New president seeking unity

Change was the theme of the campaign, but unity has come to the forefront since that momentous election day last November.

We recognize there are myriad political views across this great nation and one would never expect committed members of the rival party to accept fully the philosophy and the approach of the 44th President of the United States. But having said that, one can detect a yearning in America today for unity in facing the big issues of our nation and our world.

In that regard, there is ample evidence Barack Obama is the right man at the right time. He has the gift of inspiration at a moment in history in which a common sense of confidence is sorely needed. And he has, as we predicted weeks ago, entered the presidency with a pragmatic rather than an ideological tone.

The new president displayed that attitude this week while appearing at a dinner honoring the man he defeated in the November election, John McCain. His was a message of conciliation and unity as he joined those honoring a national hero:

"Let us strive always to find that common ground, and to defend together those common ideals, for it is the only way we can meet the very big and very serious challenges that we face right now," Obama said.

Obama hugged McCain and asked all those present and all Americans to help "in making this bipartisan dinner not just an inaugural tradition, but a new way of doing the people's business in this city."

For his part, McCain has pledged to do what he can to help Obama achieve goals that are in the best interests of all Americans.

We know there will be opposition to Obama and his policies and that is as it should be. But we hope the tradition of the "loyal opposition" emerges once again in American politics in creating an atmosphere of civility and goodwill.

There is every indication Obama will foster such an atmosphere as he has reached out to Republicans in the transition period and we anticipate the tone to continue in his presidency.

There is no question this attitude is what the majority of Americans want. It is the approach we anticipated from George W. Bush. He did indeed begin his presidency "as a uniter, not a divider," but he got sidetracked along the way -- we believe by his own vice president and his closest political adviser. But that's another story for another day.

Newsweek's Howard Fineman said Obama has displayed some of the same traits as Ronald Reagan in his desire to reach out and find a broad base for his leadership.

"Obama is thinking big, as Reagan did," Fineman writes. "The new president (far more than either the Bushes or the Clintons) wants to represent fundamental change in American history. If he is lucky, the voters will stick with him when the going gets rough. They stuck with the Gipper because he stood for something basic. Obama has no nickname, but he is aiming for a similar role."

The crowds in Washington, D.C., this week for the inauguration and its associated activities are setting all records. There is a mood of enthusiasm and change in America, especially among young people. This feeling has spread as support for Obama reaches across all the continents.

If one attempts to imagine what it must be like for this relatively young man with the unlikely biography for an American President as he looks forward to the tasks ahead, the thought is how sobering it must be. The weight of the office always is great, but especially so right now with all the huge economic and social problems we face, not only here, but throughout the world.

It is a huge challenge and Obama realizes it will take broad support and hard work in a way not seen since the Great Depression and World War II. The road will be steep and difficult, but the belief here is that he is indeed the right man at the right time in our history.

--REK