Waiting for Obama - The Obama Presidency

It has been more than two months since the end of the 2008 presidential election, and like millions of my fellow Americans I have spent that time waiting for Obama. Enthusiasm for the president-elect appears to have waned little since November 4th, with the latest Gallup numbers showing 65 percent of Americans expressing confidence in Obama's the ability to make a good president.

Is America ready for change? One thing is for certain, the nation is eager for the end of the two-term presidency of George W. Bush. The current president will leave office with a Gallup approval rating in the low 30's.

Of course not everyone is so confident in ObamaÂ’s ability to lead the nation in a time of economic crisis and international strife. Only 36 percent of Republicans are confident that Obama will make a good president according to Gallup.

What Obama does enjoy is the confidence of a majority of independents and Democrats. Gallup's numbers show 95 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of independents expressing confidence in the president elect.

When he does enter office Obama will face a growing number of major challenges few could have predicted at the beginning of his campaign for president. Each news cycle seems to present a new challenge that the new president and his administration will have to face.

Events like the terrorist attacks in India and the Israeli offensive in Gaza will compete with the economy for ObamaÂ’s attention during his first days in the White House. At the same time, the Obama White House will face high expectations from the same people that helped him win the election. Progressives will be eager to see the administration take early action on issues like education, global warming, health care, and Iraq.

Barack Obama has the potential to be the type of leader that brings historic changes to our nation. If Obama is successful, early comparisons to Lincoln and Roosevelt may prove to be accurate. If he fails, the consequences for America and the world are dire.

On January 20, Inauguration Day, a new era in American history will start to unfold. But for now I am still waiting for change. I am still waiting for Obama.

The Obama Presidency is a new blog providing news and commentary about the presidency of Barack Obama.

David Anderson is a News & Politics Correspondent for Gather.com.