Inauguration Notes

John Kennedy was sworn in as President in early 1961 and we saw the torch being passed to a new generation. It was a time of enormous promise that was cut short with assasinations and Vietnam. Now a new era is dawning. The era of Obama. The mood of the country is upbeat in the face of daunting challenges. We are told that up to 80% or more of the population is looking favorably on this new administration. There is a sense that all of our problems will be solved once the new president is sworn in. Miracles are expected in abundance. Even those who don't expect miracles and who didn't vote for Obama, somehow still have faith that good things are going to happen. It is Camelot once again, and this time we believe the promise will be realized.

Part of this feeling is the desire of almost everyone to see George Bush ride off into the sunset. Part of it is the realization that so much is wrong in our country today that we desperately need a new beginning. President-elect Obama has done more 'presidenting' during this transition period than any president-elect I know about. Yet the American people seem to feel that under the circumstances his actions have been not only appropriate, but necessary. He has been careful to wisely avoid any involvement in foreign affairs, deferring to the one president at a time principle. Clearly, however, if ever there was a president that was ready to hit the ground running, Barack Obama appears to be that president.

We are learning that this administration is not perfect. Glitches in the cabinet appointments of Bill Richardson, Eric Holder, and Tim Geithner suggest that our new president to be is perhaps human after all. He also had a great deal of difficulty getting the second phase of the bailout money, and the stimulus package does not appear to be a slam dunk. All this before inauguration day. Yet, somehow there is a feeling that he has things under control, and that while there will no doubt be compromises and disappointments, he is in charge and will calmly work to achieve his goals.

As we move into this inauguration week, there are some indications as to where we might be headed on this remarkable journey. We begin with the scheduled train trip through Philadelphia and Baltimore to Washington. The Lincoln connection is highlighted. The cabinet selections have recalled the team of rivals. The intention to work across the aisles and reach out to Republicans has been evident. President-elect Obama seems determined to be president of all the people. The invitation to Evangelist Rick Warren to pray at the inauguration is suggestive of this desire. More and more it appears that Obama will be governing from the center. His approach will be pragmatic rather than ideological. He has made clear that he is determined to find and implement the best ideas, and expects that his performance will be evaluated on the basis of whether his programs are producing results.

Job one is a hoped for major victory on his economic stimulus plan. So far,it does not look like he has meaningful Republican support. The American people seem ambivalent at best. He needs to do a better job of selling this package. So far he has told us that things may get worse before they get better. He says only government can solve this problem, but Republicans are saying we can't spend our way out of recession, and the spending will balloon the deficit with disastrous results.

He needs to tell us in ways we can understand and accept why Republicans are wrong. He needs to explain why even what at other times may be considered pork may give the economy just the lift that is currently needed. We need a fireside chat. We need a Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton convincing us that these are the right steps to take at this time. It is not so much inspiring rhetoric that is needed now, but nuts and bolts explanations of what needs to be done and why. He needs to explain what he is getting ready to do the way it might be explained to a group of fifth grade students. People want to buy in to what he is selling, which should make it easier to bring them on board. A town hall meeting might be a good format to answer legitimate questions and make us feel like we are all in this together.

Thus begins the hard work of translating the excitement of a new presidency into making things work for the American people. It is a good thing that this President is ready to go to work because there is no time to waste.