As of this time, the democratic race is not yet over - yet many analyst agree that Senator Clinton's chances are fading - a stark contrast to the thought about her being the shoe-in winner for the Democratic party nominations. In fact, her competitor - Barack Obama, is leading and sees the nominations within his grasp.
The thing is,,, how did Obama's team do the seemingly impossible - that is, beat the Clinton camp in a race they (the Clintons) had a whole lot of experience in? After all, prior to this particular 2008 presidential nominations, their candidate (Obama) was hardly a household name.
Well... a great leader can inspire... can make people believe... and can let others do the seemingly impossible. But I'm not just talking about the candidate; sure... Barack seems to fit that mold too - but this article (see link below) is all about the people surrounding him - those that he'd asked to help him, This Yahoo link says it all - and is a welcome reminder to what teamwork, a shared vision, integrity and leadership by example can do to get things done.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080524/ap_on_el_pr/obama_s_team
Of course, lets also not forget one important factor here... this team knew the pulse of the people, and was able to market Barack in that manner... they help him set the tone and message of his campaign, were honest and very dependable - and if I read between the lines properly, the campaign was able to hurdle the financial hurdles of Super Tuesday (unlike the Clinton team) by tapping a seemingly volunteerism mentality. Many of Barack's team players could have been payed more by the Clinton camp - but they opted to stay in the Obama camp.
Its an article worth reading in greater detail, should a book about it come out - and if my instincts are right, chances are, one will.
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democrats. Show all posts
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Democratic candidates for 2008
It may very well be the free world's most scrutinized exercise in selecting a leader - I refer to the elections for the President of the Unites States of America, for whatever else others may say about that nation, realpolitiks dictate that this is one of the most influential - if not THE most influential nation of the early 21st century.
Naturally, people from many walks of life are inundated with news regarding how this coming 2008 nominations - and later, the elections proper, will be played out... and ; thanks to the Internet, people are better exposed to many dimensions of the leading candidates. Never has a set of nominees been so... transparent to the public.
At the end of the day, this is purely an exercise to the right of suffrage by the Americans - but the whole world is watching... okay - that may be an exaggeration, but most - if not all peoples are watching... and I am certainly one of these non-American, closely observing the proceedings.
The question is "why?". Its not that I'm going to vote... and these decisions are happening half a world away - so why am I monitoring this? Simple... really, whoever wins becomes the leader most influential in the free world - and then some. So its really a curiosity to see how the American elections will pan out. Not just the exercise itself - but the candidates as well.
Of this current race, the more interesting... and possibly exciting race is actually between two democrats - both historic in themselves. On one side of the Democratic nominations, we have Hillary Clinton - former first lady to Bill Clinton (the last Democratic U.S. president) and current New York senator. On the other, Barack Husein Obama, first-timer senator, and definitely the first Black candidate seen most likely to become a President.
Prior to Barack, the only time a Black American was possibly considered as a viable candidate was General Collin Powell - but being a Republican, he decided not to run in favor of G.W. Bush. With Barack, many people (mostly Blacks) see this as a strong time for change.
To Barack's credit, he has not towed the race line - as he has constantly preached, lectured and made known his stance for a politics of change - specifically, positive change. No divisiveness, no old politics of special interests... its more a politics of adapting a "Can Do" attitude to change. The message is strong and it hits the hearts of those frustrated and jaded with the way politics has been played out by these past administrations... and although the focused target is quite naturally the Bush administration - lets not forget that prior to Bush, the Clintons had the White House and may very well be part of this 'past administrations' that many such jaded Americans feel strongly against.
Hillary, on the other hand, is the first Woman candidate ever with as good a chance at the Democratic nomination for presidency. At another time and place, I feel that these two Democrats would easily sweep the contest for presidency from leading Republican candidate - John McCain. Nothing against McCain, but his Republican predecessor - G.W. isn't exactly helping give the party a positive light.
In a direct comparison between Obama and Clinton, both present viable change... however, Obama seems to present the more radical shift... the fresh perspective working for him, as others do not see him as a jaded politician - one that has learned to thrive with the bad habits of politics. Hillary, on the other hand, has that background... but what she also has - and in great quantity, is experience with the ins and outs of U.S. and global realpolitiks. But is experience - specially if its to lead to the same old (and not so ideal) habits, enough to ensure a Clinton win? Will Barack's lack of real world experience hinder his candidacy?
As these two show a very tight battle for the Democratic nominations, I can't help but think that they are focusing too much energy countering each other, that by the time either one becomes the official candidate, they would be tired... while McCain is coming in fresh. John must be enjoying the show - and many Democrats are starting to worry about the sustainability of each campaign against a fresh Republican start.
It would be irony of ironies, should the two strongest Democratic candidates make the voters feel too tired of rooting for them, that they will just forget about the entire thing. I hope not. Like I said, this is one contest that is very exciting... and to just give up at the latter stage would be tragic. Barack has as one of his slogan "American Do" - an obvious play with "can do" meaning a "can do" attitude, and between Barack and Hillary, I may be partial to the former, rather than the latter - specially if one is serious about change.
How they campaigned, the strategies they used... this will be a great book to read from both camp's insider viewpoint. I like Barack - and though I am not an American, I like the message he has been delivering. Here's but one example...
Barack's biggest challenge was when his pastor ironically gave rather scathing (but historically true) remarks about Black frustrations against a White-controlled economy - one which many saw as a divisive message... and one that Barack had to react to... and despite this man being Barack's religious adviser, Barack had to say that the man's statements were wrong - that the thinking had to change - and this was just one of his needed change. One that had to start with a better attitude towards the situation. It was a problem borne out by both sides - and both sides had to fix it collectively.
