[Jeff Higgins]

O.k., o.k., here goes... Obama. I can live with him as President for what are probably some unusual reasons. I think he is young enough to still break the mold. While it is a given that to even have a chance these days any candidate has to be "in" with the "right people", and those people expect certain things in return for their money and support, he might just turn out to be a maverick. If he ascends to the Presidency this relatively early in his career, he may very well adopt the philosophy that he no longer needs his "handlers". He may very well lead the country rather than follow the polls like his Democratic predecessor, or his myriad of questionably motivated advisors like out current President.

If he leads from his heart and follows his instincts, he will break the mold established in the last several Presidents of cowing to big-money interests. Maybe, just maybe. After all, he would no longer need them to fulfill his own aspirations. He will have achieved that enviable position early enough so that he may still be able to see the forest amongst the trees.