Obama "Unbound": Why We're Excited About Him and Why He Continues to Win

The night after the Iowa Caucuses, I tuned in to PBS television's Charlie Rose and watched as Shelby Steele discussed his book, A Bound Man: Why We're Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win. Ironically, Sen. Obama was victorious in the Iowa primary and, since then, won more states than his fellow Democratic contender on Super Tuesday, made a clean sweep on "Super Saturday" and scored 3-0 in the Potomac Primary.

In A Bound Man, Steele examines Sen. Obama's quest for higher office, making a distinction between Obama the man and Obama the symbol. Steele writes that, as a symbol, Obama "raises several remarkable possibilities. Is America now the kind of society that can allow a black man -- of whatever pedigree -- to become the most powerful person on earth, the commander of the greatest military in history? Have our democratic principles moved us beyond even the tribalism of race?"

In Steele's opinion, as blacks navigate the white American mainstream they have adopted two postures -- either as "bargainers" or "challengers." Challengers (like Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson) believe that "whites are incorrigibly racist until they do something to prove otherwise." Bargainers (like Oprah Winfrey or Bill Cosby) promise "I will not use America's horrible history of racism against you, if you will promise not to use my race against me.'

According to Steele, Sen. Obama (a bargainer) is a bound man. Steele writes, "Strong convictions seem to be anathema to Barack Obama because he is a bound man. He has fit himself into the world by often taking his own experience out of account. ... He is bound against himself."

Although Steele raises valid questions about the nation's readiness for a presidential candidate such as Sen. Obama, both poll results and Sen. Obama's track record indicate that Steele's theory is flawed, such that he arrives at the wrong conclusions.

Voters in Iowa and beyond have clearly demonstrated how much we've moved beyond what Steele calls the tribalism of race. Sen. Obama's twin message of hope and 'change we can believe in' resonates with constituents. Recently, Sen. Claire McCaskill told David Gregory on MSNBC, "I think we should never be derisive about somebody who has the ability to inspire ... You know, we've had some dark days in this democracy over the last seven years and today the sun is out. It is shining brightly."

Sen. Obama has proven himself adept at coalition building; secured the endorsement of Sen. Ted Kennedy; and key strategists including former Sen. Tom Daschle are squarely ensconced in Obama's camp.

Moreover, exit polls at the Potomac Primary indicate that Sen. Obama has won over a new cadre of followers. In addition to groups that supported him in previous primaries and caucuses -- blacks, younger voters, the affluent and self-identified independents -- Sen. Obama has made inroads into Sen. Clinton's constituent base of older voters, women and lower income people. In Virginia, Sen. Obama won majorities of white men and Hispanic voters.

Sen. Obama's campaign continues to gain momentum and he now holds the lead in the delegate count. Next Tuesday, voters in Wisconsin and Hawaii head to the polls; next month, on March 4, voters in Texas and Ohio will have their say. Maybe now is as good a time as any for Mr. Steele to recall his book and work on an alternate, revised ending.

Comments

[ShawnMichel]

Agreed.

[lynnn]

I would like to point out that voters in states that don't matter say they will vote for Obama, but those are states that don't matter.

So therefore none of this matters. Please delete this blog about nothing!

[Countess]

It is so refreshing to have a candidate we can be proud of instead of a candidate we could at best only halfheartedly defend. He made public his opposition to this unecessary war while she was supporting it. He has made his income tax report public while Mrs. Clinton probably for good reason refuses to do so. The contrast could not be greater and that is why he has been gaining support.

[altohone]

Steele is just another establishmentarian who sought to distract from the real issues in the campaign.

His appearences were designed to dash hopes and paint Obama's campaign as unrealisti­c... as only a black man could.

I wonder if Steele will have the balls to show up when Obama invites him to the White House... which I would do just to make the point.

[Jazz42]

Great Blog.
Ms/Mrs Roberts.
It goes to show Shelby Steele was blowing hot air. I'm supporting Senator Obama, he has done a lot to unite the citizen of the United States, and will continue t do so.

[Countess]

We cannot tolerate positive inspirational campaigns. We want the down in dirty negative campaigns and that is why we need Hillary Clinton. Slime is good!

[vbond]

"Maybe now is as good a time as any for Mr. Steele to recall his book and work on an alternate, revised ending."

And, while he's doing that, he may as well re-do the beginning and middle too.

Steele is projecting his own psyche - displayed in his book - onto Obama.

Which reminds me... Steele better change the title too:

From:

'A Bound Man: Why We're Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win.'

To:

'A Bound Man: Why We're Excited About Obama and Why I Couldn't Win.'

It's OK, Shelby... no one was going to vote for you anyway.

Nor ever will.

Beautiful piece, Ms. Roberts.

Beautiful.