Revision: Staff and Students Examine Obama's Promise of Change, Not His Skin Color

By Allie Jacobs





KALAMAZOO, Mich.— As Sen. Barack Obama jumps ahead in nationwide polls, students and faculty at Kalamazoo College are hopeful that he will be “the change that America needs,” pushing aside concerns that his racial background may lower his chances of getting into the White House.

“I think if he wasn’t African American, he’d be winning by a landslide. He’s a leader and he knows how to manage himself and his feelings. And he’s a good decision maker, which we have been sorely lacking for eight years,” said long-time Democrat Diane Seuss, 52, an English professor and resident of Kalamazoo.

Obama’s strengths as a leader and his proposals for a better America resulted in inspiring performances during the presidential debates, eliminating any reason to focus on the color of his skin.

“I fully expected Obama to dominate in the debates,” said Democrat Nandita Barghava, 19, a sophomore from Auburn Hills, Mich. “He’s a phenomenal speaker.”

Joseph P. Renze, 21, a junior from Chicago, Ill. who has no party affiliation, is also impressed with Obama. He spoke confidently about Obama becoming the first black president, saying, “I’m surprised that the Republicans have come this far.”

For Leah M. Baughman, 19, a sophomore from Beverly Hills, Mich., who is on the fence about her choice for president, the race factor doesn’t even come close to the effectiveness of Obama’s plan to improve the economy. “I’m Catholic, and we’re usually supposed to go Republican. But the economy is one of my biggest issues and I think Obama could really help,” said Baughman. “I don’t think his race has anything to do with it; I don’t care at all.”

Staff member Denise M. Wyatt, 30, of Paw Paw, Mich., a Democrat, agrees that the economy is of great concern for voters, but has some doubts in Obama’s ability to ease America’s financial crisis and make improvements as a whole.

“Obama doesn’t necessarily have a better economic policy than McCain,” she said. “And about Obama wanting to change things; is he the candidate he says he is?”





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