Obama Is a Touchstone Against Which People Measure Their Success or Failure

The news that President Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize is sure to set off another round of praise, hand-wringing, scorn, awe, judgment, jealousy, pride, and so much more.

One thing is certain: Barack Obama is a singular figure in our lifetimes. And as such, he is a touchstone against which people measure their own success or failure. I know, because I do it.

I met him in 2004 when I worked for John Kerry. Foreshadowing the fierce 2008 campaign, our brief conversation was about the power of the Internet. When I worked for Hillary Clinton -- someone who is also such a touchstone -- I worked to defeat Obama. But I also admired him. He is disciplined, smart, bold, he takes risks. He has a wonderful family. And importantly to this pick-up basketball addict, he is a hoopster.

It's a truism that Barack Obama is proof we can achieve big things and fulfill big dreams.

But there are constant questions:

What constitutes greatness? What is success? Failure? What does it mean to be 'important'? Is anyone really more important than anyone else? Where is the recognition for those courageous souls who endure deep suffering with great dignity? Does it matter whether they're recognized? Is their achievement any less significant because it goes unheralded? And what is achievement? Is it material? Is it the attainment of our own arbitrary goals? Is Obama's success really achievable by everyone? In our society, is it attainable by a woman? By the oppressed and disenfranchised around the world? By the voiceless?

Some of the answers are not what we'd like them to be.

I lost my father a decade ago, but his lessons were those taught by so many fathers: dignity, loyalty, hard work, honesty.

I look for those qualities in other people and measure myself against them. I admire those who give selflessly, those who stand for something, whose beliefs matter to them, whose life's purpose is to make the world a better place.

A shining example: Sérgio Vieira de Mello. His story ended far too soon.

But Obama's is being written before our eyes. And we are helping to write it. Let's make it one of true greatness.

Follow Peter Daou on Twitter: www.twitter.com/peterdaou

Comments

[norman60]

I am deeply touched by this article, Peter Daou.
You are great man yourself for recognizing greatness even in one you once fought to defeat.
Obama had since remained my measure of greatness and to millions of people around the world.
Whoever taps into this is wise. A fool doesn't see this because of his bigotry. He wants to rubbish and destroy it.
The president deserves the the Nobel Peace Prize for precisely the reason he has been awarded it. He has positioned the world positively, on the rails to a better future: a future of less conflict, less poverty and less bigotry. This is not an award for speaking, otherwise it would have been a Prize for Literature. It is an award for leadership. For those who look for achievement, President Obama restoring America's respect and leadership is no small thing. I am in awe of that achievement. He fixed eight years to damage in nine months. That is record breaking. And this is the world's endorsement and acknowledgment of his presidency. A fool ignores history. His mind is seared. It is a dangerous thing to be a fool.

[laotzunietzsche]

It is a tribute to the biased media and ignorant, racist populaces of the the US, North Korea, Great Britain, Israel , Iran and Venezuela that they are, nearly, the only countries in the world that are utterly shocked by Obama's win. They, alone, are unaware (or unwilling to admit) of what he has done on the world stage.
To the other, roughly, one hundred and eighty countries of the world, it seems only fitting that he should win.
However, I am not about to try and convince anyone of the rationale involved.
It would be like trying to teach a fish to fly.
Still, one should ask oneself, "Why are the two groups most outraged the Republicans and al-Qaida?"
Are they both fueled by fear, hatred, religious zealotry and a skewed world-view?
Do they both believe that violence is a legitimate way to change a government?
Do they both have an unwavering sense of indignity that they emote with every word they utter?
Hmm. . . I wonder. . .
Oh, well.

[morganhoyle]

The Nobel prize was also given to the sitting presidents Roosevelt and Wilson. Two very deserving candidates, who aspired their entire lives to bring peace to the world, not for their personal glory, but to do all that they could to help people that were not able to truly help themselves.

Will President Obama's legacy be as deserving as that of Roosevelt, Wilson, or even the post term Jimmy Carter; or will he be remembered for the glorious way in which he was elected, and then couldn't live up to the hype that he himself created?

We decide, and we have the power to influence the decision.

