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He's a black man! He's a black man running for President!!
This is my reaction to some of the post-debate posts I've read here and elsewhere on the web, as well as the post-debate analysis that I saw mostly on MSNBC and CNN.
I'll summarize here (and hope you agree with me), that Obama was "nice" and "gentlemanly", missed quite a few opportunities to jab McCain, should have been more pointed.
There has been some consensus from these folks that it was on the whole a tie, and/or worked slightly in Obama's favor.
Reaction polls from debate watchers from CBS and Nielsen showed a lightly more insightful, non-pundit appreciation for Obama's overall style, calmness and lack of political killer instinct to go for the jugular.
I appreciate all of the above, particularly the folks calling for blood. To them, I suspect Obama has succeeded in becoming just a candidate, and has managed to mainstream himself to the point of ordinariness, whatever his other qualities.
For a non-caucasian, however, I cannot process this the same way. I simply cannot trust in the American people to look beyond the fact of his color. Sure, a lot of people will. But to win an election, you need to win the hearts and minds of middle America, majority America.
The position of President, more than almost any other choice people make, requires a comfort level with the persona, style and culture of the candidate. They are, after all, selecting someone who represents *them* on the world stage. The face of America. Subconsciously, I'm inclined to believe there is a mapping of father-figure archetypes guiding that decision, influencing whom you feel comfortable with in an authority position. You might hire Michael Jordan to play ball for you, hire Chris Rock as an entertainment act, Johnnie Cochran as your lawyer.
For a black man to be elected President of this country, he will need to overcome any and every former negative black archetype and establish an altogether new one - one with qualities of grace, of calm, of intellect, in the political arena. This is more than Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones on the black dignity index scale. It's dignity - and predominantly, a lack of anger - demonstrated while engaged in bitter, belittling battle. Any presence of anger simply reminds us of the deep social memories of injustice, race conflict.
Anger, so rightful when confronted with racism, simply brings race to the forefront no matter the context.
The pointing out of injustice also serves to bring to mind the injustices of the past, those so severe that they cannot be brought up safely in polite society, not something you can remind people of and win their likable-authority-figure-who-best-represents me vote.
It was in Jackie Robinson's contract that he couldn't complain (I learnt this from Randy Pausch's Last Lecture). Yes, it's been many decades since then.
But the first black guy who does something new, climbs a new mountain that involves winning over the hearts and minds of the American people, doesn't get to complain. Doesn't get to act nasty, not if he wants to win. And has to work twice as hard, as Barack understands only too well.
Such is life in America.
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Racial prejudice is certainly deep-rooted in this country, but it is still a very brittle, unsubstantial thing. It breaks easily - and permanently - if explored or thought about or looked at too long. And at the same time, it just sort of dissovles and evaporates if not tended to and kept in the forefront of your mind.
As long as McCain was an easy, comfortable, well-respected and "known" option, there was no need to either think much about our prejudices or set them aside to concentrate on more important things. But with Palin, with the erractic actions, the financial crisis, renewed bombings in the Middle East, and then McCain's 'clanging' posture and attitude last night, I think that in the eyes of many, they have started having to rationalize or explore the validity of their prejudice and/or shove it aside to obsess about another day and think hard and practically about the next four years and who they want to lead this country.
I don't believe that racism was the factor last night that it would have been a short 6 months or year ago.
September 27, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
The woman interviewed after the debate who said Obama "Reached her," and the other who said he, "Moved me," show what is happening:
The viewers got to see Obama, likely for the first time, and they were about seeing what he is and how he acts. Those two women are two among a significant majority who compared Obama with McLame and put race aside. Stepped forward over the line of caution, perhaps apprehension, to what really matters: reality, and that we are all in that together.
Obama won walking away -- double-figures.
This blog is 100 per cent correct: Obama cannot be the "angry black male" -- even if that is only an impression imputed to him. I think he's cool, and will make one of the very very very few best presidents of my lifteime.
September 28, 2008 6:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent post Rationalcause.
