History in the Making

Today, all living former and current U.S. Presidents will meet with President-Elect Barack Obama. They will sit down together for lunch in the small mess hall adjoining the Oval Office. They will have an opportunity to share the ups and downs of the responsibilities of the leader of the greatest nation on earth.

I hope this is good for Obama, for our nation. I hope he gets it that this is not a democracy, but a republic. I hope he hears the regrets that follow long after you've left office; the lingering doubt over controversial decisions that only he can make. But I also hope he hears the pride in serving, the pleasure taken in a job well done for the nation, not for his party or even his particular beliefs.

I applaud Mr. Obama for asking for this meeting. He would be wise to pay very close attention to those who've served before him. God bless him with wisdom from You, and with peace. We all need it.