Why and How President Obama Will Succeed Beyond Our Wildest Dreams

In the normal course of events -- in other words without the convergence of two wars, eight years of a failed presidency, economic, educational, environmental and moral collapse -- we never would have been desperate (and/or humble) enough to elect not only our first black President but our intellectually brightest President ever. If I, a life-long, white, aging boomer, former evangelical right wing leader can see this, you can too. Give me five minuets and lay aside your cynicism for a moment.

In electing Obama we have found our Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt for our time. The greatest leaders not only have the greatest ability but also the right personality, vocabulary and above all the lucky (or more likely unlucky) alignment of national events to give the people they lead the desperation they need to humble themselves enough to be led.

Lincoln had the Civil War. Roosevelt found greatness in answering the threat of fascism and economic depression. For a leader to lead he needs to get people's undivided attention in a way that only genuine crisis produces. President Obama has our attention! He'll also have the panicked rage of the American people backing his initiatives with the certain knowledge that both the Democrats and Republicans in Congress understand that they're toast unless they get behind him fast and vigorously.

It won't matter whether Obama's progressive base approves of everything he does. It won't matter if the neoconservatives, the gun lobby, antiabortion lobby, pro-abortion lobby, feminist, gay, military, family values or any other ideological group, ethnic group or religious subgroup backs him or not. This President has the backing of the frightened majority of Americans. We are ready to do whatever it takes to help our new President do whatever it takes to save us.

We the people are in the same position as someone waiting in a flame-filled eighth story window for a fireman at the top of a ladder about to rescue him. And we'll have the same reaction as that person would have to anyone who impedes that fireman's progress by trying to pull the ladder down, drive the ladder truck to a different destination, or take potshots at our fireman as he climbs to rescues us.

There's a difference between luxury and necessity, choice and survival. We Americans are now in survival mode, backs to the wall thinking about necessities not luxuries and realizing that our stupidity (in other words our dumbness in electing Bush, our greed, our corruption, our lack of discipline from the cars we've driven to the bonuses we've tolerated Wall Street crooks paying themselves, to the wars we went along with etc., etc.) have just about cost us everything we hold dear. We're not looking to the Obama presidency for anything less than national salvation.

Since ninety-percent of what a political leader can accomplish depends on the willingness of people to be led -- and above all to sacrifice when asked to -- President Obama will be in a unique position the likes of which this country has only seen at its founding, during the Civil War and during the Great Depression and Second World War. The reason President Obama will succeed beyond our wildest dreams is because of a merciful historical fluke that has given us the most intellectually capable President with the most appropriate calm, unflappable, awe-inspiring and trust-inducing personality and demeanor for the office that this country has seen since Abraham Lincoln.

We the American people were willing to reach outside of run-of-the-mill politics this time. We knew that the usual cast of characters had failed us. We knew it was time for a new beginning. And so we took at huge chance because not taking a chance was even riskier.

And -- thank God! -- everything that President elect Obama has done since his acceptance speech in Chicago has confirmed his wisdom, humble demeanor, ability to explain and that ineffable quality of leadership that, simply put, makes those being led feel better. We already love this man and his family. We already know that the tough therapy will succeed, even if it hurts. This is the "family doctor" we can trust.

The Obama presidency will succeed for four reasons:

One; we have chosen the right man with the right personality and the right intellectual capabilities.

Two; we are desperate enough to not only follow him but to make the sacrifices required.

Three; we are frightened and angry enough to put the most intense pressure on Congress it has ever felt to force it to bow to Obama's will.

Four; in our panic after two bad wars and one horrible economy, we are underestimating the essential strength of our country. So we are going to be pleasantly surprised by how quickly our economy, educational initiatives, new green technology, the effects of Obama's economic stimulus packages, and our international standing will rebound under new and great leadership.

We are in a repentant frame of mind. A few racists, idiot-savant neoconservatives, religious right and other misled or just plain screwy oddballs aside, the vast majority of Americans know we're in the position of an alcoholic who just got a liver transplant and knows that this time around it's stick with the program or die! Our "transplant patient" predicament would be bad news for America if "the program" entailed the election of anyone with less stature than President-elect Obama. But the fact is we have the uniquely right man at the right time.

Here's what's going to happen within four years:

--Our economy will be rebounding...

