You have a vision. One that's really going to make a difference. You share it. You inspire great expectations. Many people, even your critics, are excited to see what impact you will have. People struggle to remember a time when they felt more hopeful.
Fast forward two years. You're frustrated that you haven't made progress as quickly as you had hoped. But you still believe in your vision. It's just that now you understand better what will be required to deliver it. You acknowledge that, on prime time TV's 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart':
Stewart: "You wouldn't say you would run this time as a pragmatist, you would not, it wouldn't be: 'Yes we can, given certain conditions...'"
Obama: "I think what I would say is: 'Yes we can, but...'[pause]"
Everyone: "Ha ha ha"
Obama: ...but it is not going to happen overnight".
Curse that slow delivery - in both senses. The prayers of commentators and columnists around the world with space to fill answered, with one pause.
Meanwhile, the mid-term jury may have returned its verdict, but we'll have to wait to see whether Obama's record in history will speak of transformation or ideas without substance.
Any successful enterprise achieves a balance of vision and pragmatism. I have just one question for those who delight in the cheap shot: what is wrong with having a vision and acknowledging what it will take to deliver it?
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