Second "Common Sense": Obama Emerges Presidential in the Race Issue
Rizwan Ghani
March 20, 2008
When I wrote Forget Florida, Michigan revote on March 10, http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/54794, Democratic Party was under pressure to re-do the vote in both states. The latest decisions to ignore calls for Florida, Michigan re-do show that logic has prevailed. I opposed the re-do because re-vote in both states would not have helped either of the Democratic presidential hopefuls cross the magic figure of 2025 so why waste 18-25 million dollars in a Florida re-run or spend money for Michigan re-vote.
In terms of Obama´s speech being boxed as ´black and white´ following political controversy over Reverend Jeremiah Wright released tapes, I think Obama has emerged presidential. I agree with the opinion that single speech will not help end the race debate that has dogged America for centuries.
Obama by choosing Philadelphia- where the US Declaration of Independence was signed- has shown America that he has the courage and strength to help America understand and correct historical wrongs. It shows the strength of his campaign. The ABC poll has confirmed that 65 percent America voters are unchanged in their opinion about Obama despite release of Wright´s controversial tapes.
In my opinion by delivering the speech, Obama has upheld his pledge of change and hope, while Hillary camp- starting with Bill Clinton´s earlier race remarks- is continuing with negative politics than allowing Democratic Party voters to make informed choices on domestic and foreign policy issues including economy, health care and wars damaging country's image.
In terms of change and hope, I am of the opinion that Obama´s speech is more about helping America than race. This speech is all about second Common Sense, if only it is realized.
In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense (VII Common Sense, Declaration of Independence; article Encarta 2008). In the pamphlet, Paine, a magazine editor and writer newly arrived from England, attacked the king, the idea of royalty, and even the notion that there should be an aristocracy. Paine made a direct appeal for a manifesto or proclamation establishing American independence. The pamphlet had an electrifying effect on hundreds of thousands of colonists. By the spring of 1776, local Committees of Correspondence and some state legislatures began to call openly for independence.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia, proposed a resolution in the Continental Congress 'that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States.' This measure sought to end America´s allegiance to the Crown and dissolve all political connections with Great Britain. Although, the Continental Congress did not pass the resolution until July 2, the appointed committee to draft a formal statement of independence paved the way for (Jefferson´s) Declaration of Independence.
According to the experts on Declaration of Independence, adopted in final form on July 4, 1776 it can be divided into three parts: a statement of principle concerning the rights of man and the legitimacy of revolution, a list of specific grievances against England´s King George III, and a formal claim of independence.
The document transformed the colonists´ struggle with Great Britain from a defense of their rights as Englishmen to a revolution aimed at overthrowing the existing form of government. It did not establish a structure of government and should not be confused with either the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution of the United States. For the American colonists, the declaration was an announcement to the rest of the world that the colonies were independent from Great Britain; it also provided a rationale for this action. The goal was to solidify internal support for their struggle and to encourage external assistance from European powers such as France
I am of the opinion that the venue of Obama´s speech is about the faith in rights of man that helped Americans fight for their independence and hope to solidify internal support for sharing liberties and rights in accordance to the Constitution of America.
In all probability that is one reason he refused to disown his Pastor. Obama would have appeared hypocritical if he had done because he cannot undo the experiences of Wright who had grown in an era of savage racisms, of segregation and legalized discrimination that barred blacks form quality education (violation of 14th amendment), decent housing and better jobs. Clinton camp can squeeze few votes by continuously working the tapes, but it will not change the plight of American citizens and the sentiments that Wright voiced. The issues need to be addressed than politicizing pastor´s alleged ´rhetoric´ because by the end of the day it is all about freedom of speech. Hillary campaign needs to come up with a strategy to resolve these issues than criticizing a common culture because elections are all about change.
The standoff brings the basic difference between Hillary, Obama campaign to forefront. Hillary camp including Bill Clinton by using race to gain political mileage is logically speaking trying to maintain segregation and ´status quo´ instead of putting forth a plan to change the fate of 12 percent of America´s African-American and 34 million people living under federal poverty line of 20,682 dollar annual income.
Obama on the other hand is promising change. His Second Common Sense Speech as I would like to call it is about correcting the fundamentals that are given in Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. It is a tall order. A 232-year-old history cannot be changed in one election.
Obama recognizes the challenge when he said that " Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black or white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy- particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own". However, I am of the opinion that it is the audacity of hope that drives humanity, and Obama is no different.
Hope links Obama to America. It transcends race, cast and creed. It is about aspirations, change and unity. That is one reason Obama said that he stands to change fate of working-class whites struggling to get by. The fact of the matter is upcoming national elections are not about race. It is all about providing solution to complex domestic and foreign policy challenges including mortgage crisis, economic meltdown, improving health care and ending Iraq and Afghan wars.
