I almost forgot about this one. It was just over three weeks ago. I was getting ready to take my son to Cub Scouts. I get a call from PEW. I had never heard of them before, but they said they were a national survey research group. They asked me if I would take a quick survey. I told them I had to go somewhere in a few minutes. She said it wouldn’t take long.

It didn’t take long. One of the questions they asked was something like, “Do you approver of the job President Bush has done.”

I was stuck for an answer. I had supported Bush for a long time. Sure, there were things he did I didn’t like all throughout his presidency, but overall I had always supported him. But about 2 years ago I started getting nagging doubts about him. He was making more decisions I didn’t agree with. His spending was getting out of control. He seemed to have lost the fight in him. He looked tired, old and worn out. I do thank him for keeping his promise of not allowing another 9/11 type terrorist event to happen on his watch, but I am ready to see him go.

I sighed at the ladies question, faced the truth, and told her, “No I do not approve of the job he has done.”

It was a tough thing to realize. He was a good governor of Texas. And he started out a great President. The way he handled the Chinese standoff during the first couple of months of his presidency hinted at a great president. But 9/11 happened. I saw the hurt look in his eyes that day. He wanted to make those who caused it pay. He became obsessed over it. It consumed him.

If 9/11 hadn’t happened, I wonder what the Bush years would have been like? But it did happen and I find myself at the end of his presidency disappointed in him and contributing to his low approval ratings.

I see Obama as our next president. And I see a lot of people looking at him the way I once looked at Bush. I hope he meets up to your expectations. But someone here, Tom probably, said something along the lines about 'not falling in love with a politician because they will let you down'. I was let down by Bush. I hope you don’t get that same let-down from Obama. It is a hurts when that happens and you realize you were wrong.

I do hope Obama turns out to be as great as you say he is, but be careful. Try not to get too attached. When you do that, you loose objectivity. You start to defend them when you shouldn’t. And before you know it, they take you down with them. Believe me, I know. I have done it.

Go ahead and support Obama, vote for him, be enthused about him, but don’t get so attached to him you can’t let him go. Be wary of starry eyes.

I don’t want to be a letdown during you moment of victory. This is just a word of caution. Go have fun. Your guy is going to win. It’s time for you to celebrate. You have earned it.