Gainako Newspaper

................................................... .....Political Commentary:
........Barack Obama – The History Man!
............‘How he defeated the most Sophisticated Political Machinery in American History’
................................ By Demba Baldeh, Seattle, WA...........June 6th, 2008
The just-ended, fiercely contested Democratic nomination for President of the United States
of America had to come down to the wire. Barack Obama has finally claimed victory, securing
the number of delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination. Both Obama and his rival
Senator Hillary Clinton had to grind it out to the end, with each candidate winning one of the
last two States to vote – Montana and South Dakota.

This historic nomination contest featuring a woman and an African American has shattered
almost every political record ever recorded in the history of the United States. Billed as having
been the closest to a record fundraising drive, this primary contest between the Clintons and
the Junior Senator from Illinois exceeded every expectation of a magnificent campaign between
two extraordinarily talented candidates.

The story line is how for the first time in the history of this great democracy, an African American has finally emerged to
claim the nomination for a major political party. Looking at it from every angle, Obama’s nomination signifies an important
reminder of one of the great dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who prophesized over 40 years ago that “one day this
great nation will rise, live up to its true meaning; that all men are created equal; that little black boys and black girls will one
day not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Those touching words of the then young
Dr. King have finally started to actualize themselves in the political evolution of this nation.

What is even more fascinating about Obama’s victory is how he did it coming from nowhere to defeat the Clintons – one of
the most sophisticated political families this nation has ever witnessed. Who would have thought that a first term Junior
Senator from the South side of Chicago, an African American born to a Kenyan immigrant father and raised by a single
parent would, against all the odds, single-handedly take over the reign of the popular ex-president Bill Clinton with Seventy
(70%) percent voter approval combined with one of the toughest first ladies in this nation’s political history? Who would
have thought that an African American candidate who was barely known in the political arena would have inspired so many
young voters who had never shown interest in the political future of this country? Who would have thought that
disenfranchised and divided African American minorities would rally behind someone they thought was not black enough to
represent their interest?

Barack Obama turned out to be that political figure, who did not only inspire voters but also motivated over one and a half
million donors to support his campaign with an average contribution of $25 during the toughest of economic times. These
young Americans, who are fully conscious of what is at stake in light of a senseless war and economic hardship, were
enamored of Obama’s powerful message of change – a change from the bottom up. This message of CHANGE, more
than anything else, helped Obama land the Democratic nomination.

How He Did It
How did Obama arrive at the nomination? Well, the fight was tough and Obama and his surrogates will be the first to admit
that this was so close that if there were a few more states left in this contest, the Clintons would have staged another
comeback kid revivalism. Obama won this contest doing what he was best known for, grassroots organizing. In early
February after Super Tuesday, he mounted a vigorous campaign in Caucus States which earned him Eleven (11)
consecutive victories, building the delegate lead that finally handed him the victory. Failure to take serious note of the
contest in the Caucus States was the biggest and most costly political blunder the Clintons ever made. This is what
unbelievably brought the Clintons down on their knees in disbelief while they watched Obama take the torch away from
them. One could not help it but feel sorry for the Clintons who were the biggest nightmare for the Republican Party.

Another brilliant strategic approach Obama and his team adapted was to swiftly and forcefully respond to any allegation
levied against him by the Clintons. The counter punch which the Clintons have always used successfully came back to haunt
them over and over during this campaign.The loyalty of the African American voters to the Clintons which earned Bill the
nickname “First Black President” could not be carried over to Hillary because she was up against their own. The Clintons
could not figure out how to handle this voting bloc, the most loyal of the Democratic Party. Furthermore, as the saying goes
“blood is thicker than water.” Having to choose between their own and their friends, the African Americans
overwhelmingly embraced their own who was on the verge of making history. This massive support from the black
population is largely responsible for Obama’s victories even in the deep historically segregated Southern States.

Obama’s unconventional approach to some major political issues which normally make politicians unpopular or distrusted,
made him an unusually straightforward politician who spoke his mind from his gut feelings without regard to political
consequences. This also earned him the respect and admiration of many voters. Take, for instance, his honest comment on
people clinching to guns and turning to their religions during economic and other hard times. This comment though
unpopular with many who were guilty of such behavior may have cost him votes, but it couldn’t be truer than the way he
stated it. When the horrible 9/11 terrorist’s attacks hit the U.S, many Americans who never or hardly went to Church
started attending Church. Many who lived away from their families moved back to their home states to be closer to
families. While these attacks were despicable, they brought a sense of reality to all of us that we were no longer as safe as
we might have thought. So Obama was right, people turn to God when they are hit with hardship and he never backed
away from the fundamental facts of his comment. This was unprecedented for a politician to stick to his guns during such a
hard-fought primary contest.

