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If the comments regarding why he did not keep this letter private or just to his daughters, please read the pre-amble and you would see that Parade asked him to write a letter to his children, and the children and citizens of this nation. Please read, comprehend then respond.

You will find that many of the negative comments come from an insecurity found in many of those on the other side. They had their chance and failed. They just haven't figured it out yet, and don't ever think that they will.

“America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better.”

That is fantasic! Finally, a leader with the patriotism our founders intended. Our country was built for constant improvement and involvement from its citizens. THAT is what makes the United States a great country. Blind faith and ego was NEVER intended to be patriotism by our founders.

I am so glad Barack Obama will be our President in less than a week. I have great admiration for Obama and the sincerity, tempermant and leadership he exhibits.

Very touching letter. The President-Elect has a lot on his plate... I wish him all the best.

My question– if Sarah Palin wrote a similar letter to her 5 kids, would the people commenting on this site still find a way to bash her for it? After all, they're both parents.

It would seem to me that the American public would be heartened by this gesture whether it imitates another leader or not – our kids (for most of us) keep us true. When we can lie and act in other ways without integrity to others, most people I know try to keep the promises they make to their kids – well I do. I think PEBO's letter should be seen not just as a letter to his kids, but to all kids, and therefore a good way for him to make a promise and commit to keeping it.

Some of you seem so blinded by the political rhetoric and your 'set in stone' positions, you have lost the ability to reason through the things which are put before you.

I am not saying accept it wholesale, but you should be able to 'reason'.

I wonder how many speech writers worked on it for him?

"none of this is about you anyway."

Debi, you're right – he wrote it as a public letter for what can be no other reason than to continue his "all about ME" attitude. So by definition, it's about Obama, not us. Or at least that is what he intended.

Laali, if you had actually read the Parade article (a link to which is included in the ticker post), you would have read:

"PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them."

It's not as if he wrote the letter then came up with the idea to publicize it. In terms of "uninformed," who's uninformed now? Aside from the fact that I'm an Obama supporter with a Masters degree in Communications (specialization – Latin American Political Rhetoric).

As for those asking why a letter and why not just talk to them, a letter allows someone to ensure they say everything they want to say, whereas conversation can leave holes. It also allows the girls to revisit it from time to time.

All in all, Mr. Obama is a very caring, sensitive, and intelligent man and that is certainly a welcome change from the past 8 years of idiocy we've had to deal with.

"Simply beautiful"…gush, gush

"I am going to cry!" …..gush, gush

"…..you have to admit he has integrity and is a great dad" ….gush, gush

Ad nauseam…………

What's the matter with you people? Are you so mesmerized that you can't recognize a self-serving publicity stunt when you see it? If this piece were "so genuine" it would be meant for the girls alone and we wouldn't even be reading it!

Get a grip.

Anything "Obama's" is the Bible, for mankind, right?

AL@ ARE YOU DREAMING? THIS IS NOT GEORGE BUSH.

We have a great man that is working to change our nation, to try to make right what has been destroyed. We still have people in this nation who are so negative and their hearts filled with ugliness. No matter how great Obama is, those people who choose to be ugly will never be happy or satisfied. It would be best that those people just keep quiet. There are those of us who look up and are seeing the positive in Obama. We will work with him to make our nation a better one. I see more positive in him than I have in many other presidents. Be still all you negative people.

All of the people with Negative comments are people who Do Not have young girls. I do. Girls Love letters. My son has a Life Threatening disease. He wrote a letter to his father when he was 9.
His father Never wrote back. Stop being so Hateful ,none of this is about you anyway. I am Proud to have Mr, Obama as our President.

Steve B January 14th, 2009 12:46 pm ET

I think when all is said and done, Obama will be one of the great leaders the world has ever seen, he is the right person for the job.
____________________________________________________
You have absolutely nothing to base that on. I wish him luck and hope he serves our country well.

