Alabama Politics in
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NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1076

By

Senator Hank Sanders

***************************************

“Yes, Senator Obama can win,” I said. “The situation is unique, the times are unique, and the candidate is unique.” In so many words, I shared this perspective on a Huntsville radio talk show. I want to summarize for you why I think Senator Barack Obama can become President of the United States in spite of challenges of race.

First, Senator Obama is unique. He is truly comfortable with Whites. He is also truly comfortable with Blacks. That’s rare in America for a White or a Black. Usually if we are comfortable with one, we are not really comfortable with the other. Senator Obama is an exception.

Senator Obama’s mother is White, and his father is black. Between his mother, grandmother and grandfather, Whites made up the core of his family. Because his African father exited his life at the tender three years of age, it’s understandable that he is comfortable with Whites and Whites are comfortable with him.

It is less understandable that he is so comfortable with Blacks. Yet, I could feel it as I talked to him and observed his interacting with Blacks when he was in Selma for the 2007 Bridge Crossing Jubilee. I think this “connection of comfort” was forged during the time he worked as a grassroots organizer in poor communities in Chicago. And he married a Black woman. The more we Blacks realize that he is comfortable with us, the more comfortable we become with him.

Second, this country is bordering on crisis. Seventy percent of poll respondents say the country is headed in the wrong direction. The threat of terrorism looms continually. The Iraq war has challenged us greatly. The economy is teetering on a recession. Global warming lurks. The justice system is too often an instrument of injustice. When we feel threatened continually, we are open to different leaders. And Barrack Obama is certainly a different leader.

Third, a rare American phenomenon is in play. Sometimes a very few African Americans break through the ceiling - not a glass ceiling but a concrete ceiling. When this happens, Whites sometimes make them super exceptions. They do not just break through the ceiling but explode through the roof. I saw it with O.J. Simpson in the 60s and 70s. He was lifted and accepted in a unique way. As a result, he sold more goods and merchandise than any other personality in the world. In my mind, I can still see him running through airports in television ads.

I saw it with Michael Jordan in the 80s and 90s. He was an excellent basketball player, but he was more than that. So many Blacks and Whites wanted to “be like Mike.” He sold more than O.J. or anyone else.

I saw it with Oprah Winfrey. When she broke through the ceiling, she went through the roof of talk show hosts, sales of books, and business. Almost everything she touches turns to gold. As a result, she is one of the most influential figures in the world and a billionaire to boot.

Finally, I saw it with Tiger Woods. Who would have thought that the world’s most popular athlete would be a golf player and a Black one at that? Tiger is accepted uniquely, sells widely, and influences greatly. He exploded through the roof.

Yes, politics is a very different arena with more challenging dynamics. However, Barack Obama has that same “through the roof” potential in the political arena as these others had in their arenas. When this phenomenon occurs, it has a power that defies the rules of gravity and cannot truly be explained.

Fourth, Senator Barack Obama is truly likeable. When we like a person, the negatives don’t stick the same way. The attacks have less impact. When we don’t like a person, even their positives become negatives. True likeability coats the “liked” with Teflon. So much stuff just rolls off.

Fifth, Charisma is also a powerful factor. It cuts across lines of differences: ideologies; race; gender; class; etc. Certain charisma attracts some while repelling others. Obama’s charisma attracts many while repelling few. Barrack Obama is comfortable with himself, and that’s key to his particular charisma.

Sixth and finally, Barack Obama has merged two powerful forces - hope and change - that work extremely well during times of looming crisis. Other political leaders mistakenly think “change” is the key ingredient. They greatly underestimate the power of hope. Unleashed hope moves the unmovable, including the young, the apathetic, the cynical and the left out. In a unique way, hope and change fuel each other. One without the other is just half a tank.

These are unique times. Barrack Obama is a unique candidate. He certainly can win. Of course, there is no guarantee that he will win. But he has a real chance in spite of the considerable challenges of race. With the close Democratic Presidential contest, Barack Obama will be tested and tested. And we will be tested. We will see if Obama can pass the test. We will see if these United States of America can pass the test.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I went by the hospital to see J.L. Chestnut, Jr. I attended the funeral of Lula Parrish, an outstanding citizen and neighbor. I talked with various citizens as well as the following leaders: Senator Lowell Barron; Congressman Artur Davis; Malika Fortier; and Franklin Fortier. I also watched the Republican Debate on TV and worked on many issues.

Sunday - I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School and church. I talked about education and community challenges with Fannie and Bobby McKenzie over Sunday Dinner. I worked on many issues including some related to Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC).

Monday - I participated in a conference call involving Black farmers legislation and other challenges. I talked to the following: Senator Zeb Little; Mary Shaw of Selma; Eddie Hill of the State Department of Education; Sharon Wheeler about Black farmers legislation; Erica Williams of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF); and Dr. Daniel Boyd and Yvette Patterson of the Lowndes County Board of Education. I met many challenges.

Tuesday - I talked to the following: Dr. Roberta Watts of Gadsden; Vivian Chestnut about J.L. Chestnut, Jr.; Jeff Arrington of the Alabama Medical Association; Senator Myron Penn; Representative Yusuf Salaam; Bryan Lyman of the Mobile Press Register; Senator E.B. McClain; Julia Scott of the Selma City Board of Education; Laureshia Bennett of ANSC; Sheriff Isom Thomas of Greene County; Jim Smith of Auburn; ANSC First Vice President Judy Cumbee; and Senator Roger Bedford. I did a conference call with several senators and was connected to WEUP Radio Station in Huntsville by talk show host David Persons to discuss Senator Barack Obama. I worked on many matters.

Wednesday - I talked with several citizens before traveling to Montgomery. I met with the following: Eddie Hill; Dr. Joe Morton and Craig Pouncey of the State Department of Education; House Education Budget Chair Representative Richard Lindsey; Dave White of the Birmingham News; Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem; Dr. Paul Hubbert of the Alabama Education Association (AEA); Sharon Calhoun of Montgomery; Senator Wendell Mitchell; Ron Jones of the Examiners of Public Accounts; Dr. I.B. Hopson of Selma; Vivian Chestnut; Governor’s Finance Director Jim Main; and Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain. I also met with the Senate Democratic Caucus and the Education Bond Executive Council. I returned to Selma for three meetings and worked into the night.

Thursday - I talked with the following: Vivian Chestnut about J. L. Chestnut, Jr.; Jackie Ward and Jerry Pennick of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives; Dr. Paul Hubbert of AEA; Greene County Superintendent Isaac Atkins; Lowndes County Superintendent Dr. Daniel Boyd; Lobbyist Joe Fine; and White Hall Mayor John Jackson. I traveled to White Hall where I made remarks at a recognition for Lowndes County School Board members. I returned to Selma to view part of the Republican TV Debate.

Friday - I was at my office by 5:30 a.m. working on Sketches. I had a conference call about the education budget with Representative Richard Lindsey and a second conference call with several senators. I met with the following: Representatives James Thomas and Yusuf Salaam; and Edward Lane and Sherica Hatcher of the C.I.T.Y. Program. I handled various matters and communicated with the following: Rajeeyah Holmes of Project FAME; Senator Zeb Little; and Carolyn Bates of Selma. I traveled to Montgomery on ANSC concerns where I shared dinner with ANSC leaders Robert Avery (President), Dr. Carol P. Zippert (Board Chair), Dr. Roberta Watts and Roger Watts. I returned to Selma.

EPILOGUE - Sometimes a combination of circumstances, events and personalities come together in a way to create unique opportunities for individuals, groups and nations. We only know for sure that such a combination occurred when we look back through the hindsight of history.

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