Obama's Movement versus McCain's Campaign

(Waiting in line with Danny Mullies and family in the background)

(Barack Obama pressing for change)


(Huge crowd cheering for Obama at Republican stronghold Springfield, Missouri)

Until yesterday, until I actually attended a Obama rally I could not see what is the difference between Obama and McCain. Both candidates have been quite impressive so far. McCain has gained a number of crucial endorsements from superstars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump and others.

But what is so different about Obama? Not that he has obtained similar endorsements from as many superstars but what he is able to do is to mobilise and motivate fellow Americans to embrace the change they wanted.

He motivates Americans. He inspires them to do this - waiting in line to enter the JFK stadium to watch him speak. The line was almost 7km long! That night, Obama inspired many who went to hear him with messages of unity, commitment, plurality and hope.

Obama did not run a campaign. He creates a movement. He did not focus the message of change on him. He mobilises his supporters to be part of the change they wanted.

I noted that there is probably very little policy difference when comes to actual implementation because of a powerful Congress. Any new president must be able to win endorsement of the powerful Congress.

While waiting in line like others, I managed to talk to Danny Mullies of Tulsa, Oklahoma, about his support for Obama. Almost 90% of the 40,000 crowd are whites. I asked him what he sees in Obama. His answer is simple - Change. More than 3 million Americans like Danny are paying for his campaign. This campaign is theirs as much as Obama's.

What are the main dissatisfactions? First, the Iraq war which is bleeding the US piggy bank. Danny wants an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He told me his country should promote influence through peace not war. I gleefully showed him my t-shirt which shouts "Make Art, Not War".

Danny is proud of Obama who is smart and happens to be black. He was McCain's supporter in 2000 when he ran his campaign similar like Obama. But he thought McCain has gone back to the Republican right wing.

Several others I met were very enthusiastic about a possible Obama win. But this is a tight race. McCain is a no pushover. He is an American hero with proven leadership. But Dawit Ayalew, an Ethiopian American, does not think so. He said McCain is proven as a soldier not a political leader. However, Dawit is concerned about abortion. He is a conservative catholic who is pro-life. Hence, he will sleep over on his choice.

Meanwhile, the heat is on and if Obama (the hot favourite) does not win many of his supporters will surely be devastated. They are sure of Obama's landslide victory and will surely accuse the Republicans of cheats and frauds if the reverse is true and Obama loses.

The stake is too high for Obama, his supporters and America. American democracy will be tested on its ability to deliver a fair and trusted election. If McCain wins, the system must ensure that his win will be guaranteed with the highest respect for democracy.

In this election, emotion is high. When everything else fails, naturally people are looking for hope, inspiration and a new possibility. Even if this is so, Americans must be careful not to lose their own good sense.

Obama may be phenomenal but McCain is unfortunate. He is working against all odds - the economy, George Bush, Iraq war and his own doing for choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate.

A win for Obama may change the social landscape in US. Already Americans are talking about the end of affirmative action for the minorities in education and public services. If an African American can become a president, over night it may change the way African Americans looking at themselves. In Colorado, there is already a referendum to end affirmative action on 4th November.

This election is historic for US and the world. Yet in Malaysia, there are loud protests against an ethnic Chinese being appointed as a general manager of a state economic development agency. Perhaps it is time for the society to take a closer scrutiny at its own dynamics and mindset.