My Thoughts on the 2008 Presidential Campaign

[Frank T.]

The 2008 Presidential Campaign
By Frank T. Scruggs, M.A., Ph.D. Candidate
May 2008

Needless to say, the 2008 campaign for the Presidency of the United States is an unprecedented historical event. In this particular race, the campaign itself has come to be a symbolic race of the previously disenfranchised; blacks and women to the pinnacle of government leadership. The image of the President of the United States has moved beyond a white males only club to a genuinely open contest.

The ascension of Senators Barack Obama (Democrat-Illinois) and Hillary Clinton (Democrat-New York) demonstrates that amidst the diversity of the American Republic qualified candidates for leadership positions in the higher echelons of government has become a reality. This presidential campaign has proven that race or sex of a candidate need not be an obstacle. The tragedy in the past has been that by keeping minorities out of serious contention for the presidency, the U.S. has been cheated out of new and innovative leadership, fresh ideas on dealing with domestic policy as well as bold new perspectives in foreign policy and cross-cultural diplomacy.

The Presidency offers top-down leadership and is much more than one person leading the United States. The president in some cases does make engage in policy-making which includes both interaction (government and non-government actions) and agenda which means the sum of all the issues that the Administration is addressing at any one time (e.g. defense spending, trade deficit or tax policies). The president has ultimate authority for dealing with crises that arise in foreign policy and serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Although the President is the face of the Executive Branch, the Presidency is actually one-third the government of the United States, the president therefore in order to execute the Office of President is supported by an Executive Branch which is composed of over 2,000 people. The Executive Branch is there to help the president meet five major areas of Presidential Demands which are as follows:

• Executive Officialdom (the entire Executive Branch)
• Congress (The House of Representatives and the Senate)
• Political Parties (mainly their own political party or affiliation, e.g. Democrat or Republican)
• Citizens at large (The American people)
• Abroad (other countries; not all are Western nations)

The 2008 Presidential Election therefore means that quite a bit is at stake, especially with a new president poised to take hold of the reins of power in the U.S. Whether or not the new president is a Black man or a woman, over the next four years all eyes closely scrutinize the presidency as never before. While we should not any revolutionary change in the way the U.S. does business at home and abroad we should realize that incremental change is already underway thus forever altering the American political landscape. One of the greatest things African Americans can do are actively participate in the election and vote one’s conscience. Here in the U.S., Black people have a voice in an outcome that affects Black people throughout the African Diaspora. As always, let’s keep our discussion going and if you like you may contact me directly at [e-mail]


(Reprinted from the May 2008 Issue of The Afro News, Aldergrove, BC – Canada)

[Frank T.]

Thanks Louis, I actually know at least two people in Rhode Island. One of the people I know in Rhode Island is actually a classmate from Graduate School. I've lived in the South, Midwest and Western United States but not in the New England region. My brother however lives in New York and my daughter live in Maryland which are both close to Rhode Island but far from Chicago.

[Louis Loizou]

Some of us are as excited to see the outcome of the US Presidential election as so many in America must be. I spoke with Chris & Christine Rose on Skype a few days ago - Chris is currently Dean of Postgraduate studies at Rhode Island School of Design, profile here: http://www.risd.edu/about_profiles.cfm?type=faculty&profile=faculty_profile_92.cfm having been head-hunted from Brighton (here) University by the new RISD president John Maeda who used to run the MIT Media Lab. RISD & MIT have been collaborating on human/arts/sciences interface for a few years and Chris has been deeply involved.

I mention this as Christine, his wife, is a member of World Family and I have known Chris for about 40 years and Chrissie for around 30. You can communicate with them - I know Chicago is a world away from Rhode Island but you never know. Find her currently on page 4 under members "Chrissie Rose".

Peace, Blessings and I hope a new America for all our futures.

Louis.

[Frank T.]

Thanks Louis, I always appreciate your comments and feedback. Best Wishes

[Louis Loizou]

Hi Frank T. Thanks for this clear exposition of the running for the US Presidency. While we in the UK, and I'm sure in other countries, appreciate the internal significance of a change of gender or ethnicity of The President within the USA it may be that many do not perceive it to be of more than political significance where America's involvement is significant (along with her "allies"), such as in the Middle East in general and Iraq, Israel, Palestine and Afghanistan in particular.
As you say the outcome of change, particularly if the US votes in a Black President, will resound throughout the world diaspora of Black people in many nations, and we hope especially in the Southern Hemisphere, the source and focus for the moment of this great World Family.
Incidentally, my next live radio show, which I will upload to my page, will be on the subject of Women in the 21st Century and will include Jocelyn and many strong women in Brighton - this will go out at 12.00 noon British time on Thursday 1st May, and all my shows will be the first Thursday of each month at the same time from now on.
While I was in a favourite cafe working on my research for this program a black friend of mine, a very cultured young man with a wife and children who is known to many of our Brighton members just happened by with a story of police harassment to which he had been subjected for no obvious reason other than the colour of his skin. I am now researching the June 5th program which will be on the subject of ethnic minorities - I already have 2 guests, the young man I mentioned and another guy who works with asylum seekers in Brighton.
If you have any input or suggestions other than the excellent contributions you have made on this group, I am very open.
Peace and Blessings to you and your family.
Louis.