There was a palpable excitement when Obama spoke. Yes, Edwards was caring and compassionate, Clinton gracious and concerned, and both of them would also bring change and also could be, might be, great presidents. But something else was going on with Obama. We were in the world of possibilities, where the best of who we could be could come to the forefront, and we could dream and en-vision a much better future. We could see what America might be, with better, more caring, more enlightened leadership. We could hope, instead of make decisions out of fear. We could be raised up rather than put down.
Perhaps this comes about because Obama is a man that has lived in many different worlds. He knows the white world, the black world, the Asian world, the African world. He knows poverty and the life of the middle class. He knows issues, problems, challenges from the inside out. He knows how to reach consensus and unity without compromise. He knows individual and national identity. Perhaps this is what is needed in these troubled times.
