By Hannah Williams
Dec. 11, 2008
ELON, N.C. – President-elect Barack Obama will address the nation as America’s 44th president and first black president in his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2009 – just 40 days away.
Obama enters the presidency in a time of economic and social turmoil. The US is in the midst of an economic recession and a war on two fronts overseas and has just emerged from a divisive election.
The economy, the war and the future of the country are all issues people in Elon, N.C. said they hope Obama will address in his first speech as president.
The economy looms large
“I sure hope he touches on, in detail, how he’s going to help our economy because it’s certainly the biggest thing on everyone’s mind,” said Dale Hughes, a software writer from Burlington, N.C. “If he could reassure America about that, he’d be off to a good start.”
Trevor Kelly, who works in Elon University’s IT department, agreed that the economy was the most pressing issue.
“People are scared about the economy and we need to hear something reassuring about it from our new president,” Alyse Knorr, a senior at Elon from Cummings, Ga., said.
Other Elon students expressed concern about how the economy will affect them personally and their career outlook.
“I want to hear about the economy because I am graduating soon,” Ashley Culicchia, a junior from New Orleans said. “I want to hear that I am going to be able to get a job.”
“The job market is a scary thing and I would like him to talk about how he plans on turning around the economy for future generations,” said Michelle Longo, a junior at Elon from New York.
“Obviously he needs to address the economy since we’re in a recession,” Jennifer Burns, a junior from Eden, N.C., said. “I can’t imagine he would, but it would be nice if he talked about the bailout. I think it would be a refreshing start if someone addressed an issue head-on.”
Kathleen Knoechel, a homemaker, said that Obama needed to address the obvious: the economy, the environment and foreign affairs. “I would be disappointed if he didn’t address those three, because they affect me personally,” said Knoechel.
Don’t keep quiet on the western front
Locals said they hope Obama will spell out his plan regarding U.S. foreign affairs and its role in the international community.
Gas prices and the war in Iraq are the main issues Michael Medley, a Target employee, said he would like Obama to address in his inaugural speech.
“Those are the two things I was thinking about when he got elected,” said Medley, “what he would do about those two situations.”
“I hope he will address the war and his plan for withdrawal. I just hope he will talk more about what his plans are for the future and getting our troops out,” said Sarah Hindle, a junior from Lakeland, Fla.
Knorr said she also hopes Obama will discuss his picks for his cabinet.
A country divided will not stand
“[Obama] needs to say something to get the people behind him,” Liz Payne, a sophomore from Virginia Beach, Va. said. “[He] needs to say something to gain confidence in him.”
After a fierce presidential campaign, the country is still divided. The president-elect needs to garner support from both Republicans and Democrats in order to be effective.
“He needs to prove he’s more than an idealist,” Kyle Fisher, a sophomore from Atlanta, said.
“I hope to hear exactly how Obama plans to implement change,” said Lindsay Gund, 20, said. “He won, so he can afford to let us in on some of those juicy details now.”
Gund is from Washington, D.C. and will attend the inauguration.
“I am going to try to circumvent the masses and the cold by watching from a nearby office building combined with TV coverage and friends,” Gund said.
The 2009 Presidential Inauguration will be a historic event, and those around Elon’s campus said they hope Obama will deliver a message of hope, as he has done previously.
Setting expectations and following through on promises
“I hope Obama addresses whether or not he will live up to all of his promises and all the expectations we have of him,” Knorr said. “I want him to say something that will continue to give us faith in him.”
“He needs to make a speech that’s inspirational,” said Burns. Knoechel agreed, saying the country needed to hear uplifting words from Obama.
“I want him to stick to what he promised during the campaign, but what I’m most concerned about is that he’s inspiring,” said Amy Reitnouer, a senior from Lebanon, Penn.
“That may sound trivial, but we all know the president will make changes and try to help the economy. What this country really needs now is some inspiration and hope, and I thoroughly believe that Barack Obama can provide that for America.”
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