Factors That lead to Election of Barack Obama as the First Black President
Barrack Obama convincingly won presidential elections of the United States for the first time in 2008. His win was attributed to many factors including racial, ethnic, gender, as well as socio-economic and political factors. Barrack Obama rose from a little known and inexperienced senator from Illinois to win the presidential elections and become the 44th president of the United States and the first black president of the United States.
Obama was a civil right activist and a lawyer who actively participated in civil societies and promoted their activities (Edge, 2010). Being an activist, Obama advocated for the rights of the gay community, arguing that everybody is free to choose their sexual orientation. Obama vehemently fought racial discrimination and exclusion against the black nation. Obama won the trust of the gay community and black Americans, giving him a massive number of votes and his presidency signaled a win for the civil right movements. In 1972, Shirley Chisholm, a civil rights activist, and New York State Congresswoman ran for the presidency. Even though she did not win, and struggled to get support, she encouraged black people to vote to determine their future where their right will be respected, and discrimination will end. Obama was inspired by Jesse Jackson, who despite losing, came back a better person each time with a vision and bright ideas for the American people.
Another factor that led to the election of Barrack Obama as the first black president of the United States was his political experience both as a senator of Illinois and as a US senator. When running for the presidency for the first time, Obama was considered weak and naïve by his detractors. Obama’s role of being a community organizer and a bit of shrewdness helped him establish connections, finally becoming a protégé to influential Democratic leader Emil Jones. Through Emil Jones, Obama learned operations of the government and how power revolved. Obama positioned himself as ready to play political hardball to win an election by squeezing every opponent out of his first race, a strategist and a legislator hawk-eyed for the opportunity and who was willing to compromise to accomplish an objective. Many questioned his capabilities when he declared his candidature, but with his experience, Obama was surely ready for national politics.
Another factor, which led to the election of Obama was his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. The Democrats held a convention to nominate Senator John Kerry to be the Democratic candidate for president, a meeting in which Obama was the keynote speaker. In his speech, Obama put in the principles of modern America and echoed Martin Luther’s declamation; I have a dream. Obama talked against the misdoings of the government of the day, the American dream, and its opportunities that were yet to be exploited. Obama reiterated America’s position in the world. Obama’s speech that touched every American making him a national figure and giving him the hype that he required to run for the presidency.
Obama is black and his race put him on the spot with constant attacks from the white supremacists who could not take a challenge from a Black American (Tesler & Seers, 2010. Some whites saw him as inferior and not fit to lead them, while some were drawn to him due to his charismatic and infectious nature. Black Americans formed Obama’s base for election with an overwhelming majority of black votes. Black Americans easily identified with him as their own, with a common goal of fighting racism and create equality for each American, where everyone’s right was respected.
While campaigning, Obama pointed out some critical issues which included Iraqi war, Wall Street, healthcare, and the economy (Omi & Winant, 2014). Obama voiced his opposition against America invading Iraq and acted on the same position to assured electorates that if elected, he would foresee the removal of American troops from Iraq. Obama received money from Wall Street to aid his campaign. With clear signs that Obama would win, the organization wanted to associate with him. The American healthcare system was marred with unfairness, and Americans wanted a change in the healthcare sector. The country still did not have a universal healthcare program. Obama campaigned with the policies of bringing affordable healthcare system to everyone. Obama ensured Americans he will create more jobs and grow the economy.
Obama’s morality was never in doubt. He was not implicated in any matter. After winning party primaries, every Democrat got behind Obama firmly to ensure his election. Hillary Clinton encouraged voters to come out in large numbers to vote Obama who would provide normalcy in America. Top celebrities like Oprah Winfrey through her show campaigned for Obama. Being a Harvard law school student, Obama was a basketball player and the first black president of the Harvard law review where he developed leadership skills through his steady leadership and calm temperament. While presenting his candidature, Americans saw in him a young Mandela. Just like Mandela, Obama was a young sober lawyer who was seen as a liberator, a fulfillment of the Prophecy of Martin Luther. His oratory skills are unparalleled; this saw him gain substantial votes in the presidential debate.
Conclusion
Obama Rising to become the president of the United States is not a mean feat. Outlined above are some of the social, political, and economic factors that propelled Barrack Obama to become the first black president of the United States. Obamas keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 led to his election as the first American black president. Obama had political experience both as a senator of Illinois and as a US senator. In addition Obama was a civil right activist and a lawyer who actively participated in civil societies and promoted their activities, a factor which was the main reason why he got majority votes from the citizens of America due to his popularty.
References
Edge, T. (2010). Southern strategy 2.0: Conservatives, White voters, and the election of Barack Obama. Journal of Black Studies, 40(3), 426-444.
Omi, M., & Winant, H. (2014). Racial formation in the United States. Routledge.
Tesler, M., & Sears, D. O. (2010). Obama’s race: The 2008 election and the dream of a post- racial America. University of Chicago Press.