Obama blog from Oakland International Airport

(Disclaimer: The following is a little random rant about Obama. I should have edited it for more fluidity and comprehensiveness, but I'm too tired. Airports do that to you...)

Did Obama finally get people talking about politics?

The facts are obvious. He’s the first half-Kenyan person to run for president. Unlike the other presumptive Republican candidate, Obama is young, fresh-faced, new, relatively unknown, energetic, and let’s just throw in “in good shape.”

Sitting at Oakland airport waiting for my flight back to L.A., I overheard a mother talking to her young girl, who looks to be about 7 years old. (She still had the cute, high-pitched, inquisitive tone to her voice.)

I began eavesdropping when I heard the little girl saying: “I like Obama even though he doesn’t speak good.” It was altogether cute and profound. Despite her understandably faulty grammar, (I’m sure she meant well) I thought it was just a profound comment, especially from a little girl.

But it is true that children are frighteningly honest and extremely perceptive. They often see things that us adults can no longer see.

Her comment about Obama’s speaking skills is often talked about—but I’ve noticed, not so much by the media. I usually hear it from us laypeople, bloggers, and of course, McCainers. I think the one media exception would be Fox News.

But should quality speaking skills be a major prerequisite for the president?

So back to the story about the mom and the daughter. The mom replied, in such a motherly-love way I should add: “But that’s not what you look for in a president. You look to see what they can do when they’re president, and if they’ll do it.”

And I think the mom is right. What it really comes down to is whether Obama will live up to all his promises. Will the rest of the Democratic party be on board with his proposed plan for change in the White House? He did reform his state legislature—when he was able to get perks cut down, like nice lunches at work (see Saddleback Church interview). It is small, but it is still something. For example, a $50.00 lunch for a senator can also mean a week of groceries for a family of five.

Obama has been doing a lot of talk, but he’s running for president! That’s just what they do. But I think many Obama supporters are putting too much faith in Obama’s words. He says he wants to and that he can change politics as usual in Washington. And he seems serious about doing it. But is it really feasible? Before we all buy an Obama bust for the fireplace mantle, we supporters should understand that its just not that easy. Obama will not be perfect. There never really was and there will probably never be a “perfect president.”

I know the obvious retort to this would be, “got hope?”

I am hopeful he’ll do a good job. But that is the key word: hope.

Only 149 days left!