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Rarely has the inauguration of a new president captured the fancy of the nation as the one that took place yesterday. It is safe to say that President Barack Obama has momentum on his side.
Despite bitterly cold weather, the inaugural events were impressive: huge crowds, appropriate pomp and ceremony, and an exceptional degree of graciousness that underscored the peaceful transfer of power.
In his inaugural address, the new President used his extraordinary oratorical skills to rally the nation and deliver a message of hope in these troubled times. He issued a welcomed plea for "unity of purpose over conflict and discord." He called on Americans to return to basic values of "hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism." "What is required," he said, "is a new era of responsibility."
While it was a clarion call for each citizen to become personally involved in "the remaking of America," he underscored his liberal leanings by making it clear that the federal government's role in achieving change will be preeminent.
Clearly, Barack Obama's meteoric rise from first-term senator to President of the United States has energized the nation and created hope for a better day. With such high expectations, one of his biggest challenges will be maintaining that momentum.
