Last night, Boston Herald writer Margery Eagan said in her column of the media’s affliction with Obama-mania: “People want to believe in hope.”
I find this an ultimately sad commentary on our mindset as a people. Yes, we want to believe that our candidates possess attributes of character, including hope. But I refuse to look for hope *in* Barack as she would suggest.
Even the Israelites did not place their hope in Moses as he led them through a 40-year hike through the desert. Rather, their hope was placed upon their superhuman Creator.
Fact is, Mr. Obama is not where my hope comes from. But the notion that he is “The One” who can deliver hope or “change we can believe in” that’s what’s got well-meaning people duped here about this guy…to the point of mass manipulation.
The American people, a good number of them anyway, aren’t stupid. We see the more than subliminal rip-offs of JFK, RFK and Dr. King day in and day out. I’ve had it with the copycat “retro” photo, rolled-up-white-shirt-wearing, pseudo-profound, grimace-making, “Ooh look, I’m a “statesman” speech-making, “Change”…his mind…again talking, flip my jacket over my shoulder just-like-Bobby walkin’, believe-my-own-press, special-interest seeking, non-voting junior statesman.
No. My hope doesn’t come from Mr. Obama. It comes from a place much more genuine, with more transparency, and unshakably unchangeable.
I encourage everyone to consider that the better attributes n a President are selflessness, humility, transparency, a servant-like nature, someone who is without affectation, and whose work and record speaks louder than all the best speech-making in the world.
I don’t need someone to convince me. I need evidence that has been wrought in solitary and even lonesome toil…without a camera having been in sight.
The true measure of a man or woman who seeks the highest office in our nation is one who is at ease in being the most plainspoken, honest, and unglamorous. A true leader is in fact one who has learned the wisdom of valuing how to follow and leads, not by charisma and in plenty, but leads with integrity under pressure and by example.
This is not the time for remedial character building. Our beloved country cannot afford to be the guinea pig for Mr. Obama’s political aspirations. He just very well may be a great leader someday. Until there’s a burning bush to alert us otherwise, we are better off to wait…and watch.
Mr. Obama is not where I place my hope. No. It’s too precious for that.
