LEADERSHIP CULTIVATION

Security Around Obama Alarms Some VIP Donors

Downtown Washington resembled a militarized zone last week for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, but some major contributors who had direct contact with Obama said they were surprised to find what they viewed as porous security surrounding the president-elect and vice president-elect.

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Rod Blagojevich Obliterated from Office

"..from the state of Illinois, effective immediately." He was also unanimously voted barred from state office.

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Barack Obama is a President of the People

President Barack Obama exudes confidence and it is contagious.  He is quickly becoming the president of the people.  Americans are really excited about the positive energy that he is generating and despite hard economic times, people are optimistic about the future.  President Obama faces high expectations.  However, with a smile on his face, the President has said that he is eager to get started in his quest to get the country and yes even the world back on the right track.  And it appears that the people are committed to helping.

Some critics will try to focus on little things when trying to define the success of the Obama presidency.  But Obama represents an American success.  He is already on the mountaintop and America sits there with him.  There are no more blue or red states or liberals or conservatives or special interests.  Instead, President Obama is leading the charge for a United States of America much as he communicated during his presidential campaign.  He wants a country where it's okay to disagree but advocates doing so without being disagreeable.

That's why it's okay to have Rev. Rick Warren pray at his inauguration and that's why it's okay for the good reverend to invoke the name of Jesus.  We don't all have to be on the same page or walk in lockstep to avoid dismissal as not relevant.  That's the old way.  The election of Barack Obama was the beginning of a new way and the movement which he is leading now has wheels. Persons like Rush Limbaugh who are slow to accept this fact that change has come to America will have a hard time.

Rush does not stand alone as an obstacle to a better America.  He has teammates, because many who perceive change as a loss of power or influence will stand with him.  So President Obama shouldn't be surprised when he encounters resistance from the so-called political Right and the Left, Republicans and Democrats, White and Black Americans, the media, and countless others who will insist on skinning their cats the same way.  However, right now the nameless masses who are heeding the call to help President Obama make positive change a group effort, appear to have the advantage.

Reggie Love: Personal Aide to President Obama

Reggie Love is only 26, but he is as close to the president as anyone. Reggie Love serves as the president's faithful personal aide. He's not family or Secret Service. He's Obama's "body man," a title given to the personal aide of every president and presidential candidate.

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Obama's swearing-in likely the most-watched ever

The 37.8 million figure that Nielsen released yesterday doesn't account for the millions of people who watched the inauguration from school, from work, in movie theaters, in mass gatherings, via the Internet or even the estimated 2 million who watched in person in Washington, D.C.

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Obama Girl Video: Coming To DC For Inauguration

Obama Girl is coming to D.C. for Obama's inauguration, according to the Swamp, and will be traveling with her Web-team "Barely Political," covering various events and hosting her own inauguration party Tuesday night.

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Poll: Obama's popularity grows as inauguration nears

A national poll suggests that President-elect Barack Obama is more popular than ever despite recent speed bumps on the road to his inauguration.

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Obama's Dinner With Conservatives At George Will's House

Tonight, President-elect Barack Obama had dinner with some prominent conservatives at columnist George Will's house

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Geoffrey Dunn: Sarah Palin's Big Obama Lie

She fails to acknowledge Obama's graciousness, and in fact twists it to make her seem like a victim... Oy.

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Dick Cheney finds Obama's inauguration historic, remarkable,

In CNN interview for Sunday the outgoing VP notes significant U.S. progress in past 40 years.

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