Inauguration 2009: A Republican’s Perspective

January 19, 2009     Posted in News, Reality

president6.jpgJanuary 20th, 2009 will mark the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one.


By Sarah

It marks the end of an era when American politics were plagued with apathetic citizens, who found nothing in the candidates inspiring enough to take a passionate interest in.

It marks the end of an era when race was an invisible barrier over politics, the end of affirmative action being a weapon against the status quo, and the end of divisions in America over race. Barack Obama has attained the highest office of the American political system, and to some people, the free world. There is no reason anymore why any good citizen of America should not be able to succeed in their goals and dreams through diligence and perseverance, because it has been proven that the highest goal can be accomplished by normal people.

Finally, it marks the end of an era when the media was an impartial observer in the American Political system, and when committed voters were educated properly about their candidates. During the 2008 election, there was an enthusiasm towards our democracy that has not been seen in years. There was also, however, a vast prevalence of ignorance on both sides, and it was spurred by a media that displayed ruthless bias not seen in years. Mainstream news magazine Newsweek published six issues with covers devoted exclusively to Barack Obama, five of them issues in this year alone. 2008 was a year in which public opinion was ruled by media portrayal of political affairs.

The wedding is overshadowing the marriage. The Inauguration has magnified into something bordering on a spectacle, with commemorative trinkets being hawked in every possible commercial medium, and huge celebrations being planned across the country. Happiness and joy at an inauguration are not bad things. Blind euphoria and an unwillingness to accept shortcomings in the president-elect are.

As a conservative and a Republican, I don’t have high expectations for the next four, and possibly the next eight, years. Seeing Obama’s face doesn’t fill me with pride and hope, but a nervous concern for our country’s well-being with an untested president. I could be wrong. With Hillary Clinton as his very intelligent, very acquainted with international diplomacy Secretary of State, we could finally help the world see us as more than a distant and isolated giant. Hillary’s participation in his cabinet gives me hope that America will at least remain stable in international affairs, if not find diplomatic success.

I don’t believe Obama is a terrorist foreigner, but I don’t have much faith in the presiding ability of a man whose career rises from the infamous political machines of Chicago, Illinois. He remains untested, having been nearly completely cushioned from criticism by a media that remains vastly doting upon him. Without having faced adversity against his policies from a large portion of America, I believe he lacks the realistic gravity taken on by politicians who must fiercely defend their policies from a critical media.

I’m happy that a majority of American citizens are bonding together in what must be a very happy time. I’m glad that patriotism is at a recent-years high, as well as pride in our country. But at the same time, I wonder in the back of my mind if such limitless support will blind Americans to the shortcomings of their chosen leader, and draw them heedlessly into the cult of personality maintained by the media and faithful supporters. I take the optimism and euphoria of the inauguration with a grain of salt, because such unified support and utter faith in national leaders has taken a very grim turn in several times in history. If we are going to serve a president with whom we are not well acquainted, we must be willing to call him on the mistakes he makes, and not cushion his errors to maintain high approval.

I applaud America for a historic decision in the elections, but I caution America against turning a blind eye towards the new President’s novice mistakes.

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40 Comments on "Inauguration 2009: A Republican’s Perspective"

  1. Jess says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 200912:20 pm 

    Thank you for writing this. I can't agree more- I'm happy with Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and I think she'll do great things for us as a country. It's worried me from the start how much Obama is a celebrity, but hopefully he'll take good steps to getting the US out of the hole it's in right now. I respect any president that we have though, no matter what.

  2. Kelly says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 200912:56 pm 

    As a Democrat, I completely appreciate this article. I worry that the celebrity being created around Obama will hurt us, not help us. But I believe that this is a creation of the media, and not something entirely in the hands of the president elect himself. Unfortunately I don't see the American media as a reliable source of political information, although this is how most Americans get their political facts, and in my opinion it has been that way for years. Hopefully after the inauguration, the celebrity will die down and he will be able to make decisions that get our country out of the mess we are currently in.

  3. Dia says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20091:05 pm 

    Aw, don't be so bitter! There is NOTHING Obama could do that is worse than the mess Bush made. It will be difficult to fix the mistakes that he made. Have faith, it doesn't do any good to be pessimistic.

  4. beth says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20091:09 pm 

    Very well written. I don't think you're being pessimistic, just cautious.

