Barack Obama now President of the United States - your thoughts

They aren't usually this extravagant and I find it to be quite inappropriate for this one to be in view of the state of our economy at present.

Yes, the Inauguration can be quite an event. I too have high hopes that our newest president will do many things to help the Unites States of America. It will take time to do what needs to be done, to make necessary changes, to fix the economy along with so many other issues needing attention, but I have strong faith that he will prevail and be successful in helping make the US an even better place to live in. He will make America proud. Thank you for you comment and for sharing.

Newtondak, yes, we are in this recession and our economy is hurting deeply, but due to the fact that such a historic event is taking place, I dont think its inappropriate, but rather necessary, for the most part. Thank you for your thoughts.

I'm watching his speech at the moment and he seems to be making all the right noises. He's been honest about the problems that the USA and the rest of the world face. At the same time he's also giving a speech that is quite encouraging for the American people and let's give credit where credit is due but he's a very speaker. Having said that, his ability to deliver is yet to be tested. I mean, getting people to make changes to their daily lifestyle is harder to do than to talk about it. It's also worrying that he's so popular. Yes, he's succeeding George Bush who is incompetent twit and so yes, he does look much better by comparison. However, we have to remember that the President is also human and so he can only do so much, even with the powers of the office he now occupies. We also don't know how big the problems actually are. So are we setting up ourselves for a dissapointment by placing so much hope in the man? I think we should be grateful if he manages to achieve a tenth of what he's promised to do, but are people able to tamper their expectations once the Obama Administration settles into the reality of government. The signs are good. Mr Obama has shown himself to be disciplined despite his lack of experience. He's charismatic and if you judge by the efficiency of the transition, he's willing to cross party lines and more importantly willing to let intelligent people join his cabinate. However, let's not expect too much from the presidency or we may find ourselves feeling very dissapointed when the miracles do not happen.

newtondak...you make an interesting point as well. Perhaps Obama has set himself up to be judged harshly at a later date when he cannot deliver on the things he has promised? Then again, isn't that what politicians do every day? All politicians promise voters the world in order to get elected, and once elected, they all seem to forget the promises they made.

"However, let's not expect too much from the presidency or we may find ourselves feeling very dissapointed when the miracles do not happen." It is Obama himself who has heightened the expectations of many American people with his promises. Undoubtedly, many WILL be disappointed as he is not the god that many think he is.

There is something to be said about adversity bringing out the best in people, including leaders. I mean, can anyone remember a particularly great president in the 1920s when the USA was enjoying a boom period? By contrast we all remember FDR, the leader during the Great Depression and World War II. Then the American System is actually pretty good at testing leaders. I mean if you have to go through 2-years of intense campaigning with every little nonsense bit if your life being held up as public property, you need to be of pretty stout character. Barak Obama has allot of things going for him and we, as world are lucky that the man in the hot seat has the natural gifts going for him. However, I do agree that Barak Obama is only human and we should not blow his ability to deliver the goodies out of proportion. I mean the worst thing we can do is to create false expectations that nobody, including a very talented man like Barak Obama cannot be expected to deliver on.

"He has a smart new team behind him"...that is actually not true at all - most of his team served in the Clinton administration.

they may not be 'new', but they are experienced and respected. Obama would not choose unqualified members to help him lead the country and many have shown their approval for his choices and are impressed by his decisions.

Well maybe he'll clean up what Bush started, and help prevent more deaths of American soldiers.

Hopefully he will do one thing that Bush has started, and that is to continue to keep terrorism on foreign soil and not in our back yards!

He has a different way of thinking, has fresh views and ideas that I think will make the difference. He has intelligence and will use it. I also agree with both kris and newtondak regarding the war.

I beg to differ actually. This makes even more history, since this shows that visible minorities are now gaining the acceptance they deserve and are not being labeled as outcasts anymore.

Whenever there is a change in Presidents, it is always history in the making - this one is no different just because of the color of his skin.

As all the presidents in the past, of course he has to prove himself. That is no different from before. I do however, think this inauguration is different, as there is history in the making. Thank you for sharing.

Thats a great response and very informative. Youre right, if we can make the changes necesary to help ourselves improve many different aspects that desperately need improvement, then maybe theres hope. They say, although not always so easy to do, but if we can think positive in hopes that things can and will get better, hopefully itll come back to us, just like the song "Ooh Ooh Child" (things are gonna get easier) by The Five Steptones I believe is the originator of the song. Thanks for sharing.

Oh I agree. Its been a pretty happy event for most of the day except for some senators collapsing which was bad, but all in all it was a good day, still going on and apparently will be going on all night too with the inaugural balls to come yet. Wow, what a long day then night huh? Long and cold.

That would be interesting to see. If we had to get the ball rolling regarding change, you never know who else may follow. Thanks for your comment.