Barack Obama won the U. S. Presidency because enough of us agreed that it was time for a change in the way that politics is conducted in this country. Politics was out of control and had become ultra partisan. The only things that the elected officials cared about were their poll numbers and the next election. Nothing got done.  At least nothing got done that produced any real benefits to the American people. Now President Obama is trying to break that mold. Getting a health care reform bill passed is a major step in the right direction.

What is especially remarkable about that feat is the fact that Republicans had pull out all stops to make sure that health care reform bill did not become a reality. They declared that if a bill was not passed, it would be the President's Waterloo.  And it was not so much that Republicans were opposed to health care reform, instead they wanted President Obama to fail at any initiative that he attempted. Well much as they failed to find much success with this strategy, they have failed miserably once again. And it is their Waterloo Moment now that they must reconcile.

If the GOP had been successful, today they would be breaking out the champagne to celebrate the great "demise" of President Obama.  They still publicly say that the President has made a mistake, but privately they are licking their wounds yet again. However, being true to their fork-tongued trait, today they are rolling out their spin doctors to trumpet how "Americans do not want health care reform". Good luck with that ploy. The GOP and their talking head spin doctors know less about what Americans want than I do about performing brain surgery. You guessed it. It is absolutely nothing.

Whatever face the GOP portrays, it is not lost to them that the President has recaptured his mojo. The passage of health care reform has returned the bounce to his step and his troops are reenergized. Now I know this bill is not perfect, but it is a start. We could have had a better bill if Blue Dog Democrats had not acted like Republicans and Republicans had not acted like Republicans.  Until we can get more politicians to be more concerned about representing the well being of everyday people than their daily poll numbers, the next battle, and the next battle, and the next battle will be just as difficult to secure a victory.

Yet no matter that struggles still lay in the path to a transformational nation with no Red State/Blue State silliness, I am buoyed by knowing that "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." Changing the status quo is tough, but we must be tougher.  The President constantly reminds us that he cannot win this fight for change alone. So for everyone who prematurely left the fight because their special interest has not yet come to fruition, it is time to get back into the fight.  Success requires perseverance, hard work and teamwork. So if President Obama remains committed to fighting for change, we should remain committed to reinforcing his flank.

There is no hiding place for Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) who called the President of the United States a liar during President Obama's speech to millions of Americans. Are you kidding me?  This lame-brain from my neighboring state of South Carolina went mad-mob town hall style crazy and made a complete fool of himself.  The people who sent this idiot to Congress must be feeling really proud. Surely there was someone else available. Anybody.

As much as anyone, I was surprised when Joe Wilson made his stupid and childish outburst.  Then I became angry.  This guy is a United States Congressman.  I initially had harsh thoughts about the State of South Carolina.  But there are good people in South Carolina.  Joe Wilson stands alone on his own island and rightfully so.  Does anyone expect Wilson to contribute anything of value to a grownup discussion about health care reform?

Joe Wilson and a lot of his Republican colleagues definitely do not have the best interests of everyday Americans without adequate health care at heart. They apparently still harbor too much anger about losing a national election to effectively do their jobs.  This is the mentality that President Obama must defeat in order to bring about health care reform.  Although I know it was not his intention, I think that Joe Wilson with his silliness actually helped the President's cause.  And President Obama impressed me that he is ready to rumble.

The CNN teaser headline reads one way "Obama may be losing online posse" and the article's title reads differently and the text doesn't sufficiently support the teaser. It's way too early in the day for me to cuss. What's with these guys at CNN? They don't miss an opportunity to try to ignite some controversy or misgivings about the President.

Despite what CNN reports about the President's probability of success, the push for health care insurance reform is alive and well. However, it will die a slow death if we allow others like pontificating pundits or high ratings seeking mainstream media networks to frame the message. When the President was a candidate for the Oval Office, he constantly reminded us that he can't perfect change alone because the status quo is a long established institution with selfish motives.  It's time for us to heed his consultation more seriously and end our sideline hibernation.

President Obama must be thinking "ain't this a b" in reference to Democrats joining with the GOP to try and derail the President's intent to bring much needed health care reform to America. You have to wonder about the motivation of these so-called Blue Dog Democrats who side with the obstructionists Republicans. The Republicans have made no secret of their wish to challenge the President for the sake of the exercise.  Isn't that what they do? However I am particularly irritated and offended by Democrats who may be wolves in sheep's clothing. Maybe these Democrats should change their name from Blue Dog to Old Yellow with no insult meant to the real Old Yeller.  The name just seems to better fit their actions.