[ephoenix5]

Yeah, I agree. I have never really had anyone I looked up to so much as I do to our President. I feel empowered just thinking of his accomplishments and how he always seems to be doing something good for America. His detractors try to protray him as something else, but whenever he speaks, it just seems like he is really trying to explain that while he may change his positions on certain issues, it is only because circumstances dictate it. It would be a disaster for Obama to try to keep promises that are the wrong choices for America.

I imagine once you are the commander in-chief you have more access to better information, research, etc. that may just make you admit that you were wrong on your ideas before but will make the appropriate choice for the country now. I think Obama is a transformative influence. I think he has already made the world a more peaceful place -- yes even as he ramps up the war in Afghanistan -- I think the rest of the world is more at ease with America -- Russia likes us, Iran is cooperating, Europe has our back once again -- the world is electrified by seeing that America a more gentle, agile -- yet smarter America. The world needs leadership, the world has been lacking a hero and Obama just came onto the scene but he fits the bill beautifully.

[mjc]

My original response to this particular one apparently made it but then was deleted. So here goes....ag­ain. Sure the president has access to more information to problem areas than most of us but so do the media and other informed political and military leaders. Obama's information isn't any more valid than most of those sources. Commanders on the ground should be listening to Obama and his Cabinet; not the other way around. If Lincoln had gone with his generals, McClellan in particular, the South would probably have won the Civil War. It's Obama's judgment that the voters were counting on. As for Obama making the world a more peaceful place....P­LEASE! He is going to stay in Afghanistan. The only question now is whether or not he is going to accept the request for 40,000 to the already 68,000 troops we have there now. Aid to Pakistan is going to be increased; that's military aid. So the basis for more violence, more war is being laid as I write. Russia likes us?? Childish comment IMO. Russian politicians know a thing or two about dealing with a man who is quite taken with his charisma. As for Iran, they are only cooperating in the least possible way. They will have nuclear weapons. We should deal with that.

[jackiero]

Yes, this is a great post. While I don't agree 100% or even 50% with Obama's ideology, I agree that he is an excellent figure to represent our country. The middle and the right have much to learn from Mr. Obama. The world is clearly saying that they respect him, so it's something we should all strive for in our own ideologies. We are part of a larger picture than just our own borders. Our future right-of-center presidents must learn that to gain the respect of the world. I'm confident they can and will.

[awerling]

Nice blog entry. Thank you.

[Chubbster]

R U Serious? A touchstone?

[WilliamL]

Well, if anything, this award being handed to him may offer him more leverage and perhaps force him to exercise his hand in those areas that needs a hand-heavy and hard and/or delicate.

The relationship between the handling of both wars, the body count, the expense and the relationship between domestic conditions-no money for health care but money for other countries infrastructure, employing other peoples needs to be recongized by more folks.

This presidency has become more and more about him, his achievements, his designation as the first African American president, his family, his date nights, his anniversary and less and less about the American people, family, American's dieing in both wars, Military families. If the majority is lost next fall, he will be able to take a two year vacation and a perm. one after that.

Award or not and even because of it, despite the prestige and glory, he is going to have to get it rolling and rolling very quickly as more and more people become and remain unemployed, more dead soldiers, more deployments-these awards are of no concern to those unemployed, attending funerals, a child wondering why their parent died in a war far away, wondering why the President is getting so much attention when their parent is gone again or forever.

Once again, as usual, the self interests of the people who elected the current party to power are shinning through.

[laurenc]

Peter, you are extremely gracious. I can only think of the gutsy President confined to the Brazilian embassy in HOnduras, while peasant organizers are being murdered, and Obama seems to fly everywhere but there....o­f Blackwater in Iraq still...of Bagram and indefinite detention.­..of the dead and dying in Afghanistan where he will surely NOT end the War.

My God. If only this undeserved stunner changes HIM.

[gjdagis]

This "award" should have been named the Neville Chamberlain Prize.inst­ead; considering what the criteria are for winning it! Appeasement and simplistic rhetoric a means of preventing war? Tell us another fairy tale! I wonder if the winner needs to give it back when the same policies they won it for prove to be the obvious inducements for the horrible events and wars down the line.