The Mr. Barak Obama I knew

Soon U.S. President Mr. Barack Obama will step down leaving office for the greatest nation on earth. After eight years in the White House, Mr. Obama shall be remembered as one of the finest world presidents. His character is unique and his leadership style was unparalleled.

I was told that many Americans judged their president for his colour. I believe those citizens were not the smarter ones. Several speeches that President Obama have said in public, qualify as master pieces in morals, ethics, values, and literature. Those who’ve failed to recognize all that, shall judge him only by his colour or roots.

The promises that he made and could not deliver was not because he was unwilling. The slogan that he made during his election campaign about change was genuine. After assuming the office duties, he realized that he was tied by the codes, legislative system, and the bureaucracy of Washington D.C. That did not stop him from finding ways and means to overcome the hurdles put it in his way. However, he was cut short several times from implementing radical solutions for conventional policies.

His wit, good thought, humour, modesty and down to earth approach, made him the most globally likeable U.S. president in the 21st century. He tried to reach in global depths around the world that is unrivalled except by few U.S. presidents before him.

He saved his nation from colossal bankruptcy. He tried to heal also the open wounds that resulted from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. A war that America did not have to pursue or engage deeply in. A war that created big controversy and deep divisions in the unity of his nation.

During his time peace prevailed and the economy healed in USA. There were no nationally dramatizing events such as those found during George W. Bush presidency. No IT bubble. No Enron scandal. No 9/11. No international wars. And no economic global crisis. The best way he managed to keep the press busy and amused was by telling delightful and smart jokes during the press annual dinners.

The well-funded misinformation campaigns continued against Mr. Obama throughout the eight years of his presidency. It started with his parents, his birth certificate, his faith, his loyalty to the nation, and his international ties. He survived gracefully all such unfounded claims.

He was well supported by his good friend and vice president Mr. Joseph Biden. The man who preferred to stay in the shadow with a soft silent smile and a will made of steel.

The charm of Mrs. Michelle Obama was Barack’s second best competitive weapon against vicious Fox News attacks on him. She indeed stood firm and solid in support of her husband and her family. She proved to be the perfect First Lady for the man with the top job in America. I believe that she had a very positive influence on her man that can be compared only by the good guidance of his late mother.

Mr. Obama recent and last visit to Canada as a U.S. President in 2016, was met with great warm welcome at the official and public levels. That was contrary to his predecessor who was welcomed in Halifax in 2005 with several middle fingers waving high in the air. The speech Mr. Obama delivered in the Canadian Parliament, echoed ocean to ocean with positive vibe and cheerful spirit among all Canadians. “The world needs more Canada” he said.

As a Canadian businessman, I can never judge the presidency and legacy of Mr. Obama. However, I always admired his value system and his human side. Not all the decisions he made as president may be perceived as representing his true character. He is more a man of peace and human understanding. I always believed, that such ethical system is where Mr. Obama finds himself more at ease and true content.

His biggest fault in the eyes of some of his domestic critics that he was not a “white cowboy” or hawkish enough. Those guys will miss his leadership the most in the coming years. History will tell that Barak Hussein Obama was one of the best presidents America ever had in the oval office for generations.