Obama Inauguration Speech: Rebuff of Old Habits and Birth of New Era

As usual the transition of power was smooth, a sign of the old and ripe American democracy. In front of more then 1.5 million people, Barack Obama stood on the steps of the US Capitol Hill building to take the oath of office officiated by the Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. His wife, Michelle Obama, by his side and holding the bible Abraham Lincoln used for his own inaugration more then a century ago, Obama placed one hand on the bible and raised the other. All went on well except a misstep by John Roberts who flipped some of the words and misplaced the word “faithfully” to the end of the sentence, but Obama caught up on that, took some seconds before repeating to let John Roberts catch up with the misstep.

The young president went on to launch an alarm awakening America and asking his fellow citizens to take responsibility of their destiny. He reminded them of the hard work of their forefathers that brought prosperity and higher lifestyle they came to enjoy. He warned that America’s economy is weakening and there might be a need to review the high standard way of life we are accustomed to unless we stick to our forefathers’ ideals. Greatness is not given but it should be a product of hard work and discipline. Talking about those who worked hard to make life better in this country, he said, “these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction”. He stated that the plight that America is in is a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

A new era has begun. Repudiating the ideals of previous governments, especially that of his predecessor who sat just a few feet behind him, Obama said we must stop doing childish things and self dealing. For the sake of the defense of our country, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. And he called the whole world who is watching and said “America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more”. He pointed out that earlier generations of leaders faced down fascism and communism not with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. “They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please”. This constitutes a strong statement and a rebuff to his predecessor’s doctrine.

Obama twice got out his limo and walked on Pennsylvania Avenue at a great concern of many, especially of his secret service detail. There have, in the past, been a number of reported threats towards his life, a reason that he was granted the protection of the US secret service three months into the primaries. Nevertheless, he’s continued appearing in public. His campaign has known largest crowds of all at every stop; he was before 100,000 people in Saint Louis, 200,000 people in Berlin, and between 50,000 to 100,000 people in various other places during the presidential campaign.

I followed the commentaries of many political analysts and a majority agreed that Obama’s inaugural speech was not his best but it contained what will constitute the core conduct of his administration. Personally, I believe that the message in this speech sent out a message to those who felt disenfranchised by -unilateralism and we do as we please- Bush’s administration approach that we will seek partnership and we will act by a legal framework in concert with our partners.