Let me be honest here. I am not a fan of Mandela. No. It would be an understatement to say that I am a fan. He means way more than that to me. So much more. He is Madiba. He is the “father”.
The father that inspires me. Inspires me to be the best I can be for others. The man who showed me that one person can make a difference. A difference that is good for others and oneself.
He is the father that made us a nation. A flawed nation, but a nation nonetheless. Like any good father he loves us for who we are and who we can be. He disciplines us when we are wrong, but he loves us unconditionally. We might rebel every now and again, but we know we are his children. We know because he served us for 27 years while in jail. Never waivering in his belief that we can and should be better than what we were. And we don’t always know why he loves us and cares for us. But he does. He loves us warts and all. Like a father should.
He reminds us of our place in the world. He made us part of a larger family. Reminded us of our place in this world. Our responsibility to others in this world. Told us to take his family motto of love to the world. To never be quiet when we see injustice done. No matter what the consequences might be. And the world loves him for this. The world that believes in love, peace and responsibility.
He is ubuntu. Believing in others more than himself. Serving others and caring for others not because he has to but because it is what makes him Madiba. Like breathing. He just does what should be done. No hidden agenda. He is because others are. He is us - the us we want to be.
To call me a fan would be an understatement. Get it?
So why do I even start comparing Obama to Mandela? I don’t know. I have been watching him and listening to him. And something in him spoke to me. I couldn’t put my finger on it. But I think it is because he reminds me of my own father - Madiba.
And not just because they look alike. Yes they do and it has nothing to do with them both being black. They have the same shaped head and thin long jaw. No wait, it’s the mouth and the eyes. Those mouths are the same - just look at those lines next to their mouths. It is a carbon copy of each other. It comes from easy laughs and smiles. And the eyes. Notice how they look at you when they talk to you. They look at you and you can see in their eyes that they actually believe what they say. Of course it helps that they are also build the same. Lean and tall. But I think the younger Mandela would take out Obama in a fight though - just look at those early boxing photo’s. But they look the same.
Make no mistake - not everyone will like Obama. And that is a good thing. Mandela wasn’t liked by everyone. Not everyone in this world saw him as the peacemaker. They kept him in jail dude. How could they like him when he told them that what they did were wrong? People have ego’s and self-interest to look after. And Mandela challenged those. Of course you can’t find those people anywhere now. They just don’t exist anymore. Denying that they ever disliked him - except behind closed doors. They are gone - just like those who hated Kennedy and MLK when they were alive. They just hated Mandela for what he stood for. Someone who asked them to be better than what they were. Asking them to change and get out of their comfort zone. And those same people will hate Obama and what he stands for. Asking people to change and be better than what they are. And many of those people who hated Mandela were those in power. Those who benefited from the system. And those would be the people who will hate Obama most. People who benefit from the system. And those who are trying to tell people that the system benefits everyone. Of course they are wrong. Some people benefit more than others. And some people have more power than others. And those in power will hate Obama the way that Mandela was hated by the Apartheid regime. They don’t want change because they are happy where they are - in charge and in it for their own benefit alone. You watching Washington? But great leaders don’t waver just because people don’t like them. Mandela didn’t and Obama shouldn’t. Stick to the plan. Stick to what your heart and mind tell you are the right things to do. Those who hate you today will be quiet tomorrow.
Don’t expect Obama to be perfect though. Mandela wasn’t. Mandela made some huge mistakes. Just look at his original position on HIV/Aids. That was a big mistake. And Obama will make mistakes. Who doesn’t? Show me a leader and I will show you mistakes. But great leaders will overcome this and learn from their mistakes. It is not the mistakes that counts, it is how you respond once you realize that you are wrong. Leaders make mistakes. Great leaders learn from them and work through their mistakes.
