Yesterday we were an unfortunate people with woefully inadequate leadership; today we are a truly fortunate people whose hopes have rightly been restored by a great leader. We may wonder what it was like to live in the presence of a great leader like Abraham Lincoln who saved our nation, and whose words still endure to inspire us now like those of very few others. Well, I believe we will now know what it is like to live in the presence of such greatness; I see it in Barack Obama.

There is a saying that when serious trouble comes, a great leader emerges to guide us. Just as George Washington emerged to help us win independence and to reject monarchy in favor our presidential form of leadership. Just as Lincoln emerged to save the nation from breaking apart and to end the shameful exploitation of slavery. And just as Franklin Roosevelt emerged to lead us through the depression and WW2.

Now Barack Obama has arisen seemingly from nowhere, in just 5 short years, to become the leader who can guide us through this new economic crisis and through the quagmire of Iraq and Afghanistan and a seemingly perpetual war on terrorism, and to overturn the disgraceful, unAmerican policy of preventive war that has turned the world against us. This is not the America of our forefathers. But President Obama will restore our reputation in the world so that we will not meanly lose, but instead will nobly save “the last great hope of mankind.” (see excerpt from Obama’s acceptance speech below)

Let no one say now that America lacks great leadership. We have it in Barack Obama. Many have compared him with John Kennedy, but in my opinion he will exceed even that standard and will take a place in history alongside the greatest of our leaders: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, and soon Obama.

After enduring eight long and difficult years of the worst presidency in my lifetime (going back to JFK), I feel very fortunate, thankful, and proud to now witness the beginning of what I believe will be the greatest president of my lifetime.

From Obama’s acceptance speech last night:

“…And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.”

Lastly, I have never seen a president who was less beholden to “the powers that be” as Barack Obama. What he said last night is true and exemplifies his independence from the rich and powerful and his devotion to the common people:

“…It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It 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; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; 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 this Earth. This is your victory.”

And this…

“…So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.”

From the words of Lincoln,

“We shall either nobly save, or meanly lose, the last great hope of mankind.” December 1, 1862 Message to Congress