Truly historic news from the US - the first black man to ever stand as a major candidate in the Presidential election. Potentially the first ever black US President. It is only a few decades ago that the civil rights movement tore much of US society to shreds in the '60s, early '70s and now Obama is running for President.
There seems to be a consensus developing in the UK media, and in excitable elements of the US media, that Obama is bound to win. He is change. He is a new dawn. I was in the US a month ago and even sane, cynical New Yorkers were gushing over Obama.
I'm not so sure. I have a feeling that John McCain is going to prove far more formidable than many give him credit. He appeals to the Right, but not the mentalist Right. He is a strong man, decorated war hero who also disagreed with many of Dubya's decisions on post-war Iraq & domestic issues.
Like most Brits, I am an outsider to US politics who picks up his news & views from the media & regular business trips to the East Coast. But, Obama strikes me as shallow & inexperienced. He has dubious friends. His wife plays racial politics, never mind his pastor.
I think he will be found out. The Republicans are going to destroy not only his politics but his personality in the ferocious election propaganda that will ensue.
Finally - Obama has been compared to JFK - that saint-like figure in modern US mythology. Well JFK first committed serious troops & resources to Vietnam (that ended well). He dithered over the Cuba/Russian relationship in the early stages resulting in the missile crisis taking the world nearer to nuclear holocaust than ever before or since. And he said he was a donught in Berlin.
The omens for Obama are not good. The omens for the world whoever wins are equally poor. McCain would confront Iran. Obama will be a disaster like the real JFK & won't be the break with the past as in the wet dreams of European liberals.
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