I don’t get the “Obama is a great speaker” bit that Hillary is trying to sell people. He isn’t. He stutters and don’t have an easy flow. But he is great at saying the right things. That’s why they care about what he has to say. That’s why they listen. Because he doesn’t talk to them, but with them. People can sense that when he talks. He means what he says and it matters. Mandela was the same. He was the worse speaker you can think of. Same stuttering and lack of flow. But people listened because they knew that what he said mattered. Because he was talking with them. And they could feel that he meant what he said. They knew that they were in the presence of something great. They knew that they were in the presence of someone who will make them better than what they are. That was Mandela and that is Obama. They talk with us and about us. In the same fallible way we talk.
Great leaders lead. They are born to do this. They didn’t decide one day to become this leader. They just lead because it is their destiny. They will tell you that it will be difficult to go where they want to go, but that the end would be better. They don’t try and tell people about every policy and every detail of how they will govern. No. They paint people a picture and tell them to follow. And the most difficult part is when they have to take people to places where they don’t want to go. Outside their comfort zone. Mandela did that a few times. When popular leaders tried the populist routs and targeted the white communities. They shouted slogans like “kill the farmer, kill the boer” and “one settler, one bullet”. And Mandela stood up and berated them in front of everyone. Asking them who is the leader? Who will lead people to a better place? That it is easy to shout slogans, because it spoke to our worse fears and thoughts. But that real leaders go forwards and take people with them - sometimes kicking and screaming. I know. I was at some of those rallies. And Obama does the same. He berated the Clintons because they were starting to do the populist thing - insulting Obama and trying to drag him into a bit of mud slinging. And he almost fell for it. He almost got involved in their fight. But he remembered what this was all about. It’s about America and the future, not about Obama and the Clintons. And he berated them because that is not the way you lead. That’s the way you herd cattle, not the way you lead.
Mandela always put people first. He told us that South Africa is about the people in South Africa. No matter where they come from or the color of their skin. It was always people first. And we could sense that. We could sense the way he cared was something we have never experienced before. That he cared more for his people than he cared about himself. That it was about you and not him. And I hear that and see that in Obama. That this is about the American people. No matter where you come from or who you are. This is your time. This is the time for Americans to take America back. To take it back to the place that we all love. Yes, we all love. Because no matter where you are, people across the world loved America and what it stood for. But we haven’t had that America since Kennedy died. It’s been all politics since then. Every President trying to leave a legacy. And the easiest way that those Presidents got their legacy was through wars or paying people off through tax breaks or aid. They forgot what America stood for. And in Obama we see the opportunity to take America back to the place that we all inspire to become. The land of the free.
A land of hope. Mandela gave us that. He gave us hope for a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow for us and our children. He showed us that we can be better than what we are. That we can have a better tomorrow. That it won’t always be easy. But that we can have a better tomorrow through hard work and a steadfast vision. Mandela gave us hope for a better South Africa. And we are better. Better than at any stage in our history. Not perfect. Just better. And that’s the hope. We are not stupid. We know that life will never be a walk in the park. That’s life. We live and learn. And hope we have more enjoyment than struggles. But it is a hope of a better future we can believe in. Not a false hope of a perfect future. And that’s what Obama is giving America. Hope. That is the most powerful thing that he is giving America. Hope for a better future. And the difference is that it is not only a hope we can believe in, but a hope that we know he believes in. Politicians always try to give us hope. But we are not stupid. We can hear in their voices that it is a hope they are trying to sell us. Not a hope they believe in. But Obama gives America a hope he believes in. He is painting a picture, not trying to sell an empty hope.
And of course Mandela was all about change. Change in the type of leader we had and change in the type of government we had. Obama won’t have to change a whole political system. But in a way his challenge is even more difficult. He doesn’t have the opportunity to get rid of all the old dead wood in government. No, they will remain in power. But he has to fight them day in and day out. Get them moving - kicking and screaming. But he can do it as long as he stays true and he remains open and honest with the American people. But change will come. The real benefit of change in Washington will most likely only come after he has left office. When the new breed of leaders come through. Those who saw this path of Obama and decided to take change to Washington. But Obama will plant the seeds and we will continue to eat the fruit when he leaves.
