George Gerber: Barack Obama: President-Elect or President?

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by George Gerber

Since former Senator Obama became our new President-elect, George W. Bush has receded into history on the wings of silence. Barack Obama has all but assumed command despite his efforts to remind us that under our Constitution, his predecessor is still the head of our government.
 
In an interesting twist of fate, the President twice elected by the American people has now been deserted by even his ardent supporters. And, Barack Obama, previously untested and continually attacked about his lack of experience, has maintained his amazing discipline and in fact displayed the true qualities needed for presidential leadership. He has conveyed a steadiness of purpose true to his campaign talking points and the principals upon which this democracy was built. His intellect cannot be denied by any reasonable person regardless of party affiliation and the American people seem to recognize that as well. His cabinet appointments thus far reflect his ability and willingness to surround himself with people who will be allowed to challenge him in a way that might threaten most men. By so doing, he has kept his promise to the voters that his will be an administration of diversity and independent thinking. Barack Obama has already risen to the occasion.
 
But it is critical that the American people do, in fact, realize that the President-elect has not yet been sworn into office. There seems to be a feeding frenzy among some press and some of Obama's critics lately to analyze, dissect, evaluate, anticipate, and eviscerate every move Mr. Obama makes.  If these same critics had been as aggressive and persistent with George W. Bush, he most likely would never have been reelected and most probably would have been impeached.
 
No prior candidate for the presidency has ever been scrutinized like our new President-elect. Despite any shortcomings he might have now or reveal to us in the future, he has displayed a consistency and grace under fire we have not seen from our president for the past eight years. 
 
The breezes rustling through the trees as the winter of Mr. Bush's reign comes to a close carry with them a refreshing breath of air. We should not expect perfection for there is no such thing. We should continue, however, to expect our President to maintain the foundations laid down by our forefathers in our hearts, our history, and our constitution.

If our president-elect can meet these goals, he will have accomplished the most important task facing any president. Perhaps inaugural day will signal a new season of hope for the American people. Perhaps we will regain our stature and position in the world not as a perfect country but as a country that once again represents freedom of thought and decency of purpose. Only time will tell but we must as a people allow the hands of the clock to turn their course and allow January 20, 2009 to come around in the natural order of things. And we must allow our new President time to reestablish order to our country. That is our job, and our obligation to a history not yet written.

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION