Pride and patriotism
With John McCain’s nomination as the Republican Party’s candidate, and his naming of Sarah Palin as his running mate, the American presidential elections are in the final straight. Whatever the outcome of the vote on November 4, these elections will make history: Barack Obama will be the first US president of African descent or Ms Palin will be the first woman vice president. But the elections will be special for other reasons as well. America is changing, and the next president will have to be able to heal many wounds and unite a country that is far more divided than it was eight years ago. That’s what makes these elections so interesting. Obama and McCain are unique candidates, each with a very interesting personal journey and the ability to attract people from a broad segment of the population. The characters and personal history of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates highlight just how complicated the United States has become and what strange dynamics develop in such an intense electoral process. With their choice of running mate, both Obama and McCain have tried to broaden their appeal among voters and compensate for their own weaknesses. Obama, the young African-American first-time senator with minimal experience in foreign affairs, selected Joe Biden, who has been elected to the Senate since 1972 and, as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has great experience of diplomatic issues. Although Biden is very much part of the Democratic establishment in Washington, he also has the common touch, riding the train to work every day. His presence on the Democratic ticket will surely be a comfort to those who were concerned about Obama’s inexperience. McCain surprised everyone with his choice of the almost totally unknown 44-year-old governor of Alaska. Today the whole world is talking about Sarah Palin, her five children and her 17-year-old, unmarried daughter’s pregnancy. Palin provides McCain with a precious bridgehead into what in Greece we call the «popular Right.» Her public embrace of religion, her anti-abortion stance and her fervent patriotism express those Republicans who don’t trust some of McCain’s independent positions. Indicative of Palin’s self-satisfaction is the snide remark she aimed at Obama’s wife for her comment, in February, that «for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.» Referring to the small-town Americans with whom she grew up, Palin declared, «They’re always proud of America.» The suggestion that Michelle Obama is lacking in patriotism highlighted the chasm between those who represent the underprivileged and those who, albeit it with their own noble struggles, never had to face discrimination on account of their color. The two women come from very different worlds that coexist in one country. And «pride» can unite just as it can divide. The Republicans need to be fired up by Palin, because McCain campaigns as if he were an insurgent fighting against his own party, promising «change» with the same passion as Obama does. In his speech accepting the nomination on Thursday, McCain stated flatly that the Republicans had betrayed the voters. «I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people…» After both praising Obama and criticizing his policy, McCain, the war hero and former prisoner in Vietnam, presented his objectives: «We’re going to win this election. And after we’ve won, we’re going to reach out our hand to any willing patriot, make this government start working for you again, and get this country back on the road to prosperity and peace.» Obama might have said the same thing. Cynics will say that this proves these are empty words, used only to gain votes, that Palin’s positions are closer to what the election is about. Perhaps. But it is more likely that we are about to see an American president such as we have never seen. No matter who he is.
