And So It Begins…
Now that Barack Obama has been confirmed as the next President of the United States, it’s time for all of us (whether we voted for him or not – I didn’t) to move along from the euphoria and hysteria of election season and get down to business. For once, it seems that we are fairly together as a country, and it’s a good feeling. Now, before the socioeconomic currents of the day carry us away, let’s do some thinking abou the next four to eight years.
Tom Bevan on the Real Clear Politics blog puts it this way:
“Over the course of the two year campaign, Obama captured the imagination of the American people with his soaring rhetoric of hope and his calls for bipartisan unity. Now, he’ll need to use every ounce of his considerable political skill to help guide the country through the host of challenges America currently faces.”
Yes, indeed: now that the people have elected him, what comes next? Will the realities of being the leader of a powerful nation draw him away from the high ideals and lofty goals he proclaimed throughout the campaign – or will “business as usual” continue the status quo? We shall see.
I really resonate with what CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott wrote today about what is awaiting Mr. Obama as he becomes the 44th President:
“The world has been seduced by Obama’s vision of change. But will ‘Obamamania’ survive the realities of governing?”
As many are saying, I also say: we shall see. I am not particularly worried about his youthful demeanor – in many ways, it will be nice to have someone closer to my own age in the White House. I am very glad that America has matured to the point where the “race” issue did not affect the Presidential race to the point where it could have caused him to be defeated. It’s been a long time coming, that someone who wasn’t a consummate “insider” had this kind of political victory. Except maybe for when Jesse Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota, but that was a different day and a COMPLETELY different issue!
So now, let’s see what Mr. Obama is REALLY going to do. He’s made a number of promises about change and working to improve our position economically, here and abroad. Will he keep his stated intention of bringing our troops home from Iraq?
I sincerely hope that he does not turn out to be just another skilled orator with lots of money who made friends and influenced people – only to get where HE wants to go.
