One needs to pause to at least recognize the majesty of the moment. There is no question that the United States of America, when it comes to the transition of power, understands democracy. Yesterday, George W. Bush, was the leader of the free world and today, the power transfers to Barack Obama; and, it will be seamless. Like most Americans, I will be swept up in the wave of patriotism as I watch the oath of office delivered, and I clearly want to send my very best wishes to our new President. I also feel like I need to wish him “good luck.” For those of you waiting for the obligatory, “he’s going to need it,” that is too silly for me and demeans the enormity of his task.

My biggest fear regarding President Obama’s tenure in office does not actually have much to do with policy. As I watch the love fests going on around the country whether it is watching Oprah or listening to the verbal tributes pouring in to our new President, I wonder if we are not expecting way too much from any mortal. I feel like he is being unfairly anointed as the next Messiah. I fully understand the depth of feeling; especially emanating from the African-American community. It is heartfelt and it is long overdue, but that does not allow our new President his own humanity. He is not, nor is any President worthy of worship, and make no mistake, in the days leading up to the inauguration, he was being worshipped, and I believe that to be a mistake.

The danger in this kind of adulation is the potential for arrogance. One only need to think of Richard Nixon for people to understand my fear. Nixon was re-elected in a landslide over George McGovern in 1972; we know how that turned out. I am not suggesting that President Obama is arrogant; only that the potential to believe your own press clippings is present. I believe that so far, he has performed admirably placing what he calls “non-yes men and women” in his cabinet. He seems to want to emulate Abraham Lincoln. He could do worse.

But, today is not a day for recrimination or warnings or skepticism or fear. Today is about hope in our democracy. Today, we should believe that economic business cycles can be turned on their ear by the work and policies of one man. Today is a day when Peter Pan truly never did grow up and Dorothy did travel over the rainbow.

So, I’ll be back hard at it tomorrow, but today, I offer my prayers and best wishes to our new first family. God bless them and God bless America

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