An Identity For Obama
What identity could Senator Barack Obama choose that would be both sincere and successful?
Not long ago, people were asking if Obama was “black enough.” Somehow it seemed that even former President Bill Clinton was more black than Obama.
Once Obama established his color, he then had to figure out how to present himself as a candidate who is also a black man in a nation with a rough racial history.
He’s not a self-styled centrist like former U.S. Representative Harold Ford of Tennessee.
He’s not a careerist in a safe district like Representative Charles Rangel of New York.
He’s not an old-style activist like Reverend Jesse Jackson.
So, who and what will Obama be?
He is, like all of us, a work in progress.
My hope is that Obama continues up a curve of personal maturity as he comes to fully understand how important his campaign is to the nation, and to people who never thought they’d see someone like him running for president.
Some heat and gravity where Obama is currently cool and light might help.
Still, Obama is doing well so far. He is the favorite to win the Democratic nomination and he leads Senator John McCain in polls.
At this point, Obama is successfully navigating uncharted waters.
