I’ve spent the last couple of weeks in the fog of our economic crisis. – trying to catch up. While it came in September, it was the fabled October Suprise of unexpected ferocity. In some ways, it eclipsed the joy of finally ridding ourselves of Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney, and all they’ve came to represent over the last eight years. At first, I felt bad for Barack Obama, taking over in the throes of a financial crisis at a time when there are already enough crises to go around – not the least of which is an identity crisis unequaled in our history. Who are we? What do we actually stand for? our nation of mongrels inhabiting the last big piece of land on the planet for a short 230 years.
I don’t feel bad for him anymore. It’s time for us to come to grips with who we are and where we fit in the world of peoples. Hard times are as good as any to do that. For the second half of the last century, we defined ourselves by power – a superpower at that. Obama comes to the Presidency in a time when we’re going to have to redefine ourselves by another standard. Even if it is something forced on us by circumstances or financial necessity, it been too long in coming independent of the reasons it’s going to happen.
BROKAW: Let me ask you as we conclude this program this morning about whether you and Michelle have had any discussions about the impact that you’re going to have on this country in other ways besides international and domestic policies. You’re going to have a huge impact, culturally, in terms of the tone of the country.
OBAMA: Right.
BROKAW: Who are the kinds of artists that you would like to bring to the White House?
OBAMA: Oh, well, you know, we have thought about this because part of what we want to do is to open up the White House and, and remind people this is, this is the people’s house. There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education. Yes, we’re going to have an education policy. Yes, we’re going to be putting more money into school construction. But, ultimately, we want to talk about parents reading to their kids. We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House. When it comes to science, elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about. Thinking about the diversity of our culture and, and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that’s America. I–you know, that, I think, is, is going to be incredibly important, particularly because we’re going through hard times. And, historically, what has always brought us through hard times is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that, that sense that better days are ahead. I think that our art and our culture, our science, you know, that’s the essence of what makes America special, and, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House.
I, too, am beginning to feel that all the mess Bush is leaving for Obama to deal with is not totally bad news. It’s opportunity like wouldn’t have existed otherwise.
Take the auto industry, for one. In exchange for financial salvation, it seems we’re actually going to force them to go green, to start acting smart and making fuel efficient cars.
And the need for a big stimulus package is the opportunity to do something about our infrastructure, as well as alternate energy sources. Tonight it’s even being reported that business is happy about it — jobs and investment.
Instead of caution and scrimping, Obama is going for bold action.