Will power, self-confidence, popular ideas, a seriously competitive nature and at least some kind of charisma are all requirements for a successful political career. Intelligence also really helps, though many successful political leaders seem (at least to me) unable to connect the dots, which proves you don't have to be smart. Weird, isn't it?
More than anything, though, successful politicians must have superhuman endurance. Like our president, for instance. He got inaugurated, a rather huge affair, after which he made appearances at ten inaugural balls. I imagine he didn't get to bed before 3:00 a.m.
No matter, he was up bright and early yesterday. He prayed, then went to work, began to sign executive orders that will reverse the heinousness of the Bush administration. Guantanamo Bay as well as all our CIA holding pens, aka torture centers, everywhere in the world are to be closed within a year. American soldiers must abide by the Geneva convention. No one at the White House who makes more than $100,000 a year is going to get a raise for awhile. He's walking his talk, already! On four hours of sleep. Wow.
I was wiped out yesterday; felt like I'd been run over by a truck. Obviously I don't have what it takes to run for public office.
Thank God!
25 comments:
Forgot to mention: to succeed in politics, you must have money, lots and lots of money.
He didn`t HAVE all that money, did he? It was given to him, and he was the first one to use the internet to become connected with "his people". Our news were full of awe about his smartness in that respect.
But what I think he did most (at least on "the Day") was to give all Americans something for their hearts. Not only did the whole scene look to me as if Louis XIV was ascending his throne (and all the good weather along with it!!) - don`t people love to be part of such movie-like celebrations?! - but he also found the right words to unite them.
Great man, by all standards. Congratulations! Now help him, all of you!
There's probably a Rosicrucian prophecy predicting the fall of the Empire taking place as soon as Obama runs out of coffee.
It's written backwards in the pyramid eye on the back o' the dollar, man, I'm SERIOUS!
Angela you're right - the Obamas are not rich.
The day was transcendent. And it was appropriate to celebrate this amazing rite of passage for our whole country.
As for being over the top, though, that's one thing we Americans love to do.
I am wiped out too.
The long road, the road ahead, the high hopes/happiness/emotion,
caring for an eleven year old,
an Inauguration fundraising party,
together with all those tiny details of which one must be aware,
have left me feeling like I need a very, very, very long sleep.
Hope your hand is healed, your tea is hot and tasty and that you get some rest--today will be 61 in the Midwest--so tomorrow will be warm and bright for you and Jake.
Love
i've always thought that there are politicians and then there are leaders. He has 'the mark', the sniff of destiny about him. I'd say an additional quality (for leaders anyway) is a sense of cosmic timing. Obama certainly exudes a feeling of being right on cue.
...and thank God Caroline Kennedy withdrew. She cited personal circumstances (such as her Uncle's health,) but normally health issues are used as a campaign point in that family. I think it's rather she knew she wasn't going to be chosen so "save face," as well as rumors of her white marriage and balking at revealing her personal finances. Can you tell I am sick of the Kennedys?
Speaking of withdrawal, a new book is coming out very soon about her randy father. My favorite story was told my Marlene Dietrich.
She was performing here in Washington and received a command to appear at the White House the afternoon of her show. It was for sex, of course, and she said how insistent (and hurried) Kennedy was in that she be on top (because of his back problems.) She said, "He had to be out of his mind if he thought I was going to be on top at my age." (She was referring to sagging bosoms and wanting to look her best.) The deed was done (Dietrich on the bottom,) and she got up, tidied herself and went over to do her show at Constitution Hall. P.S. Dietrich said he wasn't very good.
I was wondering about his endurance yesterday, too. And Michelle's. Amazing. I was completely exhausted from experiencing the day from my sofa!
It was amazing how we were all glued to the screen here in my school library on Tuesday.
And yes,I am now wiped out.
I suspect Obama was impatiently waiting (chomping at the bit, so to say) for his first day in office.
Obama will never run out of coffee, for the Empire suffers, and he who quaffs the illustrious Nectar of the Bean shall not thirst, intravenous hydration being a privilege of office, and necessary, for the man has many things before him on his table, including, of course, coffee.
