President Obama's inaugural address, delivered at the US Capitol Building Jan. 20, contained some pointed references to Bush administration policies. (Ron Edmonds/AP)
What Obama’s inaugural speech achieved – and what it didn’t
It was deft. It was dignified. It also aimed to lower Americans’ expectations for better times soon.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer/ January 20, 2009 edition
Historians may remember Barack Obama’s inaugural address as a good speech, well delivered, a call to the United States to rise and fight its troubles. They might say it was unifying, a break with the past, a clever attempt to pull the Democratic Party toward the political center.
They could say all those things. But inaugural speeches, if they’re remembered at all, get one line in the books. FDR told us not to fear. JFK told us not to ask what our country could do for us. And President Obama? His speech occurred.
Millions of people did not jam Washington to hear Obama’s ideas about Afghanistan. They wanted to see the first African-American president with their own eyes. These are the words they came for: “… a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”
After he said that, the crowd roared so loudly that for a moment you thought they could hear it back in Illinois.
In general, Obama’s speech marked a high ceremony with dignity. It soared, enough. It talked of today’s troubles but offered hope for tomorrow and aimed for a boost in morale.
“It did what an inaugural speech is supposed to do,” says Leo Ribuffo, a history professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
The new president’s words describing the current economic crisis were fairly tough. He ascribed it to “greed and irresponsibility on the part of some,” but he also hit “our collective failure to make hard choices.”
Ever since John Kennedy called a generation to serve its country, the call for national rededication has become an important element of the civil religion that is US political ceremony. Obama did this deftly, calling on the nation to “set aside childish things” and to begin the work of remaking America.
“For everywhere we look, there is work to be done,” he said.
By putting the bad economy in the context of a need for national renewal, and by intimating that this renewal will take some time, the president may have skillfully deflected the notion that his very election – and perhaps a quick $800 billion stimulus package – will pull the economy out of its spiral by March.
In any case, that is what Gerald Shuster, an expert in presidential rhetoric and political communication at the University of Pittsburgh, suggests.
“If you had 10 speakers up there, they all would have alluded to the fact that we’re facing crises. What Obama managed to do is manage our expectations” about quick solutions, says Dr. Shuster.
Obama’s speech evoked the words of three presidents in particular, according to Shuster. JFK was one. Some phrases echoed Lincoln. And Obama closed by quoting Thomas Paine’s words of hope that George Washington ordered to be read at the low point of Valley Forge.
The new president continued a recent tradition by thanking his predecessor for service to the nation. Despite the gratitude, ex-President Bush might not have liked the speech.
“I was watching President Bush and he wasn’t smiling, and I could see why,” says Dr. Ribuffo. “He specifically criticized a lot of the Bush administration’s policies.”
Obama said he would “restore science to its rightful place” – foreshadowing a probable quick decision to allow federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, banned under the previous administration.
He said that “as for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals” – an indirect criticism of Bush administration interrogation and detention policies, and a line that drew another huge response from the crowd on the Mall.
The new chief executive also said the criteria by which government should be judged is not whether it is big or small, but whether it works.
Free markets can spin out of control, he said, “and … a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.”
On the other hand, the speech contained phrases that could be seen as conservative, especially for a Democrat. For terrorists, Obama had these words: “We will defeat you.” In his closing, he emphasized values he said were old: “hard work and honesty, courage and fair play … loyalty and patriotism.”
“It was nice to see a Democrat talk about tradition, values, and freedom,” says Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution here. “Obama seeks to reposition his party and his presidency along principles that will make for long-term success.”
The president also set some ambitious markers by which to judge his administration’s success. He talked of harnessing the sun and wind to fuel cars and run factories, transforming America’s schools and universities, helping poor nations to flourish, and other immense tasks.
On Jan. 21, he will sit in the Oval Office and begin trying to effect that change. It’s a cliché that can be said about many transitions in national life, but it remains true: Now the hard part begins.
Comments
2. norman | 01.20.09
i love his speech he just letting us know it will be a long process to get everything back on track and im really happy for him and his family it was also nice to see past presidents i love it all .
