Ever since the beginning of time a few human beings have stood out, possessing outstanding characteristics outdoing the rest of us. By compulsion we place them in a special category reserved for their kind. Put in simple terms, we called them “great” — those whose designated abilities are not easily replicated.

In 1961 one such person, Barack Obama, was born. As if divinely orchestrated, he is of mixed racial parents — a black father and a white mother — at a time in the United States when black people could not enter certain places that were designated for whites only. But a superior power had other intentions. Maybe to show us that: “The colour of your skin is of no significance, unless it guarantees you eternal life, then you would have every right to feel superior to the rest of us.”

Obama graduated from Harvard University in 1991 as a lawyer, then a lecturer and a professor. His above average intellectual capability guided him to serve first in the Chicago state Senate from 1997-2003. His shadow was cast in a wider sphere when he made his second run for a National Senate seat in 2003, which he won. He made a mild impression in the Senate and was unknown nationally until 2004 when he addressed the Democratic convention prior to Kerry’s acceptance speech as the party’s candidate for president.

As if transformed from a caterpillar to a butterfly, the young Barack Obama introduced himself to the world. Some people were dumbfounded, others was asking who was this African-American, others were optimistically saying he had a bright future in the Senate. None could even conceive that in a little over a thousand days, the young professor-turned-Senator would announce his intention to run for president in February 2007, creating immediate consternation in the camp of Hillary Clinton who was the 1-9 favourite to win the Democratic nomination. As the days and weeks went by, Obama picked up momentum and picked off rivals with consummate ease. On June 3, 2008 he became the nominee.

The campaign was bitter with racial slurs; some even tried to disqualify him by claiming he was not born in the USA. The more he was attacked, his almost flawless character passed the tests with flying colours. In 2008, the American voters went to vote, not for an African-American, but for the candidate they perceived to be the best, and he won by a wide seven per cent margin.

As if that were not enough, he replicated the victory in 2012, receiving over 62 million votes, the highest number of votes cast for a candidate in a democratically held election in mankind’s history.

By 2008, Obama had become the most popular human being alive, being embraced by nations who were sworn enemies of the United States. He combined his intellectual gift and concise thinking to make practical, wise decisions. His two main rivals in the primary he had in his Cabinet: one became a likeable Vice-President Joe Biden, loyal and trusted friend; the other, Hillary Clinton, an excellent secretary of state and again is the 1-9 favourite to get the nomination for the Democrats in 2016.

From my research, she has to overcome the early front-runner jinx. No one has ever become their party’s nominee being the favourite two years before election, but then this could be the first.

Obama by his actions has indicated that his objective is to be one of the best presidents his country has ever had. By all indications his ship is heading in that harbour and it’s just a matter of time before it anchors in the tide of acclamation.

Obama’s route to greatness was mapped out by getting assistance from multiple angles. Some were so anxious for Obama to succeed in a hurry. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, this I believe was an indication of what was to come — awarding that prize to a first-term president in his first year is one for the record books. My personal view is that it was premature, not nine months into his presidency.

Let us take a look at some of Obama’s achievements since 2009, apart from getting over 51 per cent twice in a row in a presidential election and winning 332 electoral votes in 2012 and a favourability rating of 52 per cent — the highest for a president during his seventh year in office; not to mention getting the highest number of votes in a democratic election since mankind started voting for leaders, 62,000,000 +

A few of Obama’s achievements

* Passed health care reform, after five presidents over 100 years failed to create universal health insurance. Millions of Americans are now benefiting from cheaper health care.

* Implemented a US$800-billion stimulus package, resulting in a bank and auto industry bailout, allowing the US to grow at a faster rate than every other country whose financial system succumbed to the economic meltdown.

* The stimulus Act forced into action 45 states to undertake reforms to their education systems.

* Unemployment has fallen below six per cent, making the US the locomotive of world economy.

* Solar energy has undergone revolutionary growth due to public investment in the US and abroad.

* Higher taxes to the rich and reduced taxes on the working poor.

* Reform of students’ loans

* Relief from deportation for four million unauthorised immigrants.

* Credit card reforms preventing companies from raising rates without advanced notice.

* Banks are now under stringent control.

* Fair Pay Act: Obama’s first signature on a bill. Giving women equal pay for same work done by men.

* End two wars while avoiding others, not to mention no domestic terror attack.

* The United States has become more prosperous, more egalitarian, and more sustainable during his presidency.

* The Government is more functional and is offering help to people who need it most.

* Provided payments to Wronged Minority Farmers Claims Resolution Act, which provided US$4.6B in funding for settlement with black and native Americans whom the Government cheated out of loans and natural resources royalties in the past.

* His foreign policy positions have been significant.

* Eliminated Osama bin Laden.

* In coalition with European and Arab governments ended the 42-year dictatorship of Moammar Gadhafi.

* Forced Egyptian president to leave office.

These are just a small percentage of Obama’s achievement. Obama has achieved his success under extremely trying circumstances; a Congress whose main objective has seemingly been to obstruct everything that he wanted to do for the betterment of the American people. He was willing to sacrifice his presidency just to have the health care Act passed. He was threatened with impeachment while fighting for the American People’s rights He showed strength, determination, and courage befitting for a person who is on the brink of greatness.

Do you share my views?

Tony Miles is a government pensioner and author of Human weaknesses, Forgiveness epitomised. Send comments to: tonymiles1940@gmail.com