Obama has 1,617 pledged delegates against Hillary´s 1,498. Hillary leads Obama in super delegates count. According to AP count she has 249 against Obama´s 213. More than 500 pledged delegates remain to be picked, beginning on April 22 in Pennsylvania, which has 158 pledged delegates at stake.
It is opined that Obama will end the primary season with a pledged delegate lead, but not 2025; the magic number win party nomination for presidential candidate. It gives the balance of power to the super delegates, the prominent Democratic Party officials and elected leaders who can side with any candidate. Party leadership including Pelosi are hoping that will of pledged delegates picked in primaries and caucuses will be respected.
Hillary however has pinned her hope on convincing super delegates that she is more electable than Obama in the matchup against McCain because she has more security and foreign policy experience and is better positioned to withstand Republican attacks. She supports her claims by saying that her background has been more thoroughly vetted. I am of the view that on national issues Obama will have much border support because he stands for ending a three trillion Iraq war and instead using tax dollars to resolve domestic challenges. Obama's position will improve against McCain because he is showing no concerns about economic consequences of Iraq war vis-à-vis resolving problems of ordinary American.
The fact of the matter is Iraq war is all about helping private energy giants pillaging Iraqi oil for 2 dollar a barrel and selling it for four plus dollar a gallon in US (Iraqi oil draft remains deadlocked, Feb 29, 2008 www.arabnews.com) while average American is told that Baghdad is not making progress on constitutional laws and other milestones while its population squats and treads through its own waste without access to basic utilities including water, security and peace.
In my opinion Hillary´s long list of achievement that she narrated on American channels is hollow including resolution of Ireland issue. She never had a direct role in the negotiations and the issue is far from settled. Similarly she has issued 1100 pages of her commitments as first lady that in all probability is a cover-up to delay making public her tax report as long as she is facing Obama. The McCain camp will never ask for it because political pundits are still wondering the miracle financing of McCain campaign that was almost bankrupt before it started getting funds out of nowhere.
The fact of the matter is Hillary camp is just not getting the bigger picture. By continuing to stay in the race despite all the math and growing support for Obama in American youth, Hillary is sending the signal that it is all about her and it does not matter if Democratic Party ends up losing national election. No wonder unchallenged Republicans are working on domestic voters and unsuccessfully trying to improve their poor international image.
Finally, Obama has emerged stronger by turning the speech into a second Common Sense message to American voters to help change America. The post speech poll ratings and growing trust of American youth in Obama, show that his message of change and (audacity of) hope has turned him into a true presidential candidate. Hillary´s negative campaign tactics including race has backfired. The poll results also show American voter is more focused on energy and economic challenges than race and negativity. Therefore, in my opinion, Obama´s message of change and hope offering unity and prosperity is going to help him win Democratic Party presidential nomination and in the process end the politics of status quo within the Party and Washington itself in days to come.
In terms of Obama´s speech being boxed as ´black and white´ following political controversy over Reverend Jeremiah Wright released tapes, I think Obama has emerged presidential. I agree with the opinion that single speech will not help end the race debate that has dogged America for centuries.
Obama by choosing Philadelphia- where the US Declaration of Independence was signed- has shown America that he has the courage and strength to help America understand and correct historical wrongs. It shows the strength of his campaign. The ABC poll has confirmed that 65 percent America voters are unchanged in their opinion about Obama despite release of Wright´s controversial tapes.
In my opinion by delivering the speech, Obama has upheld his pledge of change and hope, while Hillary camp- starting with Bill Clinton´s earlier race remarks- is continuing with negative politics than allowing Democratic Party voters to make informed choices on domestic and foreign policy issues including economy, health care and wars damaging country's image.
In terms of change and hope, I am of the opinion that Obama´s speech is more about helping America than race. This speech is all about second Common Sense, if only it is realized.
In January 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense (VII Common Sense, Declaration of Independence; article Encarta 2008). In the pamphlet, Paine, a magazine editor and writer newly arrived from England, attacked the king, the idea of royalty, and even the notion that there should be an aristocracy. Paine made a direct appeal for a manifesto or proclamation establishing American independence. The pamphlet had an electrifying effect on hundreds of thousands of colonists. By the spring of 1776, local Committees of Correspondence and some state legislatures began to call openly for independence.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia, proposed a resolution in the Continental Congress 'that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States.' This measure sought to end America´s allegiance to the Crown and dissolve all political connections with Great Britain. Although, the Continental Congress did not pass the resolution until July 2, the appointed committee to draft a formal statement of independence paved the way for (Jefferson´s) Declaration of Independence.
According to the experts on Declaration of Independence, adopted in final form on July 4, 1776 it can be divided into three parts: a statement of principle concerning the rights of man and the legitimacy of revolution, a list of specific grievances against England´s King George III, and a formal claim of independence.