3. captbilly | 01.20.09
The headline says, “What Obama’s inaugural speech achieved – and what it didn’t”, but I don’t see any discussion of what the speach didn’t do. I am not suggesting that it did do everything, that would be absurd, but if the author is making a point of discussing what the speach didn’t do you would think that he would at least point out something in particular that the peach didn’t do.
5. Courtney Tucker | 01.20.09
Excellent speech setting the right tone. I especially appreciated the linking of Concord, Gettysburg, Normandy and Khe Sanh.
6. Burkhauser, Vallen | 01.20.09
“On Jan. 21, he will sit in the Oval Office and begin trying to effect that change.” Thats a scary feeling!!!!!!!
7. Garry Littledale | 01.20.09
“History will judge a nation not on what it destroys but what it builds.”
That’s a quote I will remember President Obama saying.
8. Ken Hall | 01.20.09
Agree with article with reservations. President Obama was too soft; too soft on Bush/Cheney administration, too soft on magnitude of tasks, too soft on American public and far too soft on the wealthy and obscenely wealthy.
9. Tony Badillo | 01.20.09
We’ve known since the beginning of Obama’s speech making that he can talk the talk;
the question is whether he can walk the walk. And his walk will become evident when
we see his sense of judgment concerning nations and other situations. Obama said we
must return science to its rightful place, meaning give science a free or freer hand
to do whatever it pleases; yet at the same time he seemed to say we need to recapture
traditional values. But do our traditional values require us to provide science a free or freer hand at acquiring stem cells from the unborn? Which values are upheld then? For
unfornately science has often tended to be atheistic and anti-tradition, and its “values” reflect that mindset. There are two sets of values here, and one set probably makes
the unborn tremble.
10. william fraser | 01.20.09
I am touched, as a black man, by what Obama has achieved for himself and black humanity, in prticular black Americans. A black man becoming President of the United States in itself has tremendous ramificaions for international relations and global goodwill and stability.We ought to now pause and give credt to white America, the unsung and almost ignored heroes of this touching historic drama- without their support (and it was generous) nothing black America could have done by themselves alone could have gotten him elected.
A fitting and equally touching sequel to his will be the elction to the presdency of South Africa of a white ANC candidate.
My fellow black brothers throughout the world, the ball is in our court!
11. stephen | 01.20.09
His speech resonates. It sounds authentic. Why? Because it held the same beliefs and goals that he has spent the last 20 years espousing.
Like Captain Sullenburger of US Airways, he has prepared for this moment and I have little doubt that he will guide the ship of state in the safest course through these turbulent seas.
12. Joy! | 01.20.09
I fear the blind is leading the blind. Hang on to your hats, after the honeymoons over we’re in for one horrific ride. He’s not a God nor can he work miracles. But he is our president and I will pray for him daily.
14. Barack Obama Fan | 01.20.09
Obama is a very good citizan and hes very nice.I would like to see the inauguration again.I like the part when they were playing the instrument.I think that Barack Obabma deserve to be PRESIDENT.He gave a good speech to the people in the world.
16. Edem K. D. | 01.20.09
President Obama’s speech marks the re-birth of peace, unity and love in America, and hopefully, will spread to all corners of the world. Let’s employ these virtues abundantly for the highest good!
18. Susan (Canadian) | 01.20.09
It’s people like you that contribute to this world having become what it has - negativists. I am a white 60 something woman, English by birth and Canadian by adoption. I have been watching, not obsessively, Barack Obama from the first speech he made when he announced his candidacy. Then, as today, I had a feeling of a man with a gentle spirit who lives by Christian ethics that could just possibly lead the warmongering United States into a more “sane” era. God bless him and curse those who, for whatever reason, self-serving or not, work against the aims he has espoused.
19. Kandyace | 01.20.09
Im happy about this great making of history!
I can’t wait til the change comes!
THANK YOU MR.OBAMA! YESSSSS!
21. Gary Nowlin | 01.20.09
Since when is being for the defeat of terrorists the exclusive view of conservatives? Since when is talking about hard work, fair play, and patriotism an attempt to “reposition” the Democratic Party? Next you will be claiming that a Democrat’s saying he hopes good defeats evil is borrowing a Republican position. Your author is deeply, deeply anti-democrat. I didn’t realize the Monitor is as deeply prejudiced as Fox News.
