The Job
I just watched Barak Obama give a fabulous speech in Canton, Ohio. Many of you may have seen it, too. His words were inspirational, his intent clearly to lead this country to a better day.
Yet, he looked so incredibly tired. Not really well. Made me wonder as I often do - why does anyone want that job? It's not for the money. That's not worth your heart and soul. The power? There's a thought --- for some. Ego? We've seen a lot of that, so I'll concede the possibility. Then again, no one succeeds in life and grabs the gold ring without a healthy sense of self.
I don't see those reasons when I look at Obama. It is taking such a toll on him, just the campaign alone. He is already looking forward on our behalf ... years down the line. He is trying so hard. Doing his best. And being slammed in every conceivable way by others who wish to take him down. To make him small. Why does he want that job?
Because it matters. We all matter. Barak Obama isn't afraid to take on the world, if it means making a difference. One step at a time. He's so tough ... and so human. While I worry for him, I will be so proud to call him Mr. President. And so very grateful he took the job.
Amen! I do believe he really cares, about the country and the world in general (that is - about humanity). And he is smart enough to see he has an opportunity to lead, and brave enough to act on it.
October 27, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
barefooted, very nice!
October 27, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
For what it is worth, he looked really fresh, healthy and relaxed on Sat. in Reno. I was surprised given how stressful it must have been to fly out and see his grandmother and know it may be the last time he sees her...but then maybe it was such a wonderful experience that it reinvigorated him.
Anyway, I echo your opinions about the man. He is pure inspiration, a natural born leader, and he has come along at a time when our country is so much in need of a man like this...I thank God for him every day.
October 27, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's odd. I actually like the fact that this post is getting rec.'s ... because it's about someone who really means something. He's willing to take on more than most, and to be better at it than far too many who have tried.
Thanks.
October 27, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's bearing up under the stress of the dirtiest opposition campaign I can recall. He's staying in new places every night, hours on the road or in the air, no doubt missing Michelle and those two wonderful kids, revving himself up for public speaking several times a day.
Who wouldn't be tired?
And he's bearing up under the weight of the hopes and dreams of millions of his fellow Americans who are waiting for something better than what we've seen for the last seven-plus years.
And when he wins, as he will, as we will, it won't be done. Those who are slinging the mud now will continue to lie, to disrupt, to obstruct, to do everything they can imagine (and who among us wants to stretch our minds into such a shape?) to make his presidency fail for their own malevolent ends.
I can't imagine the burden the guy's under. That he bears it with the grace and composure he does - and the stamina! - says amazing things about the character of our next president, Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama...doesn't hearing that make you feel a bit better even now?
October 27, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gives the term "grace under pressure" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? To stay focused on the long road ahead and let the nonsense fall away takes the kind of person I want - need - as our President.
Yes, President Barak Obama ... hearing that makes me feel more than a bit better even now. It makes me feel calm.
October 27, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've taken the unusual step of recommending your post (you'd asked in the past that people not do that - at least for your later-evening stuff) because there's the root of a very interesting conversation taking shape here.
I get a very clear impression that Obama wants to be President in order to accomplish some very important things. Not, as our current disaster shows, simply to "be president", and we've all seen how well that worked!
There is a coherent, consistent vision in Obama, and it takes us into a realm of possibilities, responsibilities, and a clear change in direction for a society gone very far astray. It's not going to be easy progress - there's a lot to undo before we even start building. Still, we have a real chance to reshape the future into something founded on understanding and wisdom, rather than fear and superstition.
Thanks for putting this one up.
October 27, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're right - I never (with two exceptions) want my late night threads recommended. This is different.
I honestly wonder why anyone wants to be the President Of the United States for up to eight years. However, when it comes to Obama I can almost understand. He has such a vision, such an idea of where this country can go and what a great country it can be ... again. Not that he won't change his mind if necessary, or listen to good advice; he certainly will. But he has a picture in his head. A photo, if you will, of a future I can believe in. He's willing to work his heart out for it. In order for that snapshot to become reality, we need to do the same.