  5. snarktastic says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20091:25 pm 

    THANK YOU. this is exactly what college candy has needed – an articulate, intelligent college woman writing from a politically conservative point of view. this is an excellent piece, and i really appreciate that you've shown respect for the other side, too – something they frequently fail at. i look forward to more articles like this. :)

    and dia, grow the freak up. there are plenty of things obama could do that are much worse than bush, and remember, much is classified. go read something of value rather than just inhale what you've been spoon-fed.

  6. giz says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20091:41 pm 

    too bad

    so sad

    GET GLAD

  7. Jacks says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20091:52 pm 

    I agree with snarktastic. College Candy has needed an article like this for a long time coming. Sarah also succeeds at criticizing the liberal media and liberal politics without coming off as an uneducated snarky bitch, which unfortunately a lot of the more liberal writers on this site portray themselves as when they criticize republicans.

    One thing I would have to disagree with, though-"It marks the end of…. divisions in America over race."

    President Obama is not going to change that single-handedly. That is going to be a long time coming, and there are plenty of people in this country who are going to hate Obama simply because he is black. And let's not forget, black people aren't the only ones who face race discrimination. With the immigrant issue, Hispanics are often targeted, Arabs are often targeted because of our relations with the Middle East, etc…

    Racism, unfortunately, isn't disappearing anytime soon.

  8. C says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20092:56 pm 

    I dont care if Obama is black yellow or green, I am a fan because I believe he's going to be a great president. I think it's just as racist to say 'oh hey look how great we are electing a black president' as it is to not elect someone cause they're black. He's just a good man, and he wouldn't have all this media and all this support if he didn't deserve it. Maybe some people are backing him cause he's black, but I believe the majority are backing him because they think he will be good for the country. I respect your opinion but at the same time to me this article seems to be saying that you don't like Obama because the media likes him…which is just wrong. And I must say that "…public opinion (is) ruled by media portrayal of political affairs" every election. That is how Americans get their information.

  9. Emily says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20094:34 pm 

    Blah, blah, blah.

    People are still apathetic, if you really want to think critically. There was all this hype around Obama as a figure in popular culture, and people are sickeningly content with "Oh, we made a huge difference just by voting!" and I'm scared that people will be complacent with simply voting for this man who will supposedly change the free world in every way imaginable! SNAP! Just like that. People need to change things themselves, not just be content with some miracle media messiah to do it for them.

    And honestly, people were NOT any more educated about voting this time around than any other time. In fact, more people were simply conned into believing false facts about BOTH candidates' stances on the issues. Like I said, Obama became a sort of pop-star (especially for the American youth) and it became just as much of a fad to love Obama – regardless of whether or not you knew anything about his issues – as it is to relentlessly hate on Bush. These are all fads and bandwagons. Hell, this two-party system we have going on – Republicans vs Democrats – is just one huge fad. If people really understood the issues and voted based on what the believe in rather than which party sucks more (Democrats or Republicans) then I think people would be surprised to see how many citizens agree with third-party platforms.

    That being said, I will give Obama his due time to impress me. I did not vote for Obama or McCain because I don't think either of them represented change. I just hope everyone who voted for Obama will put in the work to continue to hold him to high standards. But it *can* get worse than Bush, and it *can* still be disappointing. I hope it's not, but I won't hold my breath, especially when it comes to foreign policy and the economy.

  10. Jeffrey says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20095:09 pm 

    ding dong bush is gone wich bush the wicked bush ding dong the wiched bush is gone sorry just selabrating.

  11. SBG says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20095:11 pm 

    L-O-V-E-D this article! I agree with every point you made and felt it was very articulate and well written. God bless you for writing this and shedding light on what so many Americans believe!

  12. Rick M says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20095:31 pm 

    By far one of the best articles I have read here or on any site for that matter. Thank you.

  13. Sarah says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20095:35 pm 

    I volunteered for the Obama campaign even during the primaries, and I've been an avid democrat all my life, but that being said, I really liked this article. I don't often get to hear the other side's opinions conveyed articulately (or at all).

    A lot of people think that Obama will wave his Magic Wand of Amazingness, suddenly fix the country, and then spend the rest of his term playing pick-up games with his cabinet and wearing his bad-ass sunglasses. Of course that's not going to happen. One person simply can't do that. Obama knows that, and that's why I love him. He calls for us to serve, rather than expect to be served. He knows that for the country to get better, everyone needs to step up and do their part.