And like Mandela Obama will have very little experience in running a country. Leaders don’t need experience. They just need to employ the right people to make it happen. They paint the picture and others will make it happen. Mandela had no experience. 27 years in jail does not give you any experience to run a country. But he is the greatest leader the world has seen since Ghandi. And talk about Ghandi - what experience did he have? A bit of traveling in South Africa? And Churchill? He was a journalist in South Africa before he took up politics. And the same with Kennedy - not a lot of experience for such a young man. Great leaders are born, not made. Experience is needed for a Vice President and the Generals. Not for those who must lead a country.
In a way experience can be counter to what we really need. It muddies the water and creates white noise. You want someone to have experience in Washington where all the problems are? That just makes them part of the problem. Not the solution. Did you want experience when you got married? No, you just wanted someone to love you and help you figure out this complex world. Love was the only experience you wanted. Obama has just the right amount of experience in Washington to know that it doesn’t work. And that he should do this before he gets sucked into that system as well.
Obama is America’s Mandela. He speaks with us and not to us. He gives us hope we can believe in and not a packaged hope ready for a quick sale. He gives us a future we can believe in and that he believes in. He gives us back our rightful place in the world, not one forced upon us and them. He gives us leadership to take us where we need to go, not always where we want to go. He gives us belief in us as people because he believes in us. He gives us the experience of leadership, not the leadership of the status quo. He leads us, but don’t herd us. Most of all. He gives us the inspiration to be better than what we are. He inspires us to be better than what we are and better for each other. He has shown us a future we can believe in. A future where America is free. And an America we and the world can love again.
We used to shout slogans whenever we saw Madiba. It was our way to honor him. Viva Mandela, viva. Long live, Madiba, long live. Viva Barack, viva. Long live, Obama, long live.
Note: If Obama is Mandela does it make Hillary Mbeki? Yes. Like Mbeki she will be loved by some and hated by others because of her ideological bias and political baggage. She will divide people more than bring them together. And like Mbeki she will reflect the old school politicians. Those with ties to the past leadership and ties to the political system. Those with the experience of doing nothing. Those who the system say they hate, but love because nothing will really change. But like Mbeki she will be a good manager of government. But it will be a government of limited change. Only change around the edges. A few policies and practices. But not change of the system that created the problems to start off with. And like Mbeki she will not give us hope or inspire us. She will manage the country and do no worse than other Presidents. But you won’t look back and remember her in the same way you will remember Kennedy, Ghandi, Madiba or Churchill. Your children will look back and learn about her. But as a President that did good things and bad things. Not as a President that defined who we are and who we can be. But with Obama you might. You stand a chance. With Obama you might actually make the world believe in itself again.
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27 responses so far ↓
Steve // February 20, 2008 at 11:28 am
Well so far Obama’s looking like the best of the three likely front runners. He’s a bit young to be the grandfather of the nation, though.
Amayel's Notes // February 20, 2008 at 11:33 am
Really? They look alike? I find a lot of similarities in their message of peace, change, hope and unity, their persona and their journey but no physical resemblance!
Obama put it best: “I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about change in Washington. I’m asking you to believe in yours.”
Yes, he is!
kizzie // February 20, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Obama is Africa’s new hope!
Amayel's Notes // February 20, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I don’t know about being Africa’s new hope. He most certainly is for America.
I’ve been hearing this new chant about Obama for Africans. I’m sure he has good intentions towards us, but he’s not running for presidency in Africa. He cares, but I’m not sure how that translates regarding Africa’s interests.
Alvin Ramirez // February 20, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Oh please get a grip. There is no comparison. Obama is NO Mandela.
miss malevolent // February 21, 2008 at 9:57 pm
No.
Obama and his wife started the mudslinging.
I mean everyone wants to romanticize this guy…but he uses the same sleazy tactics everyone else is using, but he gets a pass because no one wants to be called a racist for calling him out on his crap.
Michelle Obama made a sexist remark about Clinton SIX MONTHS AGO.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sN1qZMBE9Gc
They started the personal attacks. They smeared the Clinton’s as being racists.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9RY9h2ijHmw
All, Clinton did was call him on his inexperience, which he is.
