It's hardly surprising that Barack Obama has struck a resoundingly positive chord among young Singaporeans. His message of change and hope, especially being 'audacious' about it, is what so many politically-aware and not-yet-jaded Singaporeans are really attracted to. Despite views that 'Obama fever' is merely a fad, that interest in the American Presidential race is merely because it's more exciting than local politics (frankly, it's not hard for anything to be more exciting than local politics), I highly (and respectfully, since I have no assets with which anyone can sue for damages) disagree.
For all of Obama's flaws (connections to white collar crime, a mouthy pastor), his message so concisely encapsulated in his political memoir The Audacity Of Hope gives us hope - hope for a different kind of politics, of society in Singapore where people actually get to engage in serious dialogue about politics and social issues without having their public assemblies banned and films and documentaries censored. For those not familiar with the Singapore government's tendency to heavy-handedness, almost every less-than-liberal move is made supposedly to preserve the stability and harmony of our tiny city-state.
Hillary Clinton represents the old guard, the candidate who will lean toward preserving stability and harmony - the status quo, in other words. John McCain is too much of a hawk. Barack Obama may have fewer years of experience on the political stage compared to his opponents, but since when does the American President work completely alone? The White House isn't a studio apartment/office. Imagine the state the USA would be in if George Bush made all the decisions without his highly competent (tongue planted firmly in cheek) team of advisors. When the American people elect a President in November, they won't be electing just one person, they are electing a team. Obama holds the promise of bringing in a team of people who share his vision of change and of constructive dialogue.
We haven't had that in Singapore in decades. Our young, independent free thinkers are silenced quickly, co-opted and 'persuaded' to come round to the accepted way of thinking, or they, simply, leave. Singapore is in a vicious circle of paternalism - the majority of us are far too dependent on the government and the government cannot find a way to free our minds without allowing a little dirt and discomfort into the equation.
I do not pretend to speak for other Singaporeans, but I highly doubt I am alone in my opinion.
