By John McColgan Santa Monica
I was sitting in a coffee shop in Santa Monica the day before Super Tuesday. Standing next to my table were two men. They looked to be in their ‘50s, affluent and educated. They were talking about the upcoming vote. One was supporting Hillary Clinton the other Barack Obama. The Obama man was trying to convince his friend to vote for Obama. The dialog went something like this: “What’s wrong with Clinton?” “Nothing, but there’s something about Obama. I have not felt this way since Bobby Kennedy.”
This phenomena is not new, but it seems to be affecting an unusual percentage of the voting population this election year. I am referring to the Obama campaign. This is not so much about Obama but more about his supporters. I will admit that I never thought Obama had much chance of getting elected. But he has proven to be an amazingly skillful orator and campaigner.
Obama is being compared to John and Bobby Kennedy. Even more so with the endorsement of some very prominent members of the Kennedy family. I was and am a great admirer of JFK. His Inaugural Speech was one of the greatest. It was full of that vision thing. I went back and read it again. Here’s a line from it. ”Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge — and more."
Heavy stuff, here is another: “ And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."
Still gives me a shiver after all these years. His words inspired, not only for their moral clarity and idealism, but also because of the tasks they compelled us to.
Obama also has the ability to fill that need for a vision. But when you get beyond all the great speeches about change and bringing people together, what are the goals?
In a nut shell, entitlements for everyone. Now that will inspire you to glory! But he is able to evoke feelings in people. After his victory on Super Tuesday, I was watching his victory speech on TV. There was a blonde middle aged woman just over his left shoulder. She had her hands clasped adoringly, hanging on to his every word and frequently jumping for joy. She reminded me a teenage girl in the early ‘60s at a Beatles concert. And then there’s Robert De Niro speaking at an Obama rally. This is a quote: “I’m here because finally one person has inspired me, one person has given me hope, one person has made me believe that we can make a change — that person is Barack Obama."
Take it easy, Bob! Boy, if Obama should ever disappoint him, I would worry about him. He might turn into that uncontrollable emotional character he played in “Analyze This.”
Voting for a president based on feelings is risky business. Ask yourself one question before you vote for Obama. Besides getting elected, what major thing has he accomplished? Make a list, and see what you come up with.
I am visualizing President Elect Barack Obama’s inaugural speech. It could go something like this: “ Ask not what you can do for your country — ask what your country can do for you. We will not pay any price, will not bear any burden, not meet any hardship and not oppose any foe in the support of liberty."
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 18, 2008. Read the original PDF.