LC Meridian

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: obama.senate.gov

To many black voters, former president Bill Clinton was the closest they'd get to the oval office. And many have gone as far as calling him the "first black president," but in the upcoming presidential election, Illinois senator Barack Obama might change that. If he happens to win the election, he'll be the one in the history books as the nation's first black president.

On Tuesday, January 16th 2007, Obama filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to set up a presidential exploratory committee and perhaps become democratic candidate in the 2008 presidential race, and he said that an official announcement would follow on February 10-coincidently the month set aside to honor Black History.

Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are among the candidates that have made a dash for the presidency, but neither has made it to the finish line. Obama is born to a Kenyan father, Barack Hussein Obama, and a Caucasian mother, Shirley Ann Dunham; and not surprisingly many people believe he has the ability to break down the wall that has separated the various ethnic groups in America. But his background might not be enough to help him win the election.

Although the 45-year old senator has taken a consistent position on the war in Iraq, his record in the senate on domestic issues like immigration and healthcare is minimal; causing many voters to question whether or not he is experienced enough to be President.

"He'd be up against a number of Democratic opponents who have been in the Senate a lot longer than he has-but whether that turns into a disadvantage in the early states' [primaries] depends entirely on whether the voters there believe his response to such questions," explains Lehman Political Science professor David Greene. As Obama left the capital on the evening of January 16 he said, "One thing that I am convinced of is that people want something new."

Despite his lack of experience, the newcomer has managed to become a political rock star; gaining followers who are more than willing to march to his tune.

"He's bright, he's articulate and he's offering a new vision for America," says African American Studies Chair James Jervis.

But to others, his goals for the nation are of more importance.

"He has to have an agenda that will appeal to the people," explains Political Science Professor Judith Duncker. "Right now the issue seems to be not whether he can win. The question is how he compares, who is going to jump in the race and how they fair."

Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York are among the candidates running on behalf of the Democratic Party. Clinton has become Obama's chief contender.

"She has been working for a long time to get support from as many Democratic campaign donors as she can," says Greene. If Hillary Clinton wins the election, like Obama, she'd make history, becoming the first female president of the US.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has also joined the band of firsts; if he runs and wins, he'll become the first Latino president. Neither Obama, Clinton, nor Richardson look like any of the past forty-two presidents that have governed the nation, and voters don't seem to mind.

"Those three candidates running represent the minorities in the United States and that in itself shows that there's a shift in American society," says Jervis. "Voters are now taking it seriously."

Centuries ago, the prospect of having a black president was hardly considered. In the past, African Americans as well as other minority groups faced tremendous impediments as they tried to participate in American politics. But times are certainly changing.

Still, while many people question whether race will play a role in the upcoming election if Obama runs, others think that the country is ready to move on.

"It's not so much of a matter of race. It's a matter of how popular the incumbent is at the time," says graduate student Marriah Star. He pointed out that as Bush's popularity plummets over the Iraq war, it may not be hard for any of the Democratic candidates to win the election. "By the time Obama runs, which he probably will, [the issue of] race will be almost irrelevant."

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