WHAT IF OBAMA LOSES?

This is the question I often ask when I watch those absurdly incongruous commentators and presenters on MSNBC . This also comes to my mind when I read ludicrous stuff written by columnists in Newsweek magazine, when they capture Barak Obama’s emergence as the second coming of Christ. Infallible, pure, and out of this world- can never lose in November. I often chuckle. In an argument with my colleague Jackson Ude, and pal Mike Amraibure recently I asked same question…their answer –‘HE CANT LOSE’

The media is in a frenzy. His supporters treat him as a cult leader who does no wrong in the perception of devotees. There is nothing wrong with his weaknesses, flip flopping etc. You dare not say Obama goofed, he is divine, and should be worshipped and supported. Even some silly and corrupt public officers in far away Nigeria have formed what they call ‘Africans 2008 for Obama’. The chairman is President, Nigeria Stock Exchange( NSE), Nididi Okereke-Onyuike. Ridiculous. While Nigerians continue to eat from the garbage can, Nididi, and co are using public funds to promote Obama.

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There is no doubt that Obama is a brilliant young man, Harvard educated, sterling oratory skills, and charming. He was an underdog before Iowa. As a matter of fact, of all the front runners in both parties during the primaries, he was the least qualified to be commander-in chief. Check out Mitt Romney, Rudy Guilliani, Hillary Clinton, Fred Thompson, John McCain, JohnEdwards, Mike Huckabee, But that is history now. There is no doubt he worked hard to get where he is today, but one thing should be made clear to his followers, Obama is a regular Washington guy who plays to win no matter what it takes. Just the way he flipped on campaign financing, gun control , abortion, Iraq, he would say anything to win. Even recently his backers protested his deceit concerning the telecoms bill.

In the heat of the primaries he said stuff, when he won he changed-classic Washington. Before his trip to the middle east, Obama said the US would leave Iraq in 16 months, later he said he would consult with commanders on the ground. But how could you take a position on such without first going there. That is Obama for you.

Now the crux. Would the photo-op, media worship, super speeches, Democratic party myopic backing during primaries, branding etc give him the white House? . Nope. But those who worship Obama believe we will all vote for him…you must prefer him to an old McCain. They say, McCain will be George Bush’s third term. He will be in Iraq for 100 years. Obama is handsome, and smart. Look at the polls , they will say…He leads McCain by so and so points. But they forget those are not what win elections in America. Ask Al gore, and John Kerry.

Obama would need 272 electoral votes to win. How? He would need the swing voters to do that. As you read, he and his team have no clue on how to get the blue collar guys, the white women, and those over 65 years of age. They still bank on those ambitious white backers like Ted Keneddy, Kerry, Edwards, etc, who are interested in what they will get after November. But the real issue is, will the white truck driver, lift repairer, cab driver etc vote for him. We are not talking racism here but preference. Don’t forget most black people will vote Obama because he is black. But those myopic Obama cheerleaders should remember that 77 per cent of voters are white, 11 per cent blacks…so you see what I mean. What happens if this difficult constituency decides to vote McCain even when you think he is a continuation of Bush. So don’t take anything for granted y’all. It is naïve for any black man to trust the white voters even when Obama got their votes in Iowa. Getting rid of Hillary is one thing, voting Obama is another. We all know a good slice of those who voted during the primaries said race was a factor.

By Churchill Umoren