One of the things I've been very impressed about when it comes to President-elect Obama is his authenticity and how he doesn't forget his roots and who helped him get where he is.
A few days ago, I ran into a story that really brought that message home-- that Obama is far from an elitist who is out of touch with average folks like me. Instead of choosing to spend his time away from the White House at some isolated ranch or beach resort, Obama says he will be spending much of his time in the very South Side of Chicago neighborhood that helped define him and his meteoric rise.
More below.
My wife and I spent a few days in Chicago a few years ago, and the hotel we stayed in was on the lakefront not too far from the very South Side neighborhood where Obama resides.
It is as unpretentious a neighborhood that you'll find anywhere and far from the isolated corners of the country (example: Crawford, Texas) that the current illegitimate White House occupant prefers.
Here's part of what Obama said:
My Kennebunkport is on the South Side of Chicago," Obama said in a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune. "Our friends are here. Our family is here. We are going to try to come back here as often as possible ... at least once every six weeks or couple months."
My response: Hooray! This is definitely a man who hasn't forgotten his roots and doesn't feel he has to go to some isolated coccoon when he is away from the White House.
The more I watch and hear from Obama, the more impressed I have become. I hope he continues his success right through his presidency.