Obama's inauguration yesterday was a terrific example of democracy in action. Former ambassador Charles Crawford (do visit his blog, if you haven't already) puts it really well:
"For now as a non US citizen I express my humble and hearty gratitude to the USA for showing the world once again how to deal with powerful leaders. Compare what happened yesterday in Washington with the political wreckage in Zimbabwe, Cuba, N Korea, China, most of the Arab world, Russia and so on.
A leader with huge power gracefully accepted that the end of his rule had come and in a solemn yet light-touch ceremony handed over power to a new man, duly elected to replace him. He now in turn has at most some 416 weeks to lead the United States before he steps down.
This is Civilisation. Playing by the rules, and not making sneaky selfish manoeuvres to change them. A fresh start. Which creates the conditions for some positive Change to complement all that Hope."
One great thing about this presidency is that it blows the cover of those in the West who, truth be told, really don't like America very much at all, but have spent the last 8 years pretending that it's just President Bush that they loathe beyond all reason. He's gone now, and that excuse with him. As a pro-American I am delighted that the USA has a leader that anti-Americans find themselves having to like.
As to how his presidency will turn out, Obama has the immense gift of being able to redefine the whole framework of a debate in a single speech. My guess is that he will use that talent, and leverage his deep reserves of goodwill amongst liberals, to take up any necessary pragmatic and even conservative positions. His track record suggests that's his probable inclination. And after all, as Mrs Thatcher used to say, the facts of life often turn out to be conservative, so there probably won't be as much change as his supporters hope. But - hey - he's one of the good guys, and if that's what he says needs to be done and he can explain why in language that makes them feel better about themselves, then I'm sure they'll manage to persuade themselves it's all for the best. Let's see.
He's off to a good start with his inauguration speech, which put
energy security before climate change, acknowledged that there's a war
against terror violence and hatred, and rearticulated
values of responsibility and freedom, together with today's comment:
"families are tightening their belts and so should Washington."
