Apple of Doubt

It is a rare thing for that which enters your eyes to simultaneously enter a history book.

– Patrick Tucker

As I watched President-Elect Obama’s acceptance speech in the late hours of the night I was struck with a singular sensation; a feeling of being unstuck in time, a disorienting unreality. It was the feeling one gets from witnessing history. I felt an equally intense, though negative, feeling as I watched from a classroom as two planes flew into downtown New York on September 11th. Witnessing an event that you know will be spoken of by generations to come. The past generations have the moon landing and the death of president Kennedy, but my generation has 9/11 and the first non-white president in the industrialized west.

It doesn’t matter, as far as history’s record is concerned, whether Obama will be a great president or whether he will languish on the vine like a Carter or a Hoover. The very fact of his election creates a moment in the history books. Not a foot note, not a mention, but a new chapter of American history. Yet with the impressive electoral victory and the impressive resurgence of liberalism in america’s voting record I have genuine hope in the future president’s administration. At least in rhetoric President-Elect Obama appeals to the warmth of human brotherhood, the egalitarianism that marks this country’s liberal tradition. Though I’m certain that the old familiar cynicism will splash me in the face like cold water come January but for now I feel true hope for meaningful progressive change in America.

This leads me to the source of Obama’s success; he is a leader of men. Look at the greatest presidents in history like Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan and you will see that the essence of statecraft is skillful rhetoric. Speechcraft is not simply a parlor trick for obfuscation, though obviously it can be, but an invaluable part of leadership. The great speakers from the times of Athenian democracy have used their talent to inspire those capable of making a difference and guiding those who would heed them through times of desperation. Franklin Roosevelt’s personal magnetism lead our nation through the one the most destructive wars in history. Ronald Reagan became such a beloved president through his numerous televised appeals to the American public.

George H. W. Bush was a president so far removed from the day to day of the country that to many he appeared to emerge only when announcing some unpopular piece of legislation and then slinked away off to his ranch. Dwight Eisenhower, despite the popularity from his military career, was said to have played golf more often than take meetings. Dick Cheney became famous for his “undisclosed location” and the google maps blackout of his residence at the naval observatory. Aloof presidents and vice-presidents are not leaders of men. The people need a strong voice to instill confidence and a steady figurehead to invest their hopes in.

For his leadership ability and giving strong voice to the ideals of liberalism I believe Obama has the potential to be a great president. This is the one of the two reasons why I voted for Barack Obama. The other is a subject for many blog posts to come, why I believe the left has the answer to the question of good government.

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