In the 1972 movie "The Candidate," Robert Redford plays Bill McKay, a thirty-something Californian who couldn’t be further removed from politics. Despite being the son of former governor John J. McKay ( Played by Melvyn Douglas), Bill was never interested in politics and instead acts as a lawyer for liberal causes. Yet, he is convinced by Marvin Lucas (played by Peter Boyle) and others to run for the U.S. Senate in a seemingly unwinnable race against a powerful incumbent senator. Knowing full well that he will lose, McKay decides he can use this opportunity to speak to groups of people and spread his liberal values. Well, he ends up winning the race.
As the film nears the ending, McKay leaves the victory party, grabs Lucas, and pulls him aside. In one of my very favorite movie lines of all time McKay looks at his campaign manager and asks: “Marvin ... What do we do now?” He never receives an answer, and the movie ends.
Flash forward. It is Wednesday, November 5, 2008. The day after what is arguably the most important election in United States history. I sure hope that somewhere in Chicago, President-elect Obama is not looking at his people and asking the same question Bill McKay asked. Instead, I hope that he is saying, "Let's get started. We have a l lot to do!"
The entire world is looking at Barack Obama. How can he possibly live up to the tremendous expectations that will be piled on him? He is taking over a failed presidency. The economy is spiraling downward, we are fighting two wars, too many people do not have adequate (if any) health care, banks are foreclosing on houses all over the country, Roe v. Wade is an emotional time bomb waiting to explode, and on and on. Why would anyone want this job?
Interestingly, I did not include education in the above list. I do not recall print, television or radio campaign ads that focused on education-related topics because education was not a major issue in this campaign. Yet, the new president will be faced with the reauthorization of NCLB. Will this issue, which is so important to the future of American education, stay buried underneath the issues du jour? Who will push education to the front burner of American politics?
I ask these questions as an educator who passionately believes that education is the cornerstone of our democratic society. We educators must be the force that moves teaching and learning back into to its rightful place among the important issues of the day. I hope President-elect Obama realizes this as well, and I hope he has what it takes to implement the changes he has promised. I know I will be supporting him.
Though I appreciate your well written blog -- I have to disagree with one comment
"He is taking over a failed presidency."
He is not taking over a failed presidency -- if you look at GWB full 8 year term, he accomplished some remarkable things and supported and sustained us through some horrific times. Yes, he made some major blunders as well......but as I remember -- it is "WE THE PEOPLE" not "HE THE COUNTRY".
I think Obama is taking over a "discouraged nation" and that discouragement's blame does NOT lie on my man's shoulders.
Where America is right now -- with health coverage, with house's foreclosing, with issues of morality from one end to the other -- is not due to a failed presidency.
My verdict is still out on Obama. There is nothing he has proven yet except future promises.....which I hope he can fulfill.
Posted by: RW | November 05, 2008 at 09:58 AM
In any election, the "new guy" has much to prove. The "old guard" leaves with pro's and con's attached to their name. That is the business of democracy.
Agreed - "...Obama is taking over a "discouraged nation" and that discouragement's blame does NOT lie on my man's shoulders." But it does lie on one figurehead. Whether is was specifically him, part of his cabinet, or anyone else in the administration that created a concept, generated an idea, or established a platform, it is ultimately the figurehead that gains either credit or blame. Again, that is the business of democracy.
It's not perfect, but it's ours.
Posted by: Marshall | November 05, 2008 at 01:43 PM
"A discouraged nation."
Well put. I'm going to start using that.
Posted by: Gray Rinehart | November 06, 2008 at 08:39 AM
He will be good president of USA and will be positive for education in USA.
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Posted by: TExES test | November 08, 2008 at 07:39 AM