22. Stan | 01.20.09
I remember Ronald Reagan’s speaches. They sounded sincere and powerful. Bill Clinton’s sounded somewhat manipulative, like he was trying to play with your emotions rather than engage you intellectually. George Bush’s were even worse. I didn’t feel like he was being sincere. It seemed to be a lot of show. Barack Obama reminds me of Reagan: sincere, intellectually engaging, powerful. Part of his power is in his transcending partisan politics and dogma. So far, he seems like a wise and good man who is willing to see and accept good wherever he finds it and work for the common good. I hope that his example can influence other leaders in both parties to be more honest and selfless.
23. bostonian | 01.21.09
I for one welcome the hard work it will take to return this country to its full potential. It wasn’t too long ago that we are all whole-heartedly supporting Bush, watching the genocide in Rwanda and Kosovo, and buying into ” a new world order”. Come on people!! It occured to me as I watched previous presidents at the ceremony, that we as the public are somewhat fickle and forget how difficult it can be to bring change. Give the man a chance!!! In the meantime, I’m headed for the gym,:) I’m watching my money, tending to my spiritual needs and praying overtime for Barak Obama. Yes we can.
24. Jafar | 01.21.09
Considering his promise to make a change for the US, I believe that there would be a long and not easy way for him to go!
25. Kevin | 01.21.09
I must say this is one of the most informed articles I have seen written. Providing a bit of education about what the speech insinuated and where it was derived. Under Barrack’s leadership I hope to see a reform to education and intelligence. Personally, I want to see an intelligent man like President Obama in office, which I have never in my life time been able to see. The person leading the country needs to be one that does not allow his feeling or religion lead the country’s policies or actions; a man who promotes science, invention, rights, freedom, and responsibility. I have high hope for President Barrack Obama, but to see progress there needs to be leadership changes across America. Automobile manufactures stop simply face lifting the same vehicles and actually invent better more efficient vehicles each year. Believe me our vehicles are a far way away from where they can actually be with our current technology, but because profuse amount of businesses that are reliant on our imperfect vehicles the industries will not allow for major advances. The lack of quality educators we have forming our youth’s minds at the most supple time in their development is appalling. We don’t simply need some of our brightest in Universities (where you will notice most of the great advances come from), we need some of our highest quality educators leading our youth. I digress, thank you President Obama for restoring my faith in our country’s leadership, now for the more difficult challenge please restore my faith in our industries.
26. amit | 01.21.09
its time to walk the talk , i believe he will make a difference soon ……….. obama u rock
27. Gladys Batan | 01.21.09
The speech made it clear, Barack is not about personality. Mr. Obama is about leadership and he calls us to take a common personal responsibility for our own actions. I appreciate his honesty and can follow a president like that. To God be the glory and may God bless the USA.
28. Rachel | 01.21.09
Mr. Obama is the first president IN MY LIFETIME that I have ever felt that I could trust and follow his leadership. I appreciate his courage, sincerity, honesty, and candidness. We as Americans need to recognize that he is a person and only a person. He is not God, nor a king. He is calling each of us to follow our own highest sense of right, to take responsibility for our actions and think beyond our own worlds, our own paradigms. In service to others, we can learn how truly wonderful this world REALLY IS. Love rules!
29. Harry Wilson | 01.21.09
I was actually hoping Obama WOULD give us some hope in dealing with the depression we are entering but he most assuredly did NOT. He makes it sound like all we citizens have to do it “roll up our sleeves and get to work” and the depression will disappear. Hello? So there is something that I can actually do about the economy? Or to help people save their jobs? Oh, for sure for sure! I feel all he did is pass the buck. Obama seems like a nice guy who has NO CLUE as to what to do next, and I mean NO clue! And my friends, THAT is why the stock market dropped right after his inauguration, as investors who were holding on to what little hope they had left only saw that hope dashed by his speech prmising nothing but more hard times to come. Electing the first black president is a nice thing to do, too bad we couldn’t find a capable one who has a clue on how to get America back to work! In fact, ANY color of president who had a clue is better than one who doesn’t. Watch our country now sink to the most unemployment we’ve ever seen in two centuries under his seeminly clueless leadership. May God have mercy on us all!
