It's been happening for months now. It happened ever since I received a package from a close friend containing 2 Obama coffee mugs and a raft of bumper stickers (for all my cars, obviously). As I opened the box, I felt like a small child taking the wrapper off a chocolate bar: sheer excitement at the prospect of what was inside, and the undiluted pleasure it would provide me with. I quickly ran to the car, wiped the dust off the back, and carefully peeled away the back and delicately placed the sticker on my little car (not the bumper, but high up, where everyone could see it). It looked beautiful: simple, elegant, clear.
I drive my car with my Obama '08 bumper sticker on the back with pride. And yet, even with all the good news in the polls, I still get odd looks. Comments from colleagues and friends. Questions as to why I would want to adorn my car with a sticker expressing my support for Obama, since I'm not even one of "them".
You see, the answer is quite simple. I'm not an American. And I don't even live in the States.
"But you're not an American. Why have you got an Obama bumper sticker on your car?"
I usually provide my inquisitors with two answers:
- that I support Obama wholeheartedly for WHO he is, and what he stands for, and what he will mean to the country and the rest of the world (rather than simply not being John McCain);
- and that this election is taking place at a time when significant forces have converged with breathtaking effectiveness which not only makes me want to be part of the action, but which makes that participation meaningful:
- the maturing of the netroots movements into formidable political machines;
- that Obama has injected a dynamic reinvigoration of the political process and the democratic foundations of the political system that can only be marvelled at; and
- developments in technology (compared even to 2004) making it possible to feel closely involved no matter how far away, as well as seeing that these developments have been used so effectively in refuting lies, swift-boating and distortions that make one hopeful that the truth in campaigning can be protected
Obama talks about "changing the world". He speaks about restoring America's moral leadership in the world. This is not mere hyperbole. It is true that over the past 8 years, the term "America" has been used too interchangeably here in Europe with the Bush Administration. "America" is therefore used derisively and when this gets airtime, plays into the hands of those who seek to divide the US and Europe on both sides of the Atlantic. But if you scratch the surface, the hope for Obama's election is even more profound than simply seeing an end to Bush (which will happen in January, anyway).
It represents the hope of millions of Europeans that the United States will restore its position. Whether it's right or wrong that Europe is unable to offer credible global leadership, there is no real disputing the need for American leadership. It might be considered a devalued currency nowadays, but the single most effective first step to restoring America's moral leadership is the simple act of electing Barack Obama president. That, more than anything else I believe, will have enormously positive shockwaves throughout the world, particularly that America is finally a nation that lives up to its creed.
In my mind, my father encapsulates the nervous excitement that Obama's candidacy represents. My father's first exposure to Americans was during the liberation of Amsterdam at the very last days of WWII. He grew up with an optimistic faith in America, and the power of its example. He began to be troubled (and perhaps less naive) in the early sixties when he went to the US. He lived and worked in Detroit, living with a black family - an experience that profoundly impacted his views of US race-relations. He views became increasingly ambiguous about America, something I noticed as my own political awareness grew in the 80's. It culminated post 9/11, when for a multitude of reasons (Iraq, the tax cuts, the religious right) - but especially because of Guantanamo Bay - he felt that the US had lost all moral leadership, and was no longer representative of the America that had liberated a continent. The succesful candidacy of Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination, and now the general election, has infused him with an optimism that I never really seen. It is not just him - all of my parents' friends talk in the same way, it is remarkable what has been awakened in them as well. Because, for all that the naysayers suggest about Europeans disliking America, Europeans want to believe that America can take the lead.
I am under no illusion that Obama's election will solve all the problems in the world. And he will defend American interests rigourously, oftentimes to European (and others') chagrin. But he will restore confidence in the idea of dialogue, of replacing ideology with pragmatism, and of the United States being part of the world village rather than sitting in splendid isolation on top of a hill.
For that reason, I am heading to Virginia next week to volunteer in the final week of the campaign. I hope, that in my own small way, I can be part of this greater something, restoring belief in a system of democracy that, no matter how great its imperfections, says that each and everyone has a stake in their government and that the future direction of the country and the world is in American citizens' hands.
Oh, and incidentally, yesterday an American whose child is in the same class as one of my sons, and whom I had only met recently, was driving out of the school parking lot when he saw the back of my car. Through my rear-view mirror, I noticed him break suddenly. He confronted me about the sticker saying the usual things. I told him I was going to campaign in VA. He then paused, looked me straight in the eye and dismissively said "I'm voting for McCain". I paused.
He then continued. "Just kidding . . . and good for you! Good luck!"