“Change We Can Believe In” - After Forty Years of Waiting

This past week not only brought the 2008 Democratic Primary to a close with Barack Obama’s climactic St. Paul speech where he could finally declare himself the nominee, it exposed the wrenching difficulty of bringing the not-quite-successful Clinton campaign to closure as well. Beyond these immediate events and concerns were reminders of another heroic campaign forty years ago against equally entrenched establishment forces and the inclusive, healing message first heard at that time and now given new voice in this present campaign. A design greater than human seems behind Obama’s acceptance of the Kennedy mantle and his decision to speak from Indianapolis on Martin Luther King’s Birthday this year. The Clintons in turn mirror Lyndon Johnson’s assumed control of the Democratic Party of his time with the attached lesson that real change involves more than legislation; it is a matter of spirit and vision. Hillary Clinton’s speech on Saturday, June 7, finally suspending her campaign following what must have been agonizing hours of indecision, may have served to break the restraining mold of the past, at least as far as the Clintons themselves are concerned.

Hillary Clinton showed uncommon courage in her campaign suspension speech. In doing so, she overcame negative impressions left from her inability to effectively end her campaign on Tuesday, June 3, when she retained the atmosphere of a victory speech and even had herself introduced as, “The next President of the United States.” Gone in this final speech were the combative language and the pasted on smile. These were replaced by a serious and sometimes painful expression, especially when she intoned the Obama slogan, “Yes we can!” But she showed her inner strength in continuing through this pain and clearly expressing support for Obama.

The dedication of Clinton’s supporters in this gathering was obvious. No doubt their voiced resistance to her capitulation made her message even harder to deliver. This speech was devoid of layered meanings for opposing groups to construe at will. The message was direct and unequivocal that Hillary Clinton chose to throw her support behind Obama and to campaign wholeheartedly on his behalf. She also entrusted her cause to Obama and encouraged her supporters to join his campaign, stating that any Democratic administration would prove more beneficial than a Republican one.

In doing this, Senator Clinton left no doubt that she still considers herself the superior candidate. She did speak to Obama’s sincerity, however, and to her conviction that she would be able to further her causes during an Obama administration. She is to be commended for her forthrightness in not proclaiming something as yet unfelt. Obama now has ample time to prove his worth to Hillary Clinton, her supporters and to all Americans. Hillary Clinton has found opportunity for personal growth in finally accepting this challenge of capitulation and dedication to a larger campaign.

Whatever happens now, this campaign has presented Hillary Clinton with valuable lessons: never underestimate an opponent, never consider victory inevitable, unite rather than attempt to divide, and remain true to your message. Clinton lost her campaign for the Presidency by underestimating not only Barack Obama but John Edwards as well. She and her staff were clearly baffled when victory eluded them in Iowa, South Carolina and then on Super Tuesday. The old tactic of attempting to play one group against another had only limited success and caused even supporters to view her as unlikable. Still, Hillary Clinton fought a courageous campaign, especially toward the end when she showed more of her positive attributes by dropping negative attacks against Obama and concentrating on issues.

With occasional exceptions, Obama effectively set the tone for this campaign from the beginning and succeeded in winning against the odds. It is hard now to remember that Obama was not expected to win Iowa, but he did. He was not expected to win in South Carolina, but he did. The momentum began to build from there and has continued against increasingly varied opposition that has only served to prepare the campaign for the upcoming general election.

The seminal points of Obama’s message are healing and inclusiveness. Obama’s campaign brings healing for the collective psychological abuse brought to American society through eight years of the Bush administration’s fear and hate mongering. His campaign seeks to reach out and include all people rather than attempting to exploit differences and pit one group against another as successive Republican campaigns have done. Obama brings hope for substantial change within institutions, approaches, and attitudes; and he embodies this change within his own demeanor. He is fully committed to the change he promotes and to the hope he espouses, and liberally transmits energy to others as they take up the cause and make it their own.

Obama’s campaign represents a sea change in American politics, bringing with it a fresh outlook on domestic, social, environmental and economic policy and a new commitment to US involvement and leadership within the wider world community. No potential leader since Robert Kennedy has articulated such a vision for wholeness and reform within America. It is time that the dream of forty years ago, shared by John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, finally becomes a reality. Barack Obama now carries the Kennedy mantle in response to a greater design than we may see, but its energy pulses within our hearts, calling us to feel it together and promote this worthy man to service as our leader.