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The sound-bites and superlatives have been flowing in the build-up to the swearing in of Barack Obama, but for once they’re entirely appropriate. Today is a historic day, as we wave goodbye to the most unpopular US president in history (See shardcore’s rather appropriate artistic response), and bring in a president-elect who represents so much to so many people, from many backgrounds, cultures, communities and countries.

I didn’t write much on the US election. I feel somewhat uncomfortable voicing opinions with regards other countries democratic processes (at least, where they’re open and fair), but that didn’t mean I didn’t have an opinion, and I was very keen to see Obama win for many reasons.

A lot has been said about the challenges that he faces. From a huge economic crises, to Iraq and Afghanistan, and to all the domestic problems and infrastructure work. Substantial problems even before the economy went over the edge. His slogan of “Change” raises hopes too that he will strike out in radical directions. But after Blair in 1997, where we had similar hopes in the UK, I’m wary that hopes may be dashed in the face of the reality of changing the inertia that comes with any large governance system.

I’m certainly going to be watching the event, and I wish him well. Particularly in his speech. He will be addressing millions of people in front of him in Washington, and quite literally billions of people around the world, and many historic inauguration speeches before him have set expectations high. But hopefully that’s where he will set out his agenda, and the mood. He’s a gifted orator, and I look forward to hearing what he has to say.

The first African-American US president is truly a moment to savour. History in the making.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 1:17 pm and is filed under Politics, The world. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.