Apolitical Politics, Pt. 2

I really don't think I'm imagining this: Every time I've seen President Obama on TV since the election, he has a little different countenance. It's as if there's a small part of him that is asking, "What did I win?"

He assumes responsibility at a time of unprecedented challenges that have been more than thoroughly outlined elsewhere: 2 wars, economic recession, etc. But...agree or disagree with his policies, the man is really, really gifted. There are a few reasons that every American should be encouraged:

1. He is a principled man. He loves his wife, he loves his girls, and they are a priority to him. That's a significant mark of character that is often overlooked in the public arena. Character does matter. If a man will lie to his wife, nothing would prevent him from lying to his constituents except self-interest and the potential of getting caught.

2. He's smart as a whip. You don't become President of Harvard Law Review because you've got a winning personality and nothing else. I want my president to have a nimble, sharp mind. And ours does. (For the record, President Bush 43 meets this requirement in spades, though his communicating skills occasionally camouflaged his intellect.)

3. President Obama is a master communicator. Again, this has nothing to do with his policies. But communication is helpful for a leader, particularly one who has to lead us through the challenges before our nation.

4. He is a skilled politician and motivator. Winning the general election was big, but it pales in comparison to winning his party's nomination. He walked into Hillary's living room and took it away from her. She had the name, the contacts, the organization, the money, and the momentum--and he took it all away from her. To paraphrase Larry the Cable Guy, I don't care who you are, that right there is a good job.

Now, you can't put policies aside for too long. Policies and practices do matter. And the president has to lead and produce. Citizen-/Representative-/Senator Obama regularly championed some very troublesome policies and views. But he now faces some realities that he's never encountered. He should be evaluated for his leadership, execution, and principles as President. In the meantime, I'm going to pray for him and hope he does a great job as my President.

(I kindof like that he has to sneak out of the Oval for a cig every now and then and that his wife has tried unsuccessfully to get him to stop...makes him not quite as perfect as the media wants to portray him.)