Who's Obama? Who doesn't know Obama after his stunning display of leadership qualities? Obama is a true leader who has character and judgment, and who is an inclusive populist, brilliant and funny.
In many instances, Barack Obama has demonstrated courage, especially in speaking out against the Iraq war. His position could have cost him politically, but he was not afraid to challenge the establishment--both democrats and republicans. McCain called himself a maverick, arguing that Obama always voted with his party while he, McCain voted for the war to be on the "right"- side.
Obama also has a great personality. He's calm and well-balanced enough to not let success and power get to his head--as opposed to John McCain, who seems to constantly swing from one tactic to another without having a clear well defined campaign strategy. Obama is well organized and capable of delegating responsibilities while keeping things under control. He doesn't need to show that he's tough but instead, he is always calm and consistent in his performance, and able to excel under pressure. This is true leadership, and the positive spirit he shows in his campaign is contagious. Just being in his campaign with other volunteers is electrifying and inspiring, which helps mobilize people increasingly.
This is my first time ever in almost my forty years to be interested in a political movement. I'm encouraged every day! I came to realize that politics and politicians can only succeed if they work with the people and for the people. All of the leaders who failed lacked the will and the gift to connect with the people by giving them a voice and treating them as grown ups, for whom goals can be set and discussed with transparency and integrity. This is what Obama's administration will be about.
Obama's story is inspiring to me because, like Obama, I had lived outside the US. Belgium is my adopted country.
My parents sent me to boarding schools in Europe when I was 8 -10 years old. I was raised by my adoptive European parents and grew up in an environment completely white. I traveled from one country to another and spent my life in 17 countries (Austria, Belgium, Greece, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Austria and Nordic countries just to name a few). I worked hard to earn an industrial engineering degree with major in Applied Economic sciences and an MBA certificate in Economics and Financial Accounting from Boston University sponsored program, which would have cost me far more in America.
After graduation, I wrote at least 200 letters before I could find a job at a renowned European university with a minimum salary where race was always an issue to get a decent pay.
Contrary to America, where we have Equal Employment Opportunity law, it was not until I was hired by an American Corporation that I finally started to pay off the costs of opportunity of my Higher Education. I then advanced in my career when my American Corporate Headquarters decided to transfer me in the Washington DC metro. Please note this would have NEVER happened if it was not for America. Therefore, I know the way I love this country can't be close to the way Obama does. He loves this country so much that he chose not to be on Wall Street but on Main Street side.
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