Once again another Convention of the Democratic Party in the US has taken place with an overwhelming endorsement of the party’s Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama. That, of the Republicans is expected to take place from Monday to Thursday. Indeed party conventions held every four years, are among the biggest events on the US political calendar. In the past, the parties actually selected their Presidential nominees at the Conventions but in recent decades, with the growing importance of primary elections, the presumptive nominee of each party has always been known sometime before the opening of the convention.
The Convention has become more of a chance for the parties to psych up their supporters, and for the candidates to set out their policy platforms in the full glow of media. Even though the parties still hold a nominal vote on the floor of the convention nevertheless the outcomes are foregone conclusions. It is also the function of the convention to approve the party’s official policy platforms and to endorse the nominee’s choice of running mate. The Democratic Party’s Convention this year turned out to be very significant because speakers spoke with a sense of purpose and unity and they received massive support from the delegates. It is refreshing that the party’s candidate Barack Obama had the total support of the Clintons. Both Hilary and Bill, husband and wife, urged their supporters to throw their weight behind Barrack Obama.
Hilary Clinton contested Obama for the Presidential ticket but failed to get the mandate. She threw every resentment aside and declared Obama as her candidate and indeed the next American President. Her husband and former President, Bill Clinton, was also unequivocal in his backing for Obama declaring him as the man to restore US leadership in the world. He spoke of Mr. Obama’s remarkable ability to inspire people saying he has made a great choice of a running mate in foreign policy expert 65 years old Joe Biden. Indeed not everyone was convinced Mr. Clinton was ready to deploy his oratorical skills in support of the man who beat his wife to the nomination. With the convention ending today, the Democrats have indeed set the tone for an intensive issue-based campaign.
They are set to take the fight to the Republicans which is the ruling party. The November 4 Presidential election will therefore be a referendum on the performance of George Bush’s two term in office. Americans are definitely going to assess their welfare and state of the nation in casting their ballots. Even though John McCain is yet to be nominated as the candidate of the Republicans, it is unlikely he will be rejected. As the clock ticks by, the victory pendulum seems to be swinging to the side of the Democrats who have so far successfully completed their Presidential ticket and have had the mandate of party members. Political parties in Ghana have a lot to learn from the American experience and that could be found in the maxim, united we stand, divided we fall.” Parochialism and divisive tendencies have no spot in American politics.
It is significant that some Ghanaian political parties were present at the Democratic Convention and gave solidarity messages. It is hoped these parties will learn a lot from the Convention to impart to their supporters here. As we wait for the Republicans to hold their convention, we say Ayekoo to Barack Obama, for being the first Black American to be nominated to contest the American Presidency. For those of us in Africa and blacks as a whole, we doff our hats to Mr. Obama for making us all proud. Long live the Obama campaign, long live America.
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