Optimists rule - for now

Marsha Mercer
Published: November 16, 2008

WASHINGTON

I usually hear from my distant cousin in Italy at Christmastime. The day after the election, though, an e-mail popped up.

“Many greetings for Obama!!” Paolo’s message read.

Diann, an American friend who lives in England, e-mailed me a few days later.

“I am still pretty much in PinchMeI’mDreamingVille, but it is grand to feel proud and optimistic about America,” she wrote. 

Since the election, I’ve heard from many old friends and family members and read the news stories about the global euphoria brought on by the presidential election.

What optimists they are. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad so many people are happy about the president-elect and the future of the United States. The way things are going — war on two fronts, rising unemployment and mortgage
foreclosures, plummeting house prices and 401(k) balances and the stomach-churning gyrations of the stock market — it’s good anyone can find a ray of sunlight.

But lately it also seems like many Americans are “walking on sunshine,” as that preternaturally joyful, 1985 hit by Katrina and the Waves put it.

Expectations for Barack Obama could hardly be higher.

The Gallup organization surveyed Americans the weekend after the election and presented 16 possible goals for the Obama presidency. Most people thought he’d accomplish 13 of the 16, no problem. 

Of those surveyed, 80 percent thought Obama would improve conditions for minorities and the poor. And 76 percent said he’ll increase respect for the United States abroad.

Improve education? Improve the quality of the environment? Yes, said seven in 10, to both.

Can any mere mortal — even one as smart, disciplined and gifted a communicator as the president-elect — do all that? 

In his victory speech to cheering masses in Chicago’s Grant Park on Election Night, Obama said, “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this
defining moment, change has come to America.”

But even then, he tried to tamp down expectations — and suggested that he might need a second term.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there,” he said.

And, he declared, “ I promise you — we as a people will get there.”

The last time a Democrat won the White House on a message of hope, his victory speech also stirred many to tears.

Bill Clinton was a year younger than Obama is when he spoke to a jubilant crowd in Little Rock on Election Night 1992.

“On this day, with high hopes and brave hearts, in massive numbers, the American people have voted to make a new beginning,” Clinton said.

Gallup says we have been here before. Americans always start out optimistic about their presidents. That includes George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Like Clinton, Obama promises to reform the nation’s health care system. After the Clintons’ attempt in the 1990s, we know what the definition of debacle is.

But when Gallup asked if Obama would “improve the healthcare system,” 64 percent said yes.

Obama faces a harder time than Clinton making good on his promises because of financial constraints. Besides, in 1992 we did not have calamitous predictions that the American economy could
crumble into another Great Depression.

Some optimism is necessary these days simply to get out of bed. But people shouldn’t expect miracles. 

In the Gallup survey, 67 percent said Obama will reduce unemployment. And 64 percent said he’ll create a strong economic recovery. 

So far, Obama has been busy putting a government together. He hasn’t tried to persuade balky members of Congress to do what he wants. But the images have been great.

When Obama visited the White House, photos showed him standing taller than Bush, literally.

Gallup didn’t ask if Obama would be able to deliver minty fresh breath, a trimmer waistline and the ability to sing on key to all, but my guess is, right now, people would say, yes he can.

Walking on sunshine? This is as good as it gets for the next president of the United States.

What do you think? Comment below or e-mail .