I’ll try to post more extensively about my experiences at the inauguration once I’m out of DC and back in Boston Thursday morning. But it’s worth commenting on the staff ball at the DC Armory that I just returned from.
After a horrible experience with the youth ball Tuesday night, I’m happy to report that the staff ball was one of the highlights of my inaugural experience. First, a really great band called Arcade Fire started things off with what amounted to a full scale concert. Then the speeches began. Joe Biden addressed the staff with Jill at his side. The campaign manager David Plouffe was next. Then President Obama and our new First Lady came onto the stage, and it was pandemonium. Several thousand staffers from the campaign erupted in chants of “O-bama” and “Fired Up, Read to Go.” The President spoke about how we need to carry the spirit of the campaign into other aspects of our lives beyond politics. I recorded some of his speech on my digital camera and I’ll try to post it here soon. Then, after the speeches, Jay-Z lit up the house with what amounted to a second concert of the night.
Of course, one of the coolest aspects of the night was meeting other campaign staffers all decked out and looking great. President Obama noted that we looked a lot better tonight than we did during the campaign.
In between the inaugural ceremonies, the parade, and the balls, when did President Obama have time to issue this order???
The swearing-in was surreal for me. I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around the fact that the young up-and-coming Senator who I started volunteering for back in May, 2007 is now President. Back then, people who I called in New Hampshire sometimes didn’t know who he was. Check out the new White House website.
I spent my first full day in Washington DC today experiencing the inaugural festivities. I’m not a good enough writer and I don’t have enough time right now to describe how amazing it is here in DC at this time. It feels like a Woodstock for democracy. People are happy–almost giddy. It’s a strange and wonderful time. In a few hours, I’ll go down to the mall with hundreds of thousands of people and watch Barack Obama be sworn in as President. More soon…with pictures.
It looks like the dinner honoring Sen. John McCain on inauguration-eve is the first of its kind. Sure, it’s symbolic, but it’s smart symbolism. I wasn’t crazy about the dinner with conservative columnists earlier this week, but I have to admit that it may be effective. As a candidate, Barack Obama promised to unite the country. It will be one of his most challenging tasks, but he’s off to a good start. What else should President-elect Obama do to reach out to Republicans and where should he draw the line? Is there a danger that there will be too much bipartisanship under President Obama?
As the inaugural weekend begins, I’m reflecting on what this event means for our history and our future. Sometimes I begin to take for granted how many significant changes are potentially just around the corner. An AP article I saw today reminded me how much is going to change simply by virtue of executive orders.
Maher Arar’s case is a troubling example of how far the US strayed from its core values during the Bush years. Fortunately, there will not be another Arar case under President Barack Obama. The AP reports that one of President-elect Obama’s executive orders to the CIA will be to end the practice of sending terrorist suspects to foreign countries to be tortured:
The plans would also have the effect of shutting down secret “black site” prisons around the world where the CIA has questioned terror suspects — with all future interrogations taking place inside American military facilities.
It is one thing to outlaw torture conducted by Americans, as Obama promised to do and seems certain to follow through on. It is another thing to go further and make sure we are not outsourcing torture to others. The fact that our decision on November 4, 2008 will end the American practice of extraordinary rendition and torture is one of the changes that I am most proud of at this time.
What are some of the changes to America that you’re thinking about this inaugural weekend?
There’s an interesting article in Saturday’s Washington Post about Obama’s plans to immediately offer some degree of health care relief for laid off workers. I’m glad to hear about this. I think that much more of the health reform package could be combined with the economic stimulus.
The official portrait of President-elect Obama was released yesterday:
And then some great photographs of the cabinet and Democratic leaders at the NYT.
A mix between a tank, the situation room, and a Cadillac limo, it’s “the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world.” However, the Batmobile may have been more stylish.