Country First

Today we awake with a new President-elect. For the sake of our country, I wish him well.

I do not foresee supporting much of what his agenda will be. I do foresee the same problems in Washington, D.C. that exist now. The liberal white guilt that propelled him into office will not be rewarded with a new tone in Washington or around the country. Maybe now the left will begin to understand that the government cannot legislate human nature. The water will not part and the earth will not heal, as Obama himself has uttered, simply because he was elected.

The transition team is headed by John Podesta. That does not bode well for a tone of goodwill from the incoming Obama administration. You may remember him from the Clinton days. He is hyper partisan and an attack dog. He formed, with financial support from George Soros, the Center for American Progress. In contrast, for example, the Bush administration's transition was headed by Andy Card. Card is a Republican well respected by both parties and a veteran of Massachusetts politics. He is a humble man and works will everyone while keeping good spirits.

The first to be mentioned in a new Obama administration is Rahm Emmanuel, to fill the position of Chief of Staff. This does not bode well for a tone of goodwill from the incoming Obama administration. Emmanuel, a veteran of Chicago politics, is not even tempered or one to work with anyone other than those towing his line. He is famous from the Clinton administration and his frequent remark, "F--- the Republicans." Nice. And, so professional.

John McCain gave a concession speech in Arizona last night that underscored his character. The man is a class act. He was beaten up in the nastiest of ways by the other campaign and yet he forged on with a smile. He has personally been betrayed by Obama more than once in political agreements yet he remained above it all.

President Bush gave a graceful speech this morning in the Rose Garden to reporters. He congratulated the President elect and extended an invitation for his family to visit the White House soon. He, too, has been betrayed by Obama in a personal way yet remains a class act. Obama was given some friendly advice by the President during a White House visit not long after he arrived in the Senate. The President was offering his hand in friendship. In the second of his autobiographies, Obama spoke hatefully of the President.

Character matters. This will once again be evident soon enough.

Country First.