After having come through the ugliest and most vicious presidential campaign in American history, the country now finds itself trying to heal.
As has been true for the past eight years, we have been able to rely on the calm and graceful words of our President to lead us toward a better place.
On Wednesday morning, after the shocking results of the 2016 presidential election were beginning to sink in, the President took to the airways to ease our fears.
Appearing in the Rose Garden on Wednesday morning, Mr. Obama promised to make the transition as seamless and smooth as possible. He promised to help the President-elect in any way that he can. He said:
“Everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We are Americans first; we are patriots first.”
One of the many fine characteristics of the current President that we all fear we are losing is his ability to put the needs of the nation before his own ego. In a display of the professionalism that has gained him worldwide admiration, President Obama told the nation that a peaceful transition is our most important goal.
Urging citizens on both sides of the election to unify and pull together, he said:
“A peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy, and over the next few months we are going to show that to the world.”
Although he is well aware that his legacy and his greatest achievements are certain to be attacked by Donald Trump, the President nevertheless even managed to be positive about his successor.
He told the nation that what we need most is a sense of unity.
He also urged young voters to keep working for what they know is right. He urged everyone to stay involved, and to stay informed.
His personal pain was nowhere to be seen or heard. There was no mention of a rigged or unfair election. There was no whining, no complaining, no finger pointing.
Instead, what we saw and heard was the same man of integrity that we have watched for the past eight years.
Damn, we are going to miss you, President Obama, and all that you represent about class and dignity.
Watch the speech here, and mourn just a little bit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttnJE2mcgs8
Featured image via YouTube Screengrab.
