Today Barack Obama becomes President of the United States of America!!!
Happy new year and welcome to 2009!!!! Sorry it has been so long since I last updated this blog. I wanted to take a vacation over the holidays and have been extremely busy at work. Given the events of today, I figured this would be a good day to post something.
Some readers might remember that during the primaries and US election, I was a supporter of Barack Obama. On Super Tuesday, I had the opportunity to spend a few days campaigning in Chicago for Obama. I also had the chance to see him speak in person and it was a moving experience. After what seemed like the longest Presidential campaign in American history, today is the day that change is finally coming to America and the world.
The historical significance of today is huge. Obviously given the history of the United States, the civil rights movement and the fact that President Obama’s inauguration is taking place a day after Martin Luther King day; the significance of America electing the first African American president cannot be overstated. Hopefully the swearing in of Barack Obama at 11:56am will result in unity and allow America to turn a new page in race relations. This story is going to be played up in the media and I think it is crucially important that young African Americans can now grow up with the dream of one day becoming President of the United States of America. The personal story of Mr. Obama having a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas and taking advantage of the opportunity America provides is inspirational and proof that the United States is the land of opportunity. As I watch coverage on CNN, FOX and the international media; I cannot help but get caught up in the excitement, hope and unity that this day brings. Outside of the significance of America electing the first ever African American president; there is also a celebration about change and it will not take long before the Americans and citizens of the world realize that there is a new reality on several issues. Already, Mr. Obama has enhanced the image of the United States globally and right now he currently has the burden of solving all of the problems Americans and the world face.
After the inaugural balls, parades, ceremonies and symbolism takes place, it is expected that Barack Obama will get to work on some major issues almost immediately. We are hearing that Obama will meet with his economic advisors and get to work on a stimulus package to address the financial crisis that has impacted the United States and most of the world. It also seems clear that Obama is set to meet with his military advisors and will ask them to draft a plan to pull out US troops from Iraq within 16 months. We should also see more troops and increased attention on the Afghanistan mission and a refocus on capturing Osama Bin Laden wherever he is. As early as this week, Barack Obama is going to send a major signal to the world by closing Guantanamo Bay via executive order and banning torture. There is also talk that he will almost immediately implement tougher fuel standards on the automobile industry in an effort to signal he is serious about climate change. Finally Obama is expected to appoint a Middle East envoy (Bill Clinton?) that will immediately get to work on the peace process early in his term as oppose to Clinton and Bush who addressed this issue towards the end of their terms. All of this is expected to occur this week.
We have also learned that President Obama will in fact make Canada his first foreign trip as President. This meeting will be of crucial importance to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. For starters 82% of Canadians approve of the job that Obama is doing as President-Elect. Only 4% of Canadians disapprove. Previous polls have shown that Obama is more popular than any Canadian politician right now and this will be a major change from Canadian attitudes towards George W. Bush. Stephen Harper who has always believed that strong relations between Canada and the United States must be a central part of Canadian foreign policy is going to have a much easier time working with Americans on crucial issues without having to worry about being labeled as “too close to George W. Bush”. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Canon will pave the way for the visit. With major issues such as NAFTA, the oil sands, the environment, the auto industry, the economy, Afghanistan and security on the agenda; now is the time for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prove to President Obama that Canada is America’s closest friend and ally. Domestically, the politics of a good relationship between Obama and Harper will have an impact on the next Canadian election campaign. While it will be tough to face comparisons between Obama and the political leadership in this country, the election of President Barack Obama does offer an opportunity to pursue a pro-American agenda and get to work on the common interests affecting our nations.
Domestically in the United States, Obama has his hands full. The US economy is getting worse and time bombs such as health care and social security are going to have to be addressed. President Obama has set very ambitious targets on climate change. Once the honey moon is over, he will have to find a way to work with the Senate and Congress in order to get his agenda implemented. Up to this point he has lived up to his word and stayed above partisan politics. Internationally, we could see drastic change as in the past Obama has said he is willing to talk with both Iran and Syria. He also is open to ending the embargo against Cuba. He will face challenges with Russia, India/Pakistan and China. North Korea remains a threat. There is a lot of hope in Africa that his Kenyan roots will benefit that continent. There is also a lot of hope that he will be able to rebuild relationships with allies in Europe, South America and elsewhere. Expectations have been set to the highest levels imaginable. The question is how will he live up to the hype starting tomorrow?
Today we have a chance to celebrate the election of President Obama and also the culture and democratic traditions of the United States of America. Tomorrow we begin a global agenda of change and it is important that Canada acknowledges the new reality in Washington and ensures Canada has a strong role to play. I congratulate the United States of America for electing Barack Obama as President. I look forward to strong relations between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama who will be working together to address the mutual challenges our nations face. For me personally this is a huge day and it is an honour to have played a small part in Obama’s historic campaign and this historical political event.
