Obama - Real Change or Status Quo?

Barack Obama is generating hope in the hearts of many - in America, in Europe and all around the world - that, if elected president, he will bring about a real change in American policy that will lead to a greater chance for peace and justice in our troubled world.

But American policy in some areas is so entrenched that there is some doubt whether any real or significant change is possible. By his own words, he is standing firm with the current stance of solidarity with Israel, and belligerance towards Iran.

Will Obama be brave enough to alter the premises of American policy, does he even question their fundamental correctness? Will he be a real choice for change or will he simply be the "lesser of two evils"?



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Obamania in Germany - Obama Wows the Germans

Barack Obama made a stirring speech in Berlin at the Teirgarten Park. The crowds were rapturous, and clearly got what they were waiting for. It's estimated that the crowds numbered about 200,000.

Obama appeared pretty majestic and presidential, drawing criticism from some quarters that he was being presumptuous - making a presidential-like address when he's still only a presidential candidate.

Be that as it may, he wowed the Berlin crowd that was in attendance. His speech, while lacking in details, was passionate and his delivery was pretty well flawless. What a change to see and hear someone like him, in contrast to the bumbling and mumbling style of Bush (when he's at his best).

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Jesse Jackson on Obama - Jesse Jackson Uses N Word - Blacklash

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who once ran for nomination as a presidential candidate himself, has been creating a furore with things he has or may have said about Barack Obama. Most recently he has accused Obama of "talking down to black people... telling n-s how to behave". Yes, it's the dreaded n-word. He also said,"I want to cut his n-t's off." Yeap, that the other dreaded n-word.

His comments were caught on tape by Fox News, in an off-air conversation prior to an interview on Fox & Friends Weekend. Bill O'Reilly is having a field day with this, and as he rarely does, he presents the tidbits in an almost academic fashion without any over the top outrageous remarks. I guess Jackson's own words speak loudly enough for themselves, though they were whispered to a fellow guest on the show. O'Reilly, however, could not restrain himself from using an undertone of sarcasm. Who could?

Jackson recently threw in his endorsement for Obama, yet he has made comments that don't jive with his endorsement. He has apologised for the comments, and says his support for Obama is "wide, deep and unequivocal", and that he cherished this "redemptive and historical moment".

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The Prospective First Ladies - Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain

Now that Barack Obama and John McCain have secured their nominations, some attention is being drawn to the prospective First Ladies, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain.

Though the policies and personalities of Obama and McCain are obviously of first importance, their wives are also part of the equation in the ultimate race, even if it's a small part. But it may not necessarily be a small part of the equation.

Hillary Clinton lost for a number of reasons, but it may well be that one of the reasons was that she was Mrs. Clinton. I think some people just could not stomach the idea that Bill Clinton would again reside in the White House.

Despite whatever faults or defects in Bush, Laura Bush has been a superb First Lady.

In a recent internet Associated Press-Yahoo News poll released last Wednesay, 30 percent of the people polled saw Michelle Obama favourably against 35 percent who saw her unfavourably. Cindy McCain got 27 percent who liked her, against 17 percent who did not.

One interpretation of this is that Michelle Obama is two times more disliked than Cindy McCain.

Michelle Obama is liked by 8 out of 10 black people, while 1 in 8 blacks like Cindy McCain. Whites are unfavourable towards Michelle Obama by 18 percentage points, while they see Cindy McCain favourably by 17 percentage points.

Older people are less disposed towards Michelle Obama. But she does well with single people and college graduates. Cindy McCain is liked by older people, married people and the more affluent, but is less well regarded by singles.

These were some of the findings. The backgrounds of the two ladies are clearly poles apart. Their personalities seem also very different. So far Michelle Obama appears to have received a lot more media attention, and she seems to be more outspoken. Cindy McCain appears to be a more private person, or at least she wants to keep it that way.

The public perceptions of these two women will to some degree impact on the presidential candidates.









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