Is Obama the New Reagan . . . ?

Well not exactly, but The Wall Street Journal published an interesting article commenting on the recent polls that say the current Presidential election is much closer than is was a couple months ago.

The reference to Reagan comes when explaining the similarities between the 1980 and 2008 election.

In 1980, President Carter was standing for re-election himself, while in 2008 President George W. Bush, is attempting to pass the baton to Sen. McCain. But the questions about the opposing party’s candidate, Mr. Reagan, were similar to those now posed about Sen. Obama. Mr. Reagan, a former California governor who had spent no time serving in Washington, was seen as light on experience and lacking in foreign-policy gravitas. Some in the political establishment considered his strong conservative philosophy and anti-Soviet rhetoric to be too extreme for mainstream America

Besides the reference to Reagan – a minor point- , the article sets up a great juxtaposition between Obama and McCain’s favorability among U.S. citizens. Although one might not immediately think so, when you look at how the polls are breaking down, U.S. citizens are divided. Although Obama is a “rock star” that status is pushing some voters away. Conversely, although McCain is an Old-school politician – who happens to be a republican maverick – that status gives him familiarity and trust among some voters.

The article also picked up on the important issue of how comfortable citizens with the candidates backgrounds.

Riki Frank, 44, a graphic artist and stay-at-home dad from Auburn, Wash., leans toward Sen. Obama, but hesitates because of his personal background.

“I’m a white-bread American. I was raised in Iowa. I got the Midwestern work ethic,” says Mr. Frank. “He’s a black man. His name — is unique. It’s definitely not a Catholic name. He’s kind of way off the pattern of the norm of what I grew up with. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just because I can’t relate to the person doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.”

That is somewhat anecdotal evidence, but among White voters surveyed, 8% said race is the most important factor in the election (Among African-Americans, who support Sen. Obama, 20% said race is the top factor.)

The immediate thought that comes to many people’s minds is about the prejudice of the White folks worried about Obama’s race and background. However the fact that 20% of African-Americans are considering race as the “most important factor” is equally disturbing -though understandable given the absence of much minority representation in politics especially the position of President (my concern is that people are placing it as the most important factor, not solely that they are making it a factor).

It will be interesting to see if Obama was really correct in assessing that he would lose some points in the polls because he was overseas and how much race and background will play in this election.  By the time November roles around who knows what is going to happen.

Good Readin’

The Root.com has had several great articles in the past week check them out.

The R-Word

For white Gen Y’ers, ‘racist’ is the worst tag of all.

Master TV satirist Stephen Colbert frequently pokes fun at the notions of racial political correctness by having his brash conservative pundit character proclaim that he cannot see race. It’s a simple and reliably funny conceit that plays on the prevalent, if specious, notion that we live in a post-racial era, one that ignores, or optimistically shrugs off, the lingering and substantial issues between the races (Click to See Entire Article).

Race Shmace, Whatever

It’s just not that important anymore.

The situation is this: Two friends of mine; one white male, one black female. One very incendiary word. And the black girl wasn’t the one who said it.

I watched the following exchange with nervous curiosity, my eyes flitting back and forth as if the two were engaged in an intense game of ping-pong. My white male friend had been standing there talking like the rest of us, peppering his speech with “nigga this” and “nigga that” as he joked and laughed (Click to See Entire Article).

Gen Y and the Colorblind Lie

For millennials, race is more complicated than ever.

“Are you serious?” he asked. And though I was, I couldn’t help but notice the disbelief in his blue eyes, his pale face furrowed in confusion. I searched his expression for an inkling of empathy. There was none.

“Why,” he had to wonder, “can’t I say the word ‘nigga’?”(Click to See Entire Article).

Black in America, Now What?

CNN’s sweeping series raises many good questions but offers few answers.

Certainly, the show shines a spotlight on the scope of blackness. But will black viewers see or learn anything that improves their daily lives or inspires new thinking or action? And will viewers unfamiliar with “the black experience” learn anything that will expand or positively inform their opinions of blacks, or—more to the point—spur them to reach out to blacks? (Click to See Entire Article)

Burden of Proof

We’ve earned our stripes. Stop asking us to prove our colors.

As the daughter of a retired African-American foreign service officer, I’ve lived patriotism, and it’s time we settle one issue regarding race in America: Enough already with questioning the patriotism of African Americans just because we have a hyphenated identity. We can be black and red, white and blue (Click to See Entire Article)

Consumers of the United States of America

I was watching TV this morning and saw this Discover Card commercial.

Last time I checked we were a country of citizens not consumers.

Obama Blog

I was wasting time on the Internet the other day and came across Michelle Obama’s newly formed blog over at Blogher.com (an online community for female bloggers). Her first entry was mainly an introduction, but has this election – and perhaps Barack Obama’s presidency – progresses it will be interesting to read what she has to say.

A Model of Reconciliation

I wanted to give a shout out to my friend, Jody Fenerando’s article, A Model of Reconcilation, on the Burnside Writer’s Collective website.  I read this article a couple weeks ago, but forgot about posting it (sorry).

For those that don’t know, Burnside Writers Collective is

“an online resource for Christians looking for a connection with the world outside of franchise      Christianity. As such, readers will find articles on issues relating to social justice, novels relating to humanity, music expressing reality and books strengthening our understanding of God’s heart for the world, for equality and whole morality.”

Go check it out.