After the man with the big ears and the funny name became president-elect of the United States, Chicagoans were happy to tell their stories, boasting to anyone who'd listen about that time they met Barack Obama.
Some recalled Obama's confidence; others were struck by his movie-star smile.
The people quoted in the piece include two of Obama's brothers-in-laws and Illinois Senate president Emil Jones, Jr., the former Chicago sewer inspector often described as Obama's political godfather. Talk about fair and balanced.
A minister who met Obama as a young community organizer says he "was very much impressed." The University of Chicago law professor who recruited Obama to teach found him "very, very forthright."
In case those encomia are inadequate, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams recalls being "very impressed by Obama's political passion." A community activist remembers meeting him in 1985: "By the time he left the interview, we knew he was the one."
The One? Was she among the first to recognize His Messiahship's powers and abilities that are far beyond those of mortal men? These qualities extend even to the mundane. A Chicago chef who observes, "When he smiles, you just melt," was able to regain his composure long enough to note "the Obamas really knew something about food. They had ordered well."
How many of us have left a restaurant bitterly upset with ourselves because we hadn't ordered well? I know I have.
Can the Tribune maintain its frenzied elation for the next two months? What does it plan? A "souvenir section" every day? More coverage of other Obama in-laws? In depth interviews with folks who've taken Obama's orders at McDonalds?
Surveys have shown that media types tend to be less religious than most Americans. Since The One arrived to deliver us from ourselves, however, much of the mainstream media appears to be in perpetual adoration mode.
