Obama Friend: "Plain Old Barack Is Gone"

The Washington Post talks to friends of President-elect Barack Obama about the inevitable changes in his life:

A familiar number showed up on Terry Link's cellphone last week, the one that belonged to the friend he tutored in politics, dominated in golf and sometimes referred to playfully as "Ears." At least once each week for almost a decade, the Illinois state senator had talked on the phone to Barack Obama, but now the number seemed to belong to somebody else.

"This time I answered, 'Hello, Mr. President,' " Link said. "When he called, it used to just be 'Hey, Barack. What's going on?' But plain old Barack is gone."

Obama's home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood has become a compound guarded ever more closely by bomb-sniffing dogs and Secret Service agents who peer through binoculars at neighboring rooftops. When he travels around the city, it is in an armored limousine and 20-car motorcade, so he has mainly stayed bunkered at home or a downtown transition office. Last week, Obama told one friend that he felt "a little boxed in."

This is only the beginning of the transformation that awaits the president-elect and his family. In two months, they will move into a sterile house in a unfamiliar city where they have never felt particularly comfortable. Friends say Obama is savoring these final weeks in Chicago and spending as much time as possible with his family before he takes the oath of office Jan. 20.

During his political rise, Obama safeguarded times of normalcy and credited them for keeping him sane. A run on the treadmill in the early morning. An evening meander through 57th Street Books. Date night with his wife, Michelle, at one of their favorite restaurants. Pickup basketball at a gym downtown.

Obama already has learned that his mundane routine will be difficult to replicate as president, but his friends say that establishing some kind of similar comfort zone is critical to his success in Washington. They consider it one of the most pressing -- and most challenging -- issues of Obama's transition: How can he create a life as president that keeps him happy?

Read the whole thing.

Comments

[zippy2112]

I think he will be alright, if things go right he can claim himself the victor, if they go wrong he can blame Bush and congress, but only the GOP part of congress.

[grayforester]

I don't know what you're having, but I'll have some. Whee! It makes the room spin!

[formerprosecutor]

The "deal" is that the President (regardless who he or she is) belongs to the country. The duty dictates that the office holder is the body of the whole. The duties come before the person. Much like a judge; the person represents the "office"; personal needs come last and the human being that existed before the "office" is minimized. It s a sacrifice to lead (or it is supposed to be). He might have been "Barry" before; but for the duration it is President Obama to everyone; even at times, to Michele.

[GZLives]

So many have enormous unrealistic expectations.
I feel for our President elect because although I believe he will ultimately succeed in navigating us through this Bush /GOP mess, he will look like he went through a time machine when this is over ...

[Michael7843853]

From what the world has seen, Obama was never 'plain'. He just didn't flaunt his abilities. He felt no need to do that.

[Solja]

Plain, in this case, is a simple walk through his neighborhood in the evening to visit a favorite bookstore, and to take in a movie or window shop. He can't do those things as President; at least without attracting an entire onslaught of media.

He can do some things while living in DC because the people aren't star-crazed there. They could technically go to a restaurant in DC and enjoy an evening together. If they get off the beaten trail of the Capitol Hill types and veer more towards the area's where they would go if they were not known, they'd have a better time. I'm from DC, born & raised, and there are more than enough places that they could go without drawing a huge crowd. DC is a place that never shuts down, with plenty of places to eat, shop, browse, and just spend some regular time at. His problem will be convincing the Secret Service that he could go to these places.

While living and working in DC, it is not abnormal to see a fleet of black SUV's with flashing lights flying through the streets. The normal reaction is, "...probably just some politician."

[roshni]

I agree - it's the simple, daily rituals he'll miss most. He will need a convoy to take his girls to school or even get a haircut. It's a huge scarifice and a big adjustment when you lose your anonymity and have concerns about safety.

[BigHeadTodd]

Something tells me Obama will not forget his friends, even if he cannot just have a casual get together much anymore. He's dignified and a class act.

