Still Loving Obama?

I’m a member of another virtual “think-tank” called the Brain Gang, run by my boy Marc “C-Cut” Jones.  In light of the President’s recent 60 minutes interview last night, he is trying to check the group’s “temperature” as it relates to their feelings for President Obama.  I figured I’d ask you as well.

Gang,
Many of you probably watched President Obama on 60 Minutes last night attempt to put the American public at ease of over many of the growing concerns facing the nation, namely the economy.

After seeing him last night, how do you feel? Better? Worse? Indifferent?

For those who were enamored with him throughout last year and through the inauguration, are you still in the honeymoon phase or is the “bloom off the rose?”

Reactions from Around the World to Obama’s Victory

I don’t think I need to say anything…(thanks, Hasani, for sharing these images) 

Barack's step-grandmother Sarah Obama in Kogelo, Kenya

At Obama's former school in Jakarta, Indonesia

Manila, Phillipines

 

 

Shanghai

Athens, Greece

Indonesia

Jerusalem, Israel

Sydney, Australia

Afghanistan

Obama, Japan

India

Paris, France

Dakar, Senegal

London, England

 

 

 

 

Yes, We Can!

What a night!  Record turnout.  Red States turning Blue.  The first Black President of the United States!

I clearly acknowledge the historical value of this election and its social implications. I am well aware of the impact that seeing someone other than a White male in a leadership position has on a person’s belief system –especially for non-White males.  It really does strengthen the belief that all things are possible.

Though not to the same magnitude, I’ve been in a similar situation before. I was employed by Merrill Lynch when Stan O’Neal was announced as CEO. He was the first Black CEO of a major Wall Street firm.  It was an inspirational moment.  However, as most of us now know, it was short lived.  Mr. O’Neal is no longer in that role.  In fact, he got fired and Merrill Lynch was recently acquired by Bank of America.

Here’s what I learned…GETTING the job is not the same thing as effectively DOING the job!

While I am excited about Obama achieving something that most people–including me–did not think was possible, I must admit that am also a bit cautious about how excited I get.  Just like having an awesome wedding doesn’t guarantee a great marriage, winning the election won’t guarantee success as President.

Believe me, I am not trying to rain on anybody’s parade.  Quite the contrary…I’m trying to start a parade, or a march, or a crusade, something!.

What do I mean?

Barack Obama is inheriting a mess. He will fail unless he gets tremendous support from those that he leads–including you and me. Yes, as voters, Americans turned out in record number. However, voting is probably the least challenging activity in the political process. We must stay involved.

Let me remind you that every significant social change that has occured in this country happened due to pressure from the people – not because there was a good guy in office.  We can’t just vote and expect change to happen.

Please be as passionate AFTER the election as you were up to, and including, the final result.

Keep the pressure on!

What if Your Candidate Loses?

I am a member of the “Brain Gang” – an online “discussion group” that addresses many of the same issues we deal with on this blog.

Marc, the host of the group, shared a question this morning that I’d like to pass on to you:  What will you do come Wednesday morning if your candidate for President doesn’t win Tuesday’s election?

I’m curious to hear your answers.

Our Next President

I watched last night’s debate between presidential candidates, Senators Obama and McCain.  And to be totally honest with you, it was very frustrating.

Most of the evening, the candidates used precious time to discredit their opponent and/or defend themselves.  I don’t need to know about their charisma (or lack thereof), their oratorical skills, nor their ad campaigns.

I need to know two things: are your plans fair and sensible? (because policies shouldn’t just benefit me) and do you have a track record of consistently getting things done?

And I really don’t think that either campaign has done a thorough job of answering both of those questions.

Does anyone feel the same way?

“I Hope Barack Doesn’t Get Killed!”

Sen. Obama

This is an historical election year.  We will either have a Black President or a female Vice President.

Gov. Palin

If you asked me 3 years ago if America was ready for either of those scenarios, I would have confidently said no. 

With America’s frustration with the current administration (even McCain’s campaign is distancing themselves from George Bush and the ‘traditional Republican’ regime), it is very possible that America’s next President is a Black man.

Exciting, right?  Well, not for everybody! 

There are a number of individuals and groups that are afraid for Obama’s life and safety as a result of this possibility.  They are afraid that not everybody is ready for America to have a Black President, and that if he won, his life would be in danger. 

In fact, I’ve heard people say that they may not vote for Obama for fear that he does win, and later gets assassinated.  They feel that they will then be a contributor to his demise.  (Interestingly enough, I haven’t heard the same concerns for Sarah Palin.)

Do you share the same concerns?