--The stock market we'll be back where it was at its last high point confounding all the gloomy pundits...

--The banking industry will be properly re-regulated...

--We will have a series of technological breakthroughs and new green industry successful start-ups that will change everything when it comes to dependence on carbon based products for energy not to mention foreign oil...

--Health care costs and coverage for all Americans will be moving in the right direction...

--Educational reforms will combine with investment in education that will halt the decline of our schools and reverse it...

--America's standing will be rebounding around the globe and the threat of Islamic terrorism will have significantly diminished...

--The culture wars that have divided our country will be a receding into mere bitter memory...

--We'll be out of Iraq, other than a small force needed to guard American interests and train the Iraqi's military and police...

--We'll be taking care of our veterans properly and our military's morale will be higher than ever...

--Partisan politics will no longer define Washington -- because with President Obama's approval ratings routinely between 60% and 80% his presidency will be bigger than party politics.

Why will this happen? Because it has to!

How will it happen? Because for all our faults America is the strongest, most exciting, most resilient country on the planet. As FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Today that is truer than ever. Half the battle is to regain our self-confidence. Trusting that President-elect Obama will do the job is as important as anything he does.

We're lucky that (cynics and scoffers aside) we have very good reasons to believe. We have just proved we are able to change course, repent and learn. We only needed a great leader to restore our faith and hope. President Obama is that leader. Believe in him and believe in ourselves.

Frank Schaeffer is the author of CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back. Now in paperback.

Comments

[KansasPatioMan]

Mr. Schaffer: You describe President Elect Obama as "our intellectually brightest President(elect) ever". Even after the next eight years, we may still have to continue to give that honor to Abraham Lincoln. And I suspect, even if we do, President Obama will not object. History teaches fear and desperation will not move a people to follow a great leader into a peaceful, prosperous future? Instead, we will need call upon courage and inspiration and all of the better angels of our nature. The good news is our soon to be "brightest President ever" has communicated with words and actions that he aspires to follow Lincoln as a role model. This is a high standard. Historians teach us Lincoln possessed much more than a powerful intellect. They teach us Lincoln was remarkable for his civility, patience, humility, compassion and his great capacity for empathy. If president elect Obama aims to follow Lincoln's example, then there is hope - if - we, the people, respond in kind. If a president, carrying the burden of that office, tries in good faith to follow Lincoln's example, then what excuse do each of us have for not trying to improve the quality of our public discourse and conduct of business? Mr. Schaeffer, if we and our president, in good faith just try to follow Lincoln's moral example, then perhaps your enthusiasm will be vindicated and our "brightest President ever" and a generation will go on to be honored far into the future.

[JimReed]

The conservatives might accept this for about two years, but after that they will become restless.

[JimReed]

That sounds kind of like the Millenium, only without killing most everybody first.

[PNOGUY]

You left out "making the crooked straight and the rough places plain." Obviously, Obama has taken the place in your soul vacated by your former beliefs. Your pie-eyed optimism will force you to interpret every misstep, bad decision, and disaster of the coming four years in a positive light, because you have already decided that this person with no visible accomplishments, with crooked friends and a background in machine politics, with the most partisan voting record, is somehow going to heal the universe.

[Swedishgal]

You obviously don't know Obama's record so I wouldn't be too judgemental if I were you. Just curious, are you going to admit Obama did good when he does?

[PNOGUY]

Sure, but my definitions of "good" and yours may be different.

I still have not heard anyone give an account of Obama's supposed "record." Just what have his accomplishments been in the Senate (either state or national)? About all he's done is write books about himself and make sleazy friends.

But I'll cut you some slack since I'm half-Swedish (not the socialist half).

[bdaved]

You seem to have already decided something yourself.

[lewes17266]

Raising our self-confidence will be important for the economy. The news is all so bad and I hardly watch it anymore. Frank Schaeffer, I love your attitude. We need to see ourselves as healed and successful. I think this new President can see it already. He has that gift.

[PippiLongstocking]

I love Frank.

That is all.

[burndtdan]

I like your optimism. Let's make it reality.

