The American presidential primary election for the Democratic Party-which will decide who will run for the presidency in 2008-has turned out to be an interesting race. The top two contenders are Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, two candidates from groups that have been, and still are, ridiculously underrepresented in the political arena. On Jan. 16, Obama, a half-Kenyan, half-white senator from Illinois, launched the campaign that he hopes will make him the first black president of the United States. Clinton, a senator from New York, quickly followed on Jan. 20, announcing her bid to become America’s first female president.
Of course, when I say “underrepresented,” I do not intend to imply that female politicians represent women’s interests and black politicians represent those of the black population. However, considering that women constitute 50 per cent of the population in the United States and blacks almost 13 per cent, their political influence throughout history has been minimal. For example, in the Senate, where presidential candidates tend to come from these days, there are currently just sixteen female senators and only one black senator. I’m excited about Clinton and Obama running for the candidacy because one of the goals of any democratic nation with a diverse population is to draw political representation from all backgrounds. This is ideal not because politicians necessarily represent their own group’s interests, but because having elected officials from many cultures and both genders is a sign that the system is overcoming the socio-political barriers that have traditionally blocked people of certain groups from participating in politics.
Even to most Canadians, who do not keep track of the backgrounds of American senators, the sight of Obama as a potential presidential candidate is anything but mundane. On the TV show 24, the charismatic black American president, Wayne Palmer, caught my attention. I asked myself, “When will that happen in real life?”
Barack Obama emerged into the American consciousness with a captivating speech during John Kerry’s 2004 election campaign. Obama related his father’s experience as a Kenyan immigrant and advocated the concept of “Americans under one flag,” a notion that appealed to many immigrants and native-born citizens alike. Since that speech, Obama has enjoyed enormous popularity, which helped convince him to run for the presidency despite his lack of political experience. Aside from criticism of his inexperience, some people comment that Obama is not “black” enough, and that he appeals overwhelmingly to the white population. I think in some ways this is a good thing, for to be successful Obama needs to show that he’s an American just like any other, concerned about national security, energy issues, and health care. But never mind the presidency-the ultimate question surrounding Obama is: does he stand a chance against Hillary?
I’m sure many of us remember Hillary Clinton as bad-boy Bill’s first lady. However, the senator has emerged as a powerful candidate for the presidency during the last few years through active campaigning and high-profile appearances, including three visits to American soldiers in Afghanistan. The Democrats learned from the debacle of the last election that having a clear position on homeland security is essential, and Obama and Clinton mention this issue every time they have a chance. Some people have commented that as long as there is a “war on terror,” the American public would recoil at the idea of a female president, presumably fearing she would shy away from taking a hard line for national security. That’s why Clinton’s visits to Afghanistan and her stance on Iraq carry such great importance, and she is well aware of the need to show strength regarding the challenges at hand.
Polls have shown Clinton clearly leading Obama in voter support, but recent numbers suggest that Obama has closed that gap, for now at least. Some cite the “Oprah factor” for this change, as Oprah Winfrey has energetically supported Obama, and has hosted him on her program, at least in part because he is an African-American. Or perhaps this shift indicates that, irrespective of race, women have more difficulty than men during political campaigns. It remains to be seen who will win the nomination, and whether either Clinton or Obama will be able to challenge the Republican candidate, likely Arizona senator John McCain or former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Many questions are left to be answered, and I suggest you keep an eye on the primary election this year. The results just might make history.