Now it looks like Hillary is going to lose the nomination. And I would vote for Obama before I would vote for McCain. But there is no way in the world I’m viewing that very flawed man as a Messiah.
ilovemylife // February 22, 2008 at 3:14 am
Well, I liked very much your thoughts and comparisons. Everyone sees through their own experience, ego and ability to “see”. For anyone who has tried to genuinely lead ~ no matter how small the “arena” ~ it is a monumental task that requires natural ability, priorities of true purpose and courage just for starters.
I’m voting for Barack March 4.
americana83 // February 22, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Obama is a great speaker and strategist. Even if he might make a slip of tongue or a stumble, he has much charisma, and knows how and when to say something. Change in and of itself is not necessarily a good thing. There was a regime change in Russia in 1917 that brought about complete economic, political, social and religious change; but only one who knew nothing about the true nature of that change could say it was good.
I also wonder how much good change Obama will inspire. He has been endorsed by John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, both of whom are very much Washington insiders. Even major media are swooning over him, so to speak. These are the very people and institutions that embody the establishment, the status quo. If someone was seriously going to go into Washington to even start to clean up the mud, they would be shunned, spurned and ridiculed at every opportunity by mass media and the “good ole’ boy” politicians.
I do believe Obama will change America, but I do not believe he is America’s Nelson Mandela.
Tom Robinson // February 22, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Three years ago I had the pleasure of hosting South Africa’s Wendy Luhabe on a special visit to Seattle (about as far on the planet from Johannesburg as you can get!). She told the bracing and wondrous story of the 1994 transition to ANC rule with the advent of reconciliation and immediate sharing of government positions by South African women. It was a revolutionary tale, as much or more immediate and transformative as the collapse of the Berlin Wall or the Soviet Union. Of course Mandela’s unique and visionary leadership made the difference in such a huge transition.
The possible election of Barack Obama could be that kind of “tipping point.” I don’t know if we can find a direct parallel between Mandela and Obama, but please stay tuned for what could be a mighty big transition for the US.
Elaine McKillop, Esq. // February 22, 2008 at 10:44 pm
You describe Obama and use words like “hope”, “peace”, “change” and I don’t know what the hell you are talking about because these words have no meaning unless you can identify the problems facing this country and ask if Obama has realistic plan to solve them. I have heard Obama speak and I am not impressed because his policies are about the same as the other CFR candidates. There is not a dimes worth of difference between Hillary, Obama, and McCain. First let us define some of the real problems facing this country. We are in a financial crisis. Our monetary system has been hijacked by the Federal Reserve, a group of private bankers that are not federal and are not a “Reserve”. They control the interest rate and print money out of thin air and charge the U.S. citizens interest on the “money” they create. We are trillions of dollars in debt and we are borrowing money from China to fight an illegal, undeclared war. We can never get out of debt until we have a form of sound money. Obama does really not have a plan for this monetary crisis, In fact if all of his “plans” are enacted he will spend 280 billion dollars more then the currant budget when this country is facing bankruptcy. On the other hand Dr. Ron Paul would save the country 150 billion dollars by enacting his policies. Dr. Paul would end the war immediately, not just give lip service to it as does Clinton and Obama. Neither Clinton or Obama would commit to ending the war in their first term if elected president. Not only would Dr. Paul end the war, he would bring the troops home from all over the world so that they can defend our shores rather then use our solders to protect oil and for nation building for corporate interest. Obama also wants the U.S. citizens to pay taxes to the U.N.. Another great danger facing U.S. citizens is the loss of our civil liberties. Our Constitution and our Bill of Rights have been destroyed by Treaties, like Nafta and Gatt and by the “Patriot Act and the “War Commission Act”. At this point in time a U.S. citizen can be searched, seized, jailed and held without being told what they are accused of, without being brought before a judge, tortured and secluded for an indefinite period of time. The War on Drugs another assault on our civil liberties jails drug possessors with a medical problem, who have not harmed the life, liberty or property of another and then uses these non violent prisoners as slave labor in prison factories. The largest population incarcerated by the War on Drugs are young black men. In the age group between 20 and 24, 1 out of 4 is in jail. The only presidential candidate that wants to free the modern day slaves immediately and restore our civil liberties and legalize the Constitution is not your Obama, but Dr. Ron Paul. He is more concerned about inner city justice then Obahama. Why doesn’t Obama care that the Federal government lacks jurisdiction over drug possession, as it did alcohol back in Prohibition when people understood the Constitution and required an Amendment to prohibit the possession of a substance? Dr. Paul would end Nafta GATT and other unfair treaties that caused jobs to move overseas. Dr. Paul would end the IRS and put money back in the peoples pocket. Dr. Paul would end policies that give money to other countries, as the U.S. is giving $800,000 a day in Iraq to keep from being attacked, so they can say the “Surge” is working. As you can see, I do not believe that Obama is the man for the job. What change will he make that will strengthen the dollar, restore liberty, or create peace or prosperity in this country. Obama is listed in the top ten of corrupt politicians according to Judicial Watch. He is just another corporate owned CFR One Worlder who will lead this country to destruction. I value politicians, not by how well they speak, but by the policies they make and by their integrity. Dr. Ron Paul in the most honorable man in Washington. All I have to know about Obahama is that he is Chaney’s cousin to know he would NEVER get my vote!
