Obama focuses on family unity
By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
If
his name ended in Anderson or Smith and his skin was pinkish white in
color, there is no doubt in my mind Barack Obama would be president
of the United States starting in 2009. But in spite of the fact that
he is African American and his first name rhymes with Iraq and his
last is confused with Osama, he still has a chance to pull off a
major upset and defeat a field in 2008 which includes a strong group
of candidates running on the Democratic side and headed by former
first lady Hillary Clinton.
Obama
is young, photogenic and his oratory skills are the envy of any
person who has ever spoken in public. He also has smarts. And
although he is often criticized for his message of hope, every time
he goes before a crowd and offers them his vision of America, the
young senator seems to ignite a fire of passion missing in U.S.
politics for a number of years. He is more Kennedy than Clinton, and
seems more honest than both.
The
freshman senator from Illinois pulled off what some consider a bold
but smart move last week when he wrote an op-ed piece for The Miami
Herald stating that if elected, he would “grant Cuban Americans
unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the
island.” The message, in my opinion, was not earth shattering.
Al’s
Loupe Read Spanish Version
Obama
focuses on family unity
By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
alfernandez@the-beach.net
If
his name ended in Anderson or Smith and his skin was pinkish white in
color, there is no doubt in my mind Barack Obama would be president
of the United States starting in 2009. But in spite of the fact that
he is African American and his first name rhymes with Iraq and his
last is confused with Osama, he still has a chance to pull off a
major upset and defeat a field in 2008 which includes a strong group
of candidates running on the Democratic side and headed by former
first lady Hillary Clinton.
Obama
is young, photogenic and his oratory skills are the envy of any
person who has ever spoken in public. He also has smarts. And
although he is often criticized for his message of hope, every time
he goes before a crowd and offers them his vision of America, the
young senator seems to ignite a fire of passion missing in U.S.
politics for a number of years. He is more Kennedy than Clinton, and
seems more honest than both.
The
freshman senator from Illinois pulled off what some consider a bold
but smart move last week when he wrote an op-ed piece for The Miami
Herald stating that if elected, he would “grant Cuban Americans
unrestricted rights to visit family and send remittances to the
island.” The message, in my opinion, was not earth shattering. But
in Miami, where hatred for Fidel Castro and anything to do with the
island nation will win you the scorn of multitudes of mostly elderly
Calle Ocho freedom fighters, Barrack drew their ire. He also awakened
the infamous Miami radio mercenaries: Many who dream of seeing Fidel
die… but not just yet: Their rants and raves against the bearded
leader often leading them to a pot of gold at the end of this upside
down Miami rainbow.
Think
of how nonsensical this sounds. Barack Obama comes to Miami, speaks
at Miami-Dade Auditorium before nearly 2,000 listeners, and in 45
minutes says that he agrees that families should be able to visit and
help each other economically. That is the gist of his Cuba statement.
It caused a fury that ignited press coverage from around the country
and some speculate it even spawned the rumor of Fidel’s death the
day before Obama spoke here. Those who created the lie hoping it
would tune down the importance of the candidate’s message.
In
other words, a message of “Cuban families united” is
revolutionary in Miami. Oh God spare us… what a sick place we live
in. If we’d been a story in the bible, I am sure most of us would
have been turned to salt by now.
But
there was Obama, perfectly fitting dark suit, pale blue tie and that
million dollar smile saying just that: Let them visit their families,
whenever and as often as they want. Outside the auditorium 25
fanatics yelled insults and called audience members and the candidate
“communist.”
Miami
politics seems to change at what may appear a snail’s pace. Obama’s
op-ed commentary and then his appearance last Saturday may signal the
start of quicker political changes for the city. Pandora’s Box was
opened and out came the candidate’s revolutionary words: Let them
visit family members.
I
am sure Obama meant what he said, felt it in his heart. Don’t be
fooled, though, the young senator has not reached these heights, a
legitimate presidential contender and still in his 40s, by being
naïve.
Take
a look at the poll numbers. They will tell you, that even in Miami, a
majority of Cuban Americans agree that Bush and his cadre of neo-cons
went over the top in 2004 when they limited family visits to the
island nation to once every three years with no considerations for
cases of death, sickness or emergencies. The young Obama has looked
into the future and seen the possibility of new Cuban voters and
young Cuban voters going to the polls and casting a ballot for a
person who took a chance on them and their family values.
The
inexperienced Obama also managed to put Hillary Clinton on the spot.
Hillary, a mother, will most likely have to answer the question: “My
mother is dying; I’ve traveled to Cuba in the past three years;
you’re telling me you would not grant me the right to visit her for
the last time?”
Locally,
Obama even helped out the Democratic Party and its prospects for
2008. I know of at least three south Florida members of congress who
are starting to worry about their races next year for they will be
running against the principle of family unity. And that, we now know,
is a no-no in the majority of the Cuban community.
