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Fergal Reid: The election of Barack Obama "a singular achievement" - U.S political commentator Mark Shields in DCU last night.
It is a lot easier now to be an American abroad than it was a month ago. And Barack Obama is the right man for a difficult job. That is the opinion of U.S journalist and political commentator Mark Shields, who gave a talk last night at the Helix in DCU about the challenges facing his homeland.
Mr. Shields’ appearance was organised by the Washington Ireland Programme for Service and Leadership, in partnership with DCU and the American Embassy.
A former serviceman in the U.S Marine Corps, Mr. Shields ran Senator Robert Kennedy’s campaign for president in 1968. He later moved to journalism and has served on the board of the Washington Post since 1979.
Mr. Shields talked about how in a nation, “as big and brawling and diverse as America,” there is a great need for politicians who can craft compromise, create consensus and unify the country in a time of uncertainty.
Key to Barack Obama’s election victory was his capture of the votes of 18-29 year olds and 30-44 year olds. The only constituency won by John McCain was voters over the age of 65, he said.
“The typical Democratic voter is moving from a room of their own, to an apartment of their own, to a house of their own.
The typical Republican voter is moving from a home of their own, to a nursing home, to a funeral home.”
While acknowledging that Barack Obama, now president-elect, had the wind at his back in 2008, Mr Shields praised him for running a remarkable campaign in its mastery of the internet and in its seeking voters from across the political, gender, economic and ethnic spectrums. He also spoke about what he called the “singular achievement” that Americans had accomplished in electing a black candidate to the presidency.
“Americans already feel better about themselves because they didn’t believe they could or they would elect an African American president.”
“The historic reality of what has changed is understood by even John McCain’s biggest supporters – including John McCain.”
However singular the election of Barack Obama may be, Mr. Shields said that he had never seen an incoming president face a more daunting agenda. The soon-to-be 44th President of the United States will have as his principal concern the economic crisis, but will also have to grapple with Middle Eastern flashpoints in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will be faced with an ageing population placing an ever-increasing demand on healthcare and social security, not to mention the threat posed by climate change.
Furthermore, Barack Obama carries with him two promises in need of redemption. According to Mr. Shields, the first is his commitment to end the war in Iraq and the second is to move past partisan politics.
“The question now is can he perform? Can he make things better?”
“The test will be whether or not he can make things work.”
Another issue touched upon by Mr. Shields was the world’s entry into a “post-American era”. He spoke about the end of America’s dominant economic role and also the end of America’s desire to find solutions, “at the end of the barrel of a gun.”
“Acceptance of a post-American era is made easy by the tragedy of Iraq… Americans want to be more collegial; to seek consensus, co-operation and coalition.”
The United States Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Thomas Foley denied that America was declining as the world’s dominant nation and sole superpower.
"America has for a long time and still continues have an extraordinary power to lead the direction that the world takes. The new administration will undoubtedly take a different approach to the way that's done."
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Originally Posted by fergalr
