Just a few blocks from Ebeneezer Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta, Barack Obama is viewed by many as King's successor.

Something is afoot in America. I deliberately avoid the term ‘change’ because at the moment, it’s politically loaded, and what we’re seeing, I think, goes far beyond any individual politician.

Today, I saw a guy wearing a politician’s face on his t-shirt. I see his face on posters in people’s windows, and his words on baseball caps being sold by street vendors. And they’re not official either- not a single one carries the politician’s campaign logo or official portrait.

They’re different colours, different designs, carrying different slogans- products of at least a dozen different politically opportunistic entrepreneurs, and far beyond the scope of being orchestrated by the candidate’s own campaign organisation.

Coming off the subway in downtown Atlanta, there are people encouraging you to register to vote. They don’t wear badges or a uniform, their clipboards have ragged edges, and the pens are attached to strings with sticky tape. As far as I can see, they’re out here in the searing, late summer afternoon heat on their own initiative.

And in all of the scenes I’ve mentioned, the participants have been black. 90% of the people you see in downtown Atlanta are anyway, and for at least half of the remaining 10%, venturing here seems to be considered a risky, and, at best, unsavoury experience.

And the politician is Barack Obama, who appears on t-shirts alongside Atlanta native Martin Luther King with the slogan ‘The change began with the dream’. Groups of African-American kids in gaudy trainers, and low-rider shorts wander the city as they always have done, but then you do a double take and realise ‘bloody hell-they’re wearing the face of a politician’.

Whether due to genuine policy or the more unsavoury reason of racial identity, Barack Obama has, in less than a year, become an icon amongst people from all kinds of communties, notably ones with little previous political involvement. Whatever the outcome of the election, even his most ardent critics accept that his place in history is assured. The image, and everything that individual people have invested it, has already transcended the man, whatever his political fate may be.

If the Republicans, as McCain’s slogan claims, genuinely believe in putting “country first” above politics, then patriotism dictates that they must proceed with caution. Barack Obama, whatever your opinion of his character or political substance, has become a phenomenon. Whatever you think of the man, the icon has become a rallying point for the sincerely-held dreams and concerns of millions of Americans and indeed, millions across the World.

Whether you view this development as sinister or benign, it’s naïve to consider him an ordinary adversary. Mocking or simply dismissing the sentiments of his supporters and their genuine hunger for a political voice is a dangerous strategy. If persued, it seems highly likely that a Republican victory would be at the expense of the country.

The highly possible defeat of Obama could further marginalise millions of black Americans and millions more overseas, dangerously undermining perceptions of American democracy. The current disillusionment felt towards the US government, set against a backdrop of economic difficulties has the potential to boil over into altogether more alarming forms of generalised anti-Americanism overseas, and civil discontent and instability at home.

The threat of violence or fear of disagreement is the mortal enemy of democracy, and one which should sway no voter. None of the above scenarios are a good reason why McCain shouldn’t win.

But whether or not you believe Obama has been irresponsible in stirring passions to such a fever-pitch, the real measure of the victor’s love for this country will not be how they wear their lapel pin. Rather, it will be their willingness to reach out, listen to and, where possible, accommodate the voices and concerns of the millions of Americans who have spoken up in this election, many for the first time. Ignoring them would be the real tragedy of this election.