I haven't written much about the Inauguration or the first week of the Obama Administration. Partly it just hasn't sunk in, I think. Partly, like many people, we never got into our ticketed section. That wasn't so bad; we were there and that was what mattered.
After the swearing in though, we had a tough time getting off the Mall: lots of pushing and shoving and none of the spirit of earlier in the day. We were cold and exhausted like everyone else and felt really sad and beat up. I just didn't want to talk about it. Still don't.
But now, as I get used to hearing "President Obama," watch the Robert Gibbs briefings and listen to various cabinet members as they emerge, as I struggle to believe that George Bush is really gone (my husband refused to leave the TV at the reception on the Hill where we watched the actual swearing in until we saw the chopper take off) and that we have a smart, classy, competent and deeply pragmatic president, I want at least to weigh in.
It was a beautiful day. I don't know anyone, either personally, among the crowd or just around town, who isn't proud. Those I know who live abroad report the international excitement you've seen reported. We've done something wonderful. But you know that big cliche "now the hard part begins." Well, it's true. Just like it's easier and more fun to work on a startup than a big, established company, it's easier to campaign than to govern. Instead of one goal – getting elected, there are countless tasks and crises and they all happen at the same time. No news bulletin in this.
I wonder though if people are scared enough about our problems to give him time to make his way. From the first day there were people on the Hill blocking nominations and it felt to me that it was just because they could. I know that Americans don't want that to be happening but all three of the major roadblock Senators were men up for re-election so I guess they think it will benefit them at home. Reporters call it "red meat" and it's what's been troubling Americans for the past eight years; I can't imagine what these men think they're accomplishing, particularly with Eric Holder, the Attorney General nominee and widely praised including by his former Republican colleagues. Yet his confirmation was put off a week – and he, Tim Geithner (Treasury Secretary) and Hillary Clinton were all kept from early briefings where security was involved and from being an official part of the Inaugural because these guys decided to make trouble. Petty, huh?
So let's hope they come to their senses and that all of us are strong enough to hang on until the planned economic and diplomatic initiatives have time to move into place. It will all happen faster if we wait to fight until there's really something to fight over.