Out of 50 states and innumerable cities and towns coast to coast, President Obama has once again made the decision to travel to Asheville. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, Barack Obama is The President Of The United States and we owe him and the office he commands respect and gratitude for choosing our city as a destination. If you have a problem with that, be my guest to extend a warm welcome to Mahmoud Ahmidinejad, and while you're at it take down the flag. The President chose 3 locations to pay visit to further outline his intentions in his 2nd term, delivered last night in The State Of The Union Address. Besides Asheville, The President will stop in Atlanta, and then Chicago, his hometown. We are in esteemed company playing host to a presidential visit along with major metropilitan areas, both of which rank in the top 10 most populous cities nationwide. It is not an election year, so this is not a campaign stop for office, although it could be characterized as a campaign stop to further The White House agenda with a skeptical Congress. Why Asheville ? We all know how much we have to offer here by way of culture, education, natural beauty and diversity… but why not New York, San Francisco, Boston, or other so called world class cities ? We even beat out Charlotte, our closest major metropolitan area as a choice for The President to appear. What I'm saying is, we are on the map, recogized and valued in the eyes of The White House and in the eyes of the nation as evidenced by the honor. I have no doubts the city and its citizens will play host today with appropriate respect and gratitude.