Obama Grows a Beard

I can't be the only one who has noticed that this President-elect who ignited his Democratic base and the world has grown in stature and gravitas since the election. Just this past Sunday, 60 Minutes broke a nearly 10-year record in viewership with the first interview with the Obamas since the election. Over 25 million Americans listened as the former junior Senator from Illinois said that he's noticed a lot more people around him now and that he's not sure the whole thing of winning it all has sunk in yet.

This is why he told Steve Kroft that he's been reading a lot more about past presidents, notably Lincoln, Kennedy, FDR, Truman, and Reagan, all classic persuader-in-chiefs. The one whose legacy draws so many comparisons is Lincoln, famous for keeping his enemies closer to the point of appointing them to his inner cabinet. But there is that other characteristic that Obama shares, even if just metaphorically.

Geoff Gehman of the Morning Cal describes Lincoln as a

high-wire diplomat who deflected criticism with humor and common sense, picked a diverse cabinet of strong rivals and promoted union in his inaugural address. He ended the speech by urging a divided nation to obey ''the better angels of our nature.''

Harold Holzer, co-chair of the U.S. Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and author of more than 30 books on Lincoln and the Civil War describes the "cultivating whiskers" during the interregnum period:

You know, he is still the only president-elect who changed his appearance between election and inauguration. I think Lincoln thought about growing a beard very calculatedly, as he did everything else. It was not just the fact that it would be inconvenient to shave; there were plenty of convenient places to shave on the tour. I think he knew he didn't take great photographs, knew the artistic media was achieving great power in spreading pictorial reassurance across the country. He thought a beard might make him seem a more wise, avuncular statesman, add more gravitas to his log cabin-to-White House story. His beard also enabled the country to not focus on the secession crisis for a few weeks, which was a relief.

Obama too has grown a beard. He appears so presidential with his solid choices, asking that those who come to work with him check their ideology and political labels at the door. His new cabinet posts will be in fuller view after Thanksgiving, but I imagine a lot of us sitting down with our loved ones this week will be satisfied not only with what's on the plate before us, but with the president-elect who will take full command on January 20, 2009.

Comments

[clsmithj]

I predict that Obama will grow-in his mustache trimmed before he ever starts wearing a beard.

[ohioan73]

I cant wait until the effects of a community organizing-trained president begin to trickle down, up and sideways. The only thing this man stands for is The People. Its the mantra of all community organizing. You don't represent anyone/anything but The People. This is gonna be great. Nothing can break that mindset once its been ingrained.

[lafrance]

Barack Obama's own barber, who has been cutting his hair for almost 20 years, said that after the election he noticed that the he moved a little different and carried himself a little different.
When the weight of the world suddenly descends on your shoulders and you find in the matter of minutes that you are now the leader of the free world,. see that amazing sight of throngs of people all over the country and world coming out of the their homes and cheering and shouting with joy and celebrations taking place everywhere like people suddenly being freed of the darkness (have you ever seen or recall hearing about something like that ever happening after a presidential election - people cheering and celebrating all over the world?), I would guess you find yourself growing in stature overnight.

[ImWithThatOne]

I posted this in another thread that unfortunately got lost.

Have been spending the last couple days reading "Dreams from My Father," the first of PE-BHO's two books (I'm not done with it yet), and a couple things in it struck me. First, that he began formulating the tenets for his eventual presidential campaign many years before he actually thought about running, and second, I'm having some difficulty reconciling the angry, confused young man depicted in the book with the loving, lovable, composed PE-Barackstar we're seeing today. It's like, wow, this man became president???

All these things have served to deepen the admiration I have for him. And besides, how many presidents cut their political teeth doing community organizing work in the inner city? Can't think of very many. Actually, I can only think of one -- BHO, the People's President.

[ladydriver]

"The People's President"

That is such an nice way of describing our new President. Thank you for that, ImWithThatOne.
(I'm with 'That One' too!)

