Behind Obama Mania
Published in Le Monde
(France) on 1/19/09
by Editorial (link to original)
Behind Obama Mania
On Inauguration Day, the party began in Washington DC with balls, concerts, speeches, and the omnipresent media. Yes, Obama fever has reached its climax with the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Rarely has a president been the source of such strong hope for the future, despite not having enacted any legislation. Today’s optimistic attitude reflects both the unpopularity of his predecessor and the positive opinions and expectations of America and the rest of the world. However, Obama Mania cannot remain unopposed. It must face the economic crisis and an international community that expects a better, more polished America.
The international community expects Obama to be many things at once: a type of Amnesty International president, similar to a U.N. Secretary General, a Greenpeace supporter, and backer of all anti-discrimination organizations. There are many expectations of President Obama, and perhaps they are excessive, even for him.
President Obama loves his country and for a powerful reason. As he has said, only the United States and the American experience could allow him to be where he is today. He will be an American president who will protect his country’s interests, both economic and strategic. He is not an international activist, occupied with addressing the issues and complexities of the 21st century.
However, simply by taking office President Obama has already made a difference in significant ways. His presence in the Oval Office has returned America to an upwards trajectory, as evidenced by his statement. He said, “An entire generation will grow up taking for granted that the highest office in the land is filled by an African American.” His story, his diverse origins, and his childhood in Indonesia have helped shape President Obama’s view of the world. Due to his background, he knows that the world does not always see America as she views herself. We are now miles away from the limiting, blind patriotism that so marked his predecessor. Throughout his campaign, President Obama proved himself to be a man of reason, a man open to new ideas, a man of prudence, a man who listens, and a man who questions. Today, we are far from the George Bush who masked his insecurity behind Manichean philosophy. In short, things are off to a good start.
On Inauguration Day, the party began in Washington DC with balls, concerts, speeches, and the omnipresent media. Yes, Obama fever has reached its climax with the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. Rarely has a president been the source of such strong hope for the future, despite not having enacted any legislation. Today’s optimistic attitude reflects both the unpopularity of his predecessor and the positive opinions and expectations of America and the rest of the world. However, Obama Mania cannot remain unopposed. It must face the economic crisis and an international community that expects a better, more polished America.
The international community expects Obama to be many things at once: a type of Amnesty International president, similar to a U.N. Secretary General, a Greenpeace supporter, and backer of all anti-discrimination organizations. There are many expectations of President Obama, and perhaps they are excessive, even for him.
President Obama loves his country and for a powerful reason. As he has said, only the United States and the American experience could allow him to be where he is today. He will be an American president who will protect his country’s interests, both economic and strategic. He is not an international activist, occupied with addressing the issues and complexities of the 21st century.
However, simply by taking office President Obama has already made a difference in significant ways. His presence in the Oval Office has returned America to an upwards trajectory, as evidenced by his statement. He said, “An entire generation will grow up taking for granted that the highest office in the land is filled by an African American.” His story, his diverse origins, and his childhood in Indonesia have helped shape President Obama’s view of the world. Due to his background, he knows that the world does not always see America as she views herself. We are now miles away from the limiting, blind patriotism that so marked his predecessor. Throughout his campaign, President Obama proved himself to be a man of reason, a man open to new ideas, a man of prudence, a man who listens, and a man who questions. Today, we are far from the George Bush who masked his insecurity behind Manichean philosophy. In short, things are off to a good start.