I am utterly gratified that my meager contributions helped this man become president. Once I was sure that Wes Clark was far from the running, I threw in with Barack Obama. I didn’t do it because he’s a great speaker (he is). I didn’t do it because he mirrors all my policy ideas (he doesn’t). I didn’t do it because he’s a messianic figure (he’s not). I did it because he is smart, flexible and impressive.
I don’t give a crap about his skin color. When I think about Obama, I don’t think “black guy”. To me, this election has nothing to do with the the first black president. Blacks and multiculturalists may be all thrilled about it; that’s fine. Let them enjoy it. But when I think about Obama, I think Harvard Law Review, community service and intellectual rigor. I see a whip-smart, street-smart, capable guy. I see a man who can rally solutions sourced from thoughtful consideration. I see an American man who can command respect and admiration from world leaders and the people they represent.
I see the anti-Bush.
Black? OK. Whatever. That’s fine. He could be a goddamn Jewish Inuit for all I care. I am just proud that we finally have a president who is smarter than me. It’s been a long, long time since I could say that.
After 8 years of Chimpy McFlightsuit and the Sith Lord, Obama may well seem like a savior. But he’s just a man. He will make mistakes. Some of them may be costly. But at least we can believe that his heart was in the right place and he weighed every option before committing.
There are the two things I ask of my president:
1) Be smarter than me.
2) Follow evidence, not your ideology or your “gut”.
Obama passes these tests.
I’d write more, and maybe I will. But for now, let’s just leave it with this:
Our long national nightmare is over.