[ImWithThatOne]

*blushes* You're welcome.
I can't take credit for it, I read it somewhere on the boards. I thought it was so sweet..

[lafrance]

ladydriver and I'mwiththatone, I think that is why Obama struck such a cord with so many voters and has such a massive approval rating and the support of 75% of the people right now. They can see he is the People's President and about the good of the country and it's people.
People see he is not like all the other presidents who seem so remote and to be people more about self, power and money.
This is a man who has spent years developing his beliefs about how government should work and that it should be about the people.
When he ran for senator here in Illinois, he talked about many of the same things and had many of the same themes.
His message is not something new that he just crafted to get elected but, is something he really deeply believes and has carried for a long time.
He has always thought about helping people and how he could do the most to help and change things for the most people possible. His whole life is dedicated to helping and making things better for people.
That is why we all see this is really a People's president.

[Warthog]

Listen to him reading that book! It adds an entirely new aspect.

[lafrance]

It's almost a rite of passage. I would not be too confused over it. It is just a stage of life as obama was trying to figure out who he was and where he belonged in this world and very common in young men of that age. Many young men go through that angry or rebellious stage as they grow into real manhood and try to figure things out.
and they usually turn into decent, caring and thoughtful grown men eventually.

[robbie44]

Prez elect Obama has undercut his gravatas by pandering to those who would have thrown him under the bus had they beat him. We voted for change, not the Clinton's.

[amistad]

So, stay vengefull right? Stay "you are either for us or against us." Right? Hire only BFF's for jobs that they are not qualified to run as a reward of being loyal?
Sound familar?
That is the repub way. Not Obama's. That is not what this President is about.

[ladydriver]

Dear robbie44, you just don't get it. This man is different than anyone we are used to in politics. He isn't pandering, he doesn't hold grudges, and he is all about getting work done FOR US! It's not about what those "others" would have done to him...he doesn' operate that way, and he doesn't throw away people who actually have something to offer to his team.

Look, Obama won the election. Can't you all at least give him a chance? If he's not what he seems to be, we will all find out soon enough. But, maybe, just maybe, he IS the person so many voters believe him to be (including me). Give it a rest, and wait to see what he can get done. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

[Grulg]

The Clintons are among the best in the business

Brother Bill like him or not was a really good prezzie.

Obama knows these things and is going to make use of them.

You should do well to let him try it at the least and see if it works. His example is a good one.

Plus you know you like saying this almost as much as I do-so here goes one more time-say it with me now: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Makes ya feel GOOD, doesn't it? Why yes.

[andalsotoo]

Thankfully PE Obama realizes you should 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer". Besides, all we heard about throughout the campaign was his 'lack of experience', so I think it is the mark of a brilliant man to surround himself with those who can help him make his vision a reality.
Ask yourself this: Would you rather the nation be in the state Bill Clinton left it 8 years ago, or the way Dubya will come January 20?

[ArmyCentrist]

Aside from Reagan (I HATE side supply economics!), Obama would do well to emulate all of the above-mentioned Presidents. Those who do not study their history are doomed to repeat it.

[KingCardigan]

The Obama I saw in the early primary debates is not the man we are soon to see take office over our country. He was a strange mixture of vagueness and academia. I wasn't impressed by his ability to give a speech since all the other candidates were capable of giving rousing exhortations as well. Over time he mastered the topics and demonstrated a cool head. I'm confident he'll apply that to the challenges ahead.

[Stephen C. Rose - Huffpost Blogger]

You may be interested in my take on this , published here today (Sunday).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-c-rose/behind-baracks-steely-res_b_145794.html

[harriscrl3]

I actually think this Apolitical approach is best for the country right now and later on you move to the left although I do see Obama going to the left quiet often he just is smart enough to call it pragmatism.

Carol

[robbie44]

those who try to please, you know the rest.

