Wow. So it's been a while. I guess it's appropriate that this post is on Inauguration Day when my last post was the day after the election. But before I discuss the inauguration itself, there has been a transtion-related point that I want to make.

Obama ran on a platform of "Change". At times it seemed that every other word out of Obama's mouth was "Change", almost like the word "smurfy" to the little blue guys. However, when we look at Obama's selection for his staff and cabinet, I don't see alot of change... We have former President Clinton's wife as Secertary of State, one of former President Clinton's chief political advisors as Chief of Staff, former President Clinton's Energy Secertary as Seceratary of Commerce (until he withdrew his name due to scandal), and former President Clinton's Deputy Attorney General as Attorney General.

In addition, Barack may have differentiated himself from the Democratic field of presidential nominees during the primary season, but he certainly seems willing to lean on their experience once he is in office. Four of the eight losers in the race for the Democratic nomination were selected to be members of the administration in cabinet-level or higher positions. It seems to me that the "change" that Obama is delivering is simply a change back to Democratic Party control and not the brave new world that Obama has spoken of.

However...

Watching the Inaugural Address that Obama delivered this morning, I saw very clearly what he has that the Bush Administration has lacked, in fact, has sought, without success, for 8 years. Barack Obama right now has a majority mandate from the people. Bush has followed the polls and sought public approval for years. Probably ever since Gore v. Bush determined him the winner in 2000. It appears that he has acted out of fear of what the public would think of him and his policies. Every decision was spun right out of the gate to try to appeal to the majority of people, to appeal, even, to Bush's political adversaries. This apperance of compromise has been clothed in "bipartisanship", but succeed only in disappointing allies and emboldening enemies.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, seems to have a swagger, a confidence that Bush has lacked. I believe this comes mainly as a knowledge that he is the first black president of the United States. It may also come from favorable press coverage. The results of the election, while unquestionably naming Barack the winner, were not so heavily weighed to give the appearance of major consensus; 47.1% of the country wanted someone else to be president. But, however it happened, Obama enjoys that luxury now. I'm interested to see how long he can hold onto it. And what he does with it while he has it.

Point of Interest: Barack Obama won with 52.9% of the popular vote. The last President to garner a greater percentage of the popular vote was W's dad, Bush 41, 20 years ago.