Stacy Darling // February 22, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Let’s take a closer look at who’s really qualified and or who’s really
working for the good of all of us in the SENATE. OBAMA or CLINTON.
Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to make
an informed decision.
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6 years - and
another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20
-twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the Website of the Library of Congress
http://www.thomas.loc.gov http://www.thomas.loc.gov/, but to save you the
trouble, I’ll have posted them here for you.
CLINTON
1. Established the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Supported the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognized the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Named courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Named courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Named Post Office after Jonn A. O’Shea.
7. Designated August 7,2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Supported the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart
Recognition Day.
9. Honored the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the
bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulated the Syracuse University orange Men’s Lacrosse Team
on winning the championship.
11. Congratulated the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men’s Lacross Team on
winning the championship.
12. Established the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution
Commemorative Program.
13. Names Post Office after Seargeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honored Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and
expressed condolences on her death.
15. Honored John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters
who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton’s bills are, more
substantive.
16. Extended period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Payed for city projects in respons to 9/11.
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assisted family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designated part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as
protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it, the facts straight from the Senate Record.
Now, I would post those of OBAMA’S, but the list is too substantive, so
I’ll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored
over 820 bills. He introduced:
233 - regarding healthcare reform,
125 - on poverty and public assistance,
112 - crime fighting bills,
97 - economic bills,
60 - human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 - ethics reform bills,
15 - gun control,
6 - veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and
co-sponsored another 427. These included ***the Coburn-Obama
Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, ***The Lugar-Obama
Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction
Act, - became la, ***The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed
the Senate, ***The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law, ***The
Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee,
and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Sentate, Senator OBAMA has written 890
bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record
according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made
public.
HE’s not just a TALKER - He’s a doer.
alberta treaddway // February 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Obama is not a great speaker! he stutters and at time’s that bothers me. But thinking of a good clean, honest to goodness family in the white house again? I can handle that? The little feet running and sounding on the white house floor will be that of innocent children——–not that of Bill Cllinton useing a young Monica L. for his own sex toy. He can’t do no worse than BUSH , JOHN MCCAIN BUSH, Or adultry Bill Clinton. Must I go on. Obama has some good idea’s. and if you like Hillary’s —than you like his. They are pretty similar give n a couple things. But you get people to look at this country with humanity when you put Oabama and his family in the white House. With the Cllintons, it’s continue polorization of the party’s and world leaders and little luck of world leaders truesting or cooperating with the Clintons. There is many reasons to vote Obama. Not just his substance, or speech’s.
