The change that scares people
When I recall the way we (who are old enough) chuckled over then-Governor Bill Clinton’s answer that he didn’t inhale, it seemed a small, yet acceptable, even necessary fiction. Few took it at face value, but Clinton deftly appeased some. 
Certainly eight years later then-Governor George Bush brought allegedly much dirtier laundry to the race for the U.S. Presidency. Most voters were not fooled in either case – enough accepted, and forgave, that we put these imperfect men into our most powerful office.
We all expect that those who hold our national security in their hands may lie in response to direct questions at times. So there’s an ethical conundrum always looming: we need to trust the people we elect to only lie when it’s a truly big deal, but then we hope they’ll do it very well indeed.
We hold politicians to a very high standard, particularly if and when they act out of self-interest, which is among the most basic urges. We’re disappointed when a baseball player, or football coach cheats, but we reserve our most vituperative collective outrage for those we elect by popular acclaim who then go on to break our trust.
Now, another eight years have passed, and we have Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy; it’s another improbable upstart best known regionally, albeit with more experience in national politics than either Clinton or Bush had, seeking our votes. Despite the moral tightrope politicians must walk and the numerous disappointments of the past many find his demonstrable candor refreshingly credible.
Some of his detractors, puzzled by or fearful of his ascendancy, allege a certain aura, a spell his supporters have fallen under. “He’s not the perfect man,” they warn any who will listen. Make no mistake: Barack Obama’s not perfect. Thus far, I don’t find evidence of any assertion that he is. Some say his campaign lacks substance, that his rhetoric is merely empty words advocating false hope – supporters point to the Blueprint for Change and his extensive, bi-partisan legislative accomplishments. This modest, imperfect man who speaks eloquently and writes candidly, admitting his youthful indiscretions were willful and real while urging others not to make the choices he admits were mistaken, seems considerably more likely to play straight with us than many others who have sought the Presidency.
Unfortunately, the tactics of the campaigns of his opponents demonstrate that Senator Obama’s mature idealism, his vision, and his polite, respectful style, while marvelous qualities in a leader, are not entirely immune to the most effective, yet underhanded “dirty tricks” one might employ while pursuing elected office.
He has set the bar high for his campaign. So, precisely because Barack isn’t just saying what’s politically expedient, if the country dares to put him into the Oval Office he will bind us all to this higher standard. That change – Senator Obama’s audacious challenge to each and every citizen to be more, to live better, to aspire higher, to deal candidly, respectfully and honestly with each other, and to surrender some of our self-interest – scares people.
We must examine, “where we are and whither we are tending.” Can America live up to Barack Obama’s vision, his belief that we’re all connected as one people? Yes, we can.
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