In three days, one of the most historic moments in the United States and perhaps the whole world will happen when the new White House resident takes his oath of office before the steps of the US Capitol in Washington DC at noon on January 20 (1:00 a.m. January 21, Manila time). The greatest power in the world will be transferred to Barack Obama, an African-American under whose shoulders ride the hope of Americans to see their nation regain its place as a beacon of hope economically and politically.
No expense has been spared to make the occasion as memorable as it can be. As a matter of fact, the inauguration is estimated to cost $150 million — more than thrice the $42.3 million spent on the 2005 inauguration of George Bush and Bill Clinton’s $33 million in 1993. Four million people are expected to attend, and businesses — from posters, tattoos, shirts and other commemorative items — are thriving on the heels of an “Obama mania” sweeping the nation.
Being a close ally of the US, Filipinos are sure to watch the event with keen interest, particularly since Charice Pempengco will perform at the inaugural ball. Charice is one of our 2008 “People of the Year” awardees and she postponed her trip to Washington DC to attend the awarding ceremonies at the Sofitel Plaza last Thursday. This little girl with the big voice — who wowed everyone with her spectacular performance during the awards night — will certainly make history of her own on January 20.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney is also one of the awardees and she flew in just in time to attend the “People of the Year” awards. The Ambassador will host a formal inaugural ball at the Charles Parsons Ballroom of the US Embassy with American community members and some special guests in attendance. I was talking to the Ambassador over breakfast a couple of weeks ago, and contrary to reports, the new Ambassador to the Philippines has not been named. The new president, obviously with the recommendation of the new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will most likely prioritize new diplomatic assignments to critical areas like the Middle East, in which case we can expect Kristie Kenney to stay on probably until the third quarter of this year.
While there may be some changes at the White House, the Filipino staff will likely be retained. Filipinos in the White House are our secret ambassadors, briefing Bush about certain aspects of Filipino culture, which in one way or the other will give the new president a unique insight about the Philippines outside of the usual official briefings. As of last count, there are about 20 Filipinos working at the White House, with executive chef Cristeta Comerford already assured of being retained by the Obamas.
Shortly after the inauguration, Bush and his wife Laura will be ferried to Andrews Air Force Base by a helicopter which Bush used as “Marine One” during his presidency, but will have a different call sign on that day. From Andrews, they will fly to Midland, Texas before proceeding to his ranch in Crawford where the former president will spend his days as “private citizen” George. The 747 jet which will take the Bushes to Texas will no longer be called “Air Force One” since this call sign is exclusively for the use of the current US president.
There has not been that great excitement and interest on the new president and his family since the time of John F. Kennedy. Everything from the clothes of the new First Lady Michelle Obama to the new school of the two girls (Sidwell Friends School, a Quaker academy attended by Chelsea Clinton) becomes media fodder. As for the “First Dog,” it will either be a “labradoodle” or a Portuguese water dog.
Also drawing a lot of attention is the new armored presidential limo — the “Obamamobile” — which the new president will ride for the first time during the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. Officially called “Cadillac One,” the 18-ft. vehicle reportedly costs several million dollars and will travel with the US president wherever he goes. It is equipped with night vision cameras, shotguns, tear gas cannons and reportedly carries bottles of the president’s blood in case of an emergency transfusion. US Secret Service agents privately call it “The Beast,” whose curb weight exceeds 10,000 pounds. And with all the armoring installed, it can resist rocket and chemical attacks. Tires are also Kevlar-reinforced and puncture-resistant. “Cadillac One” is very high-tech, with a foldaway desktop, a wi-fi laptop computer, satellite phone with direct links to the vice president and the Pentagon, and a GPS tracking system.
Everyone will expect Obama to usher in a new era, and I can’t help but think of Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” This is the worst time to be US president, with Obama inheriting an economy in deep recession, a massive budget deficit and two war fronts costing billions of dollars. The enormous responsibilities are probably why the president-elect is tempering high expectations with cautionary messages, telling Americans the road ahead is tough and that he may not be able to fulfill all the promises made in just one term.
Yet the youthful Obama will have the opportunity to make meaningful change in the American landscape, much like what people expected from JFK in the ’60s. It’s no secret that whatever happens to America will affect everyone, which is also why the whole world is putting a lot of hope for the new White House resident to succeed.
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