With the election of Barack Obama, the country voted for change instead of more of the same. The President warned us about those who would fight to keep the status quo.  And let's be fair about this, they are not all Republicans.  The actions of Republicans and Old Yellows alike who appear immune to the pain and suffering of everyday Americans living without adequate health care, should not be applauded. Their feet should be held to the fire by persons in their districts when they run for reelection.  Why should they be reelected when they have shown themselves to be insensitive to the health care needs of their constituents. Don't they care that people are suffering?  Old Yellows should look into the eyes of those who lack health care and ponder the effect of their delay on the health and well being of many who are suffering.

To know pain is to feel pain.  Do they feel pain? Most Old Yellows are very wealthy with the added luxury of having a congressional health care plan. Still they should be ashamed if their actions prevent the country from adopting an effective health care plan and settles for the watered-down version supported by their GOP comrades.The GOP has been grasping at straws since the election. They must be especially gleeful that their obstructionistic plans are getting an assist from insiders. "Et tu, Brute"? Mr. President, be very wary of some who call themselves friends or "allies." Somehow, I think you are and won't be terribly surprised when you emerge victorious inspite of obstacles being placed in your path.

Some of us have been there.  When we tried to hide our collective deceit we asked the other person to try not to make it look so obvious.  You know, like sit on the other side of the table or show up at a different time, come in a different door or play the good cop, bad cop routine. I suspect that Rush Limbaugh has required more.  The leader of the Republican Party appears to have demanded his subjects to enter the room at the same time and kneel down and kiss his ring...in public. 

Rush Limbaugh has made it no secret that he wants President Obama to fail.  In his normal arrogant manner, the entertainer shouted it to the world.  When Michael Steele, the figurehead leader of the GOP objected, Limbaugh banished him to the dungeon. Now it's Bobby Jindal and Fred Thompson in a lockstep unity chorus singing praises to King Limbaugh that they want the President to fail.  Is it coincidental that Jindal and Thompson are singing the same GOP lyrics? I don't think so. One is a past presidential hopeful failure and one is a hopeful doomed to fail. To earn their commission, it seems that Limbaugh has required them to market an outdated product to an enlightened public. It won't sell beyond talk radio, because we the American people have tasted change and we like it much better.  

Persons with common sense will never allow Limbaugh to pick the next or any future president of the United States.  Sadly for some, presidential aspirations is an addictive drug that clouds good judgment. So expect the kissing of Rush's ring by the GOP to continue. If Jindal and Thompson have friends, someone should wake them while the train is still at the station to help them avoid the fate of becoming modern day "Rip Van Winkles" forced to face the reality that (civil)ization has left them behind.

Ed Henry will think twice before his next smart-a follow-up question to the President. In substance, the President told Henry not to pigeon-hole him or play silly games and compare him to someone else.  The President made it clear to Henry that he sets his own "presidential" standard.  Ed will need micro-surgery to remove Obama's stinger from his rear end.

Isn't it refreshing to have a President who is quick on their feet?  Old Ed should have checked the President's resume more closely, especially the part that reads editor of the Harvard Law Review.  That achievement alone implies that the President is use to participating in a good debate.  So Republicans and unsuspecting reporters take note.  If you plan to one up the President, you had better bring your "A" game or make sure that you are wearing your chastity belt!

President Barack Obama has undertaken a very ambitious agenda for his administration.  The economy, the War in Iraq, stem-cell research, health care....  The GOP wants him to proceed more slowly.  They claim that the President's plate is too full and his strategies are wrong.  Having observed Mr. Obama during the presidential campaign, I am confident that he has a well thought out plan to achieve his desired objectives.  I think the President's decision to go full speed ahead is a firewall against efforts by the GOP to act as obstructionists.  It is no surprise to me that yet again his strategies appear to be far superior to those of his opposition.

Nonetheless, the GOP is still trying to promote an outdated agenda that the American people soundly rejected with their election of President Obama.  Similar to questionable tactics used during the campaign season, the GOP is tossing things up into the air and waiting to see where they land and it they sprout roots. In other words, while the President is pushing ahead with many initiatives, the GOP is pushing ahead with mini initiatives designed to derail him. 