[cgr]

Thanks, Mr. Schaeffer, for giving words to what I feel...the odd elation that Obama's election and his character, integrity, behavior, decisions, cabinet choices and words have brought to this old, tired, cynical spirit, grateful that the nation rose up and chose this man, the right man, at the right time intellectually, scientifically, philosophically, morally, nationally, internationally. At last a leader we can truly admire, trust and support fully, one who will represent us in the world community with dignity, respect and honor.

I'm still stunned, and amazed it is so.

[channelerchik]

I love you, Frank! We are on the same page on this. I'll add one more reason why Obama will succeed: Because all of the cynics who can see nothing but gloom and doom and who still have no understanding of the amazing power of hope (aka love) even though they watched it create miracle after miracle during the campaign - They Don't Matter!

Their doom and gloom can't stop this! Love is a trillion times more powerful than fear. Obama is secure in his absolute knowing of the power of hope, the otherworldly power of love, and this - not his personality, not even his brilliance, but this knowing of the true power behind his actions - will carry us through.

Hopefully, a lot of Americans will let go of the knee-jerk cynicism, the inclination to harp on the negative details, the espousing hatred and distrust, the attraction to negative stories, and catch the "hope" contagion and let it improve their own lives.

[abiodunaodeleye]

As one who canvassed, donated, begged and voted for Obama, I am waiting to participate in this democracy again. i know it takes sacrifice and the naysayers will not stop it.

[jmpurser]

Why will it happen? Because it has to!

Brilliant.

[AnnfromCA]

Obama has a blank check, and that's actually a reality, not just a saying. However, if the ideas are wrong, and I think some of them are wrong, then it won't matter.

Funny thing about the economy. It has no political label. It has no loyalty. It has no agenda.

It runs or it doesn't.

Either the ideas work or they don't.

[Retrofuturistic]

The fervor you describe reminds me of the blind faith of someone who backs Jesus. I, however, am not going to back ANYONE that blindly. I voted for Obama, because he seemed to be the best candidate, but I have serious reservations about his support of faith-based initiatives, his "faith-based" choice for DNC, and his association with Rick Warren.

Christianity is directly responsible for the current state of the world, by virtue of their having backed George W. Bush for president. If it weren't for far right-wing Christianity, we could have skipped two wars, the destruction of the world's economy, and the undermining of our Constitution.

So to see Obama cozying up with the far right people who made this mess possible is very disconcerting.

[Arenk]

What a wonderful , inspiring article an all true. I do believe in Barack and I pray for him and our country every day.

[fem56]

Again you are right on Frank Schauffer I agree your article is most inspirting. I also pray for Barack Obama. Barack Obama is a true student of history and understands the founding father's (and behind the men were founding women) intentions. Being bored with the NPR program this morning I turned to KFI and listened to Bill Handel. He is conservative but open minded. He mentioned that people will really be behind Obama because his success will be our success.
By the way, Jesus was not a far right-wing Christian.

[steph2010]

Actually, Bill Handel on KFI FAR from conservative. You can't really classify him in either a liberal or conservative category. He's liberal on issues like stem cell research, gay marriage, universal health care, abortion...but conservative on economic issues, death penalty, illegal immigration... so to classify him as 'conservative but open minded' isn't accurate.

[Swedishgal]

Actually Jesus was a liberal killed by conservatives. I know what the guy meant when he said what he did about Christians. He wasn't saying Jesus was a disaster but many of those that purportedly believe in Him are the reason we are where we are right now. I do indeed blame the conservative Christians for the mess we're in right now, for all of their gullibility in believing Bush was a Christian with his own awful track record. Beware of those that tell you they're Christian but don't practice it in reality. Bush knows nothing about helping others unless they're his wealthy corporate buddies.

[MaryinNY]

As one of the soldiers in our new President's activist citizen army who is waiting to report for duty, I couldn't agree more.

All they have to do is ask, and millions of us will be heard.

Of course, that is not to say that we are not already speaking out, but we are not yet roaring - I, for one, can't wait for the opportunity!

[Swedishgal]

Me neither! Ready and waiting. I'm ready to roar NOW at any Republican or so called Democrat blockage of Obama's proposals. Warner, Scott and Webb are going to be hearing from alot the next couple of years but I really think they're on board with what Obama wants to do.

[Coolcat101]

Very well said. I wish some people would sit back, relax, and wait for the fun to begin.