I’ve never fully come out as an Obama supporter. I’m currently reading his book, The Audacity of Hope, which is well-written and very interesting. Although I often find myself in disagreement with his opinions and decisions, and I’m eminently suspicious of the religious language he uses, he seems like a decent man who has a clear vision of the future and some common sense ideas on how to get there. He has brought political debate back to the American people, put the fire back in their bellies and got them talking again about the kind of country they want to live in, and that can only be respected. One only has to hear Bill Clinton’s advice on selecting a Presidential candidate to vote for to suddenly start thinking about Obama in a new way. Personally, despite one or two reservations, I would smile at the news that he had become the next President.

Right now, though, he’s in the most dangerous position he could possibly be. As the first black presidential candidate, he is simultaneously a shining example of how far America has come and a barometer of how far it has left to go. Were he to lose the election, for any reason, in the minds of many his loss would be a signal that America has still not grown up into the new world of racial equality. If he wins, in the minds of others it would show that black people are given a free pass in life, that a black man can be elected despite being light on policy, simply by playing the ‘racial sympathy’ card. Of course, neither of these suggestions are entirely accurate, but both hold a glimmer of ‘inconvenient truth’ to all Americans.

We must not forget the other consequence of a McCain victory later in the year: after such a close run primary, the democratic vote is entirely divided between Obama and Clinton. If Obama is not successful, the question will hang in the air as to whether Clinton would have won. Suddenly, the party would split into factions. Obama would be resented by Clinton supporters for ‘stealing’ her one chance to become president. Clinton would be resented for causing so much hassle so early in what could have been a successful campaign. The fallout could be far reaching enough to cause the Democrats problems in the next presidential election (which John McCain will surely choose not to fight – being 76 at the time!)

It seems to me that Obama really does hold the future of the USA in his hands; but he also holds the weight of the USA on his shoulders.