...and so it ends

IT'S OFFICIAL... sort of. on january 20th, 2009, a former junior senator from illinois will be sworn in as president of the american republic. and in many respects, he will be different than all those who preceded him. as one new york times editorial describes, "an american with the name barack hussein obama, the son of a white woman and a black man he barely knew, raised by his grandparents far outside the stream of american power and wealth, has been elected the 44th president of the united states." these differences, in social identity and formation, will undoubtedly have some effect on both the american and global political landscape. yet perhaps the most profound transformation will take place on our collective mindscape; a deep perceptual shift in our values and attitudes. on a psychological level, the symbolic significance of an african-american leading "the free world" will surely represent a new-found confidence, determination and, yes, hope for countless millions. the importance of this achievement cannot be underestimated. however, if there's one thing i've learned, it's not to confuse appearance with substance, words with actions. how these differences will translate into genuine "change" on the policy front is yet to be seen. despite his unlikely background, similar ideological foundations have a way of bonding unlikely individuals and interests together. is obama willing to transcend the deeply entrenched attitudes and relationships forged by the ruling elite? better yet, is he capable of overcoming his own political drawbacks, including an aggressive, militaristic foreign policy, neoliberal, corporatist economic views, a firm belief in american exceptionalism and, most unsettling for some, a say-what-it-takes-to-win approach to politics. in the past, obama has espoused traditional american centrist views--particularly in military and economic terms. so what makes people think he will radically adjust his positions now that he is elected? well, there are two overarching theories, which go something like this: ( 1 ) obama is a closet progressive who has simply been playing the part of a middle-of-the-road, politics-as-usual, defender of the status-quo in order to get elected, ( 2 ) obama, with his supposedly forward-looking ideals, can form a sort of bridge through which more progressive aims can be channeled. of course, this latter scenario may be conditioned by social and historical imperatives. as obama rises to the highest office, the nation and the world face their toughest challenges yet. as history has shown, extraordinary times often demand extraordinary measures on the part of leaders. yet, it's been mass movements and popular rebellion that've spurred progressive change and not merely the whims or actions of individuals in elected office, as evidenced by the new deal or the civil rights movement. still, many commentators are questioning whether the obama administration will merely become an extension of the clinton years. a sad thought for those who remember the deepening of neoliberal economic and financial policies, the interventions in bosnia and kosovo, the end of "big government" and the dismantling of the social safety net. already, obama has offered his administration's top position to an "old friend" and familiar figure from the clintonian era, rep. rahm emanuel. as the times' explains, "in turning to mr. emanuel and mr. podesta, mr. obama sought out two of the hardest-hitting veterans of president bill clinton’s administration, known for their deep washington experience, savvy and no-holds-barred approach to politics. neither is considered a practitioner of the 'new politics' that mr. obama promised on the campaign trail..." so, is this how change begins--by changing back? as obama warns, "this victory alone is not the change we seek. it is only the chance for us to make that change. and that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were." i couldn't agree more//

...for a more in-depth look @ the administration's probable makeup, check out this article by joshua frank