President Obama- Congratulations and Expectations

The timing could not have been worse. Senator Barack Obama’s maternal grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had lost her battle to cancer at 86 (my condolences to Obama and his family). And less than 24 hours later came the election. At the end of the nationwide ‘America Decides’ day, the senator from Illinois was confirmed as the 44th POTUS elect and ended the Republican party’s relatively long-standing dominance. Cyberspace that day was confined to the unpopular sites as everyone surfed for the dig on the historical event, but I managed to watch a delayed upload of his victory speech in front of thousands some time after the announcement. Never mind how he articulates every syllable of spot-on with pride or how he commiserates his Republican rivals with a perfect balance of modesty and panache, the reaction and jubilation of his supporters were kind of worth the watch. And amidst the adulation and post-election frenzy, he addressed the world live with these magical words to begin with: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer..."

It took 43 great white leaders to reign before we were finally prepared to embrace the reality of America’s first ever African-American President. Senator Obama’s victory over Senator McCain to the President’s elect was symbolic, revolutionary and revelatory. His triumph was his supporters’; his win was the people's- The people’s vote for Obama was not merely a leap of faith, but a striking message that shone brightly in the razzmatazz of the election fever. It is change they wanted, or rather, we wanted. Change was so desperately desired that the tradition of electing a white guy for the White House is no longer viable in deciding our next President. People are sick of witnessing their loved ones sent to Iraq only to hear about them getting blown up or about them blowing up innocent compatriots and foreigners, when those wanted are still at large. Of course, Obama’s rise to Presidency will by no means stop the battle instantaneously, but it is a unanimous stand that the violence has to go. Even so, I’m certainly not implying that Obama won by having a better claim on the Bush administration’s Middle East assault, neither am I inferring that everyone is against the extremely controversial operation. But for the moment, it is undeniable that the attack on Afghanistan and Iraq has caused more sorrow and chaos than reaping any significant benefits, thus further raising the ambiguity of the patriotism and heroism in sacrificing for the country. The threat of a third World War may seem inchoate for now, but with nations such as North Korea and Iran stocking up and upgrading their nuclear weapons, it may very well happen in the near future. There are talks of Obama to pacify the incensed tension between the West and the East through actions such as peace talks with the enemies, but would it even be deemed reasonable, let alone effective? Plus, the global economic crisis arrived with a bang and already people of all classes are borrowing money, mortgaging properties, claiming insurances etc. The $700 billion pumped in by the government to cure the economical cancer that is damn close to its terminal has been dubbed as a 'painkiller' by skeptics and critics alike, and a convincing solution has yet to come. When January arrives, President Obama will face arguably the toughest challenges any President-elect will ever have to deal with immediately after taking helm at the White House. The task would be as difficult as any and Obama may be forced to sacrifice all of his campaign promises for the sake of national security. As TIME magazine quoted it in the best possible way, ‘Running for President often involves making big promises. Being President often means stepping back from them’; would the people’s joy be short-lived or would President Obama stay true to his pre-election promises? Will he refine the unsatisfactory way of governing in America or will he merely polish its façade? Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may be able to catch a glimpse of Japan from her house, but will President Obama be able to observe and address the pressing issues of his country and the whole world (of which whom he had preceded had overlooked) from the White House? He seems like a really inspiring and honourable American leader, but as far as everything goes, only time will tell.