Thanks to Scot McKnight for pointing out this letter from our President-Elect to his two daughters. Better days are ahead.
Dear Malia and Sasha,
I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.
I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.
I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.
She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
Love, Dad
I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.
I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.
I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.
She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
Love, Dad
I actually found this open letter very offensive. He wants to protect his children on one hand, but then he wants to use his children to pander to America and turn the papers of this country into a tabloid of his private life. Instead of loving his children and writing this letter privately, he just used his children to make points in the polls.
Generally I have a lot of respect for our president and even voted for him, but I thought this letter was the height of self-centeredness and tackiness.
Posted by: Friar_Tuck | January 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I didn't read it that way at all. I saw it as a glimpse into the relationship he has with his daughters and his hope for the kind of world they will grow up in.
We don't know if it was written to be made public, or exactly how this letter came to light. I think we need to take it as face value - as a letter written to his daughters expressing his heart.
Posted by: Mike | January 20, 2009 at 11:01 PM
It was an open letter his people sent to the newspapers.
Posted by: Friar_Tuck | January 20, 2009 at 11:15 PM
I wasn't gonna say anything on this one, but I kinda saw it more Friar Tuck's way. Now, I wasn't disgusted because it just seems like a normal politician thing to do. But, it does seem like a bit of a joke to say that the letter was written to his daughters. It did kind of seem like their names and references to them seemed more like a literary device rather than indicators of their being the primary recipients.
The other thing it reminded me of was the wailing wall prayer that was "leaked" accidentally. Although, at the time that one seemed worse somehow. Again, I'm not really disgusted or anything. I just think that it clearly wasn't written for just his daughters. Its a well-planned political move to arouse support. And he's gonna need all the support he can get because the Democrats in the House and Senate are already giving him trouble. We should all be praying for him.
On a lighter note: Thankfully Obama is already moving towards reversing anti-abortion policies through his executive orders by around Thursday. YES WE CAN!...help kill babies.
But seriously though, I will be praying for him.
Posted by: Derek Rishmawy | January 21, 2009 at 07:42 AM
I kind of felt it like Tuck and Derek. If it was really heartfelt and genuine, why leak it to the press. It comes across very fake. Call me a skeptic, but I'm still seeing the president as saying the right things (or trying to), but not really seeing anything behind what he's saying yet. Everyone is giving him so much credit but he has accomplished NOTHING in his political career yet. So far all talk and no ....
I still have hope, but not as much as many people do. It's appeared like everyone has been following him blindly (almost brainwashed or hypnotized). It's been really strange. I haven't drank the Kool-Aid so to speak. I do pray he does end up being a great president. We do really need one right now.
Posted by: Steve | January 21, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Okay, so I came across this random video of Jon Stewart analyzing Obama's speech yesterday and comparing it to Bush's. Its kinda funny...
http://msunderestimated.com/2009/01/21/daily-show-what-differences-between-bush-obama-video/
Posted by: Derek Rishmawy | January 21, 2009 at 12:15 PM