The document transformed the colonists´ struggle with Great Britain from a defense of their rights as Englishmen to a revolution aimed at overthrowing the existing form of government. It did not establish a structure of government and should not be confused with either the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution of the United States. For the American colonists, the declaration was an announcement to the rest of the world that the colonies were independent from Great Britain; it also provided a rationale for this action. The goal was to solidify internal support for their struggle and to encourage external assistance from European powers such as France
I am of the opinion that the venue of Obama´s speech is about the faith in rights of man that helped Americans fight for their independence and hope to solidify internal support for sharing liberties and rights in accordance to the Constitution of America.
In all probability that is one reason he refused to disown his Pastor. Obama would have appeared hypocritical if he had done because he cannot undo the experiences of Wright who had grown in an era of savage racisms, of segregation and legalized discrimination that barred blacks form quality education (violation of 14th amendment), decent housing and better jobs. Clinton camp can squeeze few votes by continuously working the tapes, but it will not change the plight of American citizens and the sentiments that Wright voiced. The issues need to be addressed than politicizing pastor´s alleged ´rhetoric´ because by the end of the day it is all about freedom of speech. Hillary campaign needs to come up with a strategy to resolve these issues than criticizing a common culture because elections are all about change.
The standoff brings the basic difference between Hillary, Obama campaign to forefront. Hillary camp including Bill Clinton by using race to gain political mileage is logically speaking trying to maintain segregation and ´status quo´ instead of putting forth a plan to change the fate of 12 percent of America´s African-American and 34 million people living under federal poverty line of 20,682 dollar annual income.
Obama on the other hand is promising change. His Second Common Sense Speech as I would like to call it is about correcting the fundamentals that are given in Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. It is a tall order. A 232-year-old history cannot be changed in one election.
Obama recognizes the challenge when he said that " Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black or white, I have never been so naïve as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy- particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own". However, I am of the opinion that it is the audacity of hope that drives humanity, and Obama is no different.
Hope links Obama to America. It transcends race, cast and creed. It is about aspirations, change and unity. That is one reason Obama said that he stands to change fate of working-class whites struggling to get by. The fact of the matter is upcoming national elections are not about race. It is all about providing solution to complex domestic and foreign policy challenges including mortgage crisis, economic meltdown, improving health care and ending Iraq and Afghan wars.
Obama has 1,617 pledged delegates against Hillary´s 1,498. Hillary leads Obama in super delegates count. According to AP count she has 249 against Obama´s 213. More than 500 pledged delegates remain to be picked, beginning on April 22 in Pennsylvania, which has 158 pledged delegates at stake.
It is opined that Obama will end the primary season with a pledged delegate lead, but not 2025; the magic number win party nomination for presidential candidate. It gives the balance of power to the super delegates, the prominent Democratic Party officials and elected leaders who can side with any candidate. Party leadership including Pelosi are hoping that will of pledged delegates picked in primaries and caucuses will be respected.
Hillary however has pinned her hope on convincing super delegates that she is more electable than Obama in the matchup against McCain because she has more security and foreign policy experience and is better positioned to withstand Republican attacks. She supports her claims by saying that her background has been more thoroughly vetted. I am of the view that on national issues Obama will have much border support because he stands for ending a three trillion Iraq war and instead using tax dollars to resolve domestic challenges. Obama's position will improve against McCain because he is showing no concerns about economic consequences of Iraq war vis-à-vis resolving problems of ordinary American.
The fact of the matter is Iraq war is all about helping private energy giants pillaging Iraqi oil for 2 dollar a barrel and selling it for four plus dollar a gallon in US (Iraqi oil draft remains deadlocked, Feb 29, 2008 www.arabnews.com) while average American is told that Baghdad is not making progress on constitutional laws and other milestones while its population squats and treads through its own waste without access to basic utilities including water, security and peace.
In my opinion Hillary´s long list of achievement that she narrated on American channels is hollow including resolution of Ireland issue. She never had a direct role in the negotiations and the issue is far from settled. Similarly she has issued 1100 pages of her commitments as first lady that in all probability is a cover-up to delay making public her tax report as long as she is facing Obama. The McCain camp will never ask for it because political pundits are still wondering the miracle financing of McCain campaign that was almost bankrupt before it started getting funds out of nowhere.
The fact of the matter is Hillary camp is just not getting the bigger picture. By continuing to stay in the race despite all the math and growing support for Obama in American youth, Hillary is sending the signal that it is all about her and it does not matter if Democratic Party ends up losing national election. No wonder unchallenged Republicans are working on domestic voters and unsuccessfully trying to improve their poor international image.
Finally, Obama has emerged stronger by turning the speech into a second Common Sense message to American voters to help change America. The post speech poll ratings and growing trust of American youth in Obama, show that his message of change and (audacity of) hope has turned him into a true presidential candidate. Hillary´s negative campaign tactics including race has backfired. The poll results also show American voter is more focused on energy and economic challenges than race and negativity. Therefore, in my opinion, Obama´s message of change and hope offering unity and prosperity is going to help him win Democratic Party presidential nomination and in the process end the politics of status quo within the Party and Washington itself in days to come.
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