The Movement vs. the Maverick

From the results of the very first primary in 2008, the winner of this year's election was very clear: Change. When 4/5ths of the American people believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, what else could the popular sentiment be but a deep hunger for a new direction? The many failures of the Bush administration are part of the passion for change. But the big problems and the political paralysis that the country is so unhappy about pre-date even the Bush years and also have bi-partisan roots. And now, with the Wall Street meltdown and the onset of economic recession, the need for fundamental change in national direction are painfully obvious.

So from Iowa on, all the candidates on both sides of the aisle tried to convince the voters that they were the one who could really change things. And guess what? The candidate from each side who eventually survived (a more apt description than won) the grueling political marathon in this election year were, indeed, the two that campaigned most successfully on the idea of change.

Barack Obama ran as the candidate of a new "Movement" in America. He said it was time to turn the generational page, to move beyond the polarized options of left and right, to replace the politics of blame and fear with the politics of solutions and hope. He promised to listen to both red and blue America in finding the answers to the big problems which have eluded a Washington stuck in the mud of partisanship and controlled by special interests which really don't have America's best interests at heart. His campaign events became citizen "revivals" drawing tens of thousands, especially many young people and including many others new to politics. Barack Obama has energized a new generation who want to make a difference but had been alienated from politics. He runs as the inspirational leader of a new politics in America. On matters of faith, Obama testifies to his own personal Christian conversion, and reminds people that "we have an awesome God" in both the red and blue states. The by-words of the Obama vision and campaign were "Change" and "Hope."

John McCain ran as America's leading "Maverick" politician who was willing to stand up to the special interests, defy the powers that be (even in his own party), and stick to his guns whether it would win him an election or not. Like the Tom Cruise Top Gun fighter pilot he used to be, McCain puts himself forward as a leader willing to take the risks, go against the odds, and turn defeat into victory whether it be in Iraq or in the resurrection of his own presidential campaign this year. Rooting his character and appeal in his experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain speaks of the maturity gained through suffering that made him fall in love with his country. He is gritty more than articulate and combative more than inspirational; which is just what he says we need in a time of grave threats to our security and way of life from mortal enemies who require the kind tough Commander-In-Chief that he promises to be. His faith is deeply tied up with honor codes that come with military discipline and devotion. "Reform" and "Victory" were the watch-words of the McCain ethos and campaign.

So how is it turning out at the end; which candidate has stayed more true to their core identities of "movement" or "maverick?"

Obama is still having rallies in battleground states that attract 100,000 people. But, more importantly, he has convinced many voters, especially in the three presidential debates, that the "change" he would bring would be responsible and reliable. His primary campaign of "inspiration" has been transformed into a general election campaign more focused on "trust," persuading the voters that he has the intelligence, judgment, and temperament to steer a steady course, especially in a time of economic crisis. If his charisma impressed the voters during the primary season, it has been his calmness and cool that has won them over in this fall. The celebrity image of the first stage has grown into "no drama Obama." The mantra of change has been the consistent theme of his campaign, but the change message had to pass the trust test and the pre-election polls suggest that the maturation of Obama's message is succeeding.

McCain, on the other hand, has had much more trouble holding onto his mantra of "the maverick." His message of reform has given way to a campaign mostly aimed at making people afraid of Barack Obama. Choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate at first reinforced McCain's identity as a reformer as the "two mavericks" hit the road together. But growing questions about her readiness for the presidency have undermined her credentials, and even McCain's own credibility of putting the country first. And McCain's response to the economic crisis seemed more uncertain and erratic than an experienced reformer's might have been, without a clear message and direction. Since McCain began to plunge in the polls, his campaign has been more and more based on fear. "Exactly who is Barack Obama?" is not exactly the vision of a maverick reformer with a hopeful vision of changing public life. While both candidates have taken their gloves off in negative ads directed at each other's policy agendas, McCain's attack ads have been much more personal than Obama's.

McCain's and Palin's constant efforts to create doubts about Obama as a person and leader have played directly into the ugly innuendo campaign around the country about Obama's "otherness," a person not like the rest of us. He is a Muslim, or an Arab, or a socialist, or an outsider with a foreign middle name, who is only supported by the less pro-American parts of the nation. Directed against the first African American candidate for the presidency, the racial undertones of this political environment are unmistakable.

Running that kind of campaign has clearly undermined McCain's greatest strength as a reformer: that he is a man of honor. "Honorable" is not the first word that will be used in describing the McCain strategy in the final stage. McCain made a mistake not to run on his vision as a different kind of Republican, a reformer who wants to put politics back on the high road, and a political leader who has had real differences with his own president and party. McCain has not shown how he would "reform" the economic policies from eight years of Republican rule. He virtually left his reform record behind to embrace the conservative Republican base and get elected; but it hasn't worked so far.

