Suleman Ali

Barack Obama inspires me to be more. 

I'm not the biggest Barack Obama fan but I am a fan.  I'm in awe of his campaign for President of the United States.  I'm awestruck by how he's inspired and mobilized Americans and people around the world (there are Obama action figures in Toys R Us, people continue to sell Obama pins and shirts in Union Square, and people actually hooted and hollered in joy in the streets on Election Night).  I admire his ability to move forward practically and not lose site of the big picture.  I love that he's young and carries a Blackberry.  I'm seduced by his rhetoric, especially his speech about race.  I aspire to emulate his penchant for honesty.  His raw intelligence makes me proud to be human.  His personal history is remarkable and unbelievable.

I can't wait to see what impact such a man exerts in the single most powerful position in the world.

To celebrate, I'm going to Washington DC for Obama's inaguration.

I remain disconcerted by what it takes to become President or otherwise hold political office.  But, in this moment of hope, I'll leave those thoughts for another day.

If you love Obama, read this by Marc Andreessen.  And be sure to read our new President's own books:  Dreams of My Father and The Audacity of Hope.