[The Telegraph, U.K.]

Liberation, France

Obama: Avoiding the Fate of Ségolène Royal

"Perhaps one would permit a Frenchman with informative but unhappy experience to risk offering some advice: In an electorate concerned about the prospect of a recession and pessimistic about the future of their country, it's important to concretely describe one’s ambition and not merely settle for the rewarding role of being a midwife of ideas."

By Jean-Jacques Urvoas

Socialist Deputy from Finistère

Translated By Kate Davis

March 3, 2008

France - Liberation - Original Article (French)

The Democratic Party primaries seem strangely familiar. The similarities with the procedure that ended a year and a half ago with the Socialist Party's nomination of Ségolène Royal WATCH  are in fact striking. How can we not compare the trajectory of the senator from Illinois with that of the president of the regional council of Poitou-Charentes [Ségolène Royal]? Like her, he was an outsider long before becoming the "front-runner" in the primaries. And his turn has the same explanation: a massive participation in the primaries.

Like the new members of the Socialist Party, these unexpected voters upset all expectations. Their unforeseen participation sweeps away the demographic, ethnic and social benchmarks that up to now have directed the choice of Democrats. And success goes to the one who appears to incarnate change rather than experience. Even though the programs are not so different, it’s the music that turns out to be essential. Similarly convinced that the election will be won at the center, their speeches were from the outset aimed at those who could be swayed. Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

By building on the aspiration for “change we can believe in,” Obama has also realized the importance of the game of perception, a determining factor in a vote that has become so emotional. Within the Democratic Party today, as it was yesterday fore the Socialist Party, the nature of the confrontation is transforming to the point of perhaps inducing the same mistakes.

The framework of the primaries has faded to give the impression that the fight for the general election has begun. In the eyes of everyone, to be the nominee in Denver is to win the White House. 

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Furthermore, Obama continues to rely on polls to present himself as the only candidate who can beat McCain. Alas, there is a long way between the desire and the act. Perhaps one would permit a Frenchman with informative but unhappy experience to risk offering some advice: In an electorate concerned about the prospect of a recession and pessimistic about the future of their country, it's important to concretely describe one’s ambition and not merely settle for the rewarding role of being a midwife of ideas.

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US March 7, 1:09pm]