An open letter to Senator Barack Obama

Dear Senator Obama,

I heard David Gergen on CNN call your speech in Iowa last night one of the best he had ever heard and "one of the most important political speeches of the year." Lots of other pundits said similar things. Your web site points out that The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson called it "a goosebumps moment" and that The Atlantic's Matt Yglesias called it "Electrifying. Exciting."

I would agree with Mr. Gergen and friends had you just been elected "American - Messiah."

But Dude, it's just the Iowa caucuses.

John Edwards seemed a little out of it when he gave a victory speech even though he lost. (Maybe somebody should send him a note clarifying when to use a victory speech.) But you took the cake.

They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose, but on this January night at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do.

Out of two million Iowans, approximately 91,000 wound up caucusing for you. How do 91 thousand Iowans out of 300 million Americans prove that the country is uniting around a common purpose? Someone had to win. It happened to be you. How do you conclude that this means the country is uniting around a common purpose?

And what is the purpose "this country" has supposedly united around? It's you, right? That's what the 91 thousand Iowans had in common. They were for you. Please don't get carried away. 91 thousand people caucused for you. Good. You beat Hillary. Even better. But don't start sending white smoke up the chimney. The process isn't over and you haven't been elected yet.

You said that in the future, when health care is better, the environment improved, U.S. international relations also improved, and the nation more united, your followers "will be able to look back with pride and say,‘This was when it all began.'"

So all that began last night? In other words, before those people voted for you, no one ever improved health care, the environment, international relations, or the unity of our country? I know you have to brag on yourself some as you run for office, but this is just plain arrogant.

You said, "In this moment, in this election, we are ready to believe again." That sounds like a religious pronouncement with belief in you at its center. Senator, I can't speak for others, but that makes me very uncomfortable.

You called your victory in Iowa, a "defining moment in history." Sorry, but we get a lot of those moments . . . every four years.

Sincerely,

Tom Gilbreath

Posted: 1-4-2008
Note: At original posting, all links were active. Thanks!