The rock star like euphoria that characterized the Obama campaign and subsequent victory must now give way to the reality of governance. As a conservative I honor and respect the Senator’s accomplishment. He will be my president. I don’t question his motives only his judgement and wisdom. In the spirit of conflicting ideas and philosophies I hope his time in office will reflect an open exchange of ideas. Let’s not marginalize either side by creating caricatures that encourage us to demonize one another.

His victory moved the American soul deep into it’s core. As I listened to Juan Williams tear up describing the symbolic nature of this election for him and the nation I too teared up. But unlike so many I was not one bit surprised that a black man could be elected president of the United States. America has  been largely free of racism for many years. As such I had no desire to use my vote to evidence my lack of bigotry or that of my country. 

That said, it might be productive to assess what forces came together to place Senator Obama in the presidency and how he needs to proceed if he is the agent of hope and change he claims to be. Fact is that the President-elect won for a variety of reason. Some are unique to the man. But the perfect political storm and a bunch of  promises with multibillion dollar price tags were critical as well. 

He is a man of soaring rhetorical prowess, a compelling personality and possesses charm with ample doses of charisma. His ability to to grab hold of an audience with the skillful recitation of platitudes is a rare and invaluable political asset. These gifts coupled with a sharp intellect make him an imposing political force. Two adorable daughters, an accomplished wife and you have quite a package.  

But his victory also finds it’s source in the factors that created the storm. These factors have nothing to do with him. They include a profound degree of white guilt, a brimming sense of pride among those in the black community, a dramatic financial melt down in the final weeks of the campaign, an unpopular war, an academic class drooling over his every utterance and the mainstream media’s transparent efforts to help insure his victory.

Add to this mix the fact that Senator Obama promised to send checks to millions of people who pay no income tax, to reduce health insurance premiums by $2,500 annually, to insure everyone, to have the government pay a big chunk of college tuition and to create 500,000 green jobs. Those who have no appreciation for the impact that raising taxes have on economic growth, who have no idea about the complexities of health care costs,  who are clueless about the fact subsidies raise costs or how jobs are created were super charged by all these promises. He campaigned like a contemporary Robin Hood. The Senator pledged to tax the “rich”  in order to give to the “middle class.”  This pledge turns John F. Kennedy’s most famous challenge to the American people on it’s head. ‘Ask what your country can do for you and I will deliver it.’ Maybe hope in some quarters but certainly not change.

  Senator Obama achieved his early political successes by warming up to men of hate. I trust that with maturity and the hits he has taken because of those unsavory associations that he has leaned his lesson. He stayed on the left during the primaries and tacked a bit to the center in the general election. I assume he is astute enough to know that he can not successfully govern from the left. And I further assume that he does not share the hateful opinions of some of those from his past. He claims to have a desire to get beyond politics. Now he has the chance to prove it. 

Senator Obama has never run anything other than his campaigns. No one, detractors nor supporters, have a clue how he will govern once confronted by the staggering responsibilities of the office. America has taken a gigantic emotionally driven gamble on charm, promises and cool. 

I pray he has the courage to reign in Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid. Both because of their extreme partisanship and the knowledge that the publics approval rating for Congress makes President Bush look like a popular figure. The American people did not elect the Senator because of his close association with the Democrat Congress of the last two years.

I pray that the President-elect has the good sense to separate himself from Senator Schumer who rationalized censorship of conservative talk radio by comparing it to pornography. As an instructor of constitutional law Senator Obama knows the difference between political speech and pornography. I trust he has the confidence to not get into the business of silencing opposing voices.

I pray that after security briefings at the White House that Senator Obama will come to fully appreciation the Islamists threat and therefor understand the difference between negotiating with people of good faith and the need to confront evil.

I pray that Senator Obama treasures our precious commitment to a secret ballot and applies that concept equally in the case of voting for or against unionizing a workplace. 

I pray that this “expert” in Constitutional law has grown to understand that it is not the job of the Justices of the Supreme Court to redress social ills or economic differences but to interpret the Constitution. Earlier in his life he expressed an opinion that the justices should get in the business of wealth distribution. That is not only far afield from the intent of the founders but would create the kind of divisiveness that he claims he would avoid.

I pray that he acquires the wisdom to fully respect the millions of American’s whose commitment to their guns and religion can be sourced to their values and not their dissatisfaction. And that these same people’s hearts are as free of bigotry as his own.

I pray that contrary to his previous pronouncements and votes with regard to abortion that he governs as a man who errs on the side of the sanctity of life. When there is any question or ambiguity concerning a law applicable to abortion I hope his default position is the protection of nascent human life. The “health” of the mother can be interpreted by doctors to mean almost anything. He knows this. Does he have the moral strength to act on it? 

Finally I pray that he rises to the enormous task at hand. His political career to date has given us no indication of his willingness to use his political capital in ways that would make him unpopular with his base. As President there will be no “present” votes. Will he have the courage to take the unpopular stands that distinguish an ordinary president from a great one? At a time of war, financial crisis and social decay America needs a man of courage and wisdom, not a charismatic rock star. He will be ushered into office like a rock star. Trust me the inaugural balls will ooze with Hollywood excess. Does he have the fortitude to urge his entertainment minions to reign in their crude and obscenity laden screeds directed at his opposition? If he is an agent of change, hope and civility then he will have to demonstrate it.  

  At this sobering moment with the contrasting forces of the exhilaration of his supporters and a national crisis at hand he should step up and govern like a statesman demonstrating the willingness to take the hits necessary to do what is right. I want him to succeed for the good of every American and the security of the free world.