I think those who are saying "why the letter and why make it public" just don't get it. This letter is not only to his daughters but to every child.
I plan on sharing it with my grandchildren. Sure, he could have just told them his feelings in spoken words, which I'm sure he does everyday. But 10, 20, 50 years from now his children will have this beautiful letter to look back on and remember what a great Dad they have and share it with their children.

Anonymous January 14th, 2009 12:47 pm ET

Barack Obama is a fine man. He will be a good President because
it's written in his stars…..that's why he won, he is the Chosen one
to lead the United States of America at this point in our lives. To those who are still with hatred and anger….wake up….learn forgiveness
and give him and our country the chance to move on. From a teacher
in Illinois
___________________________________________________
Oh please. I dont necessarily disagree with some of this. I am sure he is a fine man, but really "written in the stars?" Learn forgiveness? Yes after all the respect that everyone has shown Bush. As much as I disagree with Bush he is a President. If nothing, that deserves respect.

I am going to make sure that my grandchildren read this letter as it is meant for all of the children of America and of the world. How wonderful to have a president who can put his thoughts into words in such a thoughtful manner,

This cracks me up. What other position could be MORE about "being all about me" and about being "successful:? What other job besides President will allow him to "get the things" that he wants?

His attempt at trying to appear self-sacrificial makes me fall down on the floor laughing.

Whatever! This is not news. Fathers and mothers go to work everyday. Obama is NOT special! I am sick of these non-news clips from CNN. Report some news for once, will you?

Barack Obama is a fine man. He will be a good President because
it's written in his stars.....that's why he won, he is the Chosen one
to lead the United States of America at this point in our lives. To those who are still with hatred and anger....wake up....learn forgiveness
and give him and our country the chance to move on. From a teacher
in Illinois

It's clear from article (the actual website) that he was asked by PARADE to write an open letter to his daughters. The intro at the top of the letter is pasted below,

"Next Tuesday, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. On this historic occasion, PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them."

I'm sure he has had very private conversations with his daughters. However, many people may wonder what his concerns are regarding putting his daughters in a very public life.

He simply gave a response to a personal question in the form of a letter.

I think when all is said and done, Obama will be one of the great leaders the world has ever seen, he is the right person for the job. He will have his dissapointments but in the end he will make us all proud.

Its funny people are mentioning Palin in the comments section of this...None of you (Alaska residents excluded) would have any idea who Sarah Palin is if it wasn't for her nomination being a McCain PR stunt.

There's so much cynicism on this board. Cynicism never put one person back to work Cynicism never taught a single child how to read. Cynicism never stopped a war. Cynicism never inspired one person to stand up to right a social wrong.

Try building up others for once instead of devoting your life to knocking others down.

Props to Obama for doing the right thing. Hopefully other fathers will follow his lead.

As a father with a run-of-the-mill job, I had no reason to write to my kids about my work choices.

If I were a President Elect I would have written to them, BUT kept the letter for myself and them.

Years and years later, my kids (NOT I) would have decided, if make it public or not.

I hope Barak is not already thinking about building up his future Library.............

I cannot believe the mean-spirit evidenced in some of the above comments. I find it incredibly honorable & loving that the President-elect feels inspired to put in writing what he himself feels & what he hopes will be his and his family's legacy to the country, that in this moment in time, needs him badly.

BA

if it's not about him, why did he have to tell the public about it?

GET OVER IT LOSERS AND STOP HATIN'!!!!!

Of course this is a PR stunt. Otherwise, why share a family moment with the country. You can also see by some of the comments that this stunt is working. Yet, he is injecting his children into the national spotlight. They really shouldn't be used as tools to benefit his popularity. Of course, if he is not able to express himself directly to them, then perhaps it is understandable.
What worries me is that line that he is attending to every detail of the transition. Some have already expressed that he is a micromanager and here's some more added to that.

If Sarah Palin did this there would be 700 negative comments and CNN would leave it open for days.

