Calming Down

I want to pick up on a change of mood abroad towards Obama that seems to have grown over the last couple of weeks.

Indonesians have demanded that the Government remove a statue of Obama from their National Park in Jakarta - it's been moved to a school. The Middle East embraced Obama with open arms when he gave his rousing speech in Cairo and now they accuse him of empty promises. And China is now on the attack after giving him a positive welcome in Beijing.

Has Obama let them all down? I doubt any country or region of the world would suggest this accept perhaps the Middle East. Most would have to admit that they got caught up in the euphoria that we all felt for Obama on his election. What's happening now is just a correcting of hopes and aspirations.

In all honestly, Obama could never live up to the euphoria that surrounded him. However, I think what's happening highlights the need for Obama to make choices and be selective in his moves/arguments/actions going forward. He needs to correct his course.

I heard a great quote once that I use often - Strategy is all about Sacrifice. It's true that there's a lot on Obama's plate but success will come with being selective - he will need to choose what really will make a difference in coming years.

Perhaps the advice that Clare Boothe Luce offered to JFK in 1962 should be mentioned to Obama. She said "A great man is one sentence." Abraham Lincoln's was "He preserved the union and freed the salves." Franklin Roosevelt's was "He lifted us out of a great depression and helped us win a world war."

What will Obama's be "America's first black President."? That's not enough in my book.