Finally! A Leader in the House

Move over Hillary and John: there's a real leader in the house.

Barack Obama gave the speech of his life.

It wasn't just a speech, but a heartfelt look at one of the toughest issues in America. His speech addressed the ills within the hearts of people, so that they can examine their consciences and find the courage to move toward a more perfect union.

In February 2007, I wrote an article entitled "They're Off." I said that Obama was full of hopes and dreams, and I stand by this. I do admit, however, that I traveled a rocky road while standing by him.

After I said "I may" support Obama, the debates began. In the beginning, he looked like a deer in a traffic jam of headlights. He was trying to focus and stay on message. I thought, "Here I am, putting my independent self on the line, and this guy doesn't look like someone I should support for a better future."

In the last year, however, I've watched as Obama began to embody everything he said and take the form of a phenomenal leader. Yes, he is human -- or the media would have nothing to talk about -- but he has perfected his message, his vision and himself very well, so this country can begin to regain its place as a respected global player.

Senator Obama has also made this campaign for the people and about the people. He has made it about hope and change. He has stood by a friend, his pastor, while telling him he must heal his old wounds and join the future of possibilities. Obama has maintained his loyalty and compassion for those who may not agree, but who are trying to find their way back to productive (instead of destructive) dialogue.

Today, March 18, 2008, senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama showed that he is a leader. No, he won't fix whatever ails you, but he will stand by you and work with you to find a way to improve this country and your future in it.

Without his ability to gain your participation and trust, he would be like every other politician who promises to save you from the "evils" that they (the politicians) have created. No one has saved you before and guess what no one will save you now. But a true leader can supply us with the motivation and opportunities to save ourselves...by ourselves.

It wasn't politicians who gave women the right to vote or to end slavery; it was the people who pushed politicians to make these changes.

I am with Obama.

I have been in this game long enough to know that we need a leader -- someone who can help us make this country strong again. We can create a community that includes, tolerates, accepts and has compassion for others. We can find a way to end wars, control access to weapons and mend our relationships with the rest of the world.

Do we all agree on how it should be done? No. However, we all agree that some things must be done. Our schools must be better, our healthcare affordable to all, the "playing field" leveled so that anyone with the gumption to succeed will have that opportunity -- not just those who's fathers and grandfathers granted them wealth and privileges.

No one person can fix these problems. We must do it together. For this we need a leader that reminds us of who we are, what we are made of, and how many possibilities exist to let us create positive change.

Obama said it, "This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected."

Isn't it time we all got on board?

Read more HuffPost coverage and reaction to Obama's speech

Comments

[mouselion]

"No one has saved you before and guess what no one will save you now. But a true leader can supply us with the motivation and opportunities to save ourselves...by ourselves."

Amen!

[jhNY]

Much as you might like to believe otherwise, that speech will not disengage the teeth of the attack dogs all over cable news from your candidate's backside. For a few hours, I had thought it might, because unlike so many in the electorate, I happen to agree with very nearly everything (US responsible for AIDS-- I'd need proof) Reverend Wright had to say, and hoped that the speech might be the beginning of a real conversation among us about race and racism.

[hopeless277]

You damn right!

[Marie13]

I agree. Obama stands out to me as a leader as well. He has had my support for several months now. (I started out torn between Obama and Clinton (who is now below McCain in my book)).

[MPeter]

Thank You. Obama is a phenomenal leader. He is brilliant, measured and honest---qualities Washington needs and the Clintons have been found to lack.

[TinaFreeman]

Thank you. Obama's handling of this firestorm this weak truly demonstrated his ability to lead. One thing many people miss, I think, is that he has shown in this situation the ability and willingness to see all sides of an issue. Isn't that a critical characteristic for our President to have?

He has shown that he can see the totality of a person, that all of us have some good and some bad, and you should not reject a person in entirety because you do not agree on everything. Rev. Wright has had a very, very positive ministry overall (in spite of going overboard on a few occasions) and has preached thousands of sermons. He has led his church in doing remarkable things in his community. He has earned the highest respect in a denomination (the UCC) that is 99% white.

If you are going to bring people together, whether it is the American people or the Congress or the international community, don't you have to have the ability to see all sides? To accept people even when you don't agree? To find common ground so you can work together for a common goal?

That is what Obama has shown he can do, better than any other current candidate. He has shown himself to be a true leader, and have the rare quality of true statesmanship.