The President-Elect

I want to preface these remarks by assuring my listeners that if President Obama makes one false move, my producers and I will hold him to account and scrutinize him with the same fervor as we have President Bush. Yes we will!

I've obviously had days to think about this remarkable moment in American history and all the things have been said by now. As Desmond Tutu said in the Washington Post on Sunday, November 9th, no one of my generation thought he'd see the end of the Soviet Union or the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of a post-apartheid South Africa--as he ranked the Obama achievement with those milestones. I have thought this over a lot and I always believed that a black candidate of Obama's qualities would emerge--I just never thought there'd be enough white people who would vote for such a person, and now I'm very proud and pleased to know differently. Yes, I know that Obama lost the white vote--but I also know that he wouldn't have won without the significant number of whites who voted for him. As we all know, vast numbers of white voters overcame age-old prejudices---for whatever reasons--to cast their first votes for an African-American.

I grew up in segregationist Louisville, Kentucky. Jim Crow is not a page in a history book to me--I was there and I lived it. When I was a little kid, my mother would take me on the bus to go downtown to shop in department stores where black people were not be allowed to try on the clothes for sale. Those stores had four restrooms and two water fountains. I was a little kid and couldn't read the signs that told me which restrooms and which water fountains were designated "colored." When I chose the "wrong" one I'd get a whipping.

I loved my father, but I was repulsed by his bigotry. He believed black people were not fully human. They were not black people to my father--they were niggers. That was a word he passed on to me and I had to un-learn it. For this I give thanks to my five-years-older brother Joe, who told me about this fellow named Martin Luther King back in the 1950's when we were both still children. Nowadays we talk about being "on the right side of history." Brother Joe and I chose to be there at the expense of our father's love. Dad would even race-bait me. We'd be watching the Ed Sullivan Show and when a black performer came on, he'd utter some racial epithet to provoke a response from me. Once I caught on, I'd deny him a reaction. And here's the great irony: If my father had been alive last Tuesday, he'd have voted for Barack Obama because he was a yellow-dog Democrat who voted for EVERY Democrat. I am not, and have voted for Republicans and Democrats.

White people who voted for Obama are in a self-congratulatory euphoria--and I will not disturb them from that. Obama made a lot of white converts and, considering the man's enormous gifts, I'm not not surprised by that. I'm actually more surprised by the number of black converts. The African-American community was slow to warm to Barak Obama--or to even accept him as a black person, a phenonemon that vexes white people. We see him as a a mixed-race fellow who self-identifies as a black. African-Americans originally saw him as someone not descended from American slaves and therefore someone who'd not shared their experience. Obama had to win over black America AFTER he'd won over white people in the Iowa caucuses. That completely knocks me down! After Iowa, black people embraced Obama and started to believe.

All of the OMG pieces have already been written about the Obama victory and most of them were wonderful to read. This is deservedly a moment in history to be celebrated. But Obama may come to wonder why we were so happy to elect him. He now has to deal with a pile of crud that no one since Franklin Roosevelt has been asked to take on. I wish him luck, but I also promise him that if he screws up I'll be on him like a blanket.

As for John McCain, I totally confess that I am one of those Washington reporters who has swooned over the guy. I have interviewed him numerous times and have been totally charmed by his candor. I would have been very happy to vote for John McCain, but somewhere along the road he got some very bad advice--or maybe the decision was his. In his race against Barack Obama, John McCain went totally negative and became someone I didn't know. He lied, distorted and followed the old Lee Atwater Republican playbook. That strategy failed, and I hope he uses his remaining time in public life to become the guy he used to be.

And one more thing about my dad who played catch with me and came to all my high school football games when he knew I'd see action only if we were up by forty points. In the end, he'd have have voted for Obama for all the right reasons. He died in 1991 at age 78. He was a youngster who had more maturing to do. He'd have redeemed himself if he hadn't run out of time.

