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It's complex!
"Why does the change of government take so long in the US?"
That's the question I was asked often when in New Zealand over Christmas.
Another question might have been in order; "Why does the inauguration have to be so big?"
The answer to both is the same. America's large, it likes large things: large gestures, large events, and large government.
Don't believe that stuff about Republicans liking small government. Dubya grew the Federal Government almost as much as Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson.
Bush fought his wars abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan. Johnson's fronts were Vietnam and Povertry.
America also likes large politics, which is one reason why the transition takes time.
While attention has focussed on his Cabinet picks, such as Treasury Secretary Tim 'naughty' Geithner who omitted to pay some tax, Obama has been overseeing the 3,300 or so 'schedule c' political appointments that will staff his administration.
Each time the government changes, they change. You can regard this as a sign of the US commitment to ensure power elites don't bury themselves in the capital's woodwork.
Or you could regard it as a giant trough.
The enormity of the inauguration is also entrenched in the American way of quid pro quo. Donors, workers, acolytes: they all want soothing. A giant party is one way to do this, to keep them sweet.
Moreover, in this case, the inauguration is so big - putting aside Obama's love of spectacle - because it's so historic. A black man as president? Inconceivable even a year ago, it's about to happen in two days.
We shouldn't begrudge Americans their moment of self-congratulation. New Zealanders would flip out if a Maori became PM, after all.
What's interesting is that Obama's wife Michelle's descendants were slaves. His are Kenyans. Obama's victory is partially one of race, and mostly one of immigration, and intermarriage.
It's likely you won't hear much about that stuff on the big day. That's when all the palaver and pomp will be reduced to a simple fact: there's a new man entering the oval office. He looks different. He sounds inspiring.
The inauguration is the last part of the easy bit: getting elected. Just how much he'll be able to fashion a new politics remains to be seen. Given the environment I've described, it'll be tough, and yes, complex.
About Tim Wilson
Tim Wilson is the ONE News US correspondent, based in New York
City. He provides a regular blog on the goings on in the US.
Have you got an opinion on the issues that Tim discusses? Share them on the message board below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentNewzgal said on 2010-01-03 @ 15:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hi Tim, great blog. I agree right wingers have a Hobbesian view of existence, and like many I welcomed Obama’s presidency. However I always watched Fox News just to see how they were framing up the news (which far too many people rely on). I now find it more useful than ever to tune into the right just incase there is a kernel of truth in their rants as it seems the media and world have been far too soft on the new president and democrats, perfect recipe to slip things in!
jackdoitcrawford said on 2009-09-11 @ 23:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
Please don't label all people you disagree with, and put them in the same camp. Ayn Rand was pro abortion, achievement, reason, freedom, capitalism and happiness. She was definitely neither a conservative nor a libertarian. She also didn't want to live under a dictatorship. I see nothing wrong with this at all.
Kiwi in USA said on 2009-09-11 @ 17:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
I would have to disagree with Tim saying Bill ORielly is a right wing loon as if it were. He is defintly a independet and he always tells his viewers that. I know that there is plenty of loons like rush but come on, Obama is really turning America in the wrong direction. He has spent more money than all the presidents have combined. America is in trillions of dollars worth of debt.