October 27, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that when you look at the trailblazing path his Mother took, he is his Mother's son. She instilled SOME spirit in him, a spirit of strength and determination to be sure, and a spirit of responsibility, an obligation to do something to help to elevate the lives of the living. This is something that he learned at his Mother's knee. These values are foundational. She had it. She transmitted it to him. He has it. It was his Mother's expectation that he do something WITH it.
October 27, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
c4: I don't know whether to laugh or cry -- maybe both. But I do want to say thank you...from mothers everywhere.
A friend and I were having coffee together a few years ago, reminiscing about the sons we had raised, who were also friends. We asked each other what our sons would remember about what we had taught them. We considered the possibilities: telling the truth, doing the next right thing, standing up for a belief, blah, blah, blah.
Then our sons came in from wherever they had been. We posed our question to them: "Years from now, what will you remember that we taught you?" we asked curiously.
They looked at each other in some embarrassment (for us). My son said, helpfully: "Well, Ma, you taught me how to sort laundry; I've definitely got laundry down." And my friend's son said, helpfully: " And I know, for sure, how to set the table."
My friend and I were aghast; then we looked at each other, and began to laugh. And once we started, we couldn't stop. The kind of laughter that combined our love for these boys, a realization of our own hubris, and the futility of yearning for praise.
They will be what they will be. And that will be just fine. Because they are fine... if literally-minded.
So much for noble efforts.
October 27, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish I could remember the name of the woman that wrote this essay, on NPR about raising girls and boys, and the difference. I have raised both, and I know she was right. She said, here are my two boys, aged 8 and 10 sitting at the kitchen table, hysterically trying to outdo one another making fart noises--while her daughter was upstairs in her bedroom acting out Shakespeare's The Tempest with her stuffed animals.
October 29, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I feel inspired and humbled, just to be part of this thread.
October 27, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
a beautiful thing to express...
October 27, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe that after almost two years of this campaign, Obama can still bring me to tears with words I've heard before.
I could listen to the "no red America/no blue American/only the United States of America" line over and over and over (and I have).
I have never been this inspired by a leader before in any endeavor. Not by a teacher, not by a mentor, not by a boss, not even by my mother (and she was pretty darned inspiring). Eight days left and I'm giving it all I've got. I don't want to wake up on November 5th knowing I could have done more.
October 27, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know exactly what you mean about the tears. I watch him saying words he has repeated so often - that I, like you, have heard over and over and I marvel. The fact that he can still deliver those words with such strength and conviction is proof of his true belief in what he's saying. It's palpable.
October 27, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has the 'ring of truth'. It's what I hear in the words of Thomas Paine. In Abraham Lincoln. In Mahatma Gandhi. In the Dalai Llama. If it is true, what the Buddha taught, that human nature is Buddha nature, then every person, no matter how cruel or misguided, still has the possibility of experiencing a transformation of their awareness, of awakening to their 'original' face. That is the fact of the world that give me hope. That is the fact of the world that gives the Tibetans, hope.
Human beings are capable of learning and growth, right up until they draw their last breath.
October 29, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is quite remarkable and perfect that such a great man is willing to lead our country at a time like this. Grace, Wisdom, Strength, Courage, Compassion, Integrity... he is quite remarkable.
AND I have to thank all of you because I was inspired the first time I saw him to ask him to run for president a couple of years ago. But as I started to talking to friends about him, pretty much everyone disagreed with me. Even some of my more intelligent friends felt that the country wasn't ready to elect such an evolved leader.
I told them that that was up to 'us' to decide.
Honestly Senator Obama can inspire me to tears but it also inspires me to tears that 'this' is who 'we' are. A leader is reflected in his orgnanziation. An elected leader is a reflection of his electorate... so for a moment please own that you are great and see yourselves in this great man and I am so encouraged that there are enough of us who can see his greatness and know that 'we' deserve a great leader.
