Anything’s possible

Americans,” Barack Obama said during his election campaign, “still believe in an America where anything’s possible. They just don’t think their leaders do.” It is the achievement of the 47-year-old president-elect to have convinced the rest of the world too of the possibility of that America. In a world stricken too long with exasperation with, and even anger at, the United States, Obama’s victory is a moment significant for the fascination it holds. By his very election, by his forceful bid for the most powerful job around, just by the victory, he has repaired so much. The US has been these past years a country divided, and also a country seen to have the potential to be divisive. This, for a country that’s still perceived to be the only possessor of the power, wherewithal and will to take a global lead on issues ranging from the financial crisis to counter-terrorism, and hopefully now climate change. Obama has still to fulfil his promise, but his carefully engaging campaign has righted his country’s image and drawn the confidence that he can bring, well, change.

To watch Obama conduct an inclusive campaign is to be nonetheless mindful of the identity of the next incumbent of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. The election of the US’s first black president is historic. To see parts of the segregationist south vote him in, as our columnist notes, is to understand the ability of democracy to fix ugly stains in a country’s history. To see the way he’s managed it is, also, to understand the benefits of keeping the highest standards in one’s campaign. This is why Obama’s victory is significant not just for its representational value. Obama has addressed his country’s divides by engaging in depth with difficult issues. On his controversial, and now former, pastor for instance — with one of the most remarkable speeches ever on the roots and remnants of racial hatred in otherwise good people. This is the quality of engagement Obama has brought to many contentious issues, America’s many and wayward wars, its conduct of foreign policy, its under-regulated financial system. Great leaders make their case, in part, by keeping the conversation as big as can be. If Obama has reclaimed his country’s lost authority, it is by hinting at a stamina and heart for big conversations.

Will that translate into concrete benefit? This question should be kept for later. For now, also applaud the electoral system that produced this result, that enabled a man with no influential patrons to win the confidence of a formidable political party and then his country.

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OBAMA victory by Karu n Roongta on 2008-11-06 21:59:08.167636+05:30
why the Dalit ki beti cant do a OBAMA .

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OBAMA victory by Karun Roongta on 2008-11-06 21:57:36.06386+05:30
I know one thing his speech was so moving that it bring tears in my eyes. For long i have not heard such speech . he really seems to be a true statesman which will bring forward USA and with it the rest if the world.

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Obama Effect on India by Mr K Nitin on 2008-11-06 19:20:00.661614+05:30
Mr Obams win, What will be the impact on India? We hope his policies will strenght India US relations to came out of recession.

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NEW BALL PLEASE by JATI S HOON on 2008-11-06 17:35:30.656574+05:30
CHANGE WE MUST, FOR CHANGING WORLD.INDIA IS THE BEST EXAMPLE.A NEW CENTURY AND NEW BALL.

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India changing more quickly by Anon on 2008-11-06 03:32:45.071116+05:30
If you think about it, India has changed more quickly - we have done in less than 60 years for caste what America has not yet dont for race in over 100 years

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Really?

by pj84994 on 2008-11-06 19:44:32.893499+05:30
Anon - do you really believe that? Has a person of caste been elected in a popular vote of all Indians?If we are so great, why are people from UP being killed in Mah? Perspective!

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Anon is right

by Giri on 2008-11-07 00:34:28.760112+05:30
America won its independence in 1783. Majority of Blacks were legally enslaved then. Fast forward 80 yrs, Abe Lincoln announced the Emancipation proclamation. But Blacks were disenfrancised in many ways with the so called Jim Crow laws. Fas forward another 100 yrs and President LB Johnson announced the Civil rights act and returned the voting rights to Blacks. And now in 2008, Barrack Obama won. It started in 1783 and realized in 2008. In India, there has been Dalit President and Muslim president. Mayawati is the polularly elected CM. All these in less than 60 yrs after Indian independence. Yes there are problems faced by Dalits and Muslims in India; just like Blacks facing in the US. The most recent case was that of Sean Bell in NY. Absolute social equality is an impossibility, all over the world. But there are progressive achievements in US, as much as in India.

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