The Shadow of Power

Power is transient. The politician who exercises it and is not aware of it has no long-range vision. The meeting between President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush, held at the White House to showcase the official portrait of President Bush, stripped the very essence of power.

American politics have us accustomed to such meetings, which rarely take place, but they send a strong signal of respect to the institution that is the presidency of the United States of America. That a Democratic president receives a Republican president in the presidential mansion, as simple and ordinary as it is, will always be important and significant, regardless of the political influence that the former president may have.

The message sent is powerful: Two politicians with different views meet to share and exchange views as to how to confront difficult decisions. One of them is the present president, and the other is the former president. The latter handed over the command to the first, and before leaving the office, he met with the president-elect, as well as previous presidents, in a historic gesture. I am sure Obama learned some lessons from that encounter.

Obama clearly said about his meeting with Bush, “I think it’s fair to say that every president is acutely aware that we are just temporary residents, that we’re renters here. We’re charged with the upkeep until the lease runs out.” The political figure that is not aware of this reality is not prepared for the rational exercise of political power.

In the Dominican Republic, there are many political figures that need that reminder. It’s like my father used to say, “Power is like a passing shadow.”