What Does President Elect Obama Need to Do Now?

He has won the election by appearing as a centrist in many ways and by promising change in politics as usual. It is understandable why this message has so resonated with the American electorate. The situation in Washington D. C. has become either a tragedy or a comedy, depending on your world view, in recent years due to the partisan bickering and arrogance of many in government. However to successfully govern outside of this is a tall order for any President and his cabinet no matter how honest their intentions to rise above it may be.

President Obama needs to make early commitments to bi-partisanship in both his cabinet picks and his policy. His voice as an intelligent level headed leader with big picture vision must hold center stage as he steps into position as President Elect. If he shows a vulnerability to the left in his own party or shows partisan politics in his core values in these first days he will lose much of the power that he has attained in the pubic opinion. He has to show himself to be truly the President of all Americans as he claimed to be in his victory speech. It will be interesting to see how he carries himself in these most important first days. I believe he has to hit the ground not so much running, but with feet solidly planted in the vision he has laid before the American people and that they have by majority bought with their vote and their confidence. If he shows weakness to the far left or shows far left tendencies that many that voted for him do not share, depression will begin to replace the spirit of elation and hope that now fills this country.

I hope he will prove to be the balanced and wise leader that he has proposed himself to be in his campaign rhetoric. I am not convinced at this point, but I do have hope. He is a man who has great potential in his ability to inspire and lead, but it remains to be seen if he is a man of true character and backbone. It remains to be seen if he is truly a spiritual man with the humility to be a great leader. To lead a people and to have their confidence and trust, to be responsible for their safety and make important decisions on their behalf is a most humbling position. The greatest of men carry the responsibility for those they have in their care, whether it is their family or their nation, with much prayer and deliberation.

As these next days and months unfold I believe it is important for us the people to believe for the spirit of change that he promised and to hold high the expectations of the American people. We as a people we must demand the change that we all chose with our vote regardless of whom we voted. There is a cry for change in the hearts of people and now the banner of accountability for change needs to be held high. We mustn't give into partisan bickering or far left policy making that serves only a very few. The President has the responsibility to be President to all of us and not just some. Being the leader of the free world is an honor and should be embraced with the somber oath of protecting the greater interests of all of us and protecting America's voice in the world. It is not a position to be taken lightly or to be arrogant or small minded in your approach to the people of this nation or to humanity in general. There is much at stake at this time in our collective presence as a nation and as a presence for freedom in the world. Freedom is more than flowery words; it is a commitment to the cause of freedom wherever the fight for freedom is being waged. It is the responsibility of all men to fight for this right for all men. We may not always meet on the battlefield, but when necessary we must have the courage to meet this challenge.

We as the people must hold on to our beliefs and demand in our hearts that our leaders live up to the promise of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Excerpt from the Pledge of Allegiance. We must demand that our leaders remember for whom they work and by whom they were called.

I pray for this new administration to have the wisdom to lead and the humility to be lead by their Creator and the consciousness of the people of this nation.