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Posted by Eric B. on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 at 09:09:44 :
In Reply to: Re: We the People.... posted by David Sherman on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 at 03:34:38 :
I was just proud in a general way to watch both candidates speak last night, they both were tempered, and I think set a good tone.
A narrow margin is right, that is why I was happy to only see the pundits talk about a "Mandate", and Obama said nothing about it. He, like every other president for the last however long only won by a narrow margin, and will have to try and win over and work with those who did not vote for him.
I agree that Obama will have to prove himself, but to me a president's job is mostly to be a cheerleader for the nation, and a mouth piece to the world. As far as those tasks go Obama should be able to make the right noises to inspire people. Though obviously he can not please everyone.
Any policies he wants to enact will take some work, as after some of the Bush presidential power issues, Congress is a little more likely to ask why of anybody who holds the office of President.
I am pleased that we elected a Black man as President, I think it speaks well of us as a nation. The fights that resulted in the 15th and 19th amendments, and all the Jim Crowe laws being repealed were not that long ago. To live in a nation where there is proof that while skin color and gender still matter (we as a world are still affected by both), that they are not the barrier they once were makes me happy.
Now hopefully he will do a good job, inspire people to do good, and get us moving towards things I would like to see. Things like more education for our students, a higher savings rate, focusing on new technologies for power and transportation. Reducing out dependence on oil, so we can function as a nation without caring as much about what oil prices are.
We shall see how Obama does in a couple months. I may be very unhappy come next summer, but I sure hope not.
Right now I am hoping for the best, while I know I am likely to be disappointed as I have been by all Presidents.
Eric
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