There have been the Rush Limbaugh silliness about wanting the President to fail, GOP Governors playing politics with stimulus bailout monies and the latest, GOP U.S. Congressman Bill Posey trying to get traction with yet another silly Republican effort to insinuate that the President is not legally qualified for his office. They are using their trademark wedge driving tactics to try and distract the public from serious business. Are Republicans really that dense? Do they think that Americans are in a "hoodwink me" state of mind?  They don't get it. Then again, maybe they do and just don't give a damn about anything but a selfish obsession to return GOP dinosaurs to power. A mid-term elections spanking may be the only stimulus that will convince them to straighten up and walk right.

My childhood friend Jerry used to say with much indignation, "You mad...then I'm mad too." My friend comes to mind because Republicans seen to be mimicking his philosophy.  They appear to be mad for no other reason except that other Republicans, especially Rush Limbaugh, seem to be mad, also.

The truth be told, Republicans are mad because they lost the presidency when the majority of Americans rejected their narrow-minded political agenda.  They are mad at each other because they can't decide on a new direction for the GOP and too many of them are pursuing selfish ambitions to be the 2012 presidential nominee.  The GOP is a political party in chaos.

Supposedly, they are mad at President Obama because of the make-up of the stimulus package.They are so mad in fact they a lot of their "silver spoon in mouth" governors playing politics, couldn't decide if they would accept stimulus money for their states. So while most of them don't feel the sting of a down-turned economy, they want to do the "noble" thing and reject funds that would help ease the burdens of people living in their states who are less fortunate.

The GOP are clueless right now and their "reject the stimulus money" gimmick was another ill fated strategy doomed to failure. They seem to think that being obstructionists is a good thing. But the message was clear with the election of President Obama that the American people want elected officials working together to find solutions for the good of the country. But the voice of the people is not penetrating the Republicans' deaf ears.

Someone "moved their cheese" and the GOP not being able to make the adjustment are standing pat and waiting for someone to bring it back.  I predict it's going to be a long wait.  Well, if it's any consolation for these obstructionists, after the mid-term elections, more of them will be waiting in the luxury of their homes away from Washington for the arrival of more cheese.

Barack Obama won the U.S. Presidency in 2008 because he was a cheerleader for what Americans have wanted for a very long time, an end to political gridlock.  We embraced this young visionary leader who wanted to put an end to governance according to the counter-productive strategy of red and blue states competition. With this lame philosophy of red and blue states, absolutely nothing ever gets accomplished.  Well, nothing positive gets accomplished, but the divisiveness of red and blue states competition has become a profitable product line.

For some, an end to 51 to 49 percent politics just might not be good for business.  People like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity will find it more difficult to meet their projected profit margins since more people will choose to turn them off. Why do you think Rush is so upset these days?  People working together upsets the apple cart. But worrying about Limbaugh and Hannity pales in comparison to the havoc that will be perpetrated by the party out of power, the GOP.  They will use whatever gimmickry they deem necessary in their effort to return to power.

Almost to the point of arrogance, Republicans have not been shy about their desire for President Obama to fail.  Even though the country is burned out on long campaigns, and even though President Obama has been in office less than a month, the GOP 2012 quest for the presidency is in full gear.  Their desire to winin 2012, trumps the economy being in the tank, high unemployment, the War in Iraq, a chicken in every pot, it trumps everything. Is it for the good of the country, as in country first? What do you think? 

So President Obama shouldn't be terribly surprised when he cannot muster significant Republican support for legislation that might reverse the downward spiral the country is experiencing right now.  Nevertheless, it still boggles my mind to think that we have politicians like Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky fighting to keep the status quo and the misery manufactured by the party in power the prior eight years.  Well, Mr. McConnell, the majority of the United States including your neighboring state of North Carolina, voted for change even if most in your home state did not.  We also voted for President Obama to spearhead that change.  We did not vote for more of the same. 

President Obama deserves credit for trying to build bipartisan support.  It's a great commonsense approach and it would yield widespread benefits. However, often when major change occurs, dinosaurs tend to insist that it is just a fad and stubbornly try to stand in the way of progress.  They simply cannot or refuse to adjust to reality and a sizable percent of them, simply get left behind. I imagine that is what will happen to a lot of Republicans when they run for re-election in the mid-term.  They will simply get left behind, because the rest of us are moving on.

New RNC Chair Michael Steele states he wants to expand the appeal of the GOP to attract more Blacks, Latinos and younger voters.  In his effort to reach Black voters, Steele was a guest this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show where he talked about the virtues of conservatism.  There was also reference made to how some Black folks view Steele as an Uncle Tom. 

