Obama, and the nation, owe Bush a significant debt of gratitude

In all the euphoria surrounding Barack Obama’s meteoric and unlikely rise to become a viable candidate for President of the United States, one factor is almost entirely overlooked. It is the assistance George Bush gave to the effort, without which there would surely be no black candidate on the 2008 ticket.

Yes, Obama brings many of his own personal assets to the event: his eloquence; his reasoned and equitable positions on many issues; his hoped for independence from corporate and lobbying influences; and his charismatic personality. But all these assets would not have allowed Barack Hussein Obama from rising to this position, had it not been for the dire straits we are now experiencing from the sad stewardship of the Bush administration. As it is said: extraordinary times require extraordinary measures...and to use Obama’s own words: “the time is now”!

The worst and sickest parts of the Washington scene have existed for decades, in a clearly non-partisan way. But, the 8 years of the Bush administration seems to have distilled those problems....concentrated them...and extended them to the Nth degree. The result: what many have described as the worst administration in modern times – if not in our history. Whether it be rampant influence peddling, unfairness in the application of taxes, corruption, the attack on civil liberties, the funk we are experiencing in the economy, or the now known deception of an unwarranted war -- all have contributed to a condition so dire and drastic that the country is willing to embrace a person and solution without primary regard to race or gender. Thus comes Barack Obama.

Given “normal” times, with “normal” issues and “normal” candidates, Obama would not have stood a chance. Why reach out to an unconventional candidate, when conventional ones are available to conduct business as usual? Obama’s voice would have difficulty emerging from that kind of scenario – plus he carries extra baggage of race, experience, and the inane rants made by some obscure minister years ago. But now....people are hungry for his message; and he delivers it with style, panache and clarity. His time is now! And he owes most of it to George Bush.

Surely some day, we probably would have elected an African American, or a woman, or a man or woman who was not a WASP. But the Bush administration has accelerated that process, probably by decades at least. For that (and probably only that) we should be grateful to the way Bush has mismanaged our country. The test of governing – as Ronald Reagan said – are you better off today than you were 8 years ago?
Bush has answered that with an exclamation mark. We could count the ways of deficiency, but space does not allow.

Note, we have not said yet that America is ready to elect Barack Obama; only that they are willing to have him as a viable and legitimate candidate. The rest of that story is yet to be told – and it is not clear how much more Bush can help him in that effort. Thus far, he does seem willing to assist. Even as a lame duck, he has stood stubbornly by his egregious decisions; he is unable to cover his deceptions with the continuing revelations of his perfidy; and his administration continues to display ineptness, plus a careless disregard for civil rights. These actions may yet keep driving America into electing their first African American president. But, even with Bush’s help wild cards abound.

Will deep imbedded racism show its ugly head in the privacy of the voting booth? Will Americans return to the illusion of greater national security from an ageing war hero? Will the “swiftboats” come out again with their lies and damaging personal attacks? All these are legitimate concerns as we head into what will likely be an ugly and unsavory election. All this is yet to be heard from, but for now there is a unique and rare opportunity to elect an unusually gifted and charismatic man who apparently can make a difference in America’s future. And for that we should say: “Thank you Mr. Bush”.