An Open Letter to the President Expressing My Deep Appreciation

Mr. President,

You were, during the campaign, a blank slate on which the voters wrote their expectations, ignoring the expectations of others as if they were written in invisible ink or not written at all. And yet, instead of following the etchings of any group, you are what you said you would be - a liberal, compromising pragmatist who values accomplishments - however small - above all. You are simultaneously what everyone wants and what no one wants.

Or, rather, you are not pure enough for anyone. You are the President we say we want rather than the President who will receive more "yes" responses than "no" responses to the question, "Do you approve or disapprove of the way the President is handling his job?" We say we want change and change in politics but we are not yet ready to appreciate the nuance of true governing. We are not ready for the nuance to leave the meeting and stand at the podium.

Perhaps you are ahead of your time and perhaps your time would never have come; perhaps you should have created your time. Perhaps you are still learning and perhaps you truly are naive. But I want you to know that I appreciate you. I appreciate your dignity and your effort, your respect of nuance and preference for achievement over spotlight.

I may not always agree with you but I am glad you are the President. I am glad for your courage and calm in the face of multiple potential catastrophes. I see you as a man building protection against disaster while repairing damage already done and reassuring the people behind you, even if the last listed is your last concern. You are a man who could make history if only you found the time to tell the right historians.

An egotist in all likelihood, a snob probably, you are the hope of a nation despite your failings and because of your virtues. I only ask the world of you before you realize how different we are from the ones you called upon for votes, understanding in hard times, and national unity.