http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJHdBB3YX9k

Thanks BHO. Striking the right notes earlier today and now.  Really proud of you right now.

Proud of you, and proud of having you as my President.

…I’ll still get all sorts of vitriolic on you when you piss me off but I feel pretty good about what I saw today. From your speech, to the Episcopalian Reverend Luis Leon giving the Benediction, to you staying and watching the entire parade, you hit the right notes. Thank you.

Coming from the Edwards camp and having exercised my privilege as a NH voter to watch the campaigns from their inceptions, I had my doubts about your support and realistic goals for civil rights, the middle class, education, and the environment to name but a few. Don’t get me started on your general election found love of civil discourse after the tone of the primary. No really, it hurts to roll my eyes that much.

Speaking of reasons to roll your eyes… Yes, Edwards. Yes, I know. Done groaning yet? With 20/20 hindsight I am happy that he didn’t win but proud of my support for that campaign. Edwards was an irresponsible and flawed vessel but I loved his message. His platform blew anything else away in my book. Plus, Elizabeth Edwards was a seriously cool and inspiring woman.

Watching the Obama platform take shape and then become this bloated balloon of promises… Well, I was very happy a Democrat won but still somewhat skeptical about you, Mr. President. I was concerned about your preparedness. I was somewhat skeptical of what appeared to the New Hampshire voter in me to be lip service to the very issues I care most about. I was downright distrustful of your commitment to civil rights.

I understand the additional weight taking on issues that very much involve race puts on a man in your position. I do sympathize on a human level. On a voting citizen who is expecting you to get the job done level? Well… I’m sorry it’s tough on you, but you begged for this; you better rise to the occasion.

I still take a somewhat cynical view of your support for marriage equality and LGBT rights in your first term. It was like a bone you could throw to the Left to shut them up about everything else. It just happened to appease one of the best funded and well organized special interest groups on that side of the aisle as well. If that was what was intended, so be it. Well played. It didn’t convince me of your good intentions on any other issue on the Left but it seemed to signify some game playing strategy being in place and I’m all for that.

We started our new relationship -the President and the voice speaking to no one besides the wind- on the wrong foot. Besides being a treasured shining light beckoning our church to the future it is meant to embody, Gene Robinson is one of my civil rights heroes. I was a wee bit put out that I didn’t get to see him on television in 2009.

It took four years but I can truly say I finally forgive you for slighting the Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson on that day. When I mentioned this development earlier to another one of my civil right heroes, My mom, she pointed out that Gene had long forgiven you. I pointed out to her that Gene is holy, spiritual person and I am simply a human being. I can hold a grudge if I want to. And I did. Until this afternoon. Thank you for everything you did to set a different tone today.

The 2009 slight to my tiny little corner of Christianity, the slight to civil rights, it seemed emblematic of the distrust I had for you. My negativity simmered through strategic complaints about Health Care and exploded at the BP Oil Spill response. (For the record, we’re still not square there. Two words: Environmental Disaster. A few more words: Registered Southern Voters.)

I’m a Democrat. I lean Left on a lot of issues. I wanted to see you do well. I looked and looked and started to see flashes of brilliance in strategy and image positioning as your re-election efforts got going. The way your administration conducted itself in the last few months and weeks before the campaign was encouraging.

You sailed through one of the best examples ever of why liberals and progressives need to keep their traps shut about the Electoral College. I exhaled. Four more years to stock the court and beat back the Right. For the most part, your administration’s behavior since Election Day has been a breath of fresh air.

Today’s ceremony, from beginning to end, was hopefully emblematic of a new phase in your Presidency. I was almost inspired by it. That doesn’t happen very often. Inspiration is high praise that I usually reserve for the Big Dog, #42. (I’m a sucker for someone who plays the game well and gets things done.) Emoting strength and tenacity is a tricky balance. Veer too much into bluster or shrill and it makes one look ineffectual. Balance the two and and you might even be able to project determination and ability like someone who can play the game. It’s a new thing thing for me to even conceive of you pulling this off but today you really came off as someone who knows the game and is prepared to play it well.
If you can’t play the game then you can’t expect to win. Lately you’ve been looking like someone who can play the game. Dare I hope this is being actualized behind the scenes too? High-minded is nice. Effective is much better.

Today I am proud of you, Mr. President. That’s a new phase in our relationship. I won’t say I expect good things but you keep this up and I just might.

~Aloha