I am so proud of the way 'we' are fighting to have this leader. I believe that there is a mutual relationship here and we are changing this country already through this election. It is quite remarkable to me to drop in on this site, for example, and find myself in the company of so many intelligent and remarkable people. Deeply moving...truly.
Thank you!
October 27, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Thou art God," in the words of a wise Martian.
October 28, 2008 5:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I see one other possible explanation for why he wants the job, given his background, that has earned him my support in spite of the cult of personality that seems to be creeping up around him. If I read him correctly, he believes sincerely in the Constitution as our best chance at securing to ourselves and our posterity life, liberty, and property.
Over the years there have been millions of Americans like myself, military members and civilians, who have sworn to protect and defend the Constitution. Only a handful of those ever have the opportunity to protect it in the office of the Presidency, and even fewer of those take that opportunity, do justice to it and those who have given all in its service.
That's why I am so disappointed in John McCain - if anyone should 'get' the duty to protect the Constitution, he should. But that's not why he wants to be President; he thinks it's a prize he's earned, not the world's most important obligation.
If I read Obama correctly, he 'gets' it. And that's the attitude that will make him a worthy Commander In Chief, even though he has not served in the military, and that will make him a worthy defender of the Constitution.
October 28, 2008 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you on this point.
Having taught the constitution, he has an intimate relationship with it that many who hold public office cannot claim. Doesn't Joe Biden teach constitutional law as well?
I have to say there is something about the constitution that rings like universal truth. I tend to focus on the senate and I remember watching senator Byrd read the constitution during the debate about giving authority to go to war in Iraq.
I recall several moments when various senators and congresspersons have read parts of the constitution on the floor of house and senate. It may just be due to my preferences but I can't recall ever hearing a republican senator or congressperson do that.
October 28, 2008 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, he does indeed "get it". It's a duty that seems to humble and define him, one that is worth fighting for and defending. A responsibility to do right by the Constitution and everything that this country is meant to be.
I agree with you, Synchronicity, that we are all a part of that. It feels like we are collectively in a place as a people that is perfect for a man like Barak Obama to lead us. Not blindly, not without question or to be questioned - but with wisdom and compassion.
October 28, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hard to believe we've only got one week left.
October 28, 2008 8:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Almost surreal, isn't it?
October 28, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought I'd drop back in today, just to have a look at what's been said.
Nice thread, all.
What we have at the end of most presidential campaigns is the revelation of the candidates' real characters, as they tire and the guard drops just a bit. Remember, adversity (exhaustion, too!) does not shape character so much as it reveals it.
Obama is showing himself in this endgame to be collected and centered. Maybe it's just me, maybe not, but are those not qualities well-suited to a leader during difficult times? Keeping his head while all about him are losing theirs, and all that Kipling-esque stuff?
McCain, well, maybe the only positive I have remaining for him is that there really is no quit in the guy. Precious little sense, an almost complete lack of awareness (self and otherwise), very little judgment, progressively declining focus, and no quit. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks from here as though the guy reveals himself to have very much the wrong personality for a responsibility so heavy. Not to mention it's very apparent that both his age and his physical and emotional damage have caught up with him. The truth at the end of this rainbow is that McCain just is not up to the job. Thankfully, it appears that the American people are beginning to agree.
So keep up the good work, Sen. Obama - and all of us, in whatever individual ways we do that, we can relax and celebrate for a few moments one week from tomorrow.
Than the real work begins...
October 28, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is so bizarre...Not only am I paying attention to the election for the 1st time in pretty much ever...I'm finding myself wondering about what I will be able to do to help him govern. I want so badly for him to win, but then I want to do everything I can to help him be the most successful President ever!
It's an exciting time!
October 28, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not bizarre at all, still. You're absolutely right, we all need to keep our focus on the long road ahead - just as President Obama will do.
October 28, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink