I had intended to avoid writing about this topic here, as it doesn’t pertain to my life in Peace Corps directly, but I’ve frankly become disgusted by the amount of negative press directed towards supporters of Barack Obama. I’ve heard/read the word “Obamaniacs” tossed around quite a bit, as well as “cult of personality.” Having attended two of the Senator’s rallies in Seattle, I think that there is a great deal to be said for being inspired by a political candidate. As shown in the string of 12 primary/caucus victories across the country, Obama has hit a chord among Americans who were waiting for someone who spoke about unity instead of divisiveness and who advocates for much-needed change in the United States.
To those who deride the Obama campaign, it’s not as if Senator Obama’s only strong point is that he is a charismatic speaker, he is clearly a brilliant man and if people bothered to read his policy statements, which are readily available on his website (http://www.barackobama.com/issues), they would discover that he has thoughtful, practical, well-articulated policy statements.
But for lazy journalists, of whom there are many, it is much easier just to make fun of Obama supporters and the “Change” mantra without more than superficially exploring the candidate or the substance of his positions.
