(At first I had spelled Barack Obama Barak Obama. That's because Barak means "one who is blessed", and apparently I think of that when I hear his name."
Many people are wondering why Barack Obama's message of hope and idealism is so powerful. The Clinton campaign has tried to characterize his message as "fantasy" and has used other depreciating terms. But no matter how the strategists and the political pundits try to discredit the message it is a message for which the American people, especially young people are now hungering.
Democrats, of all people, should understand the reasons why. We have had 7 years of Constitutional abuse, signing statements, crime in high places, illegal war (including the deaths which accompany it), and cowboy politics which runs rough shod over anyone who makes even a peep of disapproval. In short, the American people have been captives in a sort of psychological bondage for 7 years. Personally, I have been in a state of mild depression alternating with anger and outrage since the 2000 election.
Not unlike a person trapped with an abusive spouse or the Jewish slaves in ancient Egypt, Americans have been held hostage in disbelief and horror for seven years with very little light at the end of the tunnel. Is it any wonder then that someone with a message like that of Barack Obama would seem almost Messianic, or like Moses ready to lead us out of bondage?
The terminology surrounding the adoration of Obama reflects this. Now we are seeing new words emerging like Obamamania, Obamaican (a Republican who is supporting Obama), Obamaphilia, Obamaphile, and so forth. There is even a man in Alabama who is designing a T-shirt which says "Sweet Home Al-Obama". Many of those who have been overcome by the Obama fever have described themselves as openly crying during his speeches or willing to follow him anywhere. In fact, there are now people who follow him from speech to speech much the way there were those who followed the band "The Grateful Dead".
Part of the reason for this is that his message and he himself projects a spiritual fervor that goes beyond your run of the mill political speaking. People also sense that he is genuine and sincerely passionate about the country in general, a passion which goes beyond his own self interest in becoming president. Instead of talking about what he can do he talks about what we can do if we come together. The message is so effective that Hillary Clinton is trying to adopt the terminology.
Stay tuned for Part 2 where I explain that the political math of the past has become fluid and can no longer be applied.