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There's something about Obama...


Ok, so I am not American. But there is an attachment of sorts. I lived there for a year when I was sixteen and the incredible experience of living in small town America as an exchange student will stay with me for ever. Ever since, I love going  to America ( the shopping, the food, and not to forget my one and only bro and our many dear friends who live there!). Nevertheless I am a sceptic about the whole 'America is great' ideology that all (sorry most) Americans profess and hence cannot call myself one of the country's biggest fans.  So it is with much surprise that I found myself following the American elections so closely. Thanks to the media, by default I think we all know a thing or two about American politics and I am certain a large majority of the world's TV owning population watched the elections live and waited with baited breath for America to choose a new president.  And like me, I don't think most of them cared as much about the policies, political agendas and the other debatable nuances that were the crux of the elections. What we were keeping our eye on was Barack Obama. And all we cared about was, "Will he be re elected?" 

Any why? If we didn't care about his political agendas, what was it about him that spurred us to will him to win. As the votes were tallied and the news rooms declared him a winner, why did we feel so proud?, why did  we feel a surge of adrenaline rush through us? It doesn't really make sense  But then again maybe it does. Four years ago, this handsome, incredibly smart and savvy black senator became the 44th president of the United States of America.  Many did not believe that America was really ready for a black president. But they were. They had chosen and the whole world looked at America with a smile on their face. 

Now putting aside the fact of whether he did or did not do a good job, whether he will be able to deliver in the coming term or not, what he does do is this- he inspires and projects a feeling of hope and optimism. Young and old, the believers and the non believers, the impressionable and the impervious, we draw a certain strength from whatever it is he projects. Just what that is, I can't put a name on. But yes, there's something about Obama... 

Comments

  1. Sojo VarugheseNovember 8, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    There is something about Obama and that's why they use the word 'hope' (I guess) in their campaign :)
    '

    Great read!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RSNovember 20, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    Not to take away from Obama at all, but I believe there is something about Romney too. Something about that smirk, the forced smile, the shifty eyes!

    ReplyDelete

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