The Inspirational Effect of Political Leaders

During the 1930s & 40s the Democratic Party gained a lot of supporters because of Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the 1960s the Party gained a lot of supporters because of John and Robert F. Kennedy. Roosevelt and the Kennedys inspired young people to consider politics and government service as possible careers. If you look back over the resumes of active Democrats in their 50s and 60s you will often find links to the Kennedys.

The Republican Party didn't have a politician with that effect until Barry Goldwater. Although Goldwater was not successful in gaining political power, he did galvanize a generation of young conservative activists. These activists then helped Ronald Reagan gain political power in the 1980s and became the backbone of the Republican Party.

It is this inspirational effect that was one reason why Republicans could not afford to have Bill Clinton become a role-model for young people. If he could be tarnished, then the inspirational effect of his leadership would be seriously hampered. While this may not have been the main reason why Republicans opposed him, I believe it is one reason.

Which leads to the situation in 2007. After all the damage that Bush has done to the Republican "brand" it is obvious that he isn't going to serve as a role model for anyone except right-wing authoritarians. If the Democrats can nominate and elect either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, they can inspire a whole generation of Americans.

Think of the message that we would be sending the world if we elected either a woman or a black man as President. Young people, and young women in particular, would be energized by a Clinton Presidency. Young people, and Afro-Americans in particular, would be energized by a Obama Presidency. This energy would carry the Democratic Party into the future. Since America is becoming a nation of minorities in the sense that no one racial group will be the majority, the election of Clinton or Obama would also position the Democratic Party to appeal to a very diverse electorate.

None of this will happen without a fight, a fight that will be as vicious as it will be important. People don't give up power without a struggle and the right-wing authoritarians who make up the leadership of the Republican Party are no exception.