In this week before the election, Barack Obama's message of change seems to be winning over McCain's new message of fear; but never underestimate the politics of fear in America. But clearly, the movement has won over the maverick.

There is now a spirituality to this campaign which is one of hope vs. fear. Obama has retained his hold on the former, while John McCain has let his campaign slide into the latter. And when the mood of the country is change, hope will normally triumph over fear--or at least one hopes so.

Jim Wallis is the best-selling author of God's Politics and The Great Awakening

Comments

[CubanVoice]

"maverick" has become one of those words, like nu-cu-lar, that I'd be happy to never hear again - THE REST OF MY LIFE!

[CubanVoice]

I'm always glad to see "my side" so energized and excited. And there hasn't been a time when I felt so strongly that I AM ON THE RIGHT SIDE. The man I saw on television tonight for a half hour of real straight talk, real eye-to-eye communication WITH ME gave me a lot to be hopeful about. But I have to say that despite all that, the entire campaign season should sadden us all. I don't care what campaigns were like in the 1800's, how dirty they were, we have got to get better, BE better as a people. The campaign McCain has run dimishes us all.

On November 5th, I hope to be able to take a deep, cleansing breath, look forward to a new sunrise and a new, cleaner future. I want no maverick - real or imagined - anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

[beckpod1]

I'm so tired of this maverick talk! George W. is the biggest maverick..he swore in to uphold the constituton..then he went his maverick way! As a maverick he put himself and his administration above the law..as a maverick would do..no one has to answer any questions..mavericks don't have to answer questions. He said he'd go after Osama..yet he went after Sadam. went into Iraq to destroy WMD..yet secured high value contracts for his special interest groups. Johnny Maverick McCain is #2 maverick..and his side-kick Hockey Maverick Palin(who instantly became a non-maverick being handled by McCain).
You want to talk about a real true maverick..let's talk about the late former F.B.I. agent John O'Neil...none of these imposters can stand next to him!
If Obama gets elected..we'll have an adult in the whitehouse and we can leave the fake maverick term to James Gardner!

[Pagon]

"McCain made a mistake not to run on his vision as a different kind of Republican."

It was not his "vision" nor his actual belief about himself.

Based on everything we have learned about Senator McCain in the course of his campaign, we can only conclude that it was just another tactic to get elected.

There are about 240 million Americans who he could have chosen for VP. He picked Palin.

Country first? I don't think so.

[PHM]

I think the main problem people are having with the "shift" in the McCain image is that they always thought he actually was a man of honor. I know that in 2000 that is what I thought. Then, he lost to Bush and sold his soul...or rather, took off the gloves...or revealed his true self.

See, McCain never was a man of honor. That's the rub. After losing to Bush in the Primary in 2000, a man of honor would have stuck to his guns. He would have kept to his word. Not McCain...he flipped over for Bush like a dog begging for a belly rub.

Then, after a disasterous 4 years McCain had another opportunity to stand up li ke a man...but no, he once again bowed to his baser self.

McCain has always been a selfish, self-centered, spoiled brat with honor as a badge that he wore or removed at will.

Don't grieve for McCain's honor...he never had it.

[Dunelm]

On Sunday, a nasty chain e-mail was sent to me by "friends" who belong to the so-called religious right. It was propagating fear of and implied hate for Obama. Many people were on the e-mail list. I sent a reply in which I said that I was saddened that so many "Christians" were acting so scared when Jesus so often had said "Fear not!" I wrote that messages of hate were just not Christ-like. Not one person on the list had the grace or courtesy to reply.

I am wondering if these fearful, scared people are brainwashed, and I am wondering what they would do to Jesus if He came among them, As a person of faith, I am heart-sickened by the venom coming from the "religious right."

Thank you ,Jim Wallis, for helping me to keep the faith.

[20thcenturykid]

"Honorable" is not the first word that will be used in describing the McCain strategy in the final stage. McCain made a mistake not to run on his vision as a different kind of Republican."
Honorable? For one, it's evident that he was never tortured in 'Nam, He lied to us. I believe his Vietnamese jailer, doctor and his one-time nurse more than McCain, the Republican senator! And the most horrible turncoat, Lieberman (Bush's lip-kissin' buddy, remember?), was ans still is whispering sweet nothings as advice into his ear...
McCain's vision?? He never had any. He just makes up stuff as he goes along! It's so obvious.

[ranger5]

Lije many commentators, Mr. Wallis is apparently still clinging to the myth of McCain. Top gun fighter pilot? He crashed several aircraft and, in one case, left other men to die fighting the flames on the carrier where the plane came down, while he went below and watched the action on closed circuit television. Then he flew off for a rest and recreation junket. He would have been bounced from the Navy, or at least as a pilot, had his dad not been top brass. His codes of "honor" are artificial constructs that he likes to wrap around himself but which are absent in his real life. He has a mean streak that borders on cruelty. He is a bully and has an overinflated view of himself. He cannot tolerate "disloyalty", which means anyone whose positions may evolve away from his. Like Bush, he is the son and grandson of over-achieving fathers, and like Bush he chose a different path by scoring near the bottom of his class at Annapolis. He remains spoiled, immature, and hardly the kind of personality the nation needs as president. He is, and always has been, a political opportunist who craves power for it's own sake, and to show up his more talented ancestors. He public persona is and always has been a lie. It's amazing that some still buy into it.