[BlackYowe]

I wish him all the luck in the world this will be hard. It's hard for any president but Obama is truly a family man.

[lizr]

God I feel for the guy. this is going to be really rough.

I saw an article about how he had to give up his Blackberry for security purposes.. what a drag.

the worst danger is that the Pres gets out of touch. and with all the c r a z i es out there, and the security issues... hard to keep in touch...!

[tonewheel]

He had to give up his Blackberry. If Michelle is just a normal housewife as we've been led to believe, she has to be THRILLED he doesn't have that thing anymore.

Ask my wife...

[boing007]

I'm sure the Secret Service will furnish him with similar communication devices.

[Anastasia]

Life wouldn't be worth living without email. That's gotta be one tough habit to crack.

[randomx6]

Gee - The Prez can't have a personal email or a Blackberry. Isn't that one of the criticisms about MCCain that technology passed him by? Maybe we should have voted for him...

LOL

[lippy33]

Hey, the man has campaigned for nearly two years for this job. He'll have to be creative and make it happen for himself. I don't feel exactly sorry for him, but I do understand on a human level how it might be a hard transition. Still, it is what it is and he signed up for it. It aint like this was thrusted upon him! lol The kids are a different story, as they had no choice in the matter.

I am sure he and his family will adjust.

[randomx6]

Tough sh*itz for his family. Marry ambition, deal with ambition.

[Owlygirl]

What a MISLEADING title. Gimme a break.

I'm sure Obama will change only as much as his friends choose to treat him differently.

[LittleJimmieG]

I agree. If I became King of Freedonia, my best friend would still be my best friend....unless he thought he wasn't....and he would be wrong.
Being the Prez does come with a few perks, so maybe some of his friends can have an experience they would have had otherwise.

[MicrowavableJohnnyCakes]

Sounds more like his old friends are having a snit about the changes in Obama's life and blaming it on the man changing. He's not. Having to avoid certain places because of security isn't a fundemental change in him, it's just part of the job. This is like complaining when your college buddy gets a job and can't be out at the bars every night with you. Life goes on and in Obama's case it's to the White House and the responsibilities there. No one is making Link say "Mr. President" instead of "Barack

[ARTIST50]

Did you even read the article or just the headlines? That is not what his friend said at all. Go back and read before commenting.

[formerprosecutor]

some people cannot read

[MicrowavableJohnnyCakes]

Sounds more like his old friends are having a snit about the changes in Obama's life and blaming it on the man changing. He's not. Having to avoid certain places because of security isn't a fundemental change in him, it's just part of the job. This is like complaining when your college buddy gets a job and can't be out at the bars every night with you. Life goes on and in Obama's case it's to the White House and the responsibilities there. No one is making Link say "Mr. President" instead of "Barack."

[brooklyncitizen]

Below is a link to an interview with Alice Walker who wrote Obama an open letter and interestingly enough requests that he finds a way to cultivate happiness as our new President. It's very beautiful and moving.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/11/pulitzer_winning_author_alice_walker_on

[trudem2]

A little late to be asking these questions, no?

Could Obama possibly have thought occupying the presidency would be "just like old times"...?

[meede]

When Obama made the decision to run for President, it sure was a different world. The wars were ongoing but the financial meltdown was not. I'm sure there have been a few times he and Michelle have discussed the "what have we got ourselves into?"

[Mantle]

I think that's bound to happen. Heck, it happens to all of us as we go through life changing process. I remember, having a sleepless night when i purchased my first car (6 months after college) -- I was not sure if I will be able to keep up with the payment; the same goes when i purchased my house; after i got married, after my first kid. Someone told me later that, it is because I take my responsibility seriously. Comparatively speaking -- I can only imagine how heavily this weighs on him. If he is having sleepless nights, I can safely conclude that he is taking this job seriously! And may God be with him!

[analisethis]

Hang in there bud we've got your back