I've supported Obama for about a year and a half, but there's been a twinge of anxiety, the source of which has been elusive.
The last couple of days I realized the anxiety is completely gone. Obama's consistency the past year and a half have made him familiar and known -- interestingly more so than any of his opponents, particularly McCain.
There's a sense of relief when I watch Obama. I know he's going to level with us and keep his cool. McCain is totally unpredictable. The sense of certainty with Obama is new. His consistency might well supersede other voters' anxiety about whether race could be the determining factor in the election.
I was a Kucinich supporter way back. A colleague convinced me the United States was indeed ready for an African American president. I'm now certain she was right.
Obama recently said he was willing to work harder than the next guy. He's done just that and more, and his courage and enormous effort will spark a sea-change on many different levels in this country. He's the right person at the right time.
September 27, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glad to see another excellent post on this issue. A slightly different articulation than the others that helps refine the picture.
In all of the comments about McCain's inability to look at Obama and the rest of his body language, I still have not seen one commenting on McCain's action at the end of the debate.
Obama turned from the podium to the right to walk to the center and meet McCain for the handshake.
McCain ALSO turned right from his podium -AWAY from the center and meeting Barack. Until he went around his podium and back to the center.
'Boy, just wait there looking stupid until I amble on over to grace you with a handshake.'
McCain doesn't get that he just lets Obama look that much cooler.
September 28, 2008 3:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
And later, after the wives came onstage, the same thing. McCain and Cindy standing well over to "their" side, practically looking at their watches to see how long they had to endure until they could leave ...... while Barack and Michelle make the long trek across the stage to behave like normal, courteous grown-ups. In *theory* it should have made the Obamas look like supplicants --- but it actually made the McCains look petty and small and, dare I say?, "out of it." I hadn't thought of any racial overtones to those instances, but now that it's mentioned, do wonder if McCains would have been so ready and able to all but ignore a white couple in that situation. It was very, very rude - and made me even more proud of the Obamas that they simply didn't accept (or get too ruffled by) the discourtesy.
September 28, 2008 3:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's also a much younger, fitter man. And - lest we forget it - McCain is a "war hero." If Obama came off too aggressive, he could be perceived as "picking on the old guy," or "browbeating," or even (in some subliminal sense) perhaps "abusing" McCain.
There are so many factors at play here that Obama has to walk a very fine line at all times. Plus, it seems like Obama is maybe just a genuinely nice person. I don't think we should require him to be someone he's not in order to appease an archetype of "presidentiality." In fact, I think that's why most Dems lose. I think Obama's winning because he can be powerful while still being sincere and considerate and thoughtful. And I think, especially after the past few years, that is a huge part of his appeal.
September 28, 2008 5:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually... such is life in this world. The real world, welcome to it.
September 28, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent and interesting analysis. I want to add one caveat for your consideration.
In the term you used in such a positive way; "father figure", you didn't mention that for many of us whites and otherwise, the father figure is that of a drunken, drug addicted, thieving, mean, abusive, frustrated, narcissistic, self-centered, irresponsible and violent bully that beats-up and rapes his own children before stomping out out of the house only hesitating long enough to kick the dog before slamming the door behind him on his way to the neighborhood bar to pick a fight with someone when he isn't in jail.
Many of us, though not black, see McCain as just such a person.
September 28, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
For sure the dearth of responsible fathers in America is at least one negative trait not defined by race.
September 28, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Irresponsible fathers are a large voting block no campaign would admit to making an effort to appeal to. How then does one explain McCain's near universal appeal to these voters?
September 28, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
This next month will test both America's susceptibility and disgust with racism. As the McCain campaign sinks in the polls and Republicans become fearful of losing seats in congress, they will desperately try and stoke racial fears and animosity in order to stem the tide.
We're seeing it already with the right wing meme that loans to undeserving minorities are at the root of the financial crisis.