I can see where Steele might have a problem dispelling this perception if he insists on defending a political party that chooses to appeal to the worst in individuals rather than their best ala President Obama.  As recently as Steele's own campaign to head the RNC, one of his fellow contestants distributed an appalling video that referred to President Obama as the "Magic Negro." Steele failed to rebuff the perpetrator.  Steele's lack of response won't sit well with those that share Dr. King's discernment that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere".

And if Steele's inaction wasn't problematic enough, he will have to deal with the little gorilla in the room in the person of one Rush Limbaugh whom Republicans fear they must placate at the expense of change, hope, and civility.  While President is successfully moving America in a new direction, Limbaugh accurately detects positive change as a threat to his gravy train of divisive politics and seeks to defend his turf.  And Steele says he wants to return the GOP to its roots.  Before it's too late, a friend should call Steele and tell him that to avoid hitching a ride on the Limbaugh gravy train if he is really serious about lifting the GOP to a higher place.

President Barack Obama exudes confidence and it is contagious.  He is quickly becoming the president of the people.  Americans are really excited about the positive energy that he is generating and despite hard economic times, people are optimistic about the future.  President Obama faces high expectations.  However, with a smile on his face, the President has said that he is eager to get started in his quest to get the country and yes even the world back on the right track.  And it appears that the people are committed to helping.

Some critics will try to focus on little things when trying to define the success of the Obama presidency.  But Obama represents an American success.  He is already on the mountaintop and America sits there with him.  There are no more blue or red states or liberals or conservatives or special interests.  Instead, President Obama is leading the charge for a United States of America much as he communicated during his presidential campaign.  He wants a country where it's okay to disagree but advocates doing so without being disagreeable.

That's why it's okay to have Rev. Rick Warren pray at his inauguration and that's why it's okay for the good reverend to invoke the name of Jesus.  We don't all have to be on the same page or walk in lockstep to avoid dismissal as not relevant.  That's the old way.  The election of Barack Obama was the beginning of a new way and the movement which he is leading now has wheels. Persons like Rush Limbaugh who are slow to accept this fact that change has come to America will have a hard time.

Rush does not stand alone as an obstacle to a better America.  He has teammates, because many who perceive change as a loss of power or influence will stand with him.  So President Obama shouldn't be surprised when he encounters resistance from the so-called political Right and the Left, Republicans and Democrats, White and Black Americans, the media, and countless others who will insist on skinning their cats the same way.  However, right now the nameless masses who are heeding the call to help President Obama make positive change a group effort, appear to have the advantage.

The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies.  It is filled with many transformations.  One of the most memorable ones is the scene where the house falls on the wicked witch of the west.  The black and white movie transformed into color and instantly everything became brighter.  That's the feeling I got when Barack Obama was declared President-Elect.  Instantly everything became brighter.  And when Barack spoke to the people, tears flowed like the Nile River.

They were tears of joy and tears of disbelief.  Like most Black people in America and apparently a lot of White people too, I never thought that in my lifetime, I would see a Black man elected President of the United States. I know that the country talks a good game when it comes to equal rights, but on this night, actions spoke louder than words. I felt a burden lifted from my shoulders that quite frankly I didn't know existed.  Something magical had happened. It was a transformational moment. 

It was as if for the first time in the history of the America, Black people had been granted full citizenship.  The reality was overwhelming. Jesse Jackson cried. Colin Powell cried. Condoleezza Rice cried. Even Barack Obama's Fox News nemesis, Juan Williams, cried.  All accomplished Americans, they too were overcome by emotions that refused to wait for a private moment.  And it wasn't just Black people that experienced that Twilight Zone feeling. I saw that same look of disbelief in the faces of White Americans as well. And they also were not immune to emotional release. Robert Colbert on Comedy Central cried and White commentators interviewing crying Black people, cried as well. 

Barack Obama had said that now was our time for change. He had inspired us with his words and now been chosen to lead us.  And John McCain was so gracious in defeat.  Even though Obama was not the unanimous choice of White Americans, it doesn't matter.  No longer can it be said that America will not elect a Black person as president. Black Americans now look at White Americans differently and there is absolutely nothing that they can do about it. There is a feeling of greater trust. And the so-called great divide between Black and Hispanic Americans is now formally declared a myth.  A transformational event has taken place and a burden that many of us didn't realize existed, has been lifted.

