Barack Obama: If only the Portuguese could vote …

Diario Economico, Portugal

‘I Got a Crush on Obama’

“I have had the good fortune to attend many rallies both here and abroad, and have heard many brilliant, captivating, goosebump-inducing speeches. But Obama is by far the best I have ever seen. … Hillary would be an excellent President and a key role model for women in politics … But in America and the world, electing Obama would cause even more profound repercussions.”

By Ricardo Costa

Translated By Brandi Miller

December 27, 2007

Portugal - Diario Economico - Original Article (Portuguese)

I borrowed the headline from a video of a goofy Barack Obama fan that was posted on the Net WATCH  and that broke all records for patheticness and page views, two things that often go hand in hand. But the truth is that my “crush” on Obama began in October 2004, when I had the good fortune to be present at his headquarters in Chicago when he was elected senator from Illinois. I knew him somewhat, if you can call watching half a dozen soundbytes at the Democratic Convention that year knowing someone …

In 2004, the short videos of Barack Obama’s speeches impressed those who were interested by the rhetoric, the power of his language, his conviction, the power of his smile and for all that seemed so genuine about him [2004 Democratic Convention speech:  WATCH PART 1  WATCH PART 2 ]. John Kerry was so impressed by the new star that he recruited him to campaign in the most difficult states, which helped him somewhat. But Kerry was cast aside on the same day that Obama came out ahead and was chosen to represent Illinois in the Senate in Washington.

It was on that day that I first saw him in person. The American media was all there and one already noted the presence of some foreign journalists, all in search of the “next big thing” in American politics. They didn’t go to Chicago in vain. On that night, Obama’s speech was brilliant, powerful and, once again, “genuine.” I have had the good fortune to attend many rallies, both here and abroad, and have heard many brilliant, captivating, goosebump-inducing speeches. But Obama is by far the best I have ever seen. I confess that the only reason I didn’t applaud was because I managed to keep my hands in my pockets, and no less important, I was working on a story and one must stay composed - even when thousands of kilometers from home …

Since then I have wanted to see him in the White House. I have nothing against Hillary, who is probably better prepared and certainly the woman with the best chance at reaching the American presidency in the next five years. To me, Hillary only has two problems: she will continue the 20-year Bush-Clinton domination of the White House (!); and she would prevent Obama from being the first Black president in American history. Otherwise, there is a high probability that she would be an excellent President and a key role model for other women in politics. The election of Hillary would do more for this than any legal quota. But in America and the world, electing Obama would cause even more profound repercussions.

The first great merit of Obama is the way he has effectively detached himself from the idea of being the “first black president.” It is obvious that, if elected, that will be a fact. But this fact doesn’t have to be a slogan or a motto (much less an end) of a political campaign. The simplicity of his ideas (even when they are lacking) and the natural way he acts and speaks are stirring - even to those who swim in shallower political waters, and who are more easily impressed by the topic of the day. Of course, all of this is only possible because Obama is a “television animal,” who goes on the Jay Leno show [The Tonight Show] with the ease of drinking a cup of coffee, and who has following in his wake actors, rock stars and American television anchors, starting with the most powerful woman in America (more than Hillary, of course): Oprah WATCH , a fellow Illinoisan and Chicagoan, and who will ensure that Obama will not have to look far for ways to attract media attention throughout the election campaign.

This being said, we are few days from the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, and to the surprise of many, Obama is ahead [Actually, Iowa is a caucus rather than a primary ]. It’s a surprise for those that only look at national polls and don’t examine the data within the context of America’s complex political system. Two weeks ago, Pedro Magalhães called attention in a Público article to the importance of these two first primaries and what the consequences are likely to be for Obama and Hillary. Since then, the scenario has become increasingly clear: Hillary may receive a huge shock after both primaries at the beginning of January - and Obama could get an enormous boost.

After this the game will get dirty: the Republican campaign will see Obama as the target and Hillary will have to take advantage of the wave. It will be the terrible period of “dead and wounded” from which no one will escape unscathed. This is the great test for Barack Obama: if he wins in Iowa and New Hampshire; if he can survive the dirty war without changing course; and if he can resist becoming another “flip-flopper” in American politics, I’ll lay a bet on the headline, “Mr. Obama goes to Washington.”

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Ricardo Costa is Director of SIC Notícias [a cable news channel in Portugal]

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