I have been a big fan of Obama since before the first contests the Democrat’s nomination in Iowa and New Hampshire. I am not suggesting I predicted he would triumph, but I closely followed the fascinating contests, quietly hoping that would be the outcome – (maybe not so quietly for people who had to suffer being regularly in earshot of me, but I tried to avoid too much public cheer-squadding). So I did make the most of the moment – staying up to watch the Inauguration speech, and then soaking up as much of the endless amount of commentary that has followed since.
I don’t think there is any doubt that there has never before been such widespread global interest in the ascension of a new USA President into office and the first words he would speak in that role.
I think it was a good balanced, measured speech. It did not hit the rhetorical heights that might have been expected, but it was a right speech for the time – focused on the here and now, and the stark reality of the often grim but not insurmountable challenges that we face. There was enough of a shout out to the peoples of other nations and other beliefs, combined with a clear intent to emphasise inclusiveness when it came to action, to give me some hope that there is a chance of a shift to a more positive direction.
My favourite aspect of the speech was the theme touched with these words:
“we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”
Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man ……. we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.
our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”
We’ll have to wait and see how well those ideals are lived up to, but acknowledging them in such a way is a good start.
As to all the commentary of others, there’s way too much to even start commenting on everyone else’s comments.
But there was one piece I did like – this one from the Political Base blog site, which doesn’t focus on the speech, but on highlighting just a few of the quotes from a few ‘experts’ who dismissively wrote off Obama’s chances in the period after he first announced his candidacy.
The more often we get reminded that many of the ‘experts’ can be little different to anyone else offering an opinion, the better – I refer to myself in that context as well of course. At least Crikey’s Bernard Keanehad the good grace to out himself for his earlier comments that Obama’s nomination was “a McGovernesque disaster” and previously describing him as “the least substantial candidate in a generation”.
5 Comments
The comments of one JW Howard as leader of the LNP in Government, one of the many incredibly stupid a self interested things he did. I wonder how he could hold is head up in Obama’s presence if he got elected again as PM? And yet the LNP have not repudiated Howard’s comments or said that he was totally wrong to comment like that. And of course we had one Downer also supporting the abhorent tactics of the Republican electioneering machine as it tried to tie him to a ‘domestic terrorist’.
One can only hope that to repay the compliment of the Howard LNP that Obama makes an appearance in Australia not too long before our next election praising one K Rudd. TV should be replaying Howard’s comments often as reminder of how decript and corrupt the LNP had become.
Obama could not be any worse than Bush and in fact the USA (and many corporations) may have performed better with no leader over the past 8 years.
Obama set a very clear agenda and style in his address. Interesting to watch how he negotiates the Republicans.
I am happy for this man’s election. However I do have this lingering concern that this is mere the coronation of one more in a long line of warlords. The history of the USA over the last 60 years shows it perpetually propelling itself into conflicts of arms. There has been constant reference to the office as “Commander in Chief”. This reference, more than anything else, is a concern to me, with respect to the future stability in our region.
I think Andrew is right to have hope about Obama and what he might be able to achieve, but I also have some concerns. I didn’t see or hear the whole speech but the “founding fathers” references always make me cringe – just more in a long line of invading colonialists, as far as I’m concerned. Did he acknowledge America’s First Peoples at all? I will be very glad if he can stay whole and strong in the face of all the powerful opposition he’s going to encounter.
Yes, I thought the lack of mention of the Indigenous peoples of the US was a bit of an oversight. There were other bits of terminology here and there – like the ‘founding fathers’ bit, and a bit of the language he used around the terrorist threat – that I was too keen about. On the other hand, making comments specifically reaching out to Muslims, and acknowledging other religions and non-believers were small but potentially significant moves forward. Given that he’s making a point of trying to reach out across old divides, I think it was a good effort.
Still, the challenge will be in the actions that follow. So far so good with Guantanamo Bay, pledges to openness and limits to staff salaries and lobbying links. But its only the first step in a long journey.
Why does he need to mention the indigenous people for everyone to be satisfied? Goodness me Andrew, you are beholden to a severe minority fetish!