Seeing beyond nomination, creating change or more chaos?

By Robert Mitchell | The Olympian's Diversity Panel • Published September 05, 2008

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Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has earned a place in history books by being the first black man to be nominated for president by a major political party. During his walk, his campaign theme has been "change we can believe in." What we have not heard is what that change will look like.

Obama is a very articulate man who has a unique ability of winning people over with his speeches and personality. However, our country does not function on smiles and laughs. Nor can our $9 trillion debt be resolved over a one-on-one basketball game.

Even so, our nation is ready for a change. His speech a week ago did not deliver what the people have been waiting for -- a map that clearly outlines where we are going. He did not convince the people that he is the one to deliver us to the promised land. Many believe he is the symbol of hope America has been looking for and needs during these uncertain times.

It has not been an easy journey for him. Faced with the war in Iraq, natural disasters, controversy with his pastor, financing, and fuel costs, he has evaded opportunities to take a solid stand. Being a great word craftsman, he has straddled controversial issues and chose to take the route that would safely deliver him to his nomination seat. Obama has carefully side-stepped sensitive issues throughout his campaign and avoided situations where expressing his complete thoughts would be damaging. However, a person can stand in the shadows for only so long.

Once he steps into the light, he must unveil the real Obama. He has constantly made comparisons between Sen. John McCain's beliefs and George W. Bush's. He has repeatedly stated that we do not want another four years of Bush tactics. He states: "It is time for a change, and I am the one to bring it."

But is he the one?

Of course, no presidential nominee can fully outline every detail of his action plan for the next four years, but he should be able to persuade the nation to be at peace with him in office. Right now, we are a wounded nation without peace and seeking relief for our injuries. Instead, we have received a Band-Aid or what the president calls a "stimulus check." Listening to the news, all it stimulated was more debt for our nation.

It did not fix the numerous problems our nation has been experiencing. Military spending is out of control, rising fuel prices are sending people to motorcycles; foreclosures are at an all-time high.

So, I ask, can Obama deliver "change we can believe in" or will he cause the pot of chaos to overflow? What kind of change is he offering? One thing is for certain: If he is elected, his victory will be the biggest change our nation has ever seen. He will be given a unique privilege never before given to a black man — healing a wounded nation.

Robert Mitchell, an 11-year fitness professional and owner of Lacey Adventure Boot Camp, is a member of The Olympian's Diversity Panel. He can be reached at robert@laceybootcamp.com.