Two weeks ago, I was convinced that Texas would ‘Barack the Vote’. I was in the Toyota Center in Houston, TX at the ‘Stand for Change’ rally for Senator Barack Obama and I definitely felt like I had received the Obama holy ghost (hands were raised, chants of ‘Yes We Can’ rang out in unison all around me, my body was rocking back and forth). And it was not just me—the huge arena was packed with people doing the same thing: hoping and believing in the amount of change Obama was talking about.
I still remained confident that Obama would win Texas until the wee hours of this morning. However, when I awoke from which I admit was a difficult slumber—I was slammed with the reality that Clinton had won Texas in a closely contested race.
My initial reaction was to scream and roll back into bed.
And I did…loudly while pulling the covers over my eyes as if this was all a bad dream.
But as I thought about it more, I had to smile: This is really good politics!
Two dynamic candidates both passionate about their jobs and in their desire to bring change in American society are courageously dueling it out in front of our eyes for the Democratic presidential nominee. What more could a nerdy political scientist like myself ask for?
To be clear, I am an Obama supporter…unabashedly… no shame… no apologies; however, I am not blinded into believing that someone like Obama can save America. Obama is only one man with an elegant speaking style, quality experience, and a God-given ability to inspire ordinary Americans. No one can argue with this. But his mysticism has reached almost super-hero status and unfortunately Obama cannot be the Superman we need to swoop down and save America from the havoc of the past. I write this to make the point that I think it is dangerous to put so much responsibility and belief into someone that is human.
Which is why I value Senator Hillary Clinton—as much as I hate to admit it—the woman is fighting back and questioning him on every front. Sometimes it’s nasty campaign ads and other times it is educated back-and-forth debating. This is valuable not only because her presence represents the views of a significant number of Americans but also because Obama’s positions and policy agenda is being challenged.
I have a problem when political leaders get too comfortable. Often, when individuals are not constantly challenged, a numbing sense of relief sets in. This, I feel, is dangerous and has led to the demise of many great world leaders. I wholeheartedly believe individuals become stronger in their actions, initiatives, and goals when they are constantly challenged and forced to stand and lead in times of discomfort and controversy.
Consequently, I think this fight to be the Democratic presidential nominee is good for democratic politics as a whole: there should be no heir to the throne that we call the American presidency, it should be contested and the people on the ground should be the most important variable in this process. The equation to the nomination is simple: Obama and Clinton must connect with voters. Power lies in the people and the more Clinton and Obama reach out—the more votes they earn. It’s some crazy form of populist politics in the 21st century that is quite refreshing.
For this reason, I enjoy watching Clinton and Obama dueling it out. I am not mad at Clinton’s steelo (now given…I would be upset if she won the Democrat nominee) but I think she serves a very important purpose. I came to understand this as I watched the debates in Texas and Ohio. I saw Obama being unsettled and I saw Clinton trying to connect with voters in a way that she has not in the past.
In a weird but very real way: I think they both make each other better. Obama needs Clinton’s roughness and policy prowess to keep him on his toes and Clinton needs Obama’s knack at connecting with voters to push her to be more personable and honest about her policy positions. To put it quite simply: they hold each other accountable.
It’s a weird kind of marriage that will not last forever. However, for the time being, I am happy to see Clinton stay in the race. If that meant her winning Ohio and Texas on March 4, 2008—then so be it. We have a nation that has not been this connected and excited about the national political arena in a very very long time—and I do not want to see it end anytime soon.
Pennsylvania here we come!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, Megan you just captured what I’ve been struggling to verbalize for a while now! I’m not a rabid politics person (I’m more interested in observing the behaviors and rationales of candidates and the public electorate)… so it is a bit disheartening to me at time to see the viciousness of supporters on both sides of the Clinton/Obama spectrum… I think the idea that Clinton is challenging Obama to *be* better is a complicated but compelling theory… so thank you for putting it out there!
yeah, meg ur right. This is fun, entertaining and captivating.
And, as NYT points out today, is doing GREAT ratings for CNN.
And I love arguing and debating and verbally challenging one another just as the next.
BUT
At some point the left, democratic establishment is gonna have to put a stop to all the campaigning and debating. because a team divided is a losing team.
And Obama and Hillary (unfortunately) are fore the most part NOT leading the same team into battle. So We/They gotta choose one. Hopefully sooner than later.
HERE COMES MISSISSIPPI!!!
YES MEGAN!!!! YES WE CAN!!!
the reason i love this article is because i think that people (more often than not negroes) suffer from a messianic complex that makes it more difficult for our leaders to truly progress. it’s like we can’t mention the fact that MLK was a womanizer – Obama might be a little green and Clinton might be the one to turn his leaves a little brown. I dig that. I dig this post Meg – you hit the nail on the goddamn head.
BLESS UP
I think i like you. lol
OMG, I just wrote out this long response only to have it vanish when I hit submit.
Here are the highlights:
You are right on about placing too much on a single human being. I’ve become really concerned that some folks are looking at Obama like the “Great Black Hope.” He is a human being. Rather than putting the weight solely on him, let this be an inspiration to others to go into politics and lead by example.
AMEN to the point about folks getting too comfortable once they’re gotten our support. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Kwame Kilpatrick, mayor of Detroit, all come to mind here.
This is great, MF. I’ve posted the link to my facebook page. I was heartbroken when Obama lost last night but after reading your article, I have new found faith. I agree that he did get a little complacent and he needs to work on a few things, and if voters in the remaining states are going to see what he’s really capable of, Hillary pushing back is going to make that happen. Great analysis.
the only three times a democratic primary took this long . . . democrats lost; infighting is good for ratings and soap opera but bring down shared interests all the time . . .
Your article, and this week’s political climate, just make me want to dig in and put my feet to the pavement in Pennsylvania. So are we going or what?!?
Tehama and Megan – I was thinking… we should organize some kind of roundtable or open debate on the Democratic Primary ’08… call it something like “The Road to the DNC ’08″… anyway, I forwarded the idea to the head of American Studies but I’d love to brainstorm with the “political scientists” with the “mostest”… lol. Leah
Thanks for all the commments!
re: Leah…I am in love with the idea of a roundtable…lets def brainstorm about this later!