A couple of thoughts on the Inauguration. I was there in 2005, it was nothing like yesterday. I think the top entertainment at the Ball I attended was " da Yoopers". Yesterday was a lot more my speed.
Yes it is unpopular but I have been a Red voter, a republican voter forever.
That is me just left of W four days before the 2004 election. Say what you will, but it takes a lot of "get it done" in the party to get in that spot. Having a conversation or shaking the hand of any president is amazing. Being around the power of that office is very humbling, motivating and inspiring.
Someone made a great point yesterday. When W took office in January of 2001 he thought he understood the world and the job ahead, then came 9/11. The world changed. Obama is now in that spot, and with any mercy at all he will never have to face such a day or turn of events, the map he put together for his journey will remain intact.
With all that said, I am optimistic. Cautious, but optimistic. I hope Obama is strong enough and smart enough to change the system, it is broke. If his campaign is any indication he is both strong enough and smart enough. He needs the people for his strength. (I don't care what the politicians say on camera, Obama has not earned enough stripes in their eyes, not enough time on the hill, he will need the mandate of the people.) I think he can do it if he stays the course.
I also worry that people have unrealistic expectations of Obama. The strength of Obama and his followers is that the majority of them have NO experience in that arena, and quite frankly many of his supporters know or understand very little about the system. I see this as a strength as long as they are proactive, the minute they become reactive this will be a major weakness. I have always said you can do anything you want until somebody tells you, you can't.
He did get Beyonce' to want to get more involved and make a difference. Great. Maybe she and her Husband Jay z can now get busy. I have an idea on what they can do...write a check, donate some time, do a free concert! They made $110,000,000 last year between them, how many people can that keep a roof over.
Did anyone else expect W to stand up during the speech and say "hey, I am still here and I can hear you"?
He did bring rythym to DC. As I mentioned there were no celebrities at the Ball I attended in 2005. Yesterday was a music festival! DC looked cool for the first time I can ever remember. I bet tourism and high end home sales will be up over the next four years. A great thing!
What is going to happen when people find out the job does not come with a magic wand? Are the new entries into this arena patient enough? Unemployment will be higher in 9 months than it is now. Foreclosures will happen at an astounding rate between now and then. As good as he may be, this country is not in a " just add Obama" spot, can he keep everyone interested as times get a little tougher?
I am optimistic, involvement, enthusiasm, willingness and patriotism are great things.
Yes We Can?!?
Comments(0)