	Bob Hostetler > Writing

Unite Us Now, Senator Obama

by Bob Hostetler

Dear Senator Obama,

Though others may have their doubts (your opponent, Senator Clinton among them), there is little doubt in my mind that you will be the Democrat party nominee for president in a few months, if not sooner. And your success is certainly due in no small measure to your message of hope and unity, as you promise to bring about “change we can believe in.” That would be great, in my opinion.

But why wait? I understand that (unlike former president Jimmy Carter) you can’t go running around the world right now, negotiating with terrorists, bringing about more cooperation between the United States and the rest of the world, changing the way internal politics and international diplomacy are done; that’s not yet your job. It wouldn’t be appropriate. But why not bring about the hope and unity and change that everyone would welcome, right now?

For example, I know you’ve said you plan to meet with leaders of heretofore intransigent “enemy” regimes like Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and begin a dialogue that would surely lead to hope and unity among the nations of the world. That would be a sizeable challenge, of course, so why not unite us now by meeting with your opponent, Senator Clinton, and bringing about change we can believe in right now, in this presidential campaign season? You and she have traded some nasty barbs up till now, but surely she would be a much easier negotiating partner than Ahmadinejad, who doesn’t share your nationality, religion, culture, politics, or worldview like Senator Clinton. So I’m thinking this would be a fine opportunity to show your leadership mojo and bring about the kind of cooperation between Democrats you will achieve between America and everyone else.

And why stop there? You’ve promised to bring our troops home from Iraq shortly after taking office as president, which is of course something you can’t effect until you’re in that position. However, why not show your stuff by negotiating a quick and merciful end to the interminable nominating conflict between you and Senator Clinton, before your party’s chances in November are scuttled? I know the whole process—what with superdelegates in the mix, and indecision about what to do with Michigan’s and Florida’s primaries and delegates, and so on—is complex, but certainly it’s not as complicated as the Middle East. So solving your own party’s primary season woes to everyone’s satisfaction would be a great warm-up act for what you’ll do in Iraq and the Middle East.

And I think you’ve also talked about bringing a new style of politics to Washington, to transcend the partisanship and backbiting and—well, lies—that have characterized our national discourse for too long. So why not do that today? Why not reach across party lines? Why not model now the kind of high-mindedness and sophistication you plan to employ after the campaign? Why use partisan language and tactics now that you expect to eschew later?

In fact, as the candidate who will lead us to a promised land of unity and cooperation, why not lead your pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, there? Wouldn’t it be a great headline-grabber if you could unite the thousands of people in your church with the uplifting message you’ve recently been sharing nationwide, instead of letting your fellow church members wander in the wilderness characterized by the “controversial” messages you have now disowned? Surely uniting a few thousand Chicago church members with those small-town people who are so bitter that they cling to guns, God, and anti-trade sentiments would be a tad easier than bringing about understanding and cooperation between Israel and Hamas, right?

I know that being a candidate isn’t easy, and these are tall orders, I’m sure, for a man whose been working hard for months and still can’t afford to rest on your laurels. You not only still have a nomination to secure, but a Fall campaign to think about, too. But as hard as this campaign has to be, it’s probably a teensy bit easier than being president. And it would be the single best thing you could do to not only secure the nomination but sweep to victory in November. So please: unite us now, Senator. That would be change we can all believe in.

More articles by Bob Hostetler...