30. Jerry Pooe | 01.21.09
I am a black South African and I would like to commend the President of United States of the tone the world relations should take, our world has been reduced to greed, manipulation and power mongers. Throughout African we have seen hunger, hopelessness and helplessness,and to be exact Africa has the most talented people in the world but less leaders to believe in its people and their development, however having seen Obamas’ speech I know that after many years of slavery, poverty and underdevelopment in Africa a day is coming for Sfrica to honestly look at itself and make a change for the sake of its’ children and development. The past is not and issue anymore but the preparation of the future is key, lest we all perish.
31. jacob apostol | 01.21.09
Obama’s speech was full of idialism, but short of realism. The question now is not whether how good is his speech , but how how good can he fulfill his promises? I believe that history will judge him not on the basis of his rhetoric but on his ability to match his ideal words with real actions.
32. Maria Cavazza | 01.21.09
I watched the inagural speech on CNN in Germany and was deeply moved by this historical event. What did this speech achieve? It revived the true spirit in the hearts of Americans, this spirit of hope and of courage to believe in higher values, the same values that made the american nation possible. This by itself will bring changes in America as well as in the world because the individual will be more conscious of his existence and his inner values in this planet earth.
Maria Cavazza
34. Juliette | 01.21.09
I’m a black American woman who happened to vote for obama and the speech lacked substance to me. Just a lot of platitudes. I agree with a previous commenter. This article did not point out what the speech DID NOT DO. The speech was no different than a typical politicians–a lot of “feel good” hot air. It’s amazing to me how so many journalists are unwilling to ask hard questions of this man or even present any dissenting points of view. WAKE UP JOURNALISTS, OBAMA MAY BE THE FIRST “BLACK” PRESIDENT, BUT HE’S STILL A POLITICIAN and needs to be questioned.
36. bertoandsammie | 01.21.09
hello obama we are your biggest fans EVER!!!!! we loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!! you are our hero till the end. we want you to ourselves. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
37. Julie | 01.21.09
I too realized that he was aiming to lower our expectations - which i can understand but at the same time didn’t lead to an all together feel-good feeling considering how his whole campaign was around hope.
also… it seemed contradicting that he talked so much about greening and then when he made a laundry list of things he wanted to put money into roads and bridges were the first thing he mentioned. Seems mass transit is a greener alternative to me, personally.
39. nuke | 01.21.09
Guys it’s just a speech!! It’s not like he actually accomplished something. Time will tell if HE lives up to his own words or blames all of America’s woes on bush. He can probably get a free pass doing this for his first 4 years. After that, who shall he blame?
Let’s hope he lives up to what he says and puts the partisan stuff aside and gets to solving problems vs finger pointing. That will be the true test of his character. For it are NOT the words that he utters but the actions he takes that will define him.
40. unknown | 01.21.09
He did not achieve anything yet. It too early to ask this question. Every newcomer talk very loud and ended-up on the lower side one way the other. Therefore give him a chance, wait and see. He will not be able to fix all the bluders done by Texan Cow Boy and thats for sure.
41. JJ | 01.21.09
Obama’s speech and the classiness of the inauguration ceremony at large showed the world an image of a dignified America once more. Obama gave us our self-esteem back as Americans- helping us to remember and feel proud about that special indomitable and pioneering spirit inherent in us that made the US so great in the first place. He has the ability to inspire us to serve our communities and do out own personal part to make the country better. I have never felt so proud to be American!
42. Monica Zuñiga | 01.21.09
I am proud to be an American because of him. My vote counted this time.
God bless him and his family.
A thought of a Guatemalan woman.
43. P-nut | 01.21.09
To Harry Wilson and those claiming that Obama does not have a clue. You are just showing how ignorant you are about President Obama and his ideas. Try looking at his website, where his policies and plans are clearly spelled out and you’ll see just how uninformed and ridiculous you sound. It’s nice that you have an opinion but it’s based on nothing real . Sounds like sour grapes from defeated Republicans….