Comments

[RobMcC]

Thanks, Bob. Your family stories remind me of Molly Ivins' descriptions of how she became a "dripping-fangs liberal" - the lies children are told that they see through regarding the "lesser-than" race. Like you, she recounted strictures about the "colored" water fountain - though warned as "dirty" by the adults, it was in fact always the cleanest. The child learns from discovering that adults are lying, and from wondering why.

I miss Molly, her sweet love and humorous reassurance for humanity. I wish she could have been here to see this day, and share with us her warm and loving reflections. Somehow, though, I feel her spirit still, beaming broadly, with a sense of pride, a cheer that the struggle's end may be not so far away, and a renewed dedication that we all must, and *will*, carry it on. "Good on ya!" I hear her heartily acclaim. Amen, sister! Amen. God bless us, everyone.

~ Rob McCausland

[Olampean]

I'm extremely fortunate, in that I voted for Barack Obama, not because of ethnicity, but because of his exceptional intelligence, ability to communicate, and inspirational vision of what America can be.

I guess that my good fortune began as a youth in the 1950s. We lived in northern Missouri, where my father was a famility doctor in a small, rural community. I literally have no memories whatsoever of there being any black people at all in the community, a demographic characteristic that may exist there yet today.

In 1962, our family moved to a small, rural town in central Florida, where my dad took over a medical practice and clinic from a retiring physician. Though I don't think there were many blacks living in our town, there were quite a few living in another town about 10 miles away.

One of the first things my father did as he began his practice was to demolish the wall that separated the "colored" waiting room from the main waiting room, and converted the "colored" restroom into a utility room, integrating the main restroom. Needless to say, he lost a significant number of white patients, who were offended by his actions. I, soon enough, learned that many white southerners held deeply felt attitudes of discrimination and hostility towards blacks, but it was too late. I had already been taught not to feel that way. That was one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.

[Pagon]

I always enjoyed hearing you, Mr. Edwards, but you haven't done your research on McCain.
Anyone who thinks well of McCain should read the article in the October issue of Rolling Stone called:"Ma­ke-Believe Maverick". It's free online. If more citizens had that information a year or two ago, he never would have been able to run, let alone show his face publicly.
His life is parallel with GW Bush, except Bush was a better pilot and avoided going to war. Did anyone know that McCain crashed two planes due to carelessness and fooling around - not including being shot down? He only got away with it because he was the son and grandson of Admirals. Did they know he cheated on his first wife from the beginning of his marriage - long before going to war or meeting his present spouse? All his friends knew it - and Rolling Stone found out..
Like Bush, every job he had was obtained because of his family. Just another big shot son of big shots who the main stream press lets off without a thought.

[offred]

Barack and Michelle Obama have a golden opportunity to usher a new sense of civility into Washington. I hope they revive the tradition of giving state dinners of the kind that JFK and Jackie carried off so well. People of diverse races, politics, talents, skills, backgrounds, and nationalities meeting to break bread and socialize in a civilized manner -- YAAAYYYYY!!! I think I remember hearing that during Dubya's terms, there were only a handful of state dinners, most of which were attended by campaign contributors. No wonder the DC environment was so politicized. People who work together should be able to socialize together.

[AnEarAVoice]

... Cont'd

Regarding holding Barack Obama to the same standards as George W. Bush: There is absolutely no ethical or policy similarity between these two people. It would be wise (of anyone, especially the media) to raise the standard of engagement. Barack Obama has proven throughout his campaign and prior that he invites critical thinking and more complex levels of engagement. One lesson of this election was that this nation and none of it's groups are monoliths. It would do us all justice if voices in the media would stop thinking through antiquated paradigms and seriously engage the public. IT BORES ME to read and listen to over and over content that does not reflect the contemporary real worlds and that dumbs down our public discourse. Please stop apologizing for voting for Barack Obama, just engage at a higher level and the publics will meet you there!

