THE TOKEN GESTURE AND THE RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA

Recently saw part of a stand-up routine by the deceased comedian Patrice O’Neal.  In it he said something along the lines of White America gave President Obama a chance, no they really did, they gave him two years.  Of course, that’s sarcastic and meant to say they really didn’t give him a chance at all.

As anyone who has read my blog here and my now full poetry blog before it became that www.xanga.com/rgdinmalaysia since 2008 can attest to, I’ve gone full circle with the president from enthusiastic supporter to doubtful and on the fence to ex-supporter.  My criticism of Obama has been from the left – his neocon foreign policy and his kowtowing to big business.  I still feel his approach to getting legislature passed is incompetent although he has improved slightly in this area.

However, in the minds of the public at large, when all is said done and all the other subjects have been addressed – The war on women, the killing of Bin Laden, gay marriage and all the personal attacks, ( As I am writing this it seems like we are about to have another round of birtherism), it’s the economy that matters and the unemployment rate is still high in much of the country.

But there might be something else there too.  Something that would be a catch-all for all the negative mythology directed at Obama – he’s not an American citizen, he’s a Muslim , a communist.  All of this is bullshit and I think most Americans know it.  However, in their hearts, Obama does not deserve a second term.

Why? Well I think it might be kind of a mix of concerns about the economy, some residual or even unknowing racism, as well as the subconscious absorption of some of the negative stories about him.

American can feel good about themselves.  Whether or not Obama is re-elected , a black man or half-black man has been president. It’s something they can point to if anyone ever challenges America on racial grounds (and believe you me America is still very racist).

They made the token gesture.  They supported a non-white candidate once for a brief period.  This assuages any guilt they feel from history  Now is it back to their comfort zone?

Personally, I wouldn’t mind if Obama lost.  His record on foreign policy alone should deny him a second term but Romney would be worse and thus is the trick, the shell game of the two party system maintained.    

Anyway, I still stand by my original prediction.  Obama will win a second term but the election will be much closer than 2008.