C: Is for Change!

As I watch Obama's acceptance speech I am filled with emotion. The statement he made to those who did not vote for him is the reason I started writing this column. I am paraphrasing but it went " I hear your voice and I will be your president too." As I write, the popular vote for Obama is: 62,443,218 McCain: 55,386,310 with four states left to vote. Our country is divided. The difference between the two candidates is around 7 million votes. That doesn't sound like much but when compared to over 100 million it speaks volumes. The division is 6%. I give McCain credit for his speech conceding defeat to Barack Obama in the US presidential election. It was gracious as he congratulated the new president-elect and declaring that the "people of America have spoken". McCain recognized the special significance of the historic election for African Americans. "Senator Obama has achieved a great thing, for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it". He repeatedly pledged he would do all he could for America at such a difficult time, despite his loss, and went on to refer to Obama as "the man who was my former opponent who will now be my president". Like McCain we need to be tolerant of those whose choice was rejected. We need as a people to listen to Obama's speech and put forth a new leaf. Barack Obama is going to be confronted with seismic challenges. What he faces sobers even the bravest of men. Two wars, terrorist threats and a economy in shreds. Leon E. Panetta, the former White House chief of staff advised, “You better damn well do the tough stuff up front, because if you think you can delay the tough decisions and tiptoe past the graveyard, you’re in for a lot of trouble. Make the decisions that involve pain and sacrifice up front.” Obama plans in putting his plans into effect prior to the transfer of authority on Jan. 20. He will name three co-leaders of his transition team on Wednesday, including John D. Podesta, the former Clinton chief of staff; Valerie Jarrett, a longtime Obama adviser; and Pete Rouse, Mr. Obama’s Senate chief of staff. A news conference planned by the end of the week will announce top White House appointees by the end of the week and anticipate the nomination of secretaries of state and treasury by Thanksgiving. This is a president who is ready. The end of the Bush era is finally coming to an end but Obama will have to deal with Bush's legacy for years to come. Obama has stated this year the country needs to be healed, but awe as people must realize this too and that is a F.A.C.T