[AnEarAVoice]

I determined long ago that Barack Obama was a highly qualified candidate for this office. He did indeed have the capacity to critically think (a crucial quality necessary for any leadership position, and especially this particular one). He could speak confidently (both in speeches and off the top of his head) about crucial issues pertaining to the current state of the nation and with nuance about personal ethics as they pertain to the issues of the day. He stated clearly and compassionately his position against the War on Iraq, at a time when many within this country and around the world were devastated at the injustice of invading a sovereign country without any evidence to justify doing so. He also questioned Condoleeza Rice at a hearing with great intelligence and seriousness, holding her accountable for the deeds of her tenure. He was a professor of constitutional law for 12 years, so was in a clear position to understand it intellectually and would be likely to uphold its sanctity as President. I am African American and know many many African Americans who made these same considerations of Obama's candidacy in voting for him, but questioning his lineage to slavery was NEVER a consideration. There are many African American experiences. His is no less an African American experience and no less an American experience. Cont'd ...

[Martha601]

If John McCain actually HAD integrity, he would have never been capable of the despicable campaign he ran. I don't care if the ideas were not his, he went along with it anyhow. And that's even worse, who wants a leader that's also a FOLLOWER. That's no leader at all. I imagine that I could pretend to be what John McCain has pretended to be if all I got was good press. I mean, with a CHOSEN reporter who doesn't challenge her, Palin PRETENDS to be smart. And we all know that is untrue. It's not that I hate her but she has trouble grasping the most simple concepts and we have ALL witnessed that, whether some of us want to admit it or not. All in all, I am black and I was, and am, very proud of white people because if no one proved that America has pegged them wrong, it was them. I know some whites still hold a negative view of blacks but we crossed a milestone last week and we won't go back. The others will just have to join us cause we proved that they can't beat us- Not when we are on one accord.

I really enjoyed your article!

[YesIWill]

Like Mr Edwards, I too grew up in Ky, Lexington instead of Louisville, We could have come from the same family. My father did not live long enough to vote for Barack Obama, but I believe he would have. After having the "he's really not a Muslim" conversation with my Mother she became a true convert. It makes me proud that she voted as she did, not because Mr Obama is black, or not in spite of the fact he is black, but because he is someone who lifts us up not tears us down.

[pahpah25]

I NEVER LIKED JOHN MCAIN.....­TO ME.HE WAS ALWAYS A GUY WHO, BECAUSE OF HIS WAR EXPERIEENCES; GUILTED THE PRESS FOR FAVOURABLE COVERAGE..­...HE NEVER IMPRESSED ME AS BEING TOO SMART....C­ALLING YOURSELF A'MAVERICK' SEEMS RATHER CHILDLISH TO ME........­.NOW HE IS GOING TO GEORGIA TO CAMPAIGN FOR SAXBY CHAMBLISS.­..THE MAN WHO MADE FUN OF MAX CLELANDS WAR EXPERIENCES AND THE RESULTING INJURIES..­....I GUESS MCCAIN HASN'T 'FOUND' HIS HONOUR, AGAIN, YET....OH WELL, MAYBE NEXT TIME......­....

[sticksnstones]

Let's be perfectly clear here, Mr. Edwards. The Bush administration could not have been as successful at incrimentally dismantling the Constitution and the Bill of Rights or its foisting of an unjust war in Iraq or the politicizing of the DOJ or the stealing of two elections or the systematic stripping of regulatory oversight of our financial institutions without the complicity of the mainstream print and television news media.

This onus of complicity, I believe, is largely responsible for a tremendous decline in readership and viewership these past several years. The public is tired of being fed a steady diet of lies and half-truths.

We have been left to do our own digging, and thankfully, the web is a wonderful shovel.

[kathy001]

Dam* straight, sticksnstones!!! If this promise of "being on him like a blanket" is the same kind of blanket they threw over Bush and Cheney, then Obama has nothing whatsoever to worry about from the press, no matter what he does.

And for the record, this white lady from Dallas did not vote for a "Black" man. I voted for an extremely intelligent, well educated, thoughtful, well spoken Man. A Man that I believe wants to take the country in the same direction that I want it to go. A Man that I believe possesses integrity. I voted for Obama.

