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Column published the week of January 12, 2009 www.theleeonline.com © 2009, Lee Ostaszewski

Now Batting Cleanup, Barack Obama

By Lee Ostaszewski Barack Obama continues to amaze me. Think about it, after spending two weeks with his family in Hawaii on vacation over the holidays, he did what few of us would do given the same set of circumstances: He came back for his inauguration. I mean, have you seen the news lately? Personally, I would have booked my family on the first flight out of Oahu that was heading to Australia. The Obamas could have taken on assumed names, called themselves the O’Briens or something, and settled outside Sydney and made a new life as kangaroo pelt traders, or whatever it is Australians do for a living when not wrestling crocodiles. I do know they deal in kangaroo skins there, because my son Kevin’s most recent pair of soccer cleats were made with genuine kangaroo leather. Like wearing Keds, I think it made him run faster, jump farther, but in a marsupial, bouncy way. Granted, I’m not smart enough to be a kangaroo hunter, much less president, so what Obama faces in terms of domestic and international problems when he takes office is overwhelming to me. Then again, I’m overwhelmed when the calendar on our refrigerator shows more than three items scheduled for the day. I have a low whelm threshold. I’ve lost count, but I can recall at least a dozen instances in which a news article about the upcoming Barack Obama administration started with something like, “...will provide an early, first test...” As in, “The conflict in the Gaza Strip will provide an early, first test for president-elect Barack Obama.” Or, “The housing market crisis will provide an early, first test for president-elect Barack Obama.” Or, “Training new puppies not to make wee-wee on the Lincoln Bedroom rug will provide an early, first test for president-elect Barack Obama.” How many early, first tests can there possibly be? And at what point is one of these impending crises considered a second or third test? Also, when do they stop being tests at all and simply start being just what they are, another day in the life? Deceased presidents such as Abe Lincoln, Franklin D.

Roosevelt, and George Washington - men who took office in similar times of great national turmoil and uncertainty - must look down from heaven at the presidencies of the Grover Clevelands or Zachary Taylors of our history and think, “How wimpy was that?” Just last week, Obama had lunch at the White House with the three living former presidents and President Bush, and the wimpy factor must have crossed his mind. He wouldn’t say anything, of course, he’s too diplomatic, but he must have thought it. Obama stated how great it was to get advice from Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and the Georges, but what can they possibly offer? Tell him where a good sub shop is located in D.C.? Recommend leaving early for Camp David on Fridays to beat the weekend traffic? Let’s be honest, what’s Jimmy Carter going to say, “You know, Barack, Detroit auto makers were in a real mess when I took office, too. You remember the AMC Gremlin don’t you? Oh, and don’t forget back then we were supposed to be switching over to the metric system. What a headache that was.” Instead, the presidents probably kept their piddly little first-days-in-office stories to themselves. Each of them probably smiled and told Obama about the fun stuff, like flying on Air Force One and prank calling the French president. But to a man, they must be glad it is Obama and not they who will take office during one of the toughest times in decades. In the photo op of the five of them standing in the Oval Office, you could almost feel the relief on the others’ faces. And if you looked closely, President Bush already had his things from his desk boxed up and piled in a corner. This period of time, just before inauguration day, is a lot like those exciting, hopeful days just before opening day of baseball each spring. This is when the future is full of wonderful possibilities, anything can happen, and “can you believe it?” moments await us. On January 20^th it’s, “Now batting, No. 44, Barack Obama.” Let’s hope for some clutch hitting on his part. We need it. ■