Steele's warning however appears to be negated by the fact of Obama's success. While there are indeed lapses in his discipline, these can be said to serve only as an indicator of Mr. Obama's humanity, connecting him more closely rather than alienating him from his followers. Other authors also point out some potentially problematic factors in Obama's campaign and policy issues. According to Gerring and Yesnowitz, for example, Obama has used his biracial background as a mask behind which to avoid taking a stance on any matters of importance, including the Katrina aftermath and the Iraq issue. While supporters believe that he is, as mentioned above, representative of new social and political paradigms in the United States, others feel that he is not only youthful and inexperienced, but also fundamentally hypocritical in his policy that claims an all-inclusive stance but that in truth takes no position at all. Be this as it may, the fact remains that this moment in American history is right for a candidate such as Obama. Both in physical, mental and political terms, he is a candidate that can be said to truly represent equality in the United States as well as the American Dream.

Like Sullivan, Scott ascribes greater importance to Obama's time period than to his specific lapses of iron discipline in his campaign procedures. Indeed, the author notes the generational gap mentioned earlier. Unlike the radical leaders before him, Obama is too young to have known legal segregation. In addition, the law has allowed him to enter and attain success in traditionally white institutions. This has made the race issue a more distant one for Obama himself and for others like him.

Perhaps this is a good thing, as it allows Barack Obama to be a politician that focuses on wider issues than just race. Indeed, as he himself has experienced what can be achieved in the current, desegregated world, he is able to also provide a springboard...

Indeed, the lack of extreme focus upon race in the Obama campaign provides for the candidate an opportunity to widen his focus. And this is a widened focus that the country in its current state desperately needs. It is therefore easier to agree with Sullivan than with Steele's more negative viewpoint. The necessity of Obama's viewpoint is stronger than any human lapses that might be observed during his bargaining campaign. Indeed, the country has seen much war, opposition, terrorism and atrocity at the hands of politicians. It is more likely than not that Obama's message of reconciliation, opportunity and equality will carry more weight than any personal deficiencies.
The stage for Obama was set by generations of struggle before him. Had it not been for activists such as Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson, it is likely that the country would never have been at a point in which black politicians would be allowed to run for the presidency. As such, the generational gap between Obama and King is more than that: it is representative of growth, opportunity, and the possible reality of a centuries-old dream for a nation.

Sources

Gerring, John & Yesnowitz, Joshua. Obama: the Democrats in person. Le Monde Diplomatique, April 2008. http://people.bu.edu/jgerring/documents/obama.pdf

King, Martin Luther Jr. Letter From Birmingham Jail.

Obama, Barack. A More Perfect Union (Speech).

Scott, Janny. A Biracial Candidate Walks His Own Fine Line. The New York Times, Dec. 29, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/us/politics/29obama.html

Steele, Shelby. A Bound Man: Why we are excited about Obama and why he can't win New York: Free Press, 2008

Sullivan, Andrew. Goodbye to All That: Why Obama Matters. Atlantic Monthly, Dec. 2007. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/obama