January 20th, 2009 marks one of the most amazing events in the modern world.  No, not just the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America but the peaceful transition of power from one President to the next in the world's most powerful country.  No tanks in the streets, no riots, no (real) drama.  This in itself is truly amazing.  Obama's election and ascendancy to President demonstrates all that is good and hopeful about America and it is indeed a proud moment for us all.

President Obama is OUR President.  Regardless of who you voted for, wanted to see win, or campaigned for, we now have a new President of the United States of America.  We get to decide again in four years whether or not we like the job he has done.

We are exiting a presidency that built resentment and contempt across the board but also managed to strengthen the Office of the President, go on the offensive against those who seek to harm us (right or wrong), and govern based on the long view vs. popularity polls.  History really will judge whether or not the last eight years were truly as bad as the common belief holds. 

I tend to try to look at things in a historical context and that extreme positions of one President are then moderated by the next – regardless of party or person.

So why the title of the post?  Yes, I read this book some time ago and believe it is truly what the world, not just America, has for President Obama.  For that, I am truly concerned as it dramatically increases the already heavy burdens of the office.

If you have ever had to manage expectations or reset them, you know how difficult and draining the process can be.  Our modern political process is  a game of marketing, branding, and messaging with the hope that the most qualified and competent person is victorious.  What is said to win is not always put into practice while governing.

You are already seeing expectations being managed and policies that seemed draconian and tyrannical according to colorful journalism are now being embraced by this Administration.  Are they all being reviewed and reconsidered?  Absolutely.  But what we will see are more similarities than differences on major policy positions and a slow moderation of many of the extreme positions taken over the past eight years. 

The same people that hate our way of life today will hate our way of life tomorrow.  Hugo Chavez has already begun to shift his rhetoric from Bush to Obama.  Even everyone's favorite cave dwelling terrorist Osama bin Laden had to weigh in that he still hated us every bit as much.

I look forward to the future and truly hope the hater class here at home looks inward and realizes that it is much easier to criticize than to act.  We have a great number of challenges as a country and there is a surge of optimism that must be tapped.  Hesitate and we will miss a once in a generation opportunity.

Leadership is a lonely road and there are no harder decisions to make that those as President of the United States. 

Congratulations Mr. President.  Now, let's get to work