[lvdragonlady]

What JM has failed to realize is, right NOW, our greatest enemy is us.
Lobbyists, corrupt politicans, greed, more greed have destroyed what he was fighting for in Vietnam. He has become part of the problem instead of the 'answer' to the problem. His campaign has brought the hatred, r*a*c*i*s*m* and ugliness of the American people to the fore front of his campaign.
We can not survive this, without being able to put the ugliness behind us........

Divide we fall

WE CAN MAKE THIS BETTER AMERICA............CAST YOUR VOTE.

[MadOzbo]

Don't be scared.

HOPE not FEAR.

You are giving in to McCain, and we can't let that happen.

Vote. Get your neighbors to vote. Get strangers to vote.

If you BELIEVE, if you HOPE, if you MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN, there will be NO FEAR!

Don't just wish for change. Make it happen.

Take one, JUST ONE person to the polls with you. Your next door neighbor, someone from work, JUST ONE person, you will help make the Obama Presidency happen.

If you don't, and the GOP DOES manage to steal the election, you will feel MUCH WORSE than making the effort to take JUST ONE PERSON to go vote with you.

Time is counting down.

YES We CAN!
Obama-Biden '08

[canucklivinginUSA]

I too fear the outcome. In fact, I've been borderline paranoid. I can't wait for this campaign to be over

[mero909]

Why? I mean, McCain and Obama will just be the same ol' thing. Just wait... 4 years down the road. Same crap as the last 8. Doesn't matter. Neither candidate represents real change. It's a buzz word to play towards people's fears. Hell, Obama agrees with Bush on a number of issues...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/13/wall.bush-obama/

[Spiritgirl2]

Sorry, aHamilton, you need to double check your facts and figures. Under a McCain Presidency, not only do personal taxes go up, if you're lucky enough to have health-care benefits those would be taxed as well! And though for the last 30 years under both republicans & democrats have done in the average American worker - studies show the country as a whole does better under democrats!

And while the nation took a chance 8 years ago on an ex- Businessman that never successfully ran a company, - ex ball team owner the team did better after he sold it, and ex-Governor of a state that had the highest h.s. drop out rates, highest teen pregnancy rates, highest rates of illiteracy in the lower 48, and someone whose military service was questionable, I am more than willing to trust this nation to be led by an articulate, intelligent, cool-hand, with a steel spine, that actually might have a vision for this nation named Barack Obama!

[libbygirl]

I'm really scared. I don't think my anxiety has ever been at this level before. Can hope really win over fear this time? Will McCain's Rovian campaign tactics fail? I wish I had more faith people to do the right thing. My husband keeps telling me not to worry, that Obama will win. I find no comfort in his words of optimism. I chastise him for possibly jinxing the outcome.

I know my life will go on, regardless of the outcome, but I just can't figure out how I would ever be able to respect McCain as my President after seeing the kind of person he is during this campaign. Will I ever get over my cynicism and be a happy, proud American again? Let's just hope that I won't have to deal with any of this and that in less than a week I will be drinking champagne and celebrating. Please!

[SMP]

Grab your neighbor....grab your friends...and go VOTE!!!!!

Yes, our life will go on, but I, personally, want a better life, esp a better one for my grandsons...

VOTE OBAMA

[Stoppassingthebuck]

I feel your pain, I think we are all feeling anxious. I have voted early, and have encouraged all of my friends to do the same. I am also spending a couple of hours a day volunterring at Obama headquarters making calls. It is amazing how much of a calming influence that can have. Making calls to swing states and seeing the enthusiasm people have for Barack Obama is really uplifting. Hand in there, it will be over in 6 short days.
Obama Biden 08

[Martha601]

Nice article and very truthful. I am so scared that fear will win on November 4th. I'm fearful of a McCain/Palin ticket. They always seem to win, whether they lie or cheat. The majority is walking into this election with hope and leaving fear and racism behind but it is still very strong with a lot of people. I'm scared that they will pull it off no matter how many electoral votes Barack wins. McCain has shown that there is nothing he won't do to win and 2000 keeps flashing through my head because he is very capable of trying to steal this election. I pray that we can stop them before they do it again.

[EuroAmerican]

"She's a reformer, she's a great American," McCain said in Western PA about his running mate. "She'll take on the old boy network in Washington."

Does than that mean McCain-Palin 08 will turn into Palin-Wurzelbacher 09?