President Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech
America's First Black President Gave a Great Inaugaration Speech
Jan 22, 2009
President Obama's inaugaration speech has more than anything marked not a transition of presidency, but of an absolute transformation. There was a driven determination in his rhetoric, his assured delivery, which has invigorated an America, indeed a world that needs new, strong leadership. In electing Obama to the highest office in the United States, America has proven once more of its extraordinary ability to regenerate itself.
Remaking America
In assembling his White House staff with such efficiency, the president sought to 'hit the ground running' as soon as he took office. His inaugaration acceptance speech certainly continued this urgency. He has numerous challenges ahead, areas such as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the deepening economic crisis, the Middle East conflict and relations with the Muslim world, stating that "they are serious and many. They will not be met easily or in a shirt span of time, but know this, America- they will be met".
In clear criticism of George Bush's presidency, he spoke of restoring science "to its rightful place" and of a responsible America, not abusing its power in the world. In comparison to the Bush years, Obama's speech aspires to heal divisions with Iran, close Guantanamo and restore America's moral standing in the world, and in stark contrast to President Bush, he will regard tackling climate change with great importance.
People in attendance were overcome with emotion, such was the hope generated by his words. The president will seek to set the tone for his presidency by working on the most important issues facing him, perhaps in the same vein as Roosevelt's 'first 100 days' which saw the creation of the New Deal.
Great Expectations
It is widely agreed that the weight of expectancy from the American electorate and the world is highly unrealistic, given the depth and far-reaching significance of America's problems. The President will undoubtedly need two terms of office to tackle America's problems. Though he has assembled a cabinet of considerable talent, if the president achieves just one of a number of tasks, such as turning around the deepening economic crisis, he will have performed an exceptional feat.
Obama has, however, progressed from Chicago community worker to US President in a meteoric rise, where he has overcome formidable obstacles before. One of the themes of his election campaign was hope. As he has begun his work in the Oval Office, he has wasted no time in getting to work, already signing an order to close Guantanamo Bay, banning harsh interrogation techniques and talking at length with leaders all over the world, notably Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas. Such swift action suggests that Obama could, against the odds, succeed in bringing real change, at home and abroad.
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