Inauguration Day 2009

While he may have choked a bit on the oath, President Barack Obama's subsequent inaugural address nonetheless served as an electrifying rallying cry-a sobering speech acknowledging the challenges that we, as a nation and as individuals, will inevitably face in years to come. These are uncertain times, but as the wild cheers on Capitol Hill wound down, one thing was clear: Obama is the finest public speaker to rise to the American presidency in at least two decades.

Let's just hope that this rhetorical gift isn't all the Illinois Senator's White House residency will be remembered for.

As one of the folks who voted for him, I have my fair share of anxieties. Here's one. From the earliest announcement of his candidacy, Obama's success has rested heavily upon his emboldening presidential personality. He is known as a man of drive, discipline, and amazing self-confidence. These are, undoubtedly, the qualities of a strong leader, but at the end of the day you needn't be a student of government to know that untested fortitude isn't worth a damn in politics. The main thing that worries me is this: that we've allowed ourselves to become deluded by the powerful rhetoric and messianic undertones of one of history's shrewdest political campaigns. I just pray it's a groundless fear.

That's because I still don't doubt the integrity of our 44th president. As of November 4th, 2008, he has held my belief. It will, however, require the enactment of sound economic and environmental policies at home as well as a a shrewder approach to international relations for him to fully win over my conscience. To reiterate a point made by more qualified commentators, over the next calendar year a tremendous amount of pressure will be placed on our nation's chief exec. The way he responds to that pressure will play perhaps the single most important role in setting our country's collective course throughout the next ten years.

I suppose we'll just have to see where we stand at the end of 2009. Let's be ready to watch this administration screw up from time to time. It's going to happen no matter what. Sitting in NYU's Third North computer lab in downtown Manhattan, I'd like to wish Obama and his advisors all the best on this historic day. They've just shouldered an enormous and unenviable burden.

Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Get the full transcript of President Obama's speech over at ABC News:
"My fellow citizens..."