It didn't take long for "the race card" to make it into the news in 2009. The related story was about Roland Burris. Who had played "the card" and the effect of its playing varied, depending on whose report you read, but "the race card" was clearly played ... and just when I was hoping we could take it out of "the deck"!

Considering our nation's history, maybe that's not such a realistic expectation. But, it has seemed to me that it might be within our reach and I think we owe it to ourselves to do just that ... REACH!

My optimism that we can and should reach for this goal stems from the way Barack Obama's presidential campaign was managed. It was done without him becoming known as "The Black Presidential Candidate". In spite of this, his campaign still played "the race card" when it suited their purposes. Although that was disappointing, I think what Obama's campaign did achieve reveals tremendous potential for further progress in this regard. In order to tap this potential, my recommendation is for Obama to extend what was started in his presidential campaign into his actual presidency. Here's what I have in mind:

First, I'm not suggesting that anyone turn their backs on the fact that Barack Obama is the first Black President of the U.S. In "Wins, Losses, Red-Flags & Goals", the blog-post I published immediately after Obama's election, I noted: "Another 'win' is a truly huge triumph for us, as a nation, in electing an African-American to be President." However, that doesn't mean that Barack Obama should allow his being Black to define his presidency anymore than he permitted it to characterize his presidential campaign. In doing this, I believe he can bring about the removal of "the race card" from our nation's political "deck". If he's willing to do this, I say that he can become "My Hero!". I say it that way because our nation has another public figure, who I already call "My Hero!", who sets a great example for how our next President can succeed with what I'm suggesting.

Before getting into the specifics of the "hero" I have in mind, it's appropriate to address the question, "What is a hero?" Webster says a "hero" is one with "great ability" and "great courage". For me, this combination is essential. A "hero" is not just someone who is exceptionally capable but someone who makes the most of those exceptional capabilities regardless of "the cards they're dealt". In other words, they don't allow their circumstances to define who they are and what they do.

The public figure who exemplifies this for me is Charles Krauthammer. My Wife can tell you that whenever I see he's participating as a daily member of "The Panel" on FNC's "Special Report", she'll hear me exclaim, "My Hero!" Since I, obviously, like to write and I'm writing here for a political publication, it shouldn't be surprising that I admire a guy like Krauthammer. He is brilliant (especially, politically) and he expresses his brilliance masterfully. I covet his talent and that's why I admire him. But, that's not all to why he's "My Hero!" He's "My Hero!" because he insists that his brilliance and his expressing that brilliance masterfully, are what defines who he is and what he does ... not some circumstance that might have befallen him in life. All of us have to deal with life's adversities. Some face tests that are far tougher than others. In my view, the ultimate test is whether we let the circumstances control us or if we determine to have it the other way around. With Charles Krauthammer, it appears that he doesn't even tolerate those around him acknowledging any of his challenging life circumstances. What a man?! My Hero!

Although Barack Obama wasn't my choice for President, he was elected to that post and I want him to succeed. If he's interested, he can even become "My Hero!" by following Krauthammer's example of not allowing his personal circumstances to define himself and his presidency. That will take true, Krauthammer-like, courage, though. It will mean that, while he in fact is our nation's first African-American President, he doesn't allow himself to be "The Black President". And, he'll need to demand that of everyone around him too ... even when playing "the race card" might suit their purposes. When you consider that demographics indicated an overwhelming percentage of African-Americans voting for Obama, versus those who voted for McCain, "courage" is an understatement of what it will take for Obama to take this step. But, those sadly imbalanced demographics further illustrate the need for progress with this matter. Barack Obama is uniquely positioned to accomplish this task. I pray for his courage to try. Just his trying would be an enormous step towards Obama becoming "My Hero!" too.