BY KATELYN GAISER
Lions’ Pride Layout Editor

“Ladies and gentlemen, the 44th president of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama.” These words are what people will be hearing all across the country come inauguration day on January 20th.

To some, this is a problem, an outrage, and a certain mistake. To others, it is comforting, life-altering, and a breath of fresh air.

At the beginning of this election, I had no opinion. All I knew was that we needed a change. Just look where eight years with Bush got us. The question was simple: who the hell is going to dig us out of this hole we’ve so gracefully dug ourselves into? At the time, I simply did not know. I always vouched for Clinton, not only because she is a woman but because I really believe that she stands for justice for all people. She was the president for me. Then, when she got booted from the election, it was down to Obama and McCain. I, for one, could never support another man like Bush. No matter how impressed I could be by McCain at times, or how convinced my parents could make me on his views regarding a certain issue, I still steered clear from the Bush in disguise.

This left me with Obama. I started thinking about the idea of him as president. So many people were quick to judge him. “He’s too inexperienced” and “we’re not ready for a black president,” are just some of the things I heard. Most people thought he wouldn’t get elected just based on these two reasons. I bet if those people could fast forward to now, they’d be hanging their heads and eating their words.

Despite all the negativity surrounding Obama, I was determined to learn more. For months, I’ve listened to him speak, read up on his views, and watched in awe a man who exuded confidence I can only hope to achieve in my life-time. It takes guts and intelligence to come out of the cracks of Washington and in such little time, win the role as President of the United States. This man has something that I know many people in this country believe in.

More than anything, I feel as though he moves people to feel like anything is possible. Just look where the man came from. He grew up in a poor household with a single mom, put himself through college, became a successful lawyer turned Senator, and is now the President of the United States. Hell of an achievement, I’d say. He is the representation of what the common man can become. If anything, I simply admire the guy for trying.

And we can’t forget about the issues, right? Obama is set to change the way we do everything. He wants to cut taxes and re-boost the economy, he wants to put more money into early childhood education, he vouches to invest in alternative fuels and renewable energy, and is determined reduce costs of healthcare, making it affordable for all Americans. A man can certainly dream big, can’t he? But I, for one, believe this man can make these changes. I think we should stop spending so much time bashing the guy and give him a chance to do the job he thinks he can do.

At least he’s not another Bush, right?