— Nostrildamus
my ma and I were talking about this endurance thing this morning...I can't imagine...when I got to my folks house at 5:30 pm tuesday - I wasn't good for much...I couldn't imagine going to one ball let alone ten. considering what the 3 or 4 days were like leading to tuesday for the obama family, all I can say is they are all AMAZING!!
transcendent was the very word I chose to describe tuesday!!
Reya,
I just logged onto your blog for the first time and I'm loving it.
It's difficult to find like-minded thinkers in the community to which I just moved, so it's great to at least have a cyber community to connect with.
Great blogging and I'm looking forward to more!
Amy
I am with you on that! I wouldn't have the stamina to do it either!(Nor would I want to be in politics.)
he makes it all look easy ...i have to admit i have wondered at times if he might be a machine...
xoxo
Love that arrow. A definite turn.
Also the invitation to post a poem! Will do.
Just a quick observation Angela... President Obama used the internet very successfully, but don't forget Howard Dean who did so much with the grass roots call to arms in 2004. He showed the way, and Obama being a man who knows when to invent the wheel realized and used this powerful tool to his advantage. I salute him for knowing this and this is no way meant as a pan against him for using it. It proves again what an intelligent thoughtful man he is.
MaryLou
Nostrildamus? OMG. THAT is hilarious.
Blonder than you? He doesn't seem machine-like to me, more like some kind of super hero.
And YES Tam, last summer I looked at him, said the same exact words to the Sufi acupuncturist (who was concerned that he might not win the election). I said, "He has the mark, the smell of destiny upon him." LOVE being on your wavelength.
Cube !! You always blow me away with your knowledge of, well, everything, and your stories. Wow. Yes, sounds like you are sick of the Kennedys. I always wonder what it must be like to be part of that family. If I were her, or Ted, I might wonder why I was still alive.
Tuesday generated a ton of energy, as always accompanies rites of passage. Our whole country stepped through a portal into something new, some willingly and in person, some reluctantly, some happily from the library or cafe or their living room couch. I think it's going to take me awhile to take all this in.
Wow.
Funny - my Mom and I were talking about the endurance thing, too. We assumed that he was being fueled by a might boost of adrenalin. (Mom always held it against Dubya that he got a full eight hours every night. She figures a President should be a light sleeper!)
That arrow is fantastic! I love the way you framed it. (It also reminds me of the "U Turn" sign that Nancy Botwin gets tatooed on her bum, though. Do you watch Weeds?)
I don't get that channel, though i've heard it's good.
I don't want Obama to be too sleep deprived. Without sufficient sleep, people make very bad decisions. (of course Bush made horrible decisions even though he got enough sleep. Go figure).
Obama's energy level and ability to focus is amazing, no matter how he does it. Wow.
If a person makes $100,000 a year, how long do you think it will take him/her to notice that they didn't get a raise?
Late-comer that I am, I am loving your blog. Your post contains many thoughts that went through my head yesterday... and I came to a similar conclusion: I need lots more sleep than that, I could never attend 10 balls in one night...wait a minute!!! Why not??? All I need is a good dress to cover up my Crocs!!! Let's go, there is lots of over-turn'in to do in a short amount of time! EEEEeeeeHawww! Yes! xoxo
I was wiped out too. Then I had to get up early the day after & drive 2 hours to play golf then drive 2 hours back home. (Tee-hee). Now today I had to rise pretty early for me to be a judge in an elementary school science fair, grocery shop, do my recycling, get my hair cut, cook supper...wow, I need a rest.
All kidding aside... it does take an enormous amount of stamina/energy, excitement about the job, and a real commitment to caring for all of us citizens. What a special person this takes...not to mention organized!
Great comments, by the way.
A dress to cover your crocs? That's good! I was in bed at 9:30 that night, exhausted. I'm a wimp when it comes to big crowds. Should say, I'm an introvert, and extreme introvert. Shouldn't put myself down.
Ronda, believe it or not, in DC, $100,000 is not a huge salary. I would be so rich if I were making that much, but for many it's not that much. Amazing, isn't it?
That's a great arrow!
i was reading a summary, yesterday, of his first 100 hours - a pretty impressive start!
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