I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about the election of our 44th President.  I am completely and utterly ecstatic, but I really didn’t know how I could top what Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America, said at Grant Park:  “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

Then I got an email from him.

It’s from his campaign, of course, but it hit home.

———————————————————————————————————

Evan —

I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack

———————————————————————————————————

Because of me.  Because of you.  Because of US, most importantly.  How does Barack Obama (or his campaign, if you want to split hairs) choose to tell me this?  Through an email, even before he gives his acceptance speech.  Signed with his first name.  Without any sort of crazy HTML formatting, logos, or signatures.  Promising to be in touch about the next steps.  Simple, straightforward, truthful.

This appeals to me on many levels, one of which is my work as Community Ambassador at Flock. I have a job at Flock because of the passion, energy and action of people who love our product.  My job is to make sure that they get what they need to keep loving the product and spreading the word.  Everyday I feel the kind of appreciation that Obama mentions in this email.  And it’s INCREDIBLY important to thank these people and to make sure that they understand that this company (or in Obama’s case, this country) would not survive or thrive without them.  As I said back in my post about why the Community Manager is important: “If you don’t listen to your community, you are either going to fail or you will have to get very lucky.” Barack Obama knows this well.

Barack has been preaching the politics of hope, of opportunity, and of togetherness.  I won’t claim he’s had an entirely angelic campaign…I think it would be impossible for anyone to have done so.  But instead of creating a mob, an angry group that boos at a concession speech…Barack Obama has created an enthusiastic, excited, hopeful group of Americans who are ready to make this country shine again.  I am filled with exhilaration and hope, and I am excited to serve my country like I have never been.

Barack Obama is a true Community Ambassador/Manager/Evangelist/Organizer, and that’s exactly what we need right now.  One man isn’t going to save this country, the masses must.  And Barack Obama, President-Elect, is the person we need to motivate the masses.