It’s Inauguration Day: Is Change on The Way?

Barack Obama is taking the Presidency in the midst of one of the largest economic crises ever to hit the world market. He must deal with an unpopular war, complicated foreign policy issues such as the recent conflict in the Gaza strip, all while trying to undue the tarnished image of the U.S. abroad. Yet with such a daunting task before him both the media and the public still seem to be viewing him as “Change” incarnate. Many of his appointments and actions since the election have both worried and angered many of his own constituents. From nominations that contradict the very change that he was supposed to be spearheading to rapid backpedaling on many crucial issues; the question remains as to when the honeymoon will end for President Obama.

During the primaries Barack Obama promised a quick repeal of a series of tax cuts issued under the Bush administration. These tax cuts benefited only the largest of corporations and the wealthy. Obama has since decided to let these cuts run their course until they expire suggesting in an interview with ABC that an increase would hurt the economy more than benefit it.

Another hot button issue which is currently falling victim to backpedaling is stem-cell research. Obama pledged on the campaign trail to lift the ban on the research but recently indicated in an interview with CNN that he would not be using his executive authority to rescind Bush’s 2001 ban as many expected. Instead he might wait for congress to change the policy. “Well, if we can do something legislative then I usually prefer a legislative process because those are the people's representatives,” stated Obama.

According to the Washington Times, Obama has also chosen to delay his repeal of the military’s controversial “don’t ask; don’t tell” policy, with regards to homosexuals in the Armed Forces. Two people who have advised the Obama transition team indicate that the repeal could potentially be pushed back till 2010.

An additional decision which further angered the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community was the much reported and analyzed invitation of the conservative and anti-gay Reverend Rick Warren to the inauguration. Rick Warren was invited to provide the invocation speech at the inauguration ceremony which raised many red flags considering his strong anti abortion stance. Although many view this as an attempt by Obama to reach across the “aisle” and strengthen his bi-partisan position some see this “middle-man” tendency as problematic when the time comes to instill real change.

It is this precisely “middle-man” tendency that has marked his presidential nominations. Despite an almost constant call by Obama for new faces on Capitol Hill he has essentially surrounded himself with many familiar political figures. The appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State brought at least as much controversy as it did fanfare. The retention of Bush appointee Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense raised many eyebrows and has many speculating that the decision was a political one to provide Obama with a little political leeway with his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Obama’s platform of change is one that captured the imagination of the nation and propelled him into office. Many of his constituents and supporters have rightly argued that he must be given time and that he has yet to even taken office. But the day of the inauguration has arrived and with his promises of a troop withdrawal as well as the closing of Guantanamo Bay on the horizon; the eyes of the nation are directed towards the capitol. It is time to see if the new president can surpass the rhetoric and institute a real change.

By: Alberto Ramos Cordero