Gee, Paul, enough already with Obama

July 26th, 2008 | Politics | E-Mail Article | Print Article

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I’ve been supporting Barack Obama since I saw him on the Oprah Winfrey show announcing his intention to run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

That programme I think was recorded in early 2007…way before the various arguments with my African-American friends who all said, “He doesn’t stand a chance” and wanted Hillary Clinton to win…and nearly a year before anyone in Europe (England included) had ever even heard of the Illinois Senator.

I therefore feel partly responsible (along with millions of other ordinary people) for helping to create the kind of Internet buzz and grassroots support that has led to Barack Obama becoming a household name and a globally recognized brand. Like some lucky infrequent punter betting on a young and inexperienced thoroughbred, I am proud to have seen potential where others saw only a flight of fantasy (”a fairytale / a dream”). I feel a similar fierce sense of loyalty for the men and women I admire in sports; my favourite football team; or the people I love in my life.

The Obamas have a dream of some day reaching the White House, but they are not there yet. It ain’t over ’til it’s over goes the popular saying, and until then, and even beyond that time, I’ll continue to show my support (along with countless others) in whatever way that takes my fancy.

So when one of my “Facebook friends” objected to a video on my profile of Barack Obama speaking in Germany earlier this year, I was non too pleased. I’ve never been a Facebook spammer. I don’t even send out many messages through the network. In fact, ninety per cent of my automated alerts have been switched off precisely for fear of annoyance as well as to protect my own privacy.

Yet I’ve always been the type to stand up for what I believe in and I sure am happy to see a politician with a dream I too can share. Especially since I’ve been contemplating moving to New York City at the end of next year, I do believe that I have a vested interest in who actually makes it as the 44th president of the United States of America. As do many people all over the world who will never set foot in that country.

So what inspires you then? I really don’t think any of us should ever let anyone tell us what we should or shouldn’t pursue or support until the bitter end. And if by chance my loyalty to the cause really does upset my social network friends, then I really wouldn’t be offended should they choose to delete me from their list of contacts.