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Obama Takes Charge In Historic Power Shift

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2009

President Barack Obama succeeded George W. Bush Tuesday in a moving inaugural ceremony befitting the greatest nation on Earth. The two men, flanked by security, walked shoulder-to-shoulder into the Capitol and, just over an hour later, out again in the peaceful exchange of power so taken for granted here but envied by much of the world.

Many commentators called it a "generational shift." Tom Brokaw said the transfer of power marked a "re-setting of America."

Even those of us who did not cast our votes for Obama looked forward to this change with hope, and we were not disappointed by Obama's confident start.

Even as he recognized the challenges we face as a nation, Obama looked to the past, comforting a nervous public with the knowledge that the collective struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors have been neither forgotten nor taken for granted. He called on all of us to sacrifice and work together as we tackle the economic and foreign crises we face.

He made only a brief reference to becoming America's first black president, understanding the event itself, attended by perhaps 2 million people, said more about that historic accomplishment than words could.

No one who followed Obama's journey to the White House - and who didn't? - should have been surprised that he delivered a solid speech. While it may not have contained a singular line for which it will be remembered, he spoke eloquently on a broader level about what we should expect from our government. He encouraged each American to take responsibility for each other's welfare.

"The price and the promise of citizenship," he proclaimed, is "giving our all to a difficult task."

He promised a new way of working in Washington, and we can only hope he fulfills that pledge.

"What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - which the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

"Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account."

With so many billions of tax dollars being tossed around in Washington these days, he needs to be as good as his word.

At some moments he sounded like Bush, who possesses an overriding faith in democracy. "The time has come," the new president said, "to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

True, Obama rebuked his successor, citing our litany of troubles, but he did not dwell on casting blame. His emphasis was on uniting Americans to seek solutions. Our success, he said, depends on age-old truths: "hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism."

Obama also signaled to the world that America will return to its ideals, rejecting the politics of fear while expressing a continued determination to thwart our enemies.

He said that America will reach out to the nations and peoples of the world who seek peace and dignity, but he must take care. Some nations opposed to our way of life will never be friends.

All in all it was a day for celebrating, the only pall being the collapse of two aging icons of the Senate - Democrats Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts - during the presidential luncheon, and the precipitous 300-plus plunge of the stock market, which highlighted the challenges awaiting Obama.

Still, this morning we awaken to a new president and a new world of sorts in Washington. We have our concerns about Obama's political leanings and inexperience, but so far his words and actions indicate he will govern from the middle and not try to promote a leftist agenda.

The country may have many problems, but we also have a president who appears willing to listen to all opinions and conveys a can-do attitude. In a nation that seems to have lost its self-confidence, that alone is some cause for hope. Now it's time to go to work.

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