44. lisa | 01.21.09
I think it’s silly to start making predictions about a Presidency before it’s begun. Sounds more like wishful thinking. I for one, am wishing he will be a great President. Seems like he has the potential to be, but his challenges are enormous. I think one important thing to be gained from this speech was the very accurate point that while it’s easy to blame bankers for all our problems, we were instrumental in bringing about this crisis. We have lived too long on the idea that everything should be easy and fast, and that is all of us. We do need to bring back ideas of responsibility and end the culture of living far beyond our means. This doesn’t mean living like a thrid world country but it does mean understanding we all must accept our financial situation and excessive greed will always come back and bite you in the ***. Good luck to you President Obama, i will be praying as will many others that you succeed.
45. Guy D. Bircher | 01.21.09
I will wait with hope…hope that the Constitution is not places too close to the shredder. I am still wondering about Article II section 1, subsection 5. It seams to be a trend lately to tatter our founding document. The first cabinet picks are not so much to my liking, i.e. Mr. Holder, Mrs. Clinton, and Mr. Emanuel. Change? Dose everyone have amnesia? Why he spoke so highly of his father who abandoned him, and no mention of Mom. One last thing; he could have at least mouthed the Lords Prayer. Let us pray for our future.
46. Richard Brownscombe | 01.21.09
There was another theme in the inaugural speech, in the events of the day, and in the long two-year campaign: the return of power to the public. Barack emerged from the Democratic candidates by understanding the power of the public over the power of the rich and influential. Had he not, Hillary would have won. His call for volunteers takes Kennedy’s “what you can do for your country” into action, community action and political action. Nearly two million came to Washington, not only to see a black man become president, but to see their man become President. History will remember the smart President who understood and mobilized the power of democracy.
47. justine | 01.21.09
Black? Is he? I wonder what his white mother thinks she is.
No. Those I know think of him as both black and white. On one side of his family his forefathers were enslaved. On the othere side, they possibly were dying to free them, or dying to keep them enslaved. No. Many of us see Obama as both.
48. confused | 01.21.09
Why does everyone keep saying he’s the first “Black” President????? Wasnt his mother “White”???? So to me that sounds like he is neither white nor black. Until we can stop putting labels on each other no matter how tolerant they have become we will never truly have a nation or world that is unified and Racism will still exist. My mother is spanish and my father is anglo and I am proud to be part spanish even though i look anglo. So to all you “Black” supporters you can call him “black” all you want but your only kidding yourself.
49. Nancy Spitters | 01.21.09
It distresses me that Americans seem to want a charismatic personality rather than real substance. Yes, the fact that we now for the first time have a black president is significant but only if he can lead our country into actual change. I will pray that he gets on his knees and asks for God’s wisdom in dealing with the huge global coporations and lobbyists that now determine the course of our policies. Will he truly get these people to work for the American people? Will bigger government solve our problems or only perpetuate more government? God help our new president!He will need more than clever words to change the path America is taking.
50. Audrie | 01.21.09
I belive in Brack Obama speech. I believe he will get our country back where it needs to be. What people need to understand is that it’s not going to happen over night. It’s gonna take some planning, thinking, time, and organization. Most importantly it’s gonna take us as Americans to help him get the country back we love so well. We all can start some where by getting involved in some type organization that includes our nation as a whole. If we belive in President Obama then we can help him by saying “YES WE CAN AND WE WILL”. It’s been a long time coming and it’s here the ‘CHANGE” starts now with all Americans.
51. SolydTruth | 01.21.09
Juliette’s comments are spot on! She is right. Obama has gotten a pass from the liberal press from day 1. In fact, all of the promises that he cannot fulfill will be forgiven because he is their choice, their pick to “save” the nation as it were. Those of us that are grounded in reality and live life with our heads squarely on our shoulders have always viewed Obama with suspicion. I am a Republican just LIKE Dr. Martin Luther King was and I am steeped in reality and pragmatism. I voted for John McCain for President. An excellent African American pick would have been Michael Steele. I am willing to see what good Obama can do, unfortunately his economic platform is a disaster. Far more of a disaster than our economy is now. As he attempts to recreate the New Deal, he will cede all of the economic progress we have made as a nation and worse to support his all encumbering agenda.
