Barack Obama’s political background is rather limited. He has only been a member of the U.S. Senate for two years. He has only been an elected politician for nine.

But he is running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. He slipped into the race just behind Hillary Clinton and has been gaining on her since.

He has the right ingredients to win the nomination – if he mixes them right. He has been building support since announced his candidacy on Feb. 10.

Obama is a traditional Democrat. For example, he doesn’t think homosexuality is immoral. He has also pushed for a comprehensive national energy policy, according to his Web site. He supports education reform and more resources for schools. He wants to promote affordable, high-quality health care, as well.

However, he also offers something no other candidate can – a new voice and an escape from racial boundaries. People are tired of career politicians who have been in politics for so long that they are related to someone in almost every position in government. People are tired of self-interested governance. Obama is a “new” voice. He has a certain uncorrupted quality about him.

A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll indicated that Obama was seen as the most inspirational candidate among Democrats in the early race. This will only help his cause. With the war in Iraq and the corruption in Washington, people are looking for a way to trust the government again.

He can be the answer to the traditional political machines, as well. He has enough experience to be a good politician, but not so much that he has been made callous by the process of Washington politics. He wasn’t raised knowing how to schmooze and campaign. Most people will find Obama attractive because he is not from a political family. The public does not want another Bush in the White House.

He has the ability to cross racial boundaries because he is an African-American who also appeals to whites. This makes him an atypical black candidate. As an In These Times column reported, he was not directly involved in the civil rights movement. His parents were not sharecroppers or preachers. He has been able to get the support of whites and blacks during his time as a senator and as a candidate. In fact, most of his support was from whites, until the recent poll.

The poll, reported in the Washington Post, found that in December and January, Clinton had 60 percent of black support, while Obama had only 20 percent. In the recent poll, Obama had 44 percent and Clinton had 33 percent.

The point is, he has stretched across the boundaries that have plagued previous candidates and appealed to both black and white supporters.

Obama has the opportunity to change politics in this country as well as the racial stereotypes and boundaries. Being elected would show that a person does not have to be white to succeed in politics and that racial strife is diminishing.

It will also show that being black does not necessarily mean fitting into popular culture stereotypes of loud preaching or rap music. Bridging this gap can only mean progress.

However, being a new voice and having the capability to cross racial boundaries does not guarantee the nomination for Obama. He still must build his support and overcome the “Hillary factor.” Clinton has a broad support base and Obama will have to appeal to her type of Democrats.

He will also have to offer solutions to problems in his platform. He must have a comprehensive plan for Iraq, as well. People are getting frustrated with that situation and any politician who wants to succeed in 2008 will have to have a concrete strategy for the Department of Defense.

Obama has the right ingredients to make a great candidate for the Democrats. He has a new voice and the ability to cross racial boundaries. He is not a Republican. He has a Democratic platform. Let’s hope he knows how to blend these elements and create a winning campaign.

About the writer:

Courtney Sartor is a junior political science and journalism major. She can be reached at [email protected].