In discussing the fact that a woman and a black man were front runners in the United States Democratic campaign, someone said it wasn't really that much of a big deal as Obama was not really black and Clinton was not a real woman. Barack Obama is mixed, his mother is white and his father black, and Hillary Clinton's chiselled face rarely shows any warmth. And after all what normal woman could have maintained such composure through the Monica Lewinsky saga. Where were the tears, the vicious insults and the new sexy outfits?
In a country that is seemingly so bound by stereotypes this campaign has demonstrated a marked maturity. Hillary Clinton does not campaign as a just woman, she is woman who is campaigning to be President of the United States. Clinton takes her punches like the rest of the boys and then delivers a few herself. Obama likewise, does not campaign based on his race, but neither does he try to hide it, "Racism is a function of our society. There are some people who aren't going to vote for me because I have got big ears. Part of my optimism about Americans is that I don't think they expect me to be deracialised in order to represent them." - Time Magazine interview with Barack Obama.
While the campaign continues based largely on issues such as social security, foreign policy, the economy, and health care, both candidates have refrained from playing the race or sex card to their advantage. In the long run, it has paid off for both of these candidates who have gained the respect and the support of the majority. The white male is in third place.
Experience, new ideas
Obama has enlisted the support of Oprah, and if she can do for Obama what she does for sales of books in her book club, he'll be laughing all the way to the White House. Likewise, Clinton announced her own diva, Barbara Streisand, lending her name to her corner, yet I'm not certain a woeful presentation of Memories will quite have the effect as Oprah when she gets going!
Clinton bases her strength on her experience; Obama counters that what he brings is new ideas, "People want judgement and they hope that experience is often a good proxy. Experience can actually be an impediment to good judgement." The debate is lively one, and the campaign is a credit to the American democratic process, a process that was in need of a lift. It is refreshing to see a black man who embraces his race, doesn't even relax his hair, and is a real contender for the presidential elections. Likewise that a woman could be the pacesetter, the one everyone is watching, is remarkable, since not so long ago neither women nor blacks were even allowed to vote.
Race, sex unimportant
Yet, what is most remarkable is how both candidates have such a strong campaign with such a heavy emphasis on the issues and the qualities they need to be the next president of the United States, that their race and sex have become relatively unimportant. Obama has not focused on the black vote, nor has Hillary focused on the women's vote; they have campaigned for the American vote, and America can only be better for it.
Our own leaders would do well to watch this campaign, as Jamaica would benefit from a political campaign that places little importance on the colour of the candidate's skin, how they spoke, looked, or their economic back-ground, and focused more on the issues and person's qualities that would make him/her a good leader for the nation. As Obama put it, someone will always not vote for him because they don't like his big ears, but as presidential candidate, he steers clear of that discussion because it is of no use to the running of the country.