52. Egan | 01.21.09
man i am only 13 and at our school we got to see history happend and know i can say obama is a member of my kenyan culter and it was so amazing at school everybody had to watch the obama speech i almost teard down man the whole America is about to see change easy times man that is all i am saying that speech was put in good order he said we are going to pick up ourselves and dust ourselves off and start fresh those are powerfull words promising words that i won`t forget i hope the people that has dvr had a chance to recorde this historical moment
53. Kai-Lit Phua | 01.21.09
Congratulations, America!
Your worst President in recent memory has departed the scene.
May this intelligent and dynamic new President of yours turn out to be one of the best ever. And may he help you and your nation to live up to its ideals.
(I am Malaysian, US-educated, and an ex-Permanent Resident of the USA).
54. sarah | 01.22.09
i am a 48 yr old black female who have raised two wonderful daughters by myself and thought them them never say the word hate and always love the ones even if they dont love you back. what i dont get we have already judge the 44th president but no tone of you said what you will do to help him make that change in america to better our lives and the people around you,what we can do to make the world a better place of the present and out future children that will come along.when was the last time anyone of you went out and help build your neighborhood or even help the elderly or just help a stranger in need with money or clothes or even a hot meal to eat and when have one of you even helped a homeless person out but instead you just walk by them and look as you are holding on to your purses or wallets making sure they are safe. we know that our 44th president isnt all black but i have to say that he is the only president beside carter and clinton that i know that went out in the streets and rolled up his sleeves and got dirty with the rest of us and i have to say one more thing dont judge him or anyone until you take that first step yourself to help make our world a better place.
55. Tamiru Tiguh Inika | 01.22.09
President Obasma`s speech was excellent and the most empowering for American nation. I hope he will do the best to lift this country socially,economically and politically.
According to the bible the president is assigned by GOD. He is the gift of GOD to this generous nation who for long time did not get such a brilliant person.
Obamas father and mother both are graduates with PHD. in his mother`s side there was one president of this country in the 18th century (serch on the internet).
His excellency president Obama was a brilliant student from lower class up to the harvard university.
His degrees of poltical science from columbia university and law post graduate degree from harvard had been practiced at chicago poor neibourhood while he commited to organize the community.
He was teaching at chicago university too.
He kept developing his carier and his mind when he was elected as a senator. His two years presidential campain was another post graduate school.
No one in the entire world has a brilliant mind to solve the current crisis in America and the world like Obama.
Each of us has to work hard each day and be honest to the government to elevate the economy of this country.That makes the president strong.do not expect the spoon feeding from the white house just by not working.
start hard work what ever type of job it is an if there is any obstacle report it to the goverment the obstacle will be removed and go on until you are retired. Then you will see change in your life.
May GOD guide him with out any obstacles for the next 8 years.
56. Stoun6 | 01.22.09
We have sold our ability to make things to the world and become a consumer society. If we continue to do this we will only fall back into the same trap we are in now. I would encourage our new leaders to explore ways to develope new technologies that can bring the world to our door step not us to theirs. I will guarantee you that if this is not done we will fail as a nation and probably cease exist to be a free society.
57. Tony Matthews | 01.22.09
As a black man I am proud to be apart of this history making event, and very proud of what President Obama has accomplished. I am more than curtain he will do an outstanding job, understanding the mess he was left to try to clean up. We must all understand that this is going to be a on going process, and if you listened to his speach he is asking for all of us to except some responsibility and do our part to in making things better. I am more that confident that our new President and his staff will get the job done, especially if we all work together.
58. Concerned American | 01.24.09
Obama has definitely gotten a free pass from the liberal press from the start. Our founding fathers were looking UP when they made decisions, they weren’t looking at eachother. Obama wants to make his own agendas and he can’t even decide whether he’s a Christian or a Muslim! The last thing we need in office is a president that is struggling trying to find himself spiritually! I hope and pray that he sees the light, and realizes that we need to get back to our roots as a country, and look to GOD, and not to MAN to solve our problems!
59. walt | 01.24.09
The thing that amazes me about the One’s ascendency to the White House is the fact that Blacks feel that only now can they hold their heads high and walk in the light. I sit in stunned astonishment considering the that the only way they can feel like that is because a black man is president. How sad.
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1. Helen moreno | 01.20.09
barack obama rocks