alberta treaddway // February 23, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Oh Stacy Darling You kind of left out she supported NAFTA that sent all our jobs over seas. And you mustn’t for get to give her credit for Helping Mr. Bush go to War with Iraq and get over4,000 of our loved ones killed an thousand mained. Oh don’t forget how wonderfully she handled 140 million dollars of the peoples in this campagne election year. She also supported the donut shops,coffee shops, and pizza and famcy Hotels with All Our money she was give to run her campagne and get elected. Yes, we have a lot to thank Clinton for. Includeing her being smart enough to send her husband out on the campagne trail to say racial statements, Blow his top at reporters and by standers. ——————————We just have so much to thank this woman for. Don’t we1
Gee // February 24, 2008 at 9:03 am
Well written article. I have been staying in South Africa since 2004 and I can say there is no place like this in most parts of the world, which I have also been to; of course with funding from the SA government. A lot of Africans feel more at home in SA than their own countries; Zimbabwean, Nigerians, and are very free to live just like SA citizens. We even have rights that are the reserve of the rich where I come from. Thank God for Mandela and so many others. OR Tambo was a lot more experienced than Madiba, but he chose Madiba to be the leader, to go out and talk to other African leaders back then (I know from “Long Walk to Freedom”). The world doesn’t need war heroes to bring food to the table, we need leaders to unite the world. I say thank you to the Americans who are routing for Obama. Just the same way I say thank you to South Africans for their tolerance after all they went through. Viva Madiba, Viva Obama.
arthur // February 25, 2008 at 1:11 am
I think Obama is Just unstoppable,because even those who hate him(ok those who dont like his ideas like his character),those who dont want his character,like his ideas,dont you think so??Am not in the US but i have a strong feeling Change is at corner
Nzuzo // February 25, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Well, I know one thing for sure, Obama is no Mandela. But he speaks of hope and unity- and that is so like Mr. Mandela’s life achievement for SA. He united races, tribes that were not seeing eye to eye for centuries. He introduced South Africa to the world and its ability to embrace the possibility of change and hope to mend past hurts and injustices against the black majority in South Africa. When the angry and embittered freedom fighters wer hailing the exodus of White and repossessing the land he(Mandela) fought for unity and resource sharing- which his White counterparts didn’t expect. He believed in the impossible and the Lord Almighty brought it pass.
Shouldn’t that be same dream and HOPE for America? Unity and Favor with God and the rest of the world? He may be yound and less experienced that Clinton, but let me tell you, if you go back to the drawing baord from the beginning of time, God uses ordinary people, and not those who feel they have arrived. Hope is priceless. And believing in what you have seen already is not hope at all. And that same hope kept Mandela alive, while serving a life sentence for what he believed in(people’s right to vote and freedo for all).
I believe that same hope was what kept American fighting the British for their freedom/indepence from the Black Jack. The same hope that drove the civil rights movement, could be a morden-day movement for change in this country, not just nationally but around the world. You’d be surpised by the world’s response when Obama becomes the first black America president. I pray to God to live to see the day he is sworn in as the next US commander-in-chief, with the rest of the world looking on saying: “It actually happened, and they didn’t know that the US nation had it in them to CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE ENTIRE WORLD. America set an example to gain your glory in the world.
Rob Mortimer // February 26, 2008 at 5:51 am
I don’t think they are too alike, but Obama does have the similarity of carrying the hopes of the underclasses and excluded in his campaign.
He would make a good president, he cannot fail to be better than Bush, but he isn’t Mandela, and he isn’t some kind of minority and liberalism saviour even if thats secretly what we all hope.
SS San Diego // February 28, 2008 at 1:26 am
This was a very interesting article. Although I think it’s too early to compare Obama to Mandela, I see very clearly the similarity in thier message. Experience is important but one’s ability to rally people behind a certain cause is priceless. Obama does this almost effortlessly. And he’s not entirely wet behind the ears. He has a distinguished record and a great sense of what everyday people are going through - gained during 20 years of public service, mostly at the grassroots level. At the end of the day I believe the greatest man or woman is one who recognizes thier own shortcommings. That person will be more willing and able to allign themselves with the most qualified policy-makers (the best and brightest our nation has to offer) and will do just fine leading America in a new direction. However, if they become a polarizing figure, which is how many people describe Hillary, they will never get the opportunity to hear the best ideas, no matter what side of the political isle they come from and they will most certainly never get the support of Congress to actually achieve anything. I’m quite excited to vote Democrat in 2008 and I’m proud of my decsion to vote for Obama in Californias Democratic Primary.
