After two decades of the GOP wreaking havoc on the political process and driving wedges between various groups in our society, America was ready for someone who could bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring disparate groups together. The image of such a president was so attractive then, that George W. Bush managed to con more than a few people who should have known better to vote for him when he packaged it as being a "uniter, not a divider." So hypnotic was this kind of talk that Bush managed to Svengali more than a few voters -- and most of the national news media -- into not noticing the more than ample evidence that the man was a doofus.
In 2000, what the country was looking for most of all was a soothing caretaker. I would have been happy with that, as long as s/he also had plans for moving the nation steadily in a progressive direction. I would have been all over Obama if he had come out in that election.
But that was then. This is now.
Over the past 8 years, Bush and the Republicans have wrought an unprecedented level of destruction on the US government, the US constitution, and the very essence of the American ideal. Given that, I think what this country really needs out of its next president is someone who will commit him/herself to the maximum effort necessary to undo the mindboggling damage done by his/her predecessor. In that light, bringing people together ranks 8th or 9th on my top 10 list of important tasks for the next president. Similarly, being a fresh face, a different kind of politician, someone without a lot of Washington experience, ranks about 8th or 9th on my list of important qualities for the next president.
I have heard some of those in the mood for deification of Obama suggest he/his movement is reminiscent of Bobby Kennedy. That may be overblown, or it may be on-point. Either way, that characterization would be much more impressive in a year like 1968 or 2000, when our nation's social divisions threatened to rip us apart at the seams. In the year 2008, that characterization strikes me as quaintly out of... 1968 or 2000.
As an African-American (technically, that shouldn't be relevant, but let's be real: it is very relevant), and a activist for minority interests, it pains me beyond words not to be able to wholeheartedly embrace the first black man with an excellent shot at becoming president of the United States. But listening to him talk, and seeing how he operates, I can't help feeling Obama would leave too many crucial tasks not completed, or at-best partially completed in a pointless celebration of "outreach," "compromise," and "bringing people together." Because he and his supporters are fooling themselves if they think the sheer charisma and intellect of Obama will cause the GOP and their sponsors to allow their ill-gotten gains of the Bush agenda to be undone.
"Hope" and "change" almost always sound good in an election year. But a whole campaign/movement built around those concepts? In 2008, that sounds more than anything else corny and inadequate.
That's why I'm with Edwards this time out.