I just realized today the extent of Obama's political mastery. Watching the most recent news conference, my eyes were drawn to the sign on the podium listing "The Office of the President-Elect." My natural assumption was that this is an office existing in the White House to facilitate the transition between administrations. We haven't had a "president-elect" in 8 years so I didn't even give it a second thought.

However, being the political junkie that I am, I went over the the White House's website to get more info on this office. To my surprise, it technically does not exist as part of the executive branch. In fact, it's not even part of the U.S. government. To be really honest, Obama isn't even the president-elect until the Electoral College meet and officially name him as such. Until then, he's just the presumptive president-elect, although granted that's a mouthful to say...

I know this may all seem to be really nitty-gritty detail points but I think it showcases the overall strategy. The blogosphere and even mainstream newspaper editorials are both praising and critiquing Obama for portraying himself as the "acting president." Despite Obama's attempts to squash the image, many have jumped onto this portrayal (unfairly or not). New York Times Op/Ed columnist Gail Collins even had the gaul to suggest that Bush and Cheney should resign as a "holidy present" and allow Nancy Pelosi to hold the office temporarily until Obama is officially inagurated. This from a relatively respected newspaper!

Reflecting on this and previous posts, I realize the full extent of Obama's grasp of the political world. He is truly a mastermind on a level surpassing most others. First, he brings in rivals from the contentious Democratic primary season and effectively neutralized them as intra-party threats and problems. Next, by portraying a presidential image through this Office of the President-Elect, news conferences with him surrounded by American flags, and even something as little as having reporters stand when he enters the room, Obama has crafted a situation where he can claim "there is only one president" while in effect being the "acting president" by neutralizing Bush in his last few months.

I really do admire the man and his campaign from this perspective. It is true, political brilliance. And it shows you just one of the many factors leading to his win over McCain during this election.

With all the mention of a "team of rivals" and comparisons to President Lincoln, President-elect Obama promised Americans an era of change away from politics as usual in D.C. But what has he delivered so far?

During the transition team announcements of cabinet posts, it seems to be politics as usual Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Rahm Emanuel, former Clinton advisor, as chief of staff. Obama's even keeping the dreaded White House Office of Political Affairs, an office that many want gone.

So what do you think? Has change been put on the sideline as he comes to terms with having to effectively govern?

Over the past weeks since Election Day, numerous articles and an almost uncountable number of commentators ranging from the average Bob (notice not Joe...) to top news reporters have been giving the impression that the Republican Party, and by extension conservatism, is dead and Obama has done the impossible - unified America. But from my viewpoint, this is simply not the case.

Myth #1: The Democratic election cycle win is a mandate from voters.
In this election cycle, the Democratic win came at no surprise. For the past half century, when the economy is bad, the in-party loses at the polls. The Democratic Party always polls well with economic issues because of its focus on giving tax breaks and credits to low and middle class income families. The Republican Party places its faith in the trickle down theory of economics and as such places a larger emphasis on tax breaks and credits to business owners both small and large. With most Republican voters either voting against or simply not voting for Congressional candidates, largely because of disagreements with the original bailout plan, the Democratic Party saw gains in the House and Senate.

Myth #2: Obama unified the nation.
Again, Obama's win came at no real surprise. McCain was never the viable candidate that Obama was. Despite the large Electoral College win, the popular vote showed a much closer race - 52% to 46%. Yes, it's a majority but it's a bare majority. With 46% of the nation voting for candidates other than Obama, I'd make the argument that despite claims to the contrary, the nation is no more unified now than it was before the election. Generally speaking, 40% of voters will always vote Republican, 40% always Democrat, and the other 20% are actual independents who swing the vote each election. On some things we can all agree, i.e. freedom is a good thing, but I would stay away from claiming an Obama unification.

Myth #3: Conservatism is dead.
Simply look to what happened to the Clinton Administration in 1994 for proof of this one. With Clinton's election to the presidency, conservatism was declared dead until Newt Gringrich pulled off the Republican takeover of Congress in the 1994 midterm elections. This election saw the conservative Republican Party split in its choice for a candidate and the party gave it to a ticket with a little to no chance of winning the election. But don't forget that the Republican Party is that of Lincoln and Reagan. Conservatism is far from dead and it will make a comeback in the coming election cycles.

President-elect Obama is at the height of an accomplished political career, riding a post-election, anti-Bush, change is coming, hope is here, euphoria. But what happens when Obama steps into the Oval Office and can't deliver on all his promises. I understand that there are pledges / promises made in campaigns that can't be delivered, i.e. Bush and Clinton's no new tax promises. But does the average Lou? When universal health care isn't passed by the next election cycle, will the Obama euphoria fade? What will happen to Obama supporters when they lose their jobs after he raises taxes on the big companies that employ all those people?

As Americans shake off that nasty hangover from the last 8 years of the Bush Administration, I think voter sentiment will swing against Obama. The Democratic controlled Congress will be hung up by that lack of a 60 seat majority in the Senate, which will result in a limited amount of legislation passed. Gas prices will go back up and large corporations will take their business elsewhere as taxes go up. People will lose jobs. And Obama will have to bear the brute of public opinion. Meanwhile, the Republican governors will be out showcasing conservatism in action as they use their states to proof conservative principles work best.

The coming election cycles may prove a repeat of the '94 elections. And when they do, we'll know that despite cries of "bring out your dead" being yelled from the streets, conservatism is not quite dead yet.