Editor's Letter
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Obama's Challenge
H
e was never the likeliest candidate for U.S. presi-
dent. He didn't start with much money or many
endorsements. His campaign wasn't hatched in the
halls of Washington. It began in the back yards of Des Moines
and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of
Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug
into what little savings they had to
give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
So says America's next president,
Barack Obama. The 47-year-old
Democratic senator from Illinois
spoke from Chicago's Grant Park fol-
lowing his historic victory on Nov. 4.
His candidacy, he said, "grew
strength from the young people, who
rejected the myth of their generation's
apathy; who left their homes and their
families for jobs that offered little pay
and less sleep.
"It drew strength from the not-so-young people who
braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors
of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who
volunteered and organized, and proved that more than two
centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and
for the people has not perished from the
Earth."
I attentively listened to Obama's
acceptance speech. But I needed to pon-
der what this former constitutional law
professor really said. So I secured a tran-
script.
will get there!'
Obama stressed that government can't solve every problem.
He promised to be honest and a good listener. He seemed
melancholy in sizing up the daunting challenge. Above all
else, he said, "I will ask you to join the work of remaking this
nation, the only way it has been done in America for 221 years
- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused
hand?'
Change Agent
I liked Obama's simple campaign call for change, an under-
pinning that he described as "the true genius of America?'
Change, he said, requires "a new spirit of service, a new spirit
of sacrifice."
His stunning triumph, which filtered down into state and
local races, has created the climate for real change. He hit
the right unity tones, urging us to summon "a new spirit of
patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch
in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but also
each other?'
He also urged rejection of the partisanship and pettiness
that have poisoned our politics. But I'm afraid those sorry
traits are embedded in the American way, which is still the
best political model despite all its faults.
I liked how Obama regaled non-support-
ers. "And to those Americans whose sup-
port I have yet to earn:' he said, "I may not
have won your vote tonight, but I hear your
voices. I need your help. And I will be your
president, too?'
The first-term senator, born in Hawaii,
welcomed "a new dawn of American lead-
Huge Footprints
ership?' He vowed to defeat adversaries,
Obama's charisma, youthful vigor, grasp
help the oppressed and nurture our ideals.
of the issues, eloquence, panache and
We've come far. We've accomplished
folksy style help explain how he connects
much. But there's more to do — much
with Americans across the demographic
more. The prospect of failure looms large.
spectrum. His momentous comments
We must work together to counter that
shortly before midnight in downtown
inexorable push.
Chicago echoed across America for their
Obama put it this way: "This is our
clarity of thought and pursuit of a dream. Sen. Obama: "But, America, I have time: to put our people back to work and
What Obama does with the huge imprint never been more hopeful than I am open doors of opportunity for our kids; to
tonight that we will get there."
he left on the American public in the
restore prosperity and promote the cause
afterglow of his election will help define
of peace; to reclaim the American dream
his presidency. He has set a steep course for himself, born
and reaffirm that fundamental truth — that, out of many, we
from his ability to inspire.
are one; that while we breathe, we hope.
He certainly hit on some pressing themes: two wars, a plan-
"And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and
et in peril, a financial crisis that is rippling in Michigan.
those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that
"We know there are brave Americans waking up in the
timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we
deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their can?'
lives for us:' Obama said. "There are mothers and fathers who
We sure can. Whether we will is another matter.
will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how
they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save
Jewish Echoes
enough for their children's college education. There's new
American Jews will watch earnestly how Obama embraces
energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to
issues dear to us — like Israel's security. The same day I read
build and threats to meet — alliances to repair?'
a transcript of Obama's election-night speech, I received a
Obama acknowledged the road ahead will be long.
Jerusalem-based Palestinian Media Watch bulletin reporting
Sounding a bit like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Obama contin-
that Palestinian Authority TV broadcast a music video for
ued,"We may not get there in one year or even in one term.
kids summarizing P.A. ideology and the motivation for sus-
But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am
Obama's on page A6
tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we, as a people,
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November 13 • 2008
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