Barak Obama is my hero

[dreamshark]

It was supposed to be a 10-minute handshake and photo op, with maybe a few more awkward moments waiting for the ladies to return from the White House First Lady Tour. But then President Obama did something that I think few people would have the grace to carry off. He swallowed his pride, anger, and disappointment and sincerely offered his hand in friendship to his successor. They sat down and had a serious, substantive 90 minute conversation about the governmental transition.

Trump's a pretty transparent guy, and it seemed abundantly clear from his demeanor afterwards that Obama charmed the pants off him. Trump almost seemed star-struck. The man who had no patience for pre-debate prep or briefings by his campaign team said he wished they could have talked longer and that he would absolutely be back for more of his new BFF's wise counsel. And two days later he IS UNIRONICALLY QUOTING SUGGESTIONS THAT OBAMA GAVE HIM.

Does this change everything? No, of course not. A shallow, self-absorbed bully with autocratic instincts and a horrifying roster of political friends is about to take control of the most powerful government in the world. Obama did everything in his power to stop that from happening, and failed. But when he had an opportunity to make what comes next a little less terrible he unhesitatingly set aside his own disappointment to take that opportunity and make the most of it. Maybe the effect will be negligible, but maybe it won't be.

I was so excited when Obama was elected. I really hoped that his message of unity, hope, and post-racist dialogue would take hold. That didn't happen. In a different time he might have been one of our greatest presidents, but with a Congress that was single-mindedly devoted to thwarting him there wasn't much he could do. Somehow he kept on keeping on with energy, grace, and dignity through 8 years of frustration and constant personal attacks. In a  time where there were damn few worthwhile role models in the public sphere, he continued to be the sort of person we all want our children to grow up to be. History may judge him as a failed president, but he is still a hero to me.

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

A lovely sentiment. Thank you for it.

K. [didn't he have a blue Congress in his first 2 years, though?]

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Barely. Just enough to get Obamacare through, but not enough to tweak it into a workable program. Wouldn't it be funny if he could finally do that now, by gently manipulating Trump?

After one meeting with Obama, Trump was saying out loud that now that he thinks about it, he doesn't really want to repeal all of Obamacare, just the mandate part. After all his advisers explain to him that this is impossible because it would bankrupt the insurance industry, maybe he'll go back to Obama for more advice. Okay, not the likeliest outcome. But it could happen.

[vgqn.livejournal.com]

One of the many scary things about Trump is how easily he is influenced, for good or evil. But wouldn't it be lovely if he decides that he wants Obama's good advice?! Just a pipe dream, I know.

[winegums.livejournal.com]

He's not even my President but he's one of the world leaders I most admired, and I'll be sorry to see the end of his time in the White House.

It makes me sick to my stomach that his successor is going to be a turd in human form, but please god, I hope that people actually mobilise and start making steps towards voting the Orange Menace out in 2018 and 2020.

[seekerval.livejournal.com]

An excellent post, dear lady! As I read, my head insisted on bobbing up and down in agreement. I hope Obama's accomplishments--achieved despite fanatic, illogical opposition--don't entirely fade from our lives or our history.