Overlooked in Coverage of Obama Inaugural

Despite media coverage from across the globe, there were a few aspects and details of Barack Obama's Inauguration that were either completely ignored, or, overlooked, when, it seemed to me, they warranted at least a little attention:

For example:

1) Obama went out of his way to signal to the world that, as President, he was starting an era of diplomacy and efforts to build better relations without using military action. In the one specific part of his speech when he could have chosen "tougher" words, Obama, instead, said the following:

"...And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

I just found it striking that Obama spoke of "our spirit" rather than referring to our military superiority, so often cited by past presidents. How often does a President, immediately after referring to terrorism like that, speak only of our (American) spirit - and not our military? It was no accident. Obama, in several instances, stressed our "common humanity" and the US interest in getting along, respecting each other and focusing on the common bonds we have with people across the world.

2) Also, while Obama's brief, powerful message to the Muslim world was noted, I thought it deserved even more attention. He said: "...To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy...." What a beautiful, concise, symbolic signal to send in his very first opportunity to speak to the world as President. He was confronting, realistically, the strain in relations between Muslims and the US that had intensified during the eight years of Bush's foreign policy.

3) Again, while noted, it was really noteworthy that Obama chose to make only one direct reference to his being the first African-American President. He spoke of how the meaning of liberty in the US was "why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath..."
On this of all days, a truly unique moment in history, Obama chose to stick to his theme and approach used throughout his long presidential campaign - of NOT emphasizing or drawing more attention to his race.

4) Television media noted the huge crowd repeatedly, but did not make much of an effort to explain why so many ordinary citizens had chosen to make the long trip to Washington DC. They didn't comment much on what had made Obama such a different candidate and how and why he had touched so many people's lives - not only in the crowd in DC, but, watching around the country. I'd say that one simplistic summation would be that Obama was "getting back" at least some of the good will and positive energy he had "given" to so many people. He is a "different" leader - and, it seems he may be, a "different" President because of some of that "transcendent" leadership ability. He has a bit of Nelson Mandela or Martin Luther King in him, it seems to me - a power and a gift that goes beyond most presidential candidates we've seen.

5) Obama, within the first hour or two after being sworn in, showed us a glimpse - again - of his capacity for spontaneous leadership and cool when, after joining others in responding to the sudden collapse of US Sen. Edward Kennedy, returned to the room where Kennedy had fallen ill, and made brief remarks, saying with emotion: "I'd be lying to you if I did not say right now a part of me is with him and I think that's true for all of us."

6) It seems we've all been spoiled by how many outstanding speeches or extemporaneous remarks we've already heard from Obama. I noticed that quite a few observers commented that his speech was not really special or memorable -- that it was good, but not great. Well, perhaps it could've been better, but, I'd challenge anyone to name a better Inaugural address in the past 40 years. JFK's in 1960 certainly included a couple of phrases that became historic and, argubly, made that a extraordinary speech, but, if you think of all the Presidents since, I don't think any of their Inaugural speeches were as good as Obama's. Obama eloquently signalled his new era of leadership to the world while bracing Americans, in an unusually sober way, for the tough times ahead at home. (Some Presidents don't dare get that sober in their first speech)

7) The hearsay about some rift between former President Jimmy Carter and former President Bill Clinton may amount to nothing, but it's interesting that so soon after the occasion when the former Presidents met for lunch with Obama -- and Carter went out of his way to stand a bit apart from Clinton -- that we hear about Carter ignoring Clinton moments before they all walked out for the Inauguration. Given reports that the two leaders have had ups and downs in their relationship for years, this piece of gossip, seemed a bit more intriguing.

8) On a somewhat lighter note: It was ironic, humorous and surprising to see Obama - the man who made fewer mistakes or gaffes in his campaign than any candidate in modern history - be part of a stumble - with Chief Justice Roberts - in his actual swearing in -- when they got out of synch -- and Obama paused, waiting for Roberts to correct himself.

It was NOT important in any lasting way, but, rather, just so unlikely that this particular candidate, who always seems to avoid misspeaking or any blunders, could ......Perhaps, it was a good thing -- a way for him to remind all of us to bring him down to Earth a bit!

9) Biden showed a more predictable personality trait, when, at the end of his oath, he loudly thanked the Justice Stevens. It was reminiscent of Biden making endless deferential remarks to Judge Robert Bork during the hearings he chaired 20 years ago. Biden just couldn't stay quiet - even after the most important, solemn oath he had just finished.

10) On a lighter note: Did anyone notice that as Obama, seconds before his began to take the oath of office (as he walked from his chair to the spot he stood, that he began to laugh - and, at one second, seemed to have trouble controlling what was either a nervous laugh or a burst of giddiness? Is that what prompted Justice Roberts to say: "Are you ready to take the oath now, Senator?"