OK, now that I’m coming down off the euphoria of Obama’s win last night, I want to express several thoughts.
Number one, to all my frum friends, especially in Israel, who are panicking at the election results because they are worried for Israel: I predict Obama will be a great friend to the Jewish State. I meant it when I said it during the campaign and I maintain it now. He’s never said anything that would indicate the contrary. And remember, even if you don’t believe me on Obama himself, remember that he shares power with congress, where most representatives, including the vast majority of Democrats there, have always been very supportive of Israel. That’s not changing.
On to my main point, directed at supporters of Obama:
Barack Obama is not the messiah. He’s not going to snap his fingers and solve all our problems. He was by far the better choice for President and I have great hope for his administration, but undoubtedly he’ll make mistakes, do things that many of us disagree with, etc. My point is that the time for cheerleading is over. There is a danger of falling into the trap of complacency now that the man we supported has been elected. All the energy that went into supporting him should now be redirected to keeping an eye on him (and on all our elected representatives) and remaining politically aware and engaged.
The election of Barack Obama by itself has not solved the financial crisis, it has not disarmed Iran, it has not stopped global warming, it has not made living in America more affordable, it has not ended the war in Iraq, and it has not ended terrorism. I am more confident in Obama’s ability to solve these problems than I was in McCain’s and as I said above, I am hopeful for his administration. But an Obama presidency is not a panacea. There will be the daily nuts & bolts of governing, there will be the immovable obstacles to problems that he promised to fix, and as with any president, there will be the inevitable decisions he makes that we feel go in the wrong direction.
Obama’s victory is a tremendous symbol. It is the symbol that the color of a person’s skin no longer divides this county as it once did. It is a symbol to the world of the greatness and leadership of America that a man named Barack Hussein Obama can become our president. It has overnight elevated the image of America back to some of its former glory. The people of the world are more receptive to America’s leadership than they have been for a long time. There is no question that this is something amazing and transformational.
But that’s all about Barack Obama the symbol. When the euphoria dies down, Barack Obama the man still has to lead this country. His political history and his campaign have been skillful, but not without mistakes. I suspect his presidency, too, will be skillful but not without mistakes.
So let’s celebrate, certainly. But let’s also face the realities and shortcomings of American democracy and face the future as informed and engaged citizens.
Number one, to all my frum friends, especially in Israel, who are panicking at the election results because they are worried for Israel: I predict Obama will be a great friend to the Jewish State. I meant it when I said it during the campaign and I maintain it now. He’s never said anything that would indicate the contrary. And remember, even if you don’t believe me on Obama himself, remember that he shares power with congress, where most representatives, including the vast majority of Democrats there, have always been very supportive of Israel. That’s not changing.
On to my main point, directed at supporters of Obama:
Barack Obama is not the messiah. He’s not going to snap his fingers and solve all our problems. He was by far the better choice for President and I have great hope for his administration, but undoubtedly he’ll make mistakes, do things that many of us disagree with, etc. My point is that the time for cheerleading is over. There is a danger of falling into the trap of complacency now that the man we supported has been elected. All the energy that went into supporting him should now be redirected to keeping an eye on him (and on all our elected representatives) and remaining politically aware and engaged.
The election of Barack Obama by itself has not solved the financial crisis, it has not disarmed Iran, it has not stopped global warming, it has not made living in America more affordable, it has not ended the war in Iraq, and it has not ended terrorism. I am more confident in Obama’s ability to solve these problems than I was in McCain’s and as I said above, I am hopeful for his administration. But an Obama presidency is not a panacea. There will be the daily nuts & bolts of governing, there will be the immovable obstacles to problems that he promised to fix, and as with any president, there will be the inevitable decisions he makes that we feel go in the wrong direction.
Obama’s victory is a tremendous symbol. It is the symbol that the color of a person’s skin no longer divides this county as it once did. It is a symbol to the world of the greatness and leadership of America that a man named Barack Hussein Obama can become our president. It has overnight elevated the image of America back to some of its former glory. The people of the world are more receptive to America’s leadership than they have been for a long time. There is no question that this is something amazing and transformational.
But that’s all about Barack Obama the symbol. When the euphoria dies down, Barack Obama the man still has to lead this country. His political history and his campaign have been skillful, but not without mistakes. I suspect his presidency, too, will be skillful but not without mistakes.
So let’s celebrate, certainly. But let’s also face the realities and shortcomings of American democracy and face the future as informed and engaged citizens.
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