I know it’s been a while since I wrote about the outgoing President of the United States, but as we finally come to the end of this election cycle it’s time to help cement the legacy of President Barack Obama. Many are now saying, both privately and aloud, they wish that Obama could stick around just a little while longer.

Now, yes many on the Right are ready for him to go, because in their minds, this Black man has been in the White House far too long for them. They have despised the site of him and his family occupying that place. They have long waited to usher him out and put back in someone who looks, talks, acts and sounds like them. Well in less than 72 hours, we will back to that place. The only question is will it be a White woman or a White man?

I was watching a clip of Obama giving his speech and a protester who’s a Trump supporter came into the rally. The President’s reaction and response was amazing stuff and I only wish that the two candidates would have such grace, style and respect for the office that their running for. See instead of trying to usher the man out himself, or shame the gentleman, the President made the case for why the man should be given respect and stick around.

He reminded the audience that in America we have freedom of speech, he also told them that he appeared to be a Military Vet who has earned our respect, and finally he said that he was an elderly gentleman, which also calls for respect. Then he pivoted back to his speech and reminded folks that they were losing focus by engaging that man. Rather than engage him, he urged them to Vote! Amazing right, he still got his message across about America being distracted by insignificant things and losing focus of what issues each candidate stands for. He quickly told folks that if they don’t get their focus back America could be in trouble.

Imagine if Hillary could do that just once. Can you imagine how she could sway folks and get the public to possibly refocus the conversation on matters of importance. But, that’s part of that Obama mystique that we’re going to miss. He gives you so much of the calm, cool man. Respectful and always mindful of the characteristics of a person before just instigating disparaging remarks.

We may not agree with every decision he’s made. We may not think he did enough for one group or the other, but make no mistake President Obama is a figure that’s needed right now. He has tried to further the conversation nationally about Police brutality, inequality and the stigma in the Black community. He has talked about the opioid epidemic, the injustice in the American prison system, reversing the extreme prejudice from the War on Drugs. I can keep listing things that he’s done without support from a Congress that wants him gone.

These approaches to the office of President may seem simple, or automatic, but remember there is one candidate who wants to be a dictator and rule with an iron fist, the other, while no where near as authoritarian, is still slighted to the well connected. Obama showed us how to be a humble President, and that we certainly could use a lot more of in the current candidates.