One week ago, the American electorate chose Barack H. Obama to be the next President of the United States. His was both a significant victory and historical accomplishment. He won the popular vote 52.6 percent to 46.1 percent, the electoral count 363 to 173 and is the first minority to do so.

Congratulations to President-elect Obama.

The junior senator from Illinois, who will be sworn in next January as our 44th president, waged an extraordinarily effective campaign built around a generally accepted vague message of ‘change.”

The mantra was “change we can believe in.”

At the same time, Sen. John S. McCain was unable to develop a clear and consistent campaign message around his principle theme of “reform.”

Thus, despite decades of senate experience, a record to validate it and a running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, who actually achieved reforms in Alaska, given his age, McCain lost his last chance for the presidency. Ironically, McCain’s longtime friend, Joe Biden, will become vice president. The same Joe Biden who said Barack Obama was not ready for the presidency, that John McCain certainly was, and that he, Biden, would be willing to join a McCain ticket if his friend John asked him.

Late on election night, both candidates delivered appropriate speeches.

McCain was gracious in defeat. He congratulated his opponent, noted his historic accomplishment and publicly committed himself to help and support Obama as the new president. McCain’s comments were well modulated and, in a word, he delivered it with class.

President-elect Obama also delivered a thoughtful and well-crafted victory speech. He peppered it with stump-style cadence, and drew in the crowd to repeatedly respond “yes, we can.”

Obama was on the mark quoting an earlier president, also from Illinois, “As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends, though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And again, when Obama added, “And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn — I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.”

I thought, “Spot on, Mr. President-elect. You’re saying the right things. Keep it up, do the right things for our country, and you will, indeed, earn the support and respect of all Americans.”

Then, like most Americans, I went to bed hopeful with Obama’s words in mind.

The next morning, the sun was bright, and it was warmer than usual. I thought again, “This is change I can get use to.”

Then, I turned the radio on.

At the top of the hour, the national news reported that the new president would ask Congressman Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff in the new administration.

Uh oh? This isn’t change.

And, it certainly is not a selection to promote genuine bi-partisanship. Emanuel has been described by both fellow Democrats and Republicans as a brass-knuckles politico who is out to win at all costs. He has been quoted as saying, “Republicans can go $#&@ themselves.” Well, you can figure out what he purportedly said.

So, Obama’s first decision and the contradiction it indicates is lost on most people because the reality is that the selection of a chief of staff is off their radar screens.

But, in the new environment of “change we can believe in,” I decided to audaciously remind myself that with a dash of the new hope, maybe, Emanuel will change his ways, too.

Next news report, “President-elect Obama would hold his first news conference at 2 p.m. eastern.” At the appointed time, the TV screen came on and moved in for a close-up shot. Affixed to the front of the podium was the sign, “Office of the President-Elect.” I thought, “Who is doing this to Barack Obama? Could it be himself?”

Them the media love-in unfolded. That was to be expected. What was not expected — and was totally uncalled for — was the shot at former first lady Nancy Reagan.

Here’s the specific Q&A:

Q: “… I’m wondering what you’re doing to get ready. Have you spoken to any living ex-presidents, what books you might be reading? …”

A: OBAMA: “Let … let me list those off. In terms of speaking to former presidents, I’ve spoken to all of them that are living. Obviously, President Clinton. I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any séances.

I have reread some of Lincoln’s writings, who’s always an extraordinary inspiration…”

What was Obama thinking?

The tasteless crack about Mrs. Reagan may get laughs next time he attends left-wing parties in Chicago and other urban enclaves, but it also shows his lack of care in choosing what he says. His inexperience shows itself in a casual disregard for his choice of words. Whether he realizes it or not, words have meanings. The words a U.S. President uses have consequences. People are watching and judging, weighing and considering his words and the attitudes they convey.

Yes, after the press conference, President-elect Obama called Mrs. Reagan to apologize. That call should never have had to be made. The call that should have been made was a call initiated sincerely by a new President-elect just to check-in on a widowed former first lady.

Almost all Americans would welcome the latter call as an honest example of “change we can believe it.”

Richard Olivastro is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached bu e-mail at ich@Olivastro.NET or by telephone at 877.RichSpeaks.