Voice of reason emerges from Katrina's chaos
Friday, September 23, 2005
Printable FormatChicago Tribune
Dan Hynes, Comptroller
State of Illinois
This is in reaction to "Judicious Obama turns up volume" (News, Sept. 12ok), which points to the significance of Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) decision to speak out in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina after following a deliberately cautious and low-key approach previously.
Given the indisputable fact that Katrina has had a disproportionate impact on the poor and on African-Americans, I believe it was both prudent and necessary for Obama to step forward.
But, more important, the fact that he has shown himself to be a voice of reason and man of judicious temperament in the past makes him the perfect spokesman and conciliator in what might otherwise be an irreparably divisive debate about race relations, wealth disparities and crisis management in America.
In short I, for one, am glad we have Sen. Barack Obama.
Some might find it hard to believe that I uttered the words of the last sentence, considering I had hoped to hold the Senate seat he now holds but was defeated by him in the primary election of March 2004. But actually it is my loss to Obama that perhaps causes me to apply even closer scrutiny to his first-year performance as our junior senator. And I must say, this is not the first time that I have observed with a high degree of respect how well he has handled himself in his new role--a role never before seen in politics.
To point out the obvious, he is not your typical freshman senator. He cannot walk down the street without being mobbed for handshakes and autographs, and I am sure there is constant pressure to jump out in front of every issue. He handles the fame with humility, and the pressure to grandstand with great restraint.
Humility and restraint: two qualities that will be invaluable in someone who should lead the debate that must take place about the failings of our government's response to Katrina, and the chilling realities that were uncovered relating to the inequities that exist in American society.