I will not be surprised if he wins the nominations - but I will be sorry to see Hillary just fade to the side after this. As shown by this current campaign, she's getting almost as much as Barack, and it would be a fatal mistake not to ask her support at the end - and hope that Democrats have not yet been too frustrated with what is happening with their nominations proceedings. After all, 'hope' and 'change' are great platforms to ride in - specially when the candidate seems credible enough to deliver.
If ideals were basis - Barack would win. But realpolitiks will need him to be well informed and well-prepared - and we know that with exception to former President Bill, Hillary fits that bill to a T.
In fact, if these two Democrats can become a ticket unto themselves, I'd imagine McCain really staying up at night. If they - both Barack and Hillary, are true leaders, this will be the way to go.
It may very well be the free world's most scrutinized exercise in selecting a leader - I refer to the elections for the President of the Unites States of America, for whatever else others may say about that nation, realpolitiks dictate that this is one of the most influential - if not THE most influential nation of the early 21st century.
Naturally, people from many walks of life are inundated with news regarding how this coming 2008 nominations - and later, the elections proper, will be played out... and ; thanks to the Internet, people are better exposed to many dimensions of the leading candidates. Never has a set of nominees been so... transparent to the public.
At the end of the day, this is purely an exercise to the right of suffrage by the Americans - but the whole world is watching... okay - that may be an exaggeration, but most - if not all peoples are watching... and I am certainly one of these non-American, closely observing the proceedings.
The question is "why?". Its not that I'm going to vote... and these decisions are happening half a world away - so why am I monitoring this? Simple... really, whoever wins becomes the leader most influential in the free world - and then some. So its really a curiosity to see how the American elections will pan out. Not just the exercise itself - but the candidates as well.
Of this current race, the more interesting... and possibly exciting race is actually between two democrats - both historic in themselves. On one side of the Democratic nominations, we have Hillary Clinton - former first lady to Bill Clinton (the last Democratic U.S. president) and current New York senator. On the other, Barack Husein Obama, first-timer senator, and definitely the first Black candidate seen most likely to become a President.
Prior to Barack, the only time a Black American was possibly considered as a viable candidate was General Collin Powell - but being a Republican, he decided not to run in favor of G.W. Bush. With Barack, many people (mostly Blacks) see this as a strong time for change.
To Barack's credit, he has not towed the race line - as he has constantly preached, lectured and made known his stance for a politics of change - specifically, positive change. No divisiveness, no old politics of special interests... its more a politics of adapting a "Can Do" attitude to change. The message is strong and it hits the hearts of those frustrated and jaded with the way politics has been played out by these past administrations... and although the focused target is quite naturally the Bush administration - lets not forget that prior to Bush, the Clintons had the White House and may very well be part of this 'past administrations' that many such jaded Americans feel strongly against.
Hillary, on the other hand, is the first Woman candidate ever with as good a chance at the Democratic nomination for presidency. At another time and place, I feel that these two Democrats would easily sweep the contest for presidency from leading Republican candidate - John McCain. Nothing against McCain, but his Republican predecessor - G.W. isn't exactly helping give the party a positive light.
In a direct comparison between Obama and Clinton, both present viable change... however, Obama seems to present the more radical shift... the fresh perspective working for him, as others do not see him as a jaded politician - one that has learned to thrive with the bad habits of politics. Hillary, on the other hand, has that background... but what she also has - and in great quantity, is experience with the ins and outs of U.S. and global realpolitiks. But is experience - specially if its to lead to the same old (and not so ideal) habits, enough to ensure a Clinton win? Will Barack's lack of real world experience hinder his candidacy?
As these two show a very tight battle for the Democratic nominations, I can't help but think that they are focusing too much energy countering each other, that by the time either one becomes the official candidate, they would be tired... while McCain is coming in fresh. John must be enjoying the show - and many Democrats are starting to worry about the sustainability of each campaign against a fresh Republican start.
It would be irony of ironies, should the two strongest Democratic candidates make the voters feel too tired of rooting for them, that they will just forget about the entire thing. I hope not. Like I said, this is one contest that is very exciting... and to just give up at the latter stage would be tragic. Barack has as one of his slogan "American Do" - an obvious play with "can do" meaning a "can do" attitude, and between Barack and Hillary, I may be partial to the former, rather than the latter - specially if one is serious about change.
How they campaigned, the strategies they used... this will be a great book to read from both camp's insider viewpoint. I like Barack - and though I am not an American, I like the message he has been delivering. Here's but one example...
Barack's biggest challenge was when his pastor ironically gave rather scathing (but historically true) remarks about Black frustrations against a White-controlled economy - one which many saw as a divisive message... and one that Barack had to react to... and despite this man being Barack's religious adviser, Barack had to say that the man's statements were wrong - that the thinking had to change - and this was just one of his needed change. One that had to start with a better attitude towards the situation. It was a problem borne out by both sides - and both sides had to fix it collectively.
I will not be surprised if he wins the nominations - but I will be sorry to see Hillary just fade to the side after this. As shown by this current campaign, she's getting almost as much as Barack, and it would be a fatal mistake not to ask her support at the end - and hope that Democrats have not yet been too frustrated with what is happening with their nominations proceedings. After all, 'hope' and 'change' are great platforms to ride in - specially when the candidate seems credible enough to deliver.
If ideals were basis - Barack would win. But realpolitiks will need him to be well informed and well-prepared - and we know that with exception to former President Bill, Hillary fits that bill to a T.
In fact, if these two Democrats can become a ticket unto themselves, I'd imagine McCain really staying up at night. If they - both Barack and Hillary, are true leaders, this will be the way to go.
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