Welcome Mr. President ... We Have Been Waiting For You!

He is the 47-year-old man with the funny name and athletic build who came out of nowhere to rise to the height of political success. He is uniquely American; the son of an African father, a white mother from Kansas who was raised in picturesque Hawaii by his white grandparents only to grow up and marry a black female attorney from a working class family.

He is a father, a brother, a lawyer, a community activist. He has been a unifying force in the country unlike no other since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drawing a record setting crowd estimated at 2 million to the nation's capitol to watch him take the oath of office today, January 20, 2009.

He is the 44th President of the United States today, Barack Hussein Obama: the first African American in history to lead America. ...

"My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors," said Obama.

As he mentioned during his Democratic nomination acceptance speech in August 2008, on the same day as Dr. King's "I Have A Dream Speech" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Obama is aware of the struggles our forefathers endured so that he could be thought of as the right man for this country, at this time. He is now the one entrusted to fulfill at least part of King's vision by forcing people to see that being able to see past skin color is what is going to help this nation overcome its greatest challenges. While he has not done all the work, he has helped the country takes major steps towards racial acceptance and tolerance.

"We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass ...,"said Obama during his inaugural speech.

He may have fumbled through the oath of office, demonstrating that he is not as great an orator as Dr. King, the man for whom he is most compared; but he has become the voice that's been heard from the plains to the boardroom in this country; a respected speaker and leader who has a way of reaching in and pulling faith in possibilities from nearly everyone. Today, after lifting his hand off the bible used by President Abraham Lincoln, the man who released blacks from slavery, Obama called on all Americans to join together to free this country from its hopelessness.

Said Obama: "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Make no mistake, Obama is also the man chosen to dig America out of the depths of financial ruin, two wars and a crisis of confidence not seen seen since the forties. The obstacles ahead for him will be steep and even he concedes the work to be done can't be completed overnight.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met," said Obama.

So fittingly, he began his day by attending a prayer service at a church that's host Presidents before him since the 1860's. But, he is not like all the rest; a point he drove home in his first major address to the nation.

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"Obama is an inspiration to all the world, and he has inspired me and my family," said, Alicia Cooper, a mom from Illinois. "Seeing him, my kids know that anything is possible."

Still, he is a man who faces the job in front of him with an optimism and determination not seen in years. He infectious enthusiasm has brought him rock star fame, drawing praise from leaders around the world and celebrities and politicians here at home. Some say it's a phenomenon that has not been witnessed since John F. Kennedy in 1961. Much like him, Obama took the opportunity to use his speech to challenge himself and others to rise up.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met," said Obama.

Similar to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945, Obama realized he must have a rescue plan to save the country that's allowed him to break through one of the glass ceilings civil rights leaders fought to shatter. He did that by vowing to steadfastly work on job creation, improving the school, increasing diplomatic ties with America's friends and enemies, and even extending a hand to the Muslim world.

However, he made it clear he'd be tough in the war on terror and ensure the US takes back its place as a Superpower. But, it this line from his speech on this chilly afternoon in Washington, DC today that sums up his vision for his future and America.

"In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations," ended Obama.

Amen, President Obama, Amen!

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