Of course, some things did not go well with Obama given his inexperience in the political arena. The Rev. Jeremiah
Wright’s hate speech did not go well with Obama and it may have turned away many voters who could have easily voted
for him. On a positive side, though, I think that the Rev. Wright’s appearance on the scene was, maybe, one of the best
things that happened to Obama during his campaign. Why so? Well, before the Reverend’s tapes surfaced, as many as
22% of Americans had believed that Obama was a Muslim in disguise. Obviously, America would never vote for a Muslim
to become a nominee of a major political party much more to talk about electing him into the Presidency. So it was day
light for Obama when he was finally proved to be a Christian and had been going to the same church for over twenty years.

His opponents seized on the matter and pounded on him vigorously which forced him to give a speech on race which could
be his best political speech yet in his political life. His race speech in Philadelphia clearly distinguished him from many
politicians our generation has seen over time. He willingly and openly discussed the bitter complications of race, an issue
that America has never been comfortable to discuss in the open. It has always been swept beneath the rug even in light of
the most despicable acts of racism. Obama’s confrontation of this highly sensitive issue helped put race in a new
perspective for many Africans. Race in this country would never be looked at the same way it has always been partly
because of Obama’s explicit explanation of what both races harbor deep inside. That timely speech may have saved his
political career, if not, certainly gained him a lot more respect and admiration from many corners in America.

On a final push to hold on to his lead in delegates, Obama cautiously played a smart political game by silently admitting that
there was nothing he could do to prevent those so-called White working class and Spanish voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania
and West Virginia from voting for him simply because of his color. He studied the rest of the political map and contested
fiercely in States that mattered to him and were willing to give him the opportunity. He was truly right to spend less time in
those unfavorable States because he could not help those who looked at his color instead of voting on the issues that
most affected these people. As one Obama surrogate said “I am sorry if some people in this country will not vote for a
candidate who has no choice in being black or white simply because of his color.” No matter whatever Obama had done,
these folks would never have voted for him anyway. They simply couldn’t get over the fact that this nation had changed
forever and ever.

What Obama Should Do
Finally, now that Obama has won the Democratic nomination, he has a bigger and tougher fight against John McCain and
the Republican Machinery. It is without a doubt that the Republican machinery is more vicious than the Clinton’s. The good
news for Obama and the Democrats is that George Bush has managed to brilliantly squander the little hope that was left in
the political life of this nation. Obama has a fresh opportunity to open a new chapter and lead this nation to that final dream
that Dr. King had talked about several decades ago.

He would have to sharpen his swords and do exactly what he did to the Clintons – and that is to tackle head on every
single allegation they bring against him. He should continue to be angry at false allegations and tactics designed to distract
this nation from the real issues. When he keeps that straight counter punch at all times, he will be the next President of the
free world.

On the VP search, Obama needs to be very careful who he picks. Historically, the VP pick has either strengthened or
weakened a candidate. While picking Hillary may ultimately win Obama the White House, she might turn out to be a
nuisance in pushing her own agenda on some battles she has been fighting for decades. Such issues might be Universal
Healthcare which she tried so hard during her husband’s presidency. So Obama needs to evaluate whether he only needs
someone to help him win the White House and take back everything or does he really need someone to enable him bring
the real change he has been advocating for in this country. Hillary is brilliant but a very persistent woman who could stand
in the way of progress for Obama.

..A Call for Higher Ethical Standards
..........– Gainako Welcomes the Challenges
.......................................Demba Baldeh Seattle, WA ................April 21st, 2008
..........“The higher the standard the better the product”
The recent article titled “When Journalism is the Enemy” written by Cherno Baba Jallow and
published on Gainako on April 10, 2008 and rejoined by several other readers has no doubt
awakened us about some fundamental principles of journalism as a profession. The general
consensus from the readership either for or against the issue of higher standard of news quality in
our online newspapers across the board is loud and clear: Gambian online newspapers, as echoed
by our respective readers, need some serious revamping if we are to continue to gain the respect
and support of our consumers.