Look for more ads along the lines of the Obama and Franklin Raines are bankrupting old white ladies variety - I wouldn't be surprised to see O.J. show up in Republican ad by November. And of course Rev. Wright will be returning to our TV screens.
The wingnutosphere and RW talk radio will double down on the Obama is a muslim/arab, faked is birth certificate, will enforce reparations nonsense. Words like "arrogant", "boy" and "disrespectful" will increase in frequency. There will insinuations that a community organizer on the south side of Chicago during the 1980's crack epidemic, would have needed gang authority to operate. I'm sure there will be desperate claims and associations made beyond all these as there will be no sewer too foul for them to splash around in.
I have faith that that this will ultimately turn more voters away from the Republican's than it will attract, but it's worked in the past and it is all they have left.
September 28, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have given up trying to understand tight lipped Republican voters, and I'm married to one. It's like they have suspended all critical analysis in this election and can't bring themselves to see what destruction their leaders have brought upon this country in the past 8 years. I say 8 years because it is reported that the neocons were actually planning the Iraq war long before we had 9-11.
September 28, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Get a divorce, take up lamp work and move to Taos, NM.
September 28, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Iraq war has its roots in the 1972 nationalization of oil assets by Iraq. Exxon etc. wanted there stuff back.
September 28, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
mjeffn: yes, excellent point, sadly. I think it would be fascinating (from a psychological standpoint) to learn how the presence of violent and negative authority figures, particularly a father, or just lack thereof, in one's early life impacts the acceptance of difference as an adult.
September 28, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good question. I'm not sure. My x-wife probably would have relevant data as she is a very accomplished and highly respected clinical Psychologist and is involved deeply in these issues. I would ask her but, she charges me way more than her going rate for anybody else every-time I talk to her and I'm about broke.
Suffice it to say that I don't see many wife-beater t-shirts in Obama crowds.
September 28, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
In light of this discussion, I would strongly recommend that anyone who hasn't read "Dreams From My Father" do so. It would be a fascinating read even if the writer had never done anything else in his life. Obama was one of those people who lacked a father in his life, but thanks to a remarkable mother and grandparents he was given an image, and a way to deal with both his father's absence and racial issues they themselves never had to face, that - it turns out - was far better and healthier than if his father had stayed with him. I know his grandmother is physically frail but hope with all my heart that she is mentally well so that one of these three very remarkable people is able to see and appreciate the person they helped shape.
September 28, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great catch, great points.
September 28, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just talked to an old WV friend who has been in business in NC for 25 years. He is one of the 30% of the electorate Rush/Hannity Kool-aid drinkers.
For the first time amid our opinionated emails and discussions with each other he acknowledged that Obama was gaining traction and also admitted he was no longer fearful of an Obama presidency.
The difference? He watched the debates.
September 28, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I meant debate. Sorry
September 28, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just one more caveat to your excellent analysis, FWIW. I know a lot of people--black, white and Latino--who have moments of dispair because, in their heart of hearts, they simply don't believe that white America is capable of voting for a person of color. I always have to remind them that he really only needs to win 36-37% of the white vote to win the election. Though I would hope for more, they generally have to admit that that percent, at least, is doable.
September 28, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for posting this. This is sort of what I was trying to explain to my wife. And I have learned a lot these past few months, of stuff I never realized before.
Obama is running this thing very very intelligently. It may be an unfortunate reflection on our society, but there are directions he "can't go" if he wants to win this thing and he obviously has full control and understanding of this. These are things I never thought of before and it is interesting.
All that aside, he is obviously the most intelligent, polite, self-controlled, in-control candidate in the race. Just the sort of person I would want to represent my country.
(If it matters, I'm white.)
September 28, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent post. Right on the money. One of those more subtle issues not commonly articulated. I've personally tried to explain this perspective to a few friends of mine with great difficulty. It just isn't easy (and understandably so) for many of us to be aware of such constraints and potential pitfalls that Obama has to successfully navigate. Of course, I do think that his calmness and decorum is also just part of his basic personality.
September 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink