Washington/Berlin.
The parallels to Barack Obama are striking: is Hakeem Jeffries the US Democrats’ hope for the 2024 presidential election?
hardly had Hakeem Jeffries finished a rousing speech in the plenary hall of the US House of Representatives on Saturday night, which democratic party friends acknowledged with enthusiastic applause, and his mobile phone was already ringing. In the hours that followed, the screen of his mobile phone kept flashing. Supporters from his constituency in Brooklyn, New York, African American politicians from various southern states, even his great role model, former President Barack Obama, are said to have tried to reach the high-flyer.
To congratulate him, as they all wanted, and to suggest that Jeffries run for higher office – maybe even the presidency which Obama himself conquered in November 2008. Indeed, the appearance of the congressman, who has represented one of New York’s poorest boroughs in the House of Representatives since 2013, was reminiscent of the 44th President.
Barack Obama: Is Hakeem Jeffries Following in His Footsteps?
To be more precise: a speech Obama gave at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston. Then a member of the Illinois State Senate Obama captivated the audience with an almost twenty-minute sermon. He recounted his childhood as the son of a Kenyan immigrant, praised the opportunities he had in the world’s largest melting pot, the United States, and outlined his vision for a better America. It was immediately rumored that the man had what it takes to be the next president. Four years later, the party’s new superstar defeated Republican John McCain in a landslide victory. Also interesting: USA: Republican George Santos lied on his CV
A similar electricity was felt in the House of Representatives that night when Jeffries the republican on the one hand called for cooperation, but at the same time pilloried them. The politicians in the lower chamber of Congress should “act not as Democrats and as Republicans, but as Americans”. Nevertheless, he left no doubt “that we as democrats will never betray our principles”. It was less of a speech and more of a fervent, impassioned sermon.
USA: New shining light of the Democrats – even Republicans recognize Jeffries’ talent
With the rhythmic beat of a rapper chanting, he tirelessly scolded Republicans who for four years had condoned and even applauded former President Donald Trump’s blunders. Those Republicans who had just embarrassed themselves with 15 votes for Speaker of the House and once more than deeply divided, radicalized party were exposed.
Democrats, on the other hand, according to Jeffries, would always “put values over autocracy, benevolence over prejudice, constitution over cult, democracy over demagoguery. Freedom over fascism, hope over hate, and maturity over Mar-a-Lago!” he railed. Jeffries lashed out at the opposition and in particular at the Trumpists among them. Even some Republicans subsequently conceded that Jeffries was a man with a future, perhaps even as the next presidential candidate.
The democrat certainly has the CV, the ambition and the pragmatism. Hakeem Sekou Jeffries was born into poor circumstances in Brooklyn. His mother, Laneda, was a social worker by trade, and his father, Marland, counseled drug-addicted youth. After graduating from high school, Hakeem decided to study political science, first at Binghamton University in New York and then at the elite university in Georgetown in Washington, where he later served as a jurist graduated.
Hakeem Jeffries: What he has in common with Obama
The young lawyer was initially employed in private law firms and later as legal advisor to the television network CBS. However, he discovered his fondness for politics in his early 30s and applied twice in vain for a seat in the New York city parliament, where he only got in at the third attempt in 2007. In 2012 he was elected to the US House of Representatives for the first time, where he is now completed his sixth term of office. Read here: Joe Biden: That’s how romantic the President of the USA is
Jeffries has been living with the label of the potentially “next Obama” since the beginning of his political career. The passionate commitment to issues that affect his constituency, the eloquence, the authenticity and intelligence of the speech, the closeness to the people, everything reminds a little of the 44th President. Being in an elevator in an apartment building in Brooklyn a six-year-old child was murdered, Jeffries pushed through a law that would provide more money for security in public housing projects.
He has also been fighting for years new gun laws and in particular wants to put a stop to the recurring police violence against unarmed blacks. Although Jeffries sees himself as a centrist, he forms a coalition with the liberal wing of the party when it comes to the fight against climate change, for example. His chances might not be that bad in 2024.
Finally, it is unclear whether President Joe Biden, who will then celebrate his 82nd birthday, actually wants to compete again. The Democrats themselves say they need “fresh blood,” a competent, younger candidate who is confident and can stand up to “Republican bullies.” Hakeem Jeffries leaves don’t look at the cards, but he definitely doesn’t want to rule out an attempt at the White House.
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