people here would rather not be seen as racist – in public. So, they support Obama because it’s the chic thing to do. But many of these people also didn’t count on his actually beating Hillary. So, now that that’s a possibility, they’re having a rethink and his momentum is beginning to slow down.”
“But he just won in Mississippi, didn’t he?”
“That’s down South. But when – and if – it gets to Obama versus McCain, it’s going to be a whole new dance. McCain isn’t likely to become President on his own steam. But if it’s between him and Obama, my money is on McCain.”
“That’s strange.”
“I’m just being realistic. I read your write-up on the internet about Obama being the millennial renewal of America. Indeed! You really think this guy cares about Africa because his ancestors were from there?”
“For me, it’s more than that. I’ve always said that only Africans will salvage Africa. Obama is an American. It’s also not difficult to be suspicious of Obama. There are things about him that don’t quite add up. But I’m more concerned with the larger significance of what’s happening. And at this point, it doesn’t really matter whether Obama eventually becomes President or not. He already signifies beyond the now.”
“You know what bothers me? This guy gets kind of nervous every time race is mentioned. You think it’s an accident that the prisons are full of black people, or you think that’s because we’re congenital criminals? You think blacks love the ghetto so much that’s why every ghetto is filled with them? For me, it’s always about race. It’s always been. So, how are you gonna tell me that race isn’t an issue? I’m for Obama, believe me, but he’s gotta wake up.”
“I don’t think Obama has ever said that race is not an issue. Of course, it is. But how do you transcend an issue by never going beyond it? That’s part of Obama’s appeal – the idea, the possibility of transcension, of a world without unfair limits, of a world that can be reshaped by those who live in it. What is happening now didn’t begin today. Every time we speak out or act out our conviction, regardless of how improbable it sounds or seems, we contribute to a current that could eventually usher in a new world. People have been talking about change for centuries, about anyone – anyone – being able to fulfill himself here. Finally, that current has become a flood tide. I see Obama as a metaphor.”
“Now you’re talking like a professor.”
“Well, that’s the way I see it. And I can say the same thing about Hillary. She’s also a metaphor. In fact, when I watch some of their debates I actually think that Hillary has a better grasp of some of the issues. But the whole excitement about the Democratic primaries is because people realize it’s about something more. Besides, knowing the issues, and I’m not suggesting that Obama doesn’t, isn’t necessarily going to make anyone a great President. Vision and courage are the keys.”
“Are you on Obama’s campaign team?”
“Me? Really, I’m more concerned with the beyond of the Democratic primaries. That beyond fascinates me. In a sense, it’s the end of history because it’s the beginning of history. Regardless of who eventually wins, the presidential primaries in America will never be the same again.”