Of Bobby and Barack

It took 40 years.  America has fought four wars, one of which is still raging.  The world is a remarkably different place in June of 2008 versus June of 1968, but there is one very strong connection.  Barack Obama is the true heir to the presidency that should have been.

My personal political hero is Bobby Kennedy.  It has taken me four decades to find a candidate that I believe will make the kinds of changes we need.  Bobby Kennedy would have been a much different president than even his brother was.  Barack Obama will be a much different president than any we have had in the four decades since that turbulent year of 1968.  A year that shaped a generation's thinking and actions, including yours truly.

And yet Obama will mean much more than even RFK could have hoped to mean.  His is a truly historic campaign as was that of his worthy competitor, Hillary Clinton.  But the Clinton campaign did not comport itself consistently as one that deserved the historic tag.  It was at times difficult to watch and listen to the Clinton campaign.  In 1992, the Clintons represented change.  It was a change that was never fully realized as scandal and impeachment politics sidetracked the promised progress.

And now there are two.  McCain and Obama.  An aging war hero versus the young gun.  Two United States Senators.  Two men once again when many expected the first woman to grace the presidential stage.  The questions begin.  Can Obama convince Hillary's female and white male base to stay in the Democratic fold? Will the hundreds of thousands of young Americans who have been energized by Obama stay tuned and vote in November?  Will John McCain figure out a way to distance himself from his promise to stay in Iraq for 100 years?  Will Obama pick Hillary for VP?  Would she take it or tell him to take a hike?

But those are the questions of practical politics.  Obama has raised our sights to look beyond the mundane day to day politics.  He is challenging us to step up, get engaged and embrace real change.  He is a reminder to this child of the 60's of a time when politicians could be respected and be believed.

It took 40 years.

Comments

[Swede Swenson]

Very inciteful comments about this most historical night with more to come I believe. Go Obama I hope Char can play because I presume we have fill the foursome, don' we? Love Dad

[Jeff Risley]

Uhhh, I hate to disagree with my boss, but there are three candidates. At the writing of this comment, Bob Barr was on the ticket in 29 states, and I believe he'll be on all 50. IMHO, voting for ANY candidate from the Democratic or Republican party is not a vote for change. It's been a hell of a lot longer than 40 years since we've had a real choice other than the lessor of two evils. I think we have that choice this year. Everyone is focused on the historic nature of this campaign, and it is historic because of Obama and Hillary, but I hope to look back on this election and say it was historic ALSO because a true, libertarian, third-party candidate won.