Obama Picks Emmanuel, Who Gets Things Done!

So President-elect Obama makes his first and most important pick -- Rahm Emmanuel as chief of staff. Emanuel, 48, has been leader in Congress committed to addressing the challenges facing families across the nation. Since taking the oath of office in 2003, he has been a strong, effective voice for Chicago in Congress. A Jewish politician whose father was Benjamin was born in Jerusalem. He is known as a fighter and Obama said he chosen Rahm because he knows how to "get things done."

Very good! We need someone like that! Emmanuel will be the quarterback for Coach Obama in the White House.

Let us hope that the Obama team can build some bridges with the other side. Vice-President-elect Joe Biden is working on it. On Tuesday night, in his a stirring victory speech, President –elect Barack Obama said of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin: “I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.” Oh, that we might have such a time of reconciliation.

He also hailed his partner in this amazing race, Vice-President-elect Joe Biden: “I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.”

He also made a statement of faith concerning his beloved grandmother: “And while she is no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.”

.Then he talked about the millions of supporters, stating the fact that this was a team election; “But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

“It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory."

It is a victory for all who gave and went door to door and did the small things to win this campaign. But now the battle for change begins. Keep praying! Keep hope alive!