George Hardin

The spirits of true believers in Barack Obama were lifted a mile high during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The spirits of our elders who sacrificed all they had and all they were—sometimes life itself—to see such a time as this were dancing. And, as I heard someone say, if you had gone to certain graveyards you would have seen the ground rumbling as diehard segregationists turned over in their graves.  

The times have changed to the extent that a large body of American voters seem ready for this nation, for the first time since 1776, to give a black American a fighting chance to win the highest office in the land.

Obama has been compared to Senator Adlai Stevenson, who ran for president twice on the Democratic ticket. Stevenson once said, “democracy is perhaps mankind’s most audacious experiment” in self-governance. In his view, the Founding Fathers were daring enough, reckless enough and self-confident enough to envision a nation in which all people were considered equal—although they did not put their ideals in practice. Until that time everyone knew the masses were meant to be ruled by kings who were superior to their subjects and gained their position by divine right. The Founding Fathers believed, however, that ordinary citizens had a right to participate in the processes of government. But that belief did not extend to black people, whose ability to fully participate in government and gain its protections came about through petitions in courts of law, mass protests and appeals to the moral sensibilities of their oppressors.

Like Stevenson, Obama has been chided for being deliberate and thoughtful and giving what some call convoluted answers to probing questions. Yet some of his staunch detractors support such an inarticulate politician as President Bush and many have transferred their allegiance to Senator John McCain.

Obama’s stirring address at the convention is added reason to believe he has the vision, integrity and determination to chart the path this nation should take during these opening years of the 21st century. He has assumed the role of promoting unity. In response to a TV reporter’s question, Obama said, “It is absolutely true that I want to be the president for all Americans.”

The reporter, stating that Obama is “running against the record of an administration that is one of the most unpopular in the history of the country,” asked Obama why he is not ranked higher in the polls. He said, “This is going to be a rough, tough battle. The Republicans don’t govern very well but they know how to campaign.” He suggested that some voters may not make up their minds until sometime in October. “This notion that somehow this should be cakewalk and I should walk into the election with a 10, 15-point lead I think doesn’t give the American people enough credit. They want to get this thing right.”

Richard A. Hardin is the administrative assistance to West. Surrounded by works of art, Hardin takes care of business for MBAA.

In a campaign that has been full of surprises, one of the most noticeable was the convention speech by Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Eisenhower, supporting Obama. Eisenhower said, “I believe that Barack Obama has the energy and temperament to lead this country…. As our standard bearer, he can mobilize a demoralized America and inspire all of us to show up for duty. Discipline will be required, as well as compromise, flexibility and quiet strength.”

But there were those who were not surprised because Eisenhower had written an article for the Washington Post on Feb. 8, 2008, in which she said, “If the Democratic Party chooses Obama as its candidate, this lifelong Republican will work to get him elected and encourage him to seek strategic solutions to meet America’s greatest challenges.”

Stevenson lost both of his bids for president to Dwight D. Eisenhower, a five-star general of the army. Sometime after his loss, Stevenson was asked if he had any advice for young politicians. “Yes,” he said, “never run against a war hero.”

In facing war hero John McCain, Obama has a taken on a formidable task. But his chances of winning are directly proportional to the commitment of the people who are now working for his election and will not find an excuse to avoid voting on election day.

(George E. Hardin worked as a photographer, reporter and editor, and in public relations during a long career before he retired. His column appears every other week.)