We’ve Found Him

I don’t self-identify as Republican regularly anymore and I don’t self-identify as a Democrat either – like many in my generation I avoid labels for myself as I fastidiously attach them to others.  All of my, ‘third party friends,’ revel in their shenanigans and are quick to slap a, “Republican,” or, “Democrat,” label on someone and rest in the assurance of being a member of a political movement that has no negative consequences from a legislator or executive’s decision but also lack the ability that members of larger political movements unless you count the Green Party’s affinity for not one, but two terms for George W. Bush.  People my age, after eight years of Bill Clinton and almost as many of George W. Bush, are looking for not just inspirational leadership but leadership at all. 

 

There is a lot of discussion for a need for another Reagan here on this blog and in other circles a need for another Kennedy.  What is it about Reagan and Kennedy that inspire to pine for them, long after their administrations are over and their accomplishments and disappointments have been dissected by the distant, backward glance of History?  I would submit that it was their ability to communicate, inspire, while commanding respect at home and around the world.  Some may argue that their policies and ideas did this as well but most Americans – and probably people everywhere – aren’t as plugged into political discourse as they are to the presentation of politics.  It’s the inspiration, the willingness and ability to communicate and sense of respect for the office and person of the Presidency that our elders are pining for and our peers long to see. 

 

This is why we’re so connected and active in the candidacy of Senator Obama.  Sure, he’s young and hip, handsome too – his wife is smart and beautiful and his children are adorable.  Senator Obama has inspired us to contribute and participate in his candidacy because of his willingness and ability to communicate with us, being in touch with our vision of the future and realities of the present while deftly avoiding the urge to pander.  He has treated his rivals with respect and comportment while his main rival has outdone herself in reminding those of us who cut our political teeth in the Clinton years what it was like, why we don’t want to return to it, and that she wasn’t a victim but a willing participant in the bomb-throwing Nineties.  As a (female) co-worker put it, “She’s outdone herself in fulfilling every negative stereotype about women and reminding the Republicans why they didn’t like her in the first place.”  Senator McCain, while revered by many in our age group just isn’t what we’re looking for in a president – but none of the Republican candidates this cycle were. 

 

Then there is the question of the ability to command respect at home and abroad, which has been diminished, if not scoffed at, by the current President.  One of the most important tasks the next president will face will be repairing relationships with our allies, neighbors and building relationships with countries with whom we disagree.  Is sitting down with the Iranian government so odious?  Does anyone even remember why we’re antagonistic towards Havana?  Reagan sat down with the Soviets; he had them to the White House.  Nixon went to China.  

 

Hamas might be a violent political group, perhaps even terrorist – but beyond the fact that they are the only group providing basic services to Palestinians and they’re the democratically elected government – something our government pressed for – and above all the goal, at least in his rhetoric, of our current president has been democracy for everyone everywhere.  Even as a Hebrew with Zionist predilections of my own has trouble understanding why approaching Hamas is so difficult for our administration.  The parallels to our own revolution and Hamas are stronger than between Hamas and bin Laden.   While I am not comfortable dealing with an organization that has used terror and violence as a policy vehicle I am more uncomfortable with rejecting a democratically elected government because we don’t like it. 

 

I’m still puzzled why a meddlesome democratic regime with the ambition of possessing new and more sophisticated nuclear weaponry would begrudge another democracy from wanting the same capabilities.  If the United States, currently led, were on my doorstep I would want nuclear weaponry as well.  Beyond the argument that we should at least talk to ‘these people’ there is the tiring in my age group – and I suspect others – of the ‘gotcha’ politics of yesteryear; Senator Clinton’s husband pursued détente with ‘these people’ and Senator McCain has supported these ideas outside his own quest for the White House. 

 

In looking for our hero, our Reagan or our Kennedy, we’ve found Obama.  Sure, someone deride his supporters as a kool-aide drinking cult full of dewy-eyed dreamers predicating their beliefs on the fuzzy concepts of, ‘hope,’ and, ‘change.’  Setting aside the fact that the more educated, established part of the electorate is supporting Obama – as well as those of us who will be footing the bill for the past sixteen years – we’ve seen what the Republicans can do and we’ve seen what the Clintons can do.  We’re looking for something else; we’ve found him. 

 

Posted By Spritopias