Photo credit to Bryce Little
Noelle Clemente
After a campaign that was based on change, President Elect Barak Obama is preparing to address the country in 40 days, on January 20.
“I hope to hear what he believes to be important and where the focus will be early in his presidency. I am hopeful that he is consistent with his campaign focal points. I believe it is also important to be “real” with the nation on what efforts/sacrifices we all may need to engage so that adjustments are made to stabilize the country,” says Rex Waters, Associate Dean of Students at Elon University. He says he hopes for “more of a state of the union approach less of a celebration. The president alone did not get us to this point, and a president alone will not undue all that has been done.”
A day full of traditions, the inaugural address is bookended by ceremonial events. Beginning with a Worship Ceremony in the morning, from there the 44th President will join President Bush in a procession to the Capitol. Both Vice-President elect Joe Biden and President elect Obama will then be formally sworn in to their respective positions.
Tickets for this highly anticipated day are in high demand, though many interested parties will simply be watching from home. The luncheon, parade and ball to follow the address will be a time for those at home to digest Obama’s highly anticipated words.
Economy: On Everybody’s Mind
“Obviously he needs to address the economy,” Jen Burns, a junior from Eden, NC. “I can’t imagine he would, but it would be nice if he talked about the bailout. I think it would be a refreshing start if someone addressed an issue head on. And he needs to make a speech that’s inspirational,” she added.
Kathleen Knoechel, homemaker from Burlington, NC hopes he will address, “the obvious: the economy, the environment and foreign affairs. I would be disappointed if he didn’t address those things.” As she browses the aisle of Target preparing for Christmas she pauses and says, “hopefully he will just be uplifting.”
Aside from the Holiday season, change is on every American’s mind. The economy and morale have been spiraling downward as Bush’s term draws to an end.
Trevor Kelly, who works in the Elon University IT department, agreed that the economy was the most pressing issue.
“I sure hope he touches on, in detail, how he’s going to help our economy because it’s certainly the biggest thing on everyone’s mind,” said Dale Hughes, a software writer from Burlington, N.C. “If he could reassure America about that, he’d be off to a good start.”
Providing Proof
In a radio address made on Saturday, Dec. 6 Obama began to detail his plans for the economy. He cited three key aspects of his plan. “First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient…Second, we will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s…Third, my economic recovery plan will launch the most sweeping effort to modernize and upgrade school buildings that this country has ever seen.
Some listeners and viewers, however, are still uncertain how Obama plans on implementing these changes.
“He needs to prove he’s more than an idealist,” said Kyle Fisher, a sophomore from Atlanta. Change was the theme of Obama’s campaign, but the some of the audience wants to learn how these promised changes are going to surface.
“I hope to hear exactly how Obama plans to implement change. He won so he can afford to let us in on some of those juicy details now,” Lindsay Gund of Washington, D.C., a junior at Denison University in Ohio, who plans to attend the actual ceremony.
“He needs to say something to get the people behind him. [He] needs to say something to get confidence in him,” according to Liz Payne, sophomore from Virginia Beach.
Looking to the Future
“I want him to stick to what he promised during the campaign, but what I’m most concerned about is that he’s inspiring,” said Amy Reitnouer, a senior from Lebanon, Penn. “That may sound trivial, but we all know the president will make changes and try to help the economy, What this country really needs now is some inspiration and hope, and I thoroughly believe that Barack Obama can provide that for America.”
The theme of this year’s Inauguration, “A New Birth of Freedom,” is taken from a line in the Gettysburg Address. Honoring President Lincoln’s birth and mirroring the notion of hope at troubled times, the Joint Congressional Committee found these to be fitting words, as Reitnouer hopes Obama will find equally fitting words with which to address an anxious nation.
Sarah Hindle, junior of Lakeland, Fla. weighs in on the subject
Dale Burns, a software writer from Burlington, N.C. follows up
