Reflections on Obama's pending inauguration

As readers of this blog may well understand, I have more than a few problems with Barack Obama as witnessed by his speeches during the campaign. It's safe to say that I hope Obama the President sounds radically different from Obama the candidate. Believe it or not, I am giving him a chance to prove me wrong.

Obama needs to reach out to people like me and to listen to real conservatives, not the George Wills of the world. He needs to reach out to Sean Hannity and not take smug swipes at him by calling his train the Obama Express. He will be after all, the president of Sean Hannity no less than he will be the president of anyone who voted for him.

That being said, I am excited that from this point forward, race will not be an issue in American presidential campaigns. Any future black president will not be a special thing because Obama will be the first. He/she will be judged on their merits and what they say. I give Barack Obama credit for making this happen by being elected.

It is sad in a way that Tuesday's inauguration is not just another inauguration. Sad in that people put added focus on the way someone looks. I understand why that is. Black people have had a tough struggle and as recently as 40 years ago, Obama's parents couldn't get married in most states. There are dark chapters in America's history and this is one chapter being closed. It's a welcome thing but what I have maintained in my long-time opposition to Obama is that one should not break the barrier at all costs. There are wonderful black people that I would put in the White House before Barack Obama: Alan Keyes, J.C. Watts, Michael Steele, Lynn Swann. And if he fits on the list, I would say Bobby Jindal trumps 'em all.

Let me tell you one ethnicity that will have a hard time making it to the White House: jewish people. A jewish person will always be criticized as being buddy-buddy with Israel and that combined with anti-semitism clustered in the population will prevent a Jewish person from being elected President. That is not just in America. That is in virtually every country but Israel. Truly there is a long way to go in the struggle for an ethnic-blind world.

President Bush's final years as they have related to the economy have left a sour taste in many peoples' mouths. That combined with the economic downturn has set the bar high for any incoming president. John McCain may count himself lucky for not being elected president during such a tumultuous time. What it means is that Obama will be tested to see if the rhetoric matches the ability to produce. The traditional window of testing is the first 100 days of a presidency. Here are the tests:

• Israeli-Palestinian issue. Where will he stand? Will he try to be like Clinton and get them to talk?
• The economy. Lots of pressure on that bailout plan. Results have to happen quick or people will grow impatient.
• Healthcare. Obama promised to reform it. Probably will get pushed towards the latter stage of his first 4 years at the helm.
• Environment. Will Obama trade off the economy with eco-fascist planning? The people that his incoming environment secretary hangs out with endorse shrinking the American economy in favor of the environment. Doesn't look promising.
• Iran and other rogue nations. Will his diplomatic plans work or blow up in his face?
• Bin Laden. His ugly head is always lurking
• Iraq. When to withdraw and what will the pricetag be?
• Guantanamo Bay. What will he do with the prisoners once that is closed?

There is tremendous opportunity for this guy given the goodwill he's riding into the White House with. But goodwill can turn sour in a heartbeat. Enough talk. Time to walk.