  14. yelena says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20096:49 pm 

    "it marks the end of an era when the media was an impartial observer in the American Political system, and when committed voters were educated properly about their candidates."

    this is absolutely fucking ridiculous. i somewhat do agree that media bias this election year and people voting for obama for stupid reasons was true, but if you think the media has EVER EVER been an impartial observer or that people have ever been educated properly about their candidates, you are completely delusional and uneducated.

  15. Casey says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20097:09 pm 

    I agree with Snarktastic, this was an excellent article, and exactly what college candy needed. Great Job!

    oh and Jeffrey, wtf!? if you're going to make fun of someone at least make sure you're being literate. You spelled almost every single word wrong! Sheesh!

  16. chyeaa says:
    Mon, 19th Jan 20097:41 pm 

    yo emily needs to chill out. I am pretty sure Obama will do a legit job with the economy and foreign policy. I completely agree with this article.

  17. Shep says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20094:24 am 

    There has been a bias in the media for many years, and the lines have been drawn. The radio belongs to the right, and the TV to the left.

    Even if I disagree with many of the things Obama supports, he is still THE President and I will give him my support as long as he is in office. I pray that he will recieve the wisdom and guidance he needs to lead this country.

    This article was an excellent look at the way I feel about the upcoming inauguration. Keep up the good work.

  18. JJ Schmidt says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20094:41 am 

    I have to agree with yelena, I don't recall any of the right comlaining about the unfair and biased coverage that Al Gore got when he was running against Bush. If they want to talk about media bias they need to go much farther back than the latest election or its just sour grapes.

  19. Kelly says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20095:16 am 

    You mean Springfield, Illinois? Haha even everyone born and raised in Illinois forget that that's the actual capital!

    Anyway, awesome article. You gave a really intelligent opinion of what the other side (for lack of better term) of Obama-fever looks like and I couldn't agree more. Even if you have complete confidence in a new President, he's still a new President that's never led a nation before and it's only natural to be nervous.

  20. Jes says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20097:54 am 

    I agree. I'm a liberal, but I appreciate an articulated presentation of a conservative's views. At work today (I love in South Alabama), my boss actually referred to today's Presidential Inauguration as the "In-n*gger-ation." Several guys simply referred to President Obama as "The N*gger."

    I'm so extremely disgusted, please don't be fooled, there's still VERY much work to be done along the lines of racial barriers in America.

    Hopefully I'll live in a more educated area soon enough… :(

  21. Jes says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20097:55 am 

    "I live in South Alabama," ..sorry.

  22. Lucy says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20098:18 am 

    Excuse me? The news has NEVER been impartial.

  23. LCallahan says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20098:51 am 

    here here!

    intelligently written articulate article! thank you so much. Much needed opinion piece in College Candy.

    and I cannot believe these people who are saying the news is not impartial/bias. I can't wait until they get older and start making their own money, paying taxes, and doing some research as to where all their money is going.

    History will tell us Bush was a good president. The people who say he wasn't are very very ill-informed.

  24. Katy says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20098:59 am 

    Great article!

  25. Kayla says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20099:38 am 

    Callahan- I am curious about how history will possibly make the Bush administration seem like a success. I mean, yeah, if a successful administration is one that completely ignores public opinion, at least during the last 4 years…

    In what ways do you think history will look favorably on his administration??

  26. Erin says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 200911:41 am 

    Thank you so much for writing this article. I am an Independent, and really did not love either candidate this election. I will support Obama 100%, like any American should support their president (Bush included, you don't have to agree with what his administration has done but show some respect people. Our country voted for him, our country should back him). However I'm very nervous as to how he will do. Obama and his family are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. This country needs for him to do well, I think everyone can agree on that.

  27. Katie says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 200912:34 pm 

    It really is fantastic to see an article like this. It's almost impossible to find caution regarding our new President, while surrounded with all the enthusiasm.

    Thank you for writing this. Thank you for proving that I'm not the only one still cautious.

  28. Jacks says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20092:05 pm 

    Kayla-Bush was president during the 9/11 attacks. He had some tough decisions to make. He may not have always made the best decision, but it's hard to say what the best decision of a bunch of difficult decisions will be.

    But we were never once attacked on our soil after 9/11-and for that, Bush will always be looked favorably upon, and should be thanked by the American people for.

