by Allan Thompson

He inspires people. He’s thoughtful, young and approachable. He’s got Clinton-like magnetism but with Midwestern family values. He’s got a Paul Simon-like approach to policy but without the bowtie and brown suits.

And realistically, when was the last time there was any Democratic candidate (excluding Clinton) that generated any buzz in the last 20 years?

The hype around US Senator for Illinois, Barack Obama, is gaining momentum after he was invited to be the keynote speaker at Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin’s 29th annual steak fry.

The question remains: is America anywhere near the point of electing a non-Caucasian president? Even one who is so remarkably handsome?
I’m afraid the fact that he is mixed would be a problem for many Caucasians and African Americans. Racism is not dead. That however, should inspire us to work harder toward the goals of equal rights and opportunities. I would happily back Obama if I believed he could get us out of this miserable mess that the Bushes have put us in. Right now, I don’t know enough about him, although I was deeply impressed with his trip to Kenya.

Hypothetically, let’s say Obama is the best and most qualified Democrat running in ‘08. Now, let’s say that a lot of the democratic base doesn’t back him because we’re too scared that a person of color can’t overcome racial obstacles in the context of a racist nation. All that does is preserve a dangerous status quo. We elect someone else as the candidate who is male and white, even though this person doesn’t seem to have the political savvy nor the credentials to run a strong campaign. This person will lose the general election and then we’re stuck for another four years.

The same goes for Hillary. I say if they can do it, they deserve our support and all our efforts. And I say good if it makes us work harder. In the end, we’re a better nation and a better people. Plus, the national conversation now includes women and persons of color as viable, electable candidates.

Some argue that Obama is too young "politically speaking." A jump from a single term in the Senate, directly into Presidency would be difficult even without the "race factor" thrown into the mix. But, as a Vice President, he’d be much more palatable.

He’d gain some more political savvy between 2008-2016, at which point he’d be perfectly positioned for a 2016-2024 stretch of his own. And it would also give people time to get used to his skin color, since racism is still alive an well in US, even tough it’s fading a little. The more time he’s given, the better.

Obama has loads of charisma on top of some excellent common sense, without being too "high-falluting." All would be extremely refreshing after 8 years of Bushism.