Young voters come alive for the 'Obama phenomenon'

Democrat presidential hopeful Barack Obama's message of change and hope obviously fired up his listeners.

 It was the same "change" theme that the Illinois senator used so successfully in the Iowa caucus last week and his supporters believe there is no reason why he cannot use it to score another stunning victory here today.

The American media have dubbed it the "Obama phenomenon", but young voters in both states I have talked to simply put it down to their embracing someone whose message resonates with them. But the media are probably right: no other American politician in recent years has generated the kind of buzz that Obama has on the political scene.

The attention being given to this year's presidential election - even at this early date - is unprecedented. And the junior senator from Illinois has a lot to do with it. Obama has brought new excitement to the race and as a result prompted a surge in the number of young voters eager for change. They are known as undecided and independent voters who otherwise would have stayed home and not cared less who the next president would be.

An electrifying speaker, Obama exercises the kind of "rock-star power" that his rivals in both camps could only dream of. And that's enough to make his supporters, who see him as thoughtful and liberal, overlook the fact that the 46-year-old senator has only served four years in the Senate and has had far less exposure to complex political and international issues compared to some other Democrat candidates.

But Obama has a ready answer for what is seen as his biggest weakness. In almost every stump speech he argues that if experience is equivalent to ability to preserving the status quo and to serve interest groups, then he would rather be a political novice. And to many of the young voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, experience isn't the first thing that comes to their mind when deciding whom to vote for.

His main contender, former first lady and New York Senator Hillary Clinton, has been trying hard to chip away at Obama's credibility by questioning his ability to lead and face real challenges given his limited political experience. But for Obama supporters, his untainted record and what they see as his intelligence and political commitment matter more than experience.

That explains why Obama received the overwhelming support of young adults, many voting for the first time, in the Iowa caucus. And the latest polls also suggest that Obama is on his way to pocketing his first primary victory in New Hampshire - something that will certainly strengthen his chances of winning the Democrat nomination.

Despite all the uproar surrounding him, Obama has been careful in presenting himself as an underdog, hoping to draw out as many uncommitted and independent voters - those who are still undecided and those who support neither the Democratic Party nor the Republicans -on primary night.

Obama certainly doesn't have a monopoly on the change theme. It seems every candidate on both sides in this current race has jumped onto the change bandwagon. They all want voters to believe that the "broken political system" in Washington and the political mindset of the powers-that-be need to be changed before anything can get done. And with their populist approaches on such issues of major concerns to voters as taxes, health care and energy, at times it can be difficult distinguishing between Democrats and Republicans.

But as far as the Democrats are concerned, it seems that it is Obama, someone who is not so closely associated with the status quo, is winning the hearts and minds of voters in this initial stage of the presidential race. And in a country so politically polarised, Obama is being seen as the only candidate who can bridge the political divide and move the country forward.

It remains to be seen whether Obama will end up being a one-caucus and one-primary wonder. But no matter what happens down the road, the Obama phenomenon has already reshaped the presidential race.

Seeing firsthand the political enthusiasm and eagerness of young Americans, I obviously couldn't help reflecting on the state of Thai politics.

Don't we all wish we could see young Thais shake off their inertia and take their responsibility in the electoral process more seriously in order to give Thai politics a new impetus?

But nothing short of a phenomenon like what is happening in America right now is definitely needed before that can happen. But, as the just-ended general election in Thailand has demonstrated, we are still nowhere near where we should be.

 Thepchai Yong

The Nation