  29. jessy says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20092:47 pm 

    that was an awesome article.

    many people assume that only the obama supporters don't know what he stands for, but i have many republican friends that can't tell me 1 thing about what mccain stood for.

    i'm an obama supporter, but even though i don't think it's good to have him on such a high pedestal, other countries are looking forward to his presidency as well.

  30. c2m2 says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20092:49 pm 

    Personally I feel that Obama got tons of attention simply because he was the liberal candidate. Over the past few years, many people have become sour toward the republican party because they feel that Bush did not do a good job. Look at what happened during the senate elections a few years ago…the majority of those voted to office were democratic.

    I feel that because Obama was the Democratic candidate, he got more media attention and people felt they knew more about him and could connect with him.

    I'd also like to make a small point, President Bush made it also in his farewell speech to the press. He came in with a recession and he is leaving with one. Also, he said many people in the world do not view American's badly, only people from wealthier nations. People who live in poorer and third world countries view the US with great respect due to our humanitarian efforts.

  31. Jenn says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20095:22 pm 

    R-O-F-L at the person claiming that "W" will be viewed historically as a "great" president. Pass the doobie, okay? I need some of what you have apparently been smoking for the past 8 years. I do pay taxes, see where my money goes, and am infuriated at how "W" and his puppet-masters Rove/Cheney have mismanaged and EXPANDED government. I thought conservatives, especially of the Reagan ilk, preferred SMALL government. Now the country is forced into a quasi-socialist bailout package to clean up the messes "W" made through his myriad incorrect decisions and/or lack of action in terms of regulating the financial markets. Seriously, pass that doobie.

    But I did like the article itself, good work.

    It is mature, thoughtful, and reasonable. Kudos.

  32. Casey says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20096:38 pm 

    how come on the slide show thingy with the 5 articles on it the link to this article says "I'm not excited about obama"? I don't think it says that in the article.

  33. Nicole says:
    Tue, 20th Jan 20098:27 pm 

    This is an EXCELLENT article! Very well spoken!

  34. c2m2 says:
    Wed, 21st Jan 20093:07 am 

    Blame Clinton for the economy…not Bush

  35. mimi says:
    Wed, 21st Jan 20098:48 am 

    You know what FUCK YOU! I'm not excited that your article was featured in this blog! It's people like you who make this world a bad place! After all the things that he put up with from the damn media he needs to be praised! It's a racist writer like you that will never be able to face the fact an African American is the president! I'm so excited he's the president! But I mean it's time that we as black people come up and are in charge of something! We broke our backs for your ancestors you asshole, and accepting an African American as a president is the least your bitch ass can do! Ya hear me?! Now you can take this comment (… so can the people who are reading this), or you can leave it bitches! But, face the fact: My president is black! He will do much of a better job than bush or any other fucker in the history of presidents ever did! You know why? Because, he's going to unite those who are willing to be united! And for the record that bitch Hillary was never experienced! She was just apart of her husband's legacy! Bon Voyage BItches!

    THINK THICK ON THAT!!!!

  36. Krissy says:
    Wed, 21st Jan 200912:46 pm 

    Sarah, I'm so thankful you're a writer at collegecandy. While it's nice to read the articles from a democrat's point of view, it's GREAT to read ones from a person who shares all my views. I love it!

  37. Krissy says:
    Wed, 21st Jan 200912:48 pm 

    & I'm sorry that people like mimi feel the need to write stuff like that in response. Just because I don't agree with half the articles on here, doesn't mean I need to get on & leave nasty comments like that…

  38. Casey says:
    Thu, 22nd Jan 200910:18 pm 

    actually mimi, it's people like you who make this world a bad place. I think you need to re-read your comment, and reconsider who the ignorant one is. I think everyone else who reads it can agree with that.

  39. e says:
    Fri, 23rd Jan 20094:37 pm 

    I really, really appreciate this article. I feel precisely the same way (I voted for Ron Paul) and it's a relief to finally see someone stand up for the other side of the ticket. Lately it's felt very much like non-liberals are being forced under a don't-ask-don't-tell policy. "We won't tell you what a horrible, idiotic person you are as long as you don't admit you didn't vote for Obama" is the cry of the day, unfortunately.

  40. Arden says:
    Wed, 11th Feb 20094:36 pm 

    Mimi. Do you realize that Obama is also HALF WHITE. yes, thats right just like Bush, just like Clinton. THINK THICK ON THAT!

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