I hold my breath today as you assume your presidency for fear of extinguishing the precious flame of hope you have alighted in the hearts of people around the world. Are you the one we all quietly hope you are? Are you that different kind of leader, who truly governs for the greater good, who is guided by a higher purpose?

Deep down I am afraid to hope because I am afraid of being disappointed. In our consumer culture, even our leaders are presented to us as carefully crafted images, branded as agents of "Change" and "Hope". Yet behind the branding, they invariably prove themselves to be that media-savvy, all-too-familiar kind of double-talking politician, guided more by special interests than by the needs of those who cast the ballots.

Deep inside, I have this gut feeling that you're different somehow -- authentic. An individual with a real life story behind him, filled with experiences that might really shape a person with a higher purpose, the kind the world need now to lead it into the future.

So Barack, I beg you, be that man of vision I so desperately hope you are. Be that man of ideals and integrity. Be couragous enough to do right by your country, the world, our children. Do not disappoint us. Let us breathe deeply, with hope, with pride, without fear, and with optimism for a better future for all of us. Let our flames of hope burn brighter and stronger every day. It can be done, it just takes the right person. Be that person. Our futures depend on it!

GO BARACK!

Yours sincerely,
Marie Graf