The man more than matched the moment.
Americans have been hungry for a new administration to take charge, and President Barack Obama wasted no time in doing just that. He delivered a swift and sobering summary of the nation’s challenges, and an equally stirring call to action.
President Obama advised his fellow citizens to underestimate neither the enormity of the problems we face nor our ability to solve them. “Starting today,” he instructed us, “we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”
The president’s address echoed several of his predecessors’, including Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural. “In every dark hour of our national life,” FDR said, “a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
Barack Obama has earned not only the support of the American people but also the goodwill of the world.
Andrew Romanoff is former speaker of the Colorado House.