It is an undeniable fact that the reason we continue to invest our resources and energy in reporting the daily news and
informing the public is simply because we have consumers who visit our various sites daily to get their dose of news. It is
equally a fact that these consumers are in a better position to judge the quality and substance of the news and reports we
supply daily.

Similarly, the satisfaction and/or frustrations of our general readership on the impact of the news and reports we carry on
about our country – The Gambia, must be something we treat with exceptional seriousness anytime we sit on that keyboard
to put out a report. The stakes are always high anytime our people and nation becomes the subject of discussion. This is all
the more true because we, the people, form the bedrock of our nation. We should individually be great ambassadors of our
great country anywhere and in anything we are engaged. It is therefore the duty of every good citizen to carry forward that
great name of The Gambia, “The smiling Coast of Africa”.

The media both at home and in the Diaspora has a fundamental role to play in reshaping our society and advancing the rule
of law and human rights in our young “democracy”. Unfortunately, the current regime has shown little or no appreciation for
the role of the media in the socio-economic development of our people. The environment is not conducive for a sustainable
free press. As a result, newspapers at home and other young aspiring journalists had to find alternative ways to continue to
educate our people with what is going on in our nation ruled by a government which, to put it nicely, has a close door
policy. This restrictive policy had to force media practitioners to find other means to bring news and opinion to the
community. This led to the birth of the current online newspapers and blogs.

The emergence of these online newspapers has undoubtedly brought enormous opportunities for the advancement of
democracy and press freedom in our nation. In this era of the information gateway where anyone at any time or anywhere
can access information, it is crucial that the information that they access is of quality and carries with it a positive and
uplifting message. The online newspapers have thousands if not millions of readers daily that not only rely on us for the daily
news, but also count on us to give them educational materials that make a difference in their lives or the lives of their
children.

In dispensing that noble duty, we must exercise diligence, maturity and most importantly, an absolute professionalism
guided by principles of decency and uncompromising fairness and balance. We must also realize how the personal and
social costs of the information we provide affect the daily lives of others and our nation. The power of print media and
online publicity carries with it a powerful image that may go a long way towards impacting society.

Our daily task as practicing journalists or administrators of media outlets as others put it may seem to us as volunteerism
that we choose to engage in at our own expense. However, since we have self -appointed ourselves to be the watch dogs
of public officials and government, it is important that we also conduct ourselves professionally and submit ourselves for
periodic public scrutiny. Besides, when we take up the task of exposing a regime that strives to suppress its people in the
name of patriotism or development, we must try to be credible at all times.

It is a fundamental part of our duties to train and educate ourselves continuously in our profession with an aim to grow and
make ourselves better reporters or editors and to keep pace with intellectual challenges that may arise in disseminating vital
information to our readership. Today’s media consumers are certainly far-more sophisticated than we may think. They are
not only willing to consume the product and give a blind eye, but are also determined to see to it that what they are fed is
of quality and important information.

In passing, we must put ourselves in the shoes of others anytime we are ready to sign off to something for publicity. We
must also remember that we cannot be our own judges on the quality of news we put out every day. It is therefore essential
that we have people within our society who are brave and willing to call it as they see fit. No single one of us has a
monopoly of knowledge over what constitutes journalism, nor should we put our egos ahead of this noble profession.
There is no need for any undue sensitivity and overly reaction to anything as fundamental as a call for higher standards.

Finally, we at Gainako seek to see the issues differently. We welcome Cherno Baba and others’ clarion calls for higher
standards and ethical journalism as an important challenge for us to continue to learn and grow as young aspiring
professionals. We also wish to reaffirm that in order for us to win the moral battle against a suppressive regime, we must
not resort to the same tactics the regime employs to silence its critics.

At the same time, we also wish to call on those seasoned journalists and other interested Gambians to step up to the plate
and take up the challenge and redirect the face of Gambian journalism. We believe that a vacuum of responsible journalism
has existed in the Gambian media far too long. As a result, where seasoned members of the media fraternity are reluctant to
rejoin the fight for our common good, precedence is bound to take a not so desirable shape and direction. It is therefore
our collective responsibility to see to it that the bar is raised high at all times. Together, our moral convictions and desire for
decency far supersede anything else.

We leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “I cannot be what I ought to be until you are what you
ought to be.”

Demba Baldeh

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