I Had A Dream

I recall being rather dismissively treated by some of my college schoolmates; not a few of them found me too serious, too cerebral. A friend reported to me that, after my graduation, several underclassmen snickered at my senior portrait in the yearbook (published in the fall following commencement); my friend reported that some of my former Fighting Scots found my printed visage rather too professorial and stern. So, of course, in response to their sour and dour summaries, I cogitated in their general direction.†

The last few posts here at Contratimes prove that I am more than mind: I have a heart that can be quite passionate. And I am passionate about one thing: Even if I disagree with Barack Obama's answers to some of the world's toughest problems, he is my brother. And I've got a lot of feelings about that.

A few minutes ago, I spotted in my email queue a letter from Michelle Obama, Barack Obama's wife. It is titled, "What we didn't expect." Clearly, the title tells it all; I need not read it to know what it is she and her husband did not expect. Sure the cynic beneath my skin could voice rather glibly that she should have expected what most everyone else did -- we knew what the Clintons are like, at least as they pursue their dreams.

This morning, in the comments to my earlier post, In The Breakdown Lane: Seeing Red ... And Feeling Blue, I offered some advice to Mr. Obama. Yes, I know my advice is more heart than head and more dream than crafted policy statement, but it is my advice nonetheless. It is the idealist in me -- informed by cynicism -- that speaks here; it is the speech writer hidden in my breast that wishes to hear someone speak what needs to be said. I am reminded of the title of a book by Frederick Buechner given me this past Christmas; the title is drawn from Shakespeare: Speak What We Feel, And Not What We Ought To Say. It may be my dream, but it is a dream wherein my feelings are remarkably clear, vibrant, ringing like bells hammered on a crisp winter night.

My advice to Mr. Obama is for him to say the following during his next debate with Mrs. Clinton:

'...if leading this country, Mrs. Clinton, means that I have to act and campaign like you do; if it means being mean-spirited and cutting and underhanded and duplicitous; if it means that I have to offend my convictions in order to score political points over you or any rival, then I must say that I am tempted to walk away from this race. I shall not stoop to what you believe is "real politics;" I reject that very reality. Call me naïve and unrealistic or "unprepared;" I'll gladly take that as a compliment coming from you. But I believe in a presidency that is shrewd and prudent without dishonor; that is wise without mendacity; that is able to confront problems without feigning omniscience. I am a man who seeks the highest office in the world; but if you embody that office's ideals, then I can only say that -- for me -- the office is no longer sufficiently elevated. I want no part of it; my feelings are clear. I am not running to foment cynicism. I am running to lead this country towards greatness. But I can't be a great leader, Mrs. Clinton, if I follow you where no great leader should ever go.'


Peace.

©Bill Gnade 2008/Contratimes. All Rights Reserved.

PS. The cynic in me suspects projection as a political weapon: I would not be surprised (forgive me!) if it was Mrs. Clinton who said something like what I've written above ... to Barack Obama!!

†Monty Python fans should get this allusion.