But as I said in my short post, Mandela was called on for different reasons in a different place to do different things. Yes they inspire hope but they are uplifting a people out of two very different situations with two very different scenarios playing themselves out. That’s what I am getting at. These are two different men, in era, inspiration, accomplishments, ideals, country, nation, governance, political affiliation, experience and again – accomplishments.

Something else that I am trying to keep in the back of my mind is that Mandela proved that he was, on the ground, a life-changing man and nation building man. Obama is so far all talk – through none of his own faults – that is the nature of politics, talk to get in to government. But let’s be honest, politicians are politicians. I hope Obama is different, he is different so far, but until he is proven to be different he is not like Mandela until he practically unites a nation under policy, change, affect and action.

Perhaps I was a little too harsh in damning your post, I’m sorry about that, but come on – Obama hasn’t even taken office yet! Of course he hasn’t “brought anything” to America yet, he hasn’t had a chance. (For the record, a lot of his policies are conciliatory and, well, pretty revolutionary for America, really. He has already made closing Guantanamo Bay one of his first priorities, and ending the war in Iraq, and so on.)

I’m not here to say that Obama is going to be as great as Mandela, or that he’s a new messiah or something. Nobody is claiming that he has done or will do the great things that Mandela did, they are simply making a comparison between two people who have inspired millions.

And as I’ve already pointed out, it’s a perfectly valid comparison in terms of how they inspire and bring hope. I’ve given you three similarities between the two already, so what are you trying to achieve by dismissing them with a “no comparison”?

Mandela has been classed as one of the most important leaders of our time, and as yet all Obama has offered is hope for change. Which is great, but in terms of inspiration there are very few who can be offered a seat at the same table.

Maybe one day, when Obama is a graceful old man, we can look back and say that he achieved, or inspired, or forgave as much as Madiba did – but at this stage Obama hasn’t even been involved in politics for half of Madiba’s jail time.

The one has given much of his life, the other is only starting.

I don’t think I’ve poured cold water on anything. But the two are inherently different.

Obama is an incredibly inspired man who has brought the IDEAL of hope to millions. So far he’s brought absolutely nothing to America other than a being black and in office (much like Mandela). There has been no regime change, no similarities in governance, leadership or policy put in place from Obama’s side to that of Mandela. To say the two are equal, on a par or the same this early in the game is naive.

I am not sure if you’ve been following SA Rocks but for the last 5 months I’ve blogging madly about Obama in support of him and his ideals and campaign. I am a 100% Obama advocate and believe in the hope that he spreads (so much so that I have his “Yes we can” phrase as part of a tattoo on my shoulder. I am hopeful but I am realistic too. Let’s not jump the gun here.

Both men have inspired hope in millions, at a time when their countries were in a bad way, and really needed that hope.

Both have attained the highest office in countries with long, hard histories of racial segregation, and having done so, stood as an example to people who thought they would always be judged by their race, religion or class.

Both have explicit policies of reaching out to people that are considered “the enemy”, in gestures of friendship, to try to settle the conflicts that have been going on for so long.

That’s just three small points of comparison that come straight off the top of my head. Your post has no substance, and simply (and with no benefit to anybody) pours cold water on the jubilance and hope that everybody has for what could well be a new era in America, when we most need it.

In years to come, history will surely agree with your conclusion here. But for now, Mr Mandela has left a legacy like no other. Obama must still pave his own way through the wilderness before his legacy is written.

’nuff said