Joe Biden was right.  John McCain really doesn't get it.  At a time when the American people have loudly spoken and asked for real change, McCain is still running around the country foolishly touting his maverick characteristics.  Well let me tell you what a maverick does.  A maverick defines the United States in terms of Red States and Blue States.  A maverick preserves a doctrine of Conservatives against Liberals, Republicans versus Democrats.  A maverick doesn't seek change, but more of the same.  A maverick guarantees the continuation of political gridlock.

Just like the lead characters Bret and Bart who were drifting gamblers in the old TV western Maverick, McCain has no real plan but runs from place to place in search of a good poker hand or campaign slogan that will stick.  And like Bret and Bart who regularly threw their chips up to see where they would land, the maverick McCain abruptly threw his hands up in the midst of a crisis as in "I am suspending my campaign and returning to Washington" because he felt overwhelmed.

So I don't think the country needs a maverick or a reformer who is someone who wants to put a bandaid on a gaping wound, but it needs a change agent like Barack Obama who knows that if we keep doing things the same old way we're going to get the same old results.  Well Joe, while John McCain doesn't get it, the early voting results tells me that the American people do get it.  That's especially true here in the great state of North Carolina, where this time around, North Carolina refuses to stay a maverick Red State, but proudly rejoins the United States.

The North Carolina GOP is a disillusioned mess.  NC Republicans and some faux Democrats are surely depressed about the waning prospect that North Carolina will remain in the GOP column in 2008.  And disregard that Rasmussen Poll nonsense showing John McCain with a two-point lead.  North Carolina voters prefer Barack Obama and the telltale signs are still in place.  And the signs are growing.  In rush hour traffic on Friday, I was shocked to see that the McCain/Palin bumper sticker on the truck in front of me...was minus the McCain.  The driver showed outright contempt for McCain by displaying only "Palin".  A sign of the times?  Maybe. McCain may be wise to spend less time running negative Obama ads and spend more time reining in fellow Republicans who are starting to abandon his sinking ship.

Jesse Helms wouldn't recognize this North Carolina.  While McCain slept, Obama quietly surrounded the fort.  It's been a long time since any Democratic presidential candidate has enjoyed the kind of widespread support that Obama now has in North Carolina. But don't expect any Obama premature victory lap, the Obama Campaign is not taking North Carolina for granted.  With the Obama Campaign "fight until the last vote is counted strategy", I predict that Obama will win North Carolina in a manner reminiscent of the way that Usain Bolt won his Olympic medals.  And the Obama victory will have coattails. 

Kay Hagan is almost certain to unseat the North Carolina Senator from Kansas, Libby Dole, and Bev Perdue will win a closely contested governor's race and defeat Pat McCrory who is giving her a run for her money. Give McCrory, the Charlotte mayor, credit for being smart enough not to alienate Obama supporters with whom he hopes to garner some measure of favor.  All in all, it's been a great year to follow North Carolina politics.  And the person most responsible is Barack Obama.  It is satisfying to witness that most Americans including North Carolinians see the value in having a leader that possesses the ability to inspire its people to transform a nation.

It's becoming more and more apparent that the majority of Americans have decided to go to the polls and send Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House.  However, John McCain and Sarah Palin can take solace in knowing that they both have bright futures in Hollywood.  As I listened to McCain's stand-up routine at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner in New York, I found him to be extremely funny.  And McCain's Michael Jordan-like tongue wagging episode after the last Presidential Debate with Obama, surely will one day rank with the now infamous Howard Dean scream.  Fred Thompson be on notice. You have competition. 

Not to be outdone, Sarah Palin's performance during the lone Vice-Presidential Debate showed that she has actress-like skills in memorizing a script. She could make millions in Hollywood if she chose to go that route full-time and eventually she could win an Oscar.  You bet yaw. Palin does Palin much better than Tina Fey and Palin's upcoming appearance on SNL should be a total hoot.

So it's a win-win situation for all.  Obama and Biden can tackle the serious issues facing the country while McCain and Palin fans can follow their act on the big-screen. It's refreshing to see that most Americans finally realize that it's more important to the sustainability of America to have a President and Vice President with the intellect to tackle major issues than average Joes we feel comfortable having a beer with at the local pub. It's worth noting however that Obama/Biden supporters must validate their revelation by actually casting their votes.