And speaking of integrity; if John McCain had had any of that, he would not have taken his campaign in the same direction regardless of who advised him or how sure he was that that strategy would win him the election. And you can't get back what you never had.

[Awash]

Hey Bob here is what you failed to mention in your piece. "GREEN TRUMPS BLACK" The Dem's put out a Highly educated smart strong ticket this time. McCain had no plan and Palin had no clue. The country is in such bad shape financially, morally, and image wise it had to change. The sorry state of this nations money has finally hit the burbs and rural America. It's no longer just the poor huddled masses in the urban centers. We have allowed almost the entire manufacturing base to be moved to third world countries, often with accompanying tax breaks to the companies selling out working class America. But now outsourcing is in the process of decimating the American dream for middle and upper-middles class America. It finally got so bad that white America was willing to overcome whatever prejudices and fears they had at least temporarily. When your job has been outsourced, when your car now belongs to the repo man, and you are living with your in-laws because your ARM adjusted up so high that you can't pay. "GREEN TRUMPS BLACK", at least for a while.

[PowerPridePinstripes]

As a Black female...c­urrently living in Northern VA, I was a bit surprised to be called a n!gger by some guys driving by in a green toyota corolla as I was walking in my neighborhood of Ashburn... so, while some things change, some things stay the same! *sign*

[Pulemerci]

"if President Obama makes one false move, my producers and I will hold him to account and scrutinize him with the same fervor as we have President Bush. Yes we will!"

I know it's too late, but maybe Mr. Edwards and his producers could have scrutinized President Obama during his campaign. At least make it look like you're not in the tank for him.

[Bongborg]

Standard conservative line: "I know it's too late , but do it anyways, or I will whine and b*tch until the end of time."

[Pulemerci]

No whining here. Although he did pick Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff. Wasn't Emanuel the head of Freddie Mac while it was issuing all those bad mortgages? Freddie Mac's questionable practices and unscrupulous financial decisions greatly contributed to the mortgage meltdown in the US and contributed to the current global economic crisis. Will Edwards even address this? Don't hold your breath.

[sclucie]

Have you listened to NPR lately?

[sticksnstones]

I'm in the tank for Barack Obama. I helped get him elected, in spite of media scrutiny.

[kathy001]

Oh honey, you just look foolish when you repeat someone else's lies. At least try and come up with one of your own.

[dezzertguy]

Pelosi (the new word for BS). I geniunely doubt you would be all over Obama if he messes up. The MSM has guided and protected Obama through the campaign and it does not make sense that things would change (the Washington Post effect.) And Obama does not have to deal with issues not seen since FDR. It is since Jimmy Carter.

[BigPictureReg]

You should check a little more into history. You sound like a misguided Republican.

The only correct reference to Jimmy Carter is the election of a lesser known Democrat on the heels of failures by well known Republicans. Economics had much less to do with Carter's victory than you suggest, unless you're willing to confess that the higher interest rates that are blamed on Carter administration policies were already trending in that direction before he took office, which is the truth that many refuse to let sink in.

Simply go back a little further, 'my friend', and view more of the details of the economic realities of today and compare them with those of the 30's, as opposed to just stopping at the 70's as you have, for the sake of your own conveniences.

Your attempts to make it so simple simply doesn't make it so.

[kathy001]

Repeating fallacies over and over does not make them true. Otherwise, John McCain would be the President-Elect, not Obama.

[epotruchyeahright]

I join the others in comments here wondering how Mr. Edwards can suggest that the media scrutinized George W. Bush or held him to account at any point since 9/11. It was only after the Democrats took back Congress in 2006 that any significant ink or airtime was spent digging deeply into the Bush administration. Until then they were too afraid of appearing unpatriotic to say anything. And, understandably, they were human and wanted an end to terrorism in our country. Too bad they pinned their hopes on the wrong people for way too long.