Jim Cohen
Staff Writer
As the 2007 Super Bowl battle of the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts officially commences, a battle of similar proportions for the American political field has already begun.
For the first time in football history, an African-American is coaching a superbowl team. In fact, head coaches of both teams are African-American. Similarly, Barack Obama is making presidential history by leading the Democratic Party.
This history-making moment has extended its hand into the realm of American politics and specifically, the Democratic Party.
The week following the Super Bowl, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is expected to officially announce his candidacy to run for president in the 2008 Election. Obama will be the first prominent black candidate trying to win the job in the Oval Office. He will help commence a different kind of Super Bowl as the Democratic Party offers a slew of candidates from all backgrounds, competing for the top job.
After his nationally televised and impressive prime time speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama has become more than a “media darling.” He has garnered the support of many voters disenfranchised by our red state, blue state politics and offers a new approach to politics that many young Americans are clamoring for.
Obama argues it is time for America to move past the partisan arguments of the 1960s and 70s our nation continues to rehash every election cycle. He uses events such as Hurricane Katrina to mark the importance of having a smart and capable government that works for the people and one that does not become wasteful and unable to fulfill its promises to the public.
The recent announcement by Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton, D-N.Y., to seek the presidency in 2008 helps mold the Democratic field even more diverse. Clinton has used her tenure in the Senate by supporting very hawkish positions on national security and foreign policy issues.
Recently, Clinton has become an increasing vocal critic of President Bush’s surge plan, which would send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, knowing she needs the support of the anti-Iraq war voters in the early Democratic caucuses and primaries.
John Edwards, former Senator of North Carolina and former Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2004, is the only southerner in the race. He spent the past years building up his credentials on national security and foreign policy while spending significant time addressing poverty in America.
Democratic governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, is the first Hispanic candidate seeking the White House in 2008. Richardson has had a successful career working as a representative to the U.N., a peace and hostage negotiator around the world, as well as Energy Secretary for the Clinton Administration. He was one of the first border-state governors to declare a state of emergency regarding illegal immigration and has been an adamant supporter of securing our borders while finding a reasonable way to include immigrants into our society.
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., is a foreign policy and national security expert and will add a good debate on these issues in the coming months. Although he represents one of the smallest states in the country, his experience and willingness to campaign hard and tough will formalize a credible White House run.
Lastly, one of the least known of the Democratic candidates is the former governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack. He has spent recent years as president of the Democratic Leadership Council, a group of centrist Democrats whose founding members include former president Bill Clinton. He is soft-spoken with an interesting personal background, an orphan shortly after birth, and offers a common sense approach of Midwestern morals and values to politics. Vilsack is considered a long shot but could break through the mold if a clear winner does not emerge from the diverse field of Democratic candidates.
Every four years, the United States endures its own Super Bowl of sorts—when candidates and political parties fight to control the political football of American politics.
With luck, the beloved Chicago Bears will go for the blitz and bring the championship back to Illinois so that Obama can pick up the ball and bring a new game to the political field. Maybe he’ll even ask seasoned, military General Wesley Clark to be his vice president to help make big passes for big touchdowns so that we can be safe at home and respected around the globe once again.
Let the games begin!
01-25-2007