An American Dream Is Realized

Congratulations to Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.

I get the racial factor, embrace it, but understand it played a smaller part then it will be given credit. The majority of voters for McCain didn't support him because of race, and neither did the majority of those who voted for Obama. This election was about two men, both impressive, and one who defeated the other in the latest chapter of our nation where we transition government peacefully through the democratic process.

It is about an idea. Not specific, but both generational and generic. A brilliant campaign strategy with an associated brilliant communication strategy. It is about likability, charisma, charm, and the ability to make perception a reality. Barack Obama became the personification of the idea of change.

While "change" is undefined, it is best represented in the personification of Barack Obama himself and all the challenges he has overcome, breaking stereotypes and proving that the aptitude of every American is self determined. He found a way into the best schools, and rose to the top in the highly competitive Chicago political machine. I know a little about political machines, and this one defeated what many have long considered the best when he defeated Hillary Clinton.

Through his achievements and personified tonight by result, Barack Obama continues to represent the American dream, and that rise and achievement of a minority from the lower income class is impossible in every other major power in the world. Once again through action, not symbolism, the rest of the world looks at the United States and sees how we self correct, how we adapt, how our creativity towards a better world leads through actions, not symbols or hollow rhetoric.

As I look to the future, I also look to the past in search of understanding who this man will be as President. In WWII, Japan would describe events following the defeat at Midway and later Guadalcanal without using the word retreat, instead using words with the literal translation "shifting" or "changing course." As I have observed Barack Obama this election, I've admired his ability to do exactly that.

Barack Obama built strength in the Democratic Party base specifically by adopting the primary issues of that constituency as his own, best exampled by his opposition to the Iraq War and every other Bush policy. That voting record is about the only thing anyone has to judge what Obama believes in governance, but I do not believe it is relevant. After defeating Hillary Clinton in the primary, Barack Obama "shifted", or "changed course" by almost immediately dropping his opposition to the Patriot Act and adjusting his policies on the Iraq war. We have seen it on other issues as well, NAFTA is another example.

In each case, Barack Obama represents a political enigma because he can change course with a perception of thoughtfulness that few in the nations political class can. I fully expect another major shift as Barack Obama moves from being the Democratic Party nominee to the President-elect of the United States. While some say he will be the most radical President in American history, I see a moderate who will change course in order to adopt and build a larger constituency.

That is his historical pattern, and if done right he will be the change candidate he has been telling America he is. If done right, as the most interesting and compelling politician in my lifetime, a brilliant communicator unique in having a complimentary communication team and strategy, the extent to which the Republican Party is broken won't be fully realized until Barack Obama begins his second term in 2012.