Thanks!
Pat // March 1, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Great article! As a colored person living in the US it is great to get the perspective from a thoughtful and learned African.
I feel it is premature to compare Obama to Gandhi or Mandela. But one thing I have heard about these great leaders is their power to inspire common people to doing great things. Obama certainly has such a power . I am in my mid 30’s, and have been cynical about politics all my life. Obama is making me rething that.
Jim Hurley // March 2, 2008 at 12:45 pm
It’s amazing that George Bush has done more to help Africa than any president or leader of any country in the world.
Godwin Akhirebhulu // March 2, 2008 at 1:19 pm
You will all agree with me that Obama is the man the trend of life has revealled. There are striking similarities as per Obama and Madela comparatively. Ask Madela and he will confirm this. The truth is that even Hilary Clinton cannot wait to congratulate and support Obama after March the 4th and up till his becoming the next American President. Thank you Hilary Clinton for voting Obama. Thank you Hilary. Respek!
Obama is the man and I will vote him without loking back.
Godwin Akhirebhulu // March 2, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Obama is the man. Even Hilary cannot wait to vote for him after the 4th of March.
Thank you Hilary Clinton for voting Obama. Forget about the comparative relationship between Obama and madela. Only time will tell.
Charles // March 2, 2008 at 4:21 pm
The first time that I heard Obama speak I had the
same reaction as the first time that I heard Bill
Clinton speak–I thought they both were full of it! I was certainly right about Clinton and I am confident that I am correct about Obama.
As for Mandela, I am in awe of his struggles but don’t think much of him past that. OVERRATED!
Lefika // March 11, 2008 at 1:38 am
Mandela wanted to be the first South African Black President, Obama wants to be America’s first Black President. Mandela’s task was to reconcile South Africans, Obama’s task will be to reconcile America with the rest of the world. They have lot in common, no wonder you are comparing them. Yes Obama has never spent 27 years in jail, he is not 90 yrs old. But he is a visionary, just like Madiba is. My statement is support by his presidential announcement speech of February 10, 2007: “But all of this cannot come to pass until we bring an end to this war in Iraq. Most of you know I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was a tragic mistake. Today we grieve for the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been. America, it’s time to start bringing our troops home. It’s time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else’s civil war. That’s why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008. Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last, best hope to pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace.”
I don’t think that Obama’s is bad news for America at all. Yes, Hillary Clinton has got the needed political experience, she is a former first lady of America. Hang on, Governance is not like HIV/AIDS! It’s not infectious, you dont just become a leader because your spouse was a leader.
The reason I like Obama is because he is smart, he has the ability to connect with people, while I also like his ideas on affordable, quality healthcare, progressive education policies and, of course, his opposing the war in Iraq. His humble begginings also compliment his leadership characteristics. For the first time I do agree with you. As to Charles, no one has ever rated Madiba. Tata is not a populist, I don’t think he will even approve if someone would want to rate him. No-one can ever afford to rate MADIBA, INCLUDING YOU CHARLES.
Suzanne Langley // March 18, 2008 at 2:51 am
I have called in on this location on many an instance now but this post is the 1st one that I have ever commented on.
Congratulations on such a first-rate critique and site. I have found it to be very helpful and educational - I only wish that there were more blogs online like this one.
I never disappear from this blog without learning anything, from time to time I may feel a tiny bit saddened that I may not agree with a blog article or comeback that has been made. But hey! that is existence and if every one decided to agree on the same thing what a boring old world we would exist in.
Please maintain your admirable work.
Having said all of this, and if I’m kindly allowed to continue with my entries I will come again to post on your blog site soon
Cheers, have a great day and thank you.
M. Simon // April 6, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Totally agree.
Mandella is a Communist. So is Obama.
You hit it brother. Keep up the good work.
Axel // July 11, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I’m hispanic, and I strongly believe Obama will have a huge support from most of the minorities citizens and with no doubts he will be the first minority to get in the White House as a president of United State. I predict California, Texas, Florida and New York would be the keys for his victory to Mr. Obama in November 2008.
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