read by myfanwy

What impresses me so much about Barack Obama is his ability to put himself in someone else's shoes. Such an ability to empathize, I believe, is what makes a great leader, particularly in a country as diverse (and seemingly divided) as this one. We don't need us vs them, we need us. We need to know what common ground we share--because there is a lot of it, common ground. But then I know this already from my family: We do not all share the same political views, but we manage to love each other and to find that common ground.

More from The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream:

Like most of my values, I learned about empathy from my mother. She disdained any kind of cruelty or thoughtlessness or abuse of power, whether it expressed itself in the form of racial prejudice or bullying in the schoolyard or workers being underpaid. Whenever she saw even a hint of such behavior in me she would look me square in the eyes and ask, "How do you think that would make you feel?"

And:

But for those of us who believe that government has a role to play in promoting opportunity and prosperity for all Americans, a polarized electorate isn't good enough. Eking out a bare Democratic majority isn't good enough. What's needed is a broad majority of Americans--Democrats, Republicans, and independents of goodwill--who are reengaged in the project of national renewal, and who see their own self-interest as inextricably linked to the interests of others.

Basically, Obama has given me a new way to look at this country. He has lifted me up out of my fear of them, and shown me how there can be an us.