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Barack Obama becomes the first black man to win the presidency. His next challenge? Governing as effectively as he campaigned
Published on Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
Consider the long road the country has traveled in race relations, countless episodes violent and deadly. Martin Luther King Jr. urged the country to keep its promise, of equality, liberty and opportunity. By electing the Illinois Democrat, Americans have taken a great stride forward. This day reflects progress in reconciliation, and more, serves to reinforce the worthiness of the struggle, waged, most notably, by so many brave black men and women.
Barack Obama enjoyed a favorable landscape, in particular, an unpopular Republican president who has presided over a misguided war (not to mention a neglected one) and an economic mess, starting with the shambles of a budget policy and then a financial calamity. Much of the trouble stems from a failure to grasp a changing world and the indispensable role of government. Obama seized on both themes, becoming more effective in describing a new American posture abroad, more mature, more attuned to listening and leading, and in setting priorities at home, devoting attention to a middle class struggling with such basic needs as health care and education.
Give Obama credit for the quality of his campaign organization, especially the myriad volunteers and the use of technology. At the same time, don't underestimate the skills of the candidate. After eight years watching a president struggle to make an argument, the country has seen Obama apply his intelligence, stating in clear terms complex matters. Most striking has been his temperament, cool, thoughtful, pragmatic, inspiring, tools critical to presidential success.
This editorial page hasn't been reluctant to express concerns about the thin resume Obama brings to the job. His positions on certain issues remain unformed. He hasn't been tested in the way, say, of a veteran governor. All of this invites wariness about what he can accomplish, even more so in view of the formidable challenges, starting with the economy.
There is a profound difference between campaigning and governing, success in the former hardly guaranteeing high marks in the latter.
What has been reassuring about Obama has been the thrust of his candidacy. Too much can be made of precise position papers in a campaign. More telling are the broad messages, in the case of Obama, a different approach to the world and the role of government, a willingness to engage in a wider dialogue with the aim of advancing the whole. We're going to resist big talk about a transformational presidency. For now, it would be heartening to see problems addressed in a serious way. That is change Barack Obama should be given room and time to deliver.
Get the full article here.
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