The Case Against Obama

Gabriel Rom

I recently attended a youth political panel discussion in downtown New York City. The panelists were asked about their opinions for the current 08 presidential race, as well as their thoughts on the general climate of American politics. Immediately it was clear that Barack Obama was all of the panelists’ clear choice. I looked forward to hearing their rationale behind their support, yet the closest I got was the vague “spirit” of Barack Obama, and the “broad changes” he will bring. Specific policies and/or remarks seemed to lose out to vague almost cliché lauding. Over the forty five minute conversation the issue of Obama’s lack of political experience was not alluded to once. Frankly, there was no discussion of anything negative about Obama at all. Yet I had no right to criticize, since the panel was not about serious politics but more to honor the accomplishments of the featured speakers. In addition, I assumed if this panel had been conducted in Arizona, criticisms of John McCain wouldn’t exactly rule the dialog. During the Q and A session I saw my chance to get some feedback from the panelists about some of Obama’s critics. As an undecided voter myself, I thought hearing from staunch Obama supporters might reward me with new insights or information.

“You have spoken of the candidates in general terms. Specifically, you have talked about Barack Obama in relation to his broader moral, political, and philosophical ideals. On the flipside some have said Barack Obama lacks sufficient experience to handle the presidency. Do you find this claim baseless? Do you agree? Do you disagree? Do you care?”

As I finished my last remark snickers could be heard from across the room. A panelist then responded:

“Well, if Obama gets into the presidency, then he’ll receive all the experience he needs. Another responded

“George Washington was a soldier, and everyone seemed to love him!”

This was met with a roar of applause from the audience. I couldn’t help feeling that behind some of the cheering there was thinly veiled undertone of “you told him!”

I didn’t understand it. I hadn’t said I hated Barack Obama, heck, I may still vote for him. But the second I raised a question about him sirens went off in the heads of his loyalists. The content of what I said, regardless of its validity, was secondary to the fact that it was mildly critical of Obama. I was in shell shock. Has Barack Obama been exalted to such high standing that questioning him is taboo? This is America, right?

The panelist’s aversion to truly viable qualms with Mr. Obama, and the audience’s approval of an obviously illogical response signifies something greater about a growing sect of Obama followers: There are insecurities about Mr. Obama of which his supporters are uncomfortable to come to face with. Mr. Obama has four years of political experience. He claims to revolutionize Washington, ridding it of the bureaucracy we now are afflicted with. Yet he has voted on 56 legislative bills, going with the “liberal” position 55 out of 56 times. This stands in direct opposition to his self proclamations of being a “unifier”. Compared to Ms. Clinton, by most accounts Mr. Obama should be seen as a representative of the far left, not the party-mediating moderate he says he is. I have no problem with the far left, and even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. The problem though, lies in Obama and his supporters’ denial or distaste of appropriate and necessary criticisms. Heck, his campaign motto is “Change we can believe in” – an odd title for a junior senator who has been in the senate just 4 years.

Many consider Mr. Obama to be the next black JKF. But what has this man done to receive this title? He’s talked…a lot. Mr Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” is one of the most memorable speeches in recent history. And for many, his brilliant eloquence, refreshing intelligence and maps of logical policies has served as impetus for their vote. For most candidates such characteristics would be more than enough to receive the mass of popularity, bordering on the healthy obsession, our country has with Mr. Obama. Yet Barack Obama has a gaping hole as a prospective leader of one of the most influential nations on earth: Experience. I don’t care how well you can speak, or how good your ideas sound, I want to know with as little doubt in my mind as possible that you will live up to your promises, and with as much accuracy as possible, know how you will live up to those promises. Barack Obama is getting a free pass when it will ultimately hurt us as a nation in giving him one.

The idealized silhouette of the actual Barack Obama has been so heavily engrained in the minds of some of his supporters that they saw my question as offensive rather than critical. I do understand that what I had witnessed was a specific incident, and I should not generalize from it. And I haven’t. Many times the second one hears I have not given my full support to Mr. Obama, those same warning signs begin to wail. Obama’s best gift is ironically giving life to a form of support that may end up hurting him. His marvelous speeches, affable candor, and general brilliance have given rise to a wave of supporters who see more in his character than his policies. There is no balance – Obama, the glamorous convention breaker, de-institutionalizer, and unifier is far more important than Obama the junior senator, or Obama the foreign policy novice, or Obama the domestic policy novice. There are people who support Mr. Obama and plan to vote for him in November, but they do not put their hand in his and accept and believe every remark he says. They instead do what a responsible voter is supposed to do: maintain a critical approach to all of the candidates, constantly evaluating their every pro and con until they have to pull that lever. This decision is too damned important to make your mind up and then close it for good.

The author currently is an undecided voter, but he is leaning towards Barack Obama.