Sad as it is, the timing of Obama's grandmother's demise could not be better for the candidate. The lonely walk down the Honolulu street to visit her last week, captured by invasive photographers, and now the death, which he did not announce even as he gave a speech in Florida, but which broke later, in time for the evening news. These events can only help Obama, because they remind people of his Kansas roots, his humble white ancestors. And suggest that he is not completely coldblooded.
I am deeply hopeful about the new progressive age under Obama, and I believe that one of the great changes will be the example of his tolerant grandparents and globetrotting mama. All this postracial talk will have a real effect of lowering divides between tribes; and it also will make Jewish policies against intermarriage seem very old world. Our likely president is the product of a mixing that was once verboten, called "mongrelization"; and America seems to adore that part of him. And the lesson has to resonate, if not among the Jewish organizations that spend energy opposing intermarriage, then with the children. Who are sure to have more of a WTF, who-cares attitude than ever.
(Maybe one answer from the Jewish standpoint–the fears about Jewish numbers–is to soften another law, the bar on proselytizing. Jews aren't allowed to proselytize. But Jews are breaking tons of other laws in this modern age, and Gettin Jewish is a little bit of an Establishment trend anyway: Anthony Lake, Campbell Brown and Amy (Mrs. Rahm) Emanuel converted to Judaism. Why not get the show on the road?)
