Now that the number of US presidents stands at 43, a comparison of their characteristics and leadership styles is possible. Prior to and after the inauguration ceremony, many US columnists have related President Obama's qualities to those of his predecessors, ranging from Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy to Clinton.

Indonesia, however, has had only six presidents, whose educational backgrounds and leadership styles differ significantly - a fine intellectual and orator, a military strategist, a religious scholar, a scientist, a passionate mother, and a harmonizer.

Many people feel deep down in their hearts that, all in all, Sukarno's preeminence remains unmatched by those who succeeded him.

Not only was he the founding father of this nation, he also made numerous eloquent speeches that communicated clearly to even the most down-to-earth in his audiences. His powerful charisma rested especially in his oratory. He spoke with a stirring and thunderous voice.

Similarities can be drawn between Obama and Sukarno.

Although Obama always stays cool, his speeches - including the one he delivered at his inauguration - have pushed me to think back on Indonesia's history, and to recall how Sukarno moved and energized his audience.

I am not the only one stirred to remember a great leader. Caroline Kennedy said she was so inspired by Obama because his oratory harkens back to the speeches of her father, John F. Kennedy. Having heard Obama as a candidate or now as president, people around the globe are now putting their faith and hope in him just as Indonesians did with Sukarno a while ago.

Certain parts of Obama's speech echoed those of his predecessors, recalling centuries-old, genuine US patriotism. In the same way, Sukarno noted in his autobiography how he felt tied to many US presidents.

He communed with them metaphorically: "Mentally I talked with Thomas Jefferson, with whom I feel friendly and close because he told me all about the Declaration of Independence he wrote in 1776. I discussed George Washington's problems with him. I relived Paul Revere's ride. I deliberately looked for mistakes in the life of Abraham Lincoln so I could argue the points with him (p. 39)."

Sukarno's autobiography was published under a telling title, which conveys how great leaders speak for the people they represent. Bung Karno: Penyambung Lidah Rakyat translated means, "the extension of the people's tongue.

Due to Sukarno's communicative superiority, Indonesians from my grandfather's generation from many walks of life took great pride in their country, even as they faced many obstacles as a young and struggling nation. I still remember vividly what my grandfather said when I asked him about Sukarno's surpassing oratorical skills. My grandpa said, "Maybe you remember Zainuddin MZ (a popular Muslim preacher) and his sermons from the 1990s? They never held a candle to Suharto's way with words."

(Note that my grandfather was a member of Masyumi, a prominent Islamic political party which Sukarno banned. My grandfather's cupboard was full of pictures of the Masyumi leader M. Natsir, and he often said he despised the fact both Sukarno and Soeharto had outlawed Masyumi.)

Despite that bone of contention he still recalled that Sukarno's eloquence was far unrivaled by the tedious style of many New Order bureaucrats who often stuttered with um, um, um, um..before repeating the mantra of that time: "according to Bapak's *the President's* guidance." "Sukarno was fluent," my grandfather said, "his ideas never ran empty, but flowed continuously. I was so proud of him being my president."

Sukarno's love for his people and nation is never doubted by his numerous biographers, be they Indonesians or not. He said, "the burning desire to set my people free was beyond mere personal ambition." His voice was the voice of his people, whom Sukarno listened to and always attempted to represent. This makes him a great leader.

In a similar vein, not only do Obama's words uttered at the inauguration represent the voice of Americans, but they also speak for those who were watching the event on televisions across the globe. "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth."

In this line from his address, heavily quoted in media around the world, Obama underlined his inclusive belief which goes beyond religion, ethnicity and nationality. He seems to be trying to serve as an extension of the tongue of the world's worried population, stressed by divisive conflicts and menacing wars.

Obama embraces all people, regardless who they are or what faith or nationality they profess. Americans are lucky to have such a great leader, just as Indonesians were to have Sukarno during our struggle for independence and early years of nationhood.

Indonesian soil and water contributed - no matter how much and to what extent - in the making of one world leader, Sukarno, and another, Obama, upon whose shoulders so many hopes now rest. We can only hope that more Obamas have been born, will be born, in this land.

The writer is a visiting scholar at the faculty of philosophy of McGill University in Montreal, Canada

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