Barack Obama has always stood out as exceptional. What a guy. We are so lucky to have someone with his mind, vision, and integrity to be our next president. I'm proud I gave him my vote!

I wish that my parents had written me a letter when I was a child. What a wonderful insight you would have on your parents thoughts and feelings. I have written many letters to my son and he is already enjoying them. I wish more men were like Obama. Unfortunately that is wishful thinking.

BARB – Do You know your father?

Quick question...if this is so personal, why is it being publicized? Seriously, I wish this guy all the luck in the world...I'm an American. But enough of this self-promotion. Bush is a nice guy, a Christian...look what that got him with the media and you people who have very little respect for the office of the presidency.

He's got something better than political experience; he's got hope and the belief that each of us, regardless of condition, can be better than we currently are. I will share his letter with my daughter and I will pray that the bitter and lost will open their hearts and minds to the possibility of hope and that the forces that thrive on dividing and oppressing those less fortunate will be humbled. Give America and the world a chance at peace and prosperity. Heaven knows we've spent the past two centuries - particularly the last 8 years, embracing hatred, fear and retribution. America, it's okay to be great again.

Why didn't he just talk to them instead of hiding behind the impersonal nature of written text or won' the even tolerate hard questions from his own daughters?

I am so touched by his words not only to his daughters but to this great nation. The world is blessed because of this man and thank God he became our President. My prayers are with President-Elect, soon to be just President, Obama and his family.

BUBA YOU STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN AND WILL FALL ON YOUR FACE MANY TIMES DURING YOUR REIN.

What a wonderful father! We may disagree with him from time to time, but everyone has to agree on this.

I wish the Obama family all the happiness in the world. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I think Obama has more integrity than any of the presidents we have had in decades, but unfortunately the republicans and/or bigots will always throw everything they can think of against the wall hoping enough will stick to discredit him.

GOD this guy really wants copy the gestures of great leaders from the past.. he is already trying to script his legacy even before taking office...

If he wanted to write something sweet to 'HIS DAUGHTERS' why make it public? he is somethig else alright.. There are a bunch of letters from 'NEHRU' to his 'DAUGHTER' Indira Gandhi (who later on became india's Prime minister) during India's freedom struggle.. Looks like Obama is trying to copy that gesture and make a name for himself in the process... what a copy cat.. standing with arms folded like kennedy and comapring himself to camelot does not make him one.. He is a joke.. but unfortunatly uninformed and gushing americans have fallen for his gimmick.. disgusting ..using his daughters name to get publicity for himself..

With a fresh new wave of integrity coming into the White House, I believe, along with the American People, we are in store for great things to come, REGARDLESS of any short-term tough times ahead!
=D orian

This should inspire all worthless, deadbeat dads to step up to plate and start taking care of their children.

I didn't vote for Obama but, as a social conservative, I appreciate his morals and his family values. He really seems like a great dad.

That is a wonderful legacy to leave his daughters and the nation as a whole!

I believe that President Elect Obama and his family will be blessings to our great country.

I just love Obama and wish him all the best !

Growing up without a father has taught me how important it is to have that role model in the home. PEBO exemplifies what it means to be a caring, loving, involved parent. I feel blessed that my child also has what I see in him.....how great is it to be proud of both my husband and my president!

What a crock.

Why the letter? Are they not speaking? It's more of a publicity stunt if you ask me......why else would it be appearing in a magazine??

You go Obama! What an awesome gesture for your daughters! They are 2 very lucky little girls! I am sure over your 4 years (maybe eight) in office they will question many times why you did this.....this letter in the years to come will be a reminder to them.
Heck it made me cry and I havent even read the whole letter yet!

I am going to cry!

i believe that Barack Obama is genuine and he has a good and kind heart and loving spirit. Thats what we need in a good leader! I have high hopes for the future with this kind of man in charge. good luck Mr President Elect you really earned my vote

Simply Beautiful!!!!

He may not have the political experience, but you have to admit he has intergrity and is a great dad. I wish him well.