[HoraceOvidson]

Also valuable for Barack to study might be Theodore Roosevelt. Well-read and educated. Progressive. An inspiring speaker. Someone who had to take on the world of business, as in trust-busting entities like Standard Oil. TR also dealt with issues regarding the projection of American power abroad. TR presided over the early growth of American imperialism, spearheading such projects as the building of the Panama Canal. Today, we face problems of how are economic and political power should interact with a world that has become a global village. Since TR's time, we have come to realize how much the peoples of the world are interrelated. If China pollutes, we receive their pollution. If we have the recession flu, Europe and Asia catch it. Examining the paths of TR's thinking may illuminate paths for Barack as we embark on our voyage of 21st Century discovery and problem solution.

[3fingerbrown]

An interesting take. Hey, Barack: I know you track all of Horace's comments here, so if you're reading this, the book to read is "Theodore Rex," by Edmund Morris, as good a presidential bio as you're likely to read.

[Salz08]

Not Barack, obviously, but thank you all the same for the heads up on the bio of Theodore Roosevelt. I have not read that one and will look for a copy.

[Grulg]

I have that book, contains an interesting mention of our near miss war w/ Germany in 1902 over Venezuela. Yes. You never hear about it.

Then there's that Other book about Teddy Roosevelt done by Britney Spears-

[trisha08]

Yes, President elect Obama has already grown in stature and gravitas, and Palin (now that she is free to just let Sarah be Sarah) is already campaigning for 2012 in front of a turkey slaughter.

I think America made the right choice.

[NoVA forObama]

Palin might have saved some turkeys from their fate...after watching that video, I for one will not be eating turkey..

[SharonAustinTX]

Obama has a real talent for listening and leaving the other person knowing that his/her point of view is of value even though he may disagree. He seems to learn with each interaction. He's such a role model in so many ways. His Mother and Grandparents must have been very special people to have instilled in him character, integrity and a deep desire to give back. He is blessed with great intelligence and we as a country and the world are surely blessed to have him as our leader. May God Bless the Obama and Biden families and keep them safe.

[BabsfromKansas]

His weekly vidoe addresses are further proof of this - I can breathe deeply again.

[denicci1977]

Very well written, I agree with you. I like to go back and look at his speeches from the start of his 2004 DNC keynote until now & I see a magnificent difference. He has not changed ideas or feelings about the country, the issues & the direction he wants to take it in, but he has become more outspoken with it and able to reach the hearts of more people far outside the base. It feels really good to see people who had doubts about him in the beginning to see what so many observed about this leader many years ago. I do believe that while he will have a diverse staff (even some the public may disagree with) among his cabinet, that they will be able to use their strength to help lead his vision to make America a better place again. I do believe that they will understand that they are to help follow his campaign promises and not go off on their own tangent like it happened in the Bush Administration. He seems to have that authority & control of his people and I feel safe with that understanding. I had to giggle a little when I heard he was surprised at the respect he now has from so many who never gave him any, like standing up when he enters the room etc. He has definitely earned his position & I look forward to seeing America make new changes especially away from the last 8

[LMPE]

If Obama actually grew a beard, would we reelect him? The Bush-lovers would try to use it to "prove" that he's a secret Muslim.

[apoyo]

They already tried to do that and failed, don'tcha know?

[robbie44]

He isn't?

[Gma11]

Thank you. I appreciate your thoughtful essay.

I, too, have observed the growth, the confidence, and the gravitas of this man evolve throughout the primary season. I feel as assured as I possibly could, given the gravity of our problems, with Obama and his team about to take office. (I shudder to even comtemplate it could have been McCain and Palin facing these challenges!)

[ddslover]

Here, Here! It would have been a horrible and disaterous 4 year nightmare for the American people with her pushing her radical religious agenda. (I've read about her church affliations and they are truly frightening..."spiritual warriors taking control of the wealth of American to service their agenda for God") And McCain, no matter what he has done of value in the past would have been pushed to more failed policies.
I too grow more and more awed by this man's dedication and commitment to America.