Exclusively in the new print issue of CounterPunch An Obama
Victory Will Transform the Face of the Nation More Than Its
Policies  A New World?   If the United States today elects an
African American man to the presidency, that event will mark a
turning point in US history and culture. It will genuinely
represent a triumph of hope over fear – all the more so because
Barack Obama for the most part ran a dignified and inclusive
campaign, in the face of the hateful and divisive rhetoric of
John McCain. It’s significance cannot be overstated, Yet, as Ken
Silverstein of Harpers observes, an Obama victory is "not about
politics but about the man." Ironically, Obama may transform the
face and spirit of a nation, without dramatically changing the
substance of its policies.  As everyone knows, Obama is a
cautious politician. He doesn’t look like a leader who is ready
to launch anything as bold as FDR’s New Deal. But then,
Roosevelt didn’t initially look like that kind of leader,
either. Perhaps if Obama wins the White