It's finally over.
The biggest, most complex and insane political campaign since the dawn of time (Oh, yes. I went there.) is finally over. The dust has mostly settled, and Barack Obama is officially going to be, effective January 21st, 2009 (I don't count Inauguration Day), the 44th President of the United States.
...........If Dr. King was alive today........
You know, there were a lot of reasons and a lot of people who helped pave the way for Barack's big win Tuesday night, but I believe we're overlooking one of, if not probably THE most important person of all: Obama's predecessor.
No, I'm not talking about George W. Bush.
I mean this man:
Dennis Haysbert, better known as David Palmer to those of us who watch 24.
See, this fictional character and the way he was portrayed in the span of time Haysbert was on 24 was pretty much the first time it became okay to have an African-American in the role of President of the United States. First season, Palmer was still just running for election, and away from an assassination plot (which got him anyway five seasons later. Sorta like on Heroes, as the big plotline from the whole first season was to keep Zachary Quinto from stealing Hayden Panettiere's big super-healing ability, only to have season three start a while back, and Quinto barges into the cheerleader's house and steals her ability anyway so you're left with an unfulfilling "that's it?!?!?!" moment, but I'm rambling). Second season starts up in Fall of 2002. Secret Service agents are addressing the newly-elected President, facing opposite the camera, concentrating on fishing with his son, informing him that there's a situation in Los Angeles. President turns around and reveals to the audience that Palmer not only survived everything, but got the votes, too!
I believe this creative decision to introduce the concept of a pigmentation-rich President into the mainstream media, slowly and interestingly, helped in no small part to warm up America and the world to this possibility becoming reality. We just needed EXACTLY the right brother to make it happen for real. Don't get me wrong, there were many other important factors and issues as well, not the least of which being George W. Bush's photograph being added to the dictionary under "disaster". My point is this simple real-time action drama in a way, as far as commercial culture was concerned, did offer a small bit of assistance in making this President's real-life existence not just plausible, but desirable. African-Americans can and should be given a fair shot at being the leader of the free world.
Having said that, Palin had a significant shot at getting McCain the win for the same reason as well. Except Geena Davis' ABC show from a few years back about the first female president, Commander in Chief, just didn't last long enough. Unlike 24, there just weren't enough ratings. Also not helping was Commander in Chief creator Rod Lurie's statement that the concept of Palin having to get on-the-job foreign relations experience would be "idiotic."
But enough about Sarah Palin.
Bottom Line: Haysbert preheated the oven. Obama put in the turkey. Which is a perfect metaphor come to think of it since Thanksgiving's right around the corner, but I digress. All I'm saying is that the media was more integral to victory now more than any other election. For more reasons than the overall debate coverage and such. Except McCain's smear ads. That media coverage didn't seem to work out for him.
........But that's just me.
........and about 52% of the popular vote.
Seriously though, congratulations to President-ELECT Barack Obama.
Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, the 24: Redemption movie comes to Fox on 11/23.
Later.
-D.
