America decides: Barack Hussein Obama is 44th president

Hh made history by becoming the first African-American President to occupy the White House, Barack Hussein Obama made his first promise: a puppy f

or his daughters. That’s one commitment that will perhaps be the easiest to keep.

The challenge of marrying symbolism with substance should strengthen his perseverance, as he has to seek both peace and prosperity.

How much his win meant for the millions of Afro-Americans, who watched him address the nation at midnight after the results were announced, was best reflected in the reticent face of Reverend Jesse Jackson whose mixed feelings of anguish, remorse and finally joy were submerged by a uncontrolled deluge of tears. Not all. For the millions of whites, Hispanics and Asians, it was a rekindling of hope for improvement in the nation’s long-troubled racial relations.

Even as his victory over Republican Senator John McCain (349-163) is awash with superlatives: overwhelming, momentous and monumental, Obama’s tasks ahead are also of the extreme kind. To begin with, he has to salvage the ravaged financial system, the American and the global economy. Restoring America’s lost moral standing in the world, particularly in the Middle East and the Muslim world in general, is another challenge. On this, Obama started on the right note by quoting Abraham Lincoln in his victory speech: “We are not enemies, but friends... Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” This also was directed as much towards his own countrymen as it was to listeners the world over.

Where will he make a beginning? Perhaps, by first shutting down the notorious prisons at Guantanamo Bay. Perhaps, by speeding up the pullout from Iraq and trying to hasten the nation-building process in Afghanistan. Perhaps, by winning back the friendship of European nations. And perhaps, by bringing about a drastic change in the structure and composition of America’s bankrupt financial institutions.

India, like other nations, is keenly watching Obama’s next moves. The US President-elect sees India as a strategic partner. What New Delhi may not appreciate is Obama toying with the idea of intervening in Kashmir and sending Bill Clinton as an envoy. Indian industry looks askance at his stated dislike for outsourcing of jobs, but is confident that commercial logic would ultimately prevail and that India’s IT-enabled industry would thrive even under the new dispensation.

Obama’s voting record on protection does not augur well for speedy progress on trade liberalisation under WTO’s Doha round of negotiations. Nor is New Delhi comfortable with Obama’s intent to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. However, a US that is more open and democratic within and willing to engage with the wider world, rather than imperiously expecting it to follow its lead, would help an emerging power like India, as it seeks to redefine its own role in the global order.

Obama clearly has plenty on his plate. There are enough indications that he has already identified key members of his Cabinet. His long-time friend from Chicago, Representative Rahm Emanuel, is tipped to be the next White House chief of staff. Reports also indicate that Obama may ask defence secretary Robert M Gates to continue till the complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But the big question is who will be the next treasury secretary? There is speculation that Clinton-era treasury secretaries Lawrence H Summers or Robert E Rubin may be asked to take on their former role.

It promises to be a tightrope walk for Obama. Even though he has se-cured the mandate, he will have to find the money to deliver his promises. And, his choice of a puppy for Sasha and Malia could provide an important pointer to his future decisions: whether it will be a rare ‘goldendoodle’, a hypoallergenic hybrid of a golden retriever and a standard poodle, or just an ordinary breed.

Source: EconomicTimes