Zogby: The Obama Phenomenon

James Zogby analyzes the movement created by Barack Obama and his supporters today in The Huffington Post.

First, he poses a question:

Over the past few weeks, as interest has grown in the 2008 U.S. presidential contest, I've been asked by friends from overseas for my opinion on Barack Obama. Could I explain the phenomenon they are seeing on television? Can he win?

He gives as an example of Barack's appeal the testimony of his daughter Sarah, a working mother:

She had heard Barack Obama speak and was moved by what she described as his authenticity and clarity. He did not appear to her to be typical. His call for a new approach to politics appealed to her. Quite simply, she said, "He gives me hope."

"Your generation," she continued, "had many such figures," mentioning the Kennedys and Dr. King. "We have not. I want to believe he can make a difference."

In conclusion, Zogby writes:

Can he win? His polling numbers are improving daily. In the end, however, the voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada will answer that question in January. But is he real, and does the movement he has inspired matter? The answer to that is self-evidently yes.

Read the whole article.