My thoughts on Obama's Speech to the Muslim World

Obama reaches out to Muslim world

I woke up early on Thursday to watch Obama's speech to the Muslim world. I'm glad, I did. Mr. Obama spoke forthrightly and frankly about one of the riskiest subjects in American politics: America's relations with the Muslim world. It was a speech painful at points; brutally honest at others; and strikingly redemptive in the end. A speech this fine deserves to be mulled over and reflected upon. That Mr. Obama chose to deliver it- while clearly aware of the political risks involved in doing so-is a testament to his courage and fortitude as a leader.

Governing is hard. Mr. Obama has learnt that early in his presidency. But as he has also found out; governing is not only about nuts and bolts; it's also about poetry. It's the poetry, people remember long after you are gone. I'm happy that Mr. Obama has found his voice after 5 months of prose. Now it's time to follow the words with substance.

The man is endlessly fascinating. He is not given to cheap flattery or demagoguery. He addresses difficult problems without artifice or adornment. He chooses his words carefully and purposefully. He knows he has the biggest megaphone in the world but deploys it only when he has something meaningful to say. His willingness to push boundaries when it matters most--when it can actually make a difference-- is inspiring.

I love the man. I am not naïve. I know the politics of this place. The neocons would not forgive Obama for this speech. Neither will the Israeli lobby in Washington. It is a speech too mature for Washington's sedated tastes.

Obama would make mistakes. He would compromise at points. That's understandable. Politics, as Otto Von Bismarck noted, “is the art of the possible,” not the art of the impossible. It is tough to govern. You have to make decisions. Some of these decisions would not please your constituents. Sometimes it may mean breaking your own promises. But that's what leadership is all about: the ability to look at facts-even the ones you find uncomfortable- and make decisions based on those facts.

Sometimes, the voice of the people is not the voice of God. I'm happy that it is this man-at this moment in history; not John McCain or somebody else who is making these decisions that affect us all. God bless America.

Leonard Quarshie is a student at the University of Maryland, University College.