[The Telegraph, U.K.]

Frankfurter Rundschau, Germany

Obama: A Revolution Begins?

"Was this the beginning of a political revolution - at the end of which could be the first Black man in the White House? … the colored hope bearer - for whom many experts never gave much of a chance due to his youth and inexperience - is now inspiring more confidence."

By Von F. Diederichs

Translated By James Jacobson

January 4, 2008

Germany - Frankfurter Rundschau - Original Article (German)

Was this the beginning of a political revolution - at the end of which could be the first Black man in the White House? Admittedly, there are only three million souls in the state of Iowa, where in surprisingly clear fashion, Democrat Barack Obama put Hillary Clinton and John Edwards in their place. The state is seen as an unreliable indicator of how the primaries will end.

But due to several factors, the colored hope bearer - for whom many experts never gave much of a chance due to his youth and inexperience - is now inspiring more confidence. First, he has won in a state that is 93 percent White - a sure indicator that the fascination with Obama crosses racial barriers. The there's the fact that particularly young voters - who appear not to want to return to the Clinton era - chose to support him. And after such a successful campaign launch, people of color who in past elections were the backbone of the Clinton clan, can now realign.

However, the Republicans can't afford sharp criticism of the President and the unpopular Iraq War, because this would leave them open to charges of disloyalty. So they lack the sincere profile which distinguishes Barack Obama or John Edwards.

Next Tuesday in New Hampshire will show how much Iowa was worth. There, everything is at stake for the once great favorite Hillary Clinton. If Obama takes first place again, the wave of enthusiasm for those unburdened by the clique in Washington will be hard to stop.

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