It's no longer a matter of months, or weeks, or even days. Now it is just hours before Barack Obama raises his right hand and solemnly swears, upon the same Bible Abraham Lincoln used in 1861, to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution.
And in that moment, America will be reborn.
You can see the rebirth happening already. The immense crowds are already gathering in Washington, and anyone who watched that HBO concert today must have found their soul stirred and their eyes moved to tears. Just the picture of Obama, at the Lincoln Memorial, speaking to the masses under the watchful gaze of our greatest of presidents...the torch passed again.
By an immense stroke of good fortune, I will be among those masses Tuesday, just a proud citizen witnessing one of the most breathtaking events in American history. It's impossible to express the emotions I will feel going there, because there's nothing in life that can compare to being at an event of this prestige.
Through 23 months of being part of this movement, what has been so beautiful to see, especially in these days leading up to the inauguration, is the sense of support and good wishes that people of all persuasions are giving Barack Obama.
To me, that goes beyond common courtesy, and even goes beyond the fact that Obama is following the disastrous presidency of George W. Bush. It relates to a theme common throughout our history - our need for a hero in tough times.
Usually, it's the kind of impulse with its roots in military struggles. It's what drove Americans to support Washington and make him our first president, and helped push men like Jackson, Taylor, Grant and Eisenhower to the White House. Immense success on one field of battle translated into votes and the Oval Office.
Obviously, the military question doesn't apply here. Instead, it's the historic oddity of having seen, twice in our nation's annals, the specatcle of a failed presidency followed by the glory of another.
James Buchanan did nothing while seeing America ripped apart by slavery, yet it set the stage for Lincoln and his incomparable achievements. Herbert Hoover did little for three years while the Great Depression worsened, but out of those ashes came FDR, arguably the best president of the 20th century.
Sound familiar? Well I believe, and surely all of you do as well, that our trying times gives Barack Obama a chance to be one of our great presidents. Look at the way he has already inspired millions to improve their own lives, and made people around the world look at the United States in a more positive light.
The work to change America only began with Obama's election and his inauguration. We know the burden he faces, but he cannot do it alone. We must, in the months and years ahead, work and strive and volunteer in our communities in the same positive, YES WE CAN spirit that made our campaign so special and successful.
First, though, comes that pep talk on Tuesday, with the whole world watching. We are all ready for it, too.
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