November 4^th saw the election of America’s first black president. Illinois Senator Barack Obama was elected to the office of President in a landslide electoral victory over his challenger Arizona Senator John McCain. Many have lauded the impending Obama presidency copiously in light of America’s less than stellar past concerning racism. But one aspect of concern is the potential for race-politics. We all watched while the jubilant masses celebrated in Grant Park in Chicago, elsewhere in the United States, and the world over. If you kept up with the international news and newspapers you were inundated with leading stories and front page articles after front page articles praising the Senator. While I will be forth coming in saying that I did not vote for Senator Obama and neither did I vote for Senator McCain. In bringing up the issue of race politics I only bring attention to an ever present issue. The question is, will Senator Obama use or refuse to play the game of race politics. It is every American’s duty to be educated on the political issues of the day. And in that it is the right of every man to question the government in which he has elected and put his trust in. And in saying that when I look at President-Elect Obama, I do not see a black man, I simply see a man. A man, who will place his hand on the Bible, will raise his other hand in the air, and solemnly swear to uphold and defend the Constitution. By that oath to our United States Constitution I will judge him, no more, and no less. I will not judge him as a black man; I will judge him as a leader of what is left of the free world.

I do not profess to the know the mind of President-Elect Obama on this matter, but I do hope to see him repudiate all notions of race politics should this issue arise. Furthermore, I think it is a cheap way to undermine any opposition to President-Elect Obama as in today’s political climate charges of racism are swiftly reacted to. As for me I choose to set aside race as a factor in my criticism of the Constitutionality of any future choices of President-Elect Obama and do not desire to play such games with anyone. The jury is out on President-Elect Obama, and I for one will be there as a devoted defender of the Constitution to make that this precious document and President-Elect Obama’s oath are upheld.

JDB