Hope, but no change

Yeah sure, we have to go through the motions of Monday’s inauguration. It’s a ritual for the world’s greatest democracy, a tradition to show everyone that we hold together no matter what. Fiscal cliff? Debt ceiling? The Speaker of the House and the president of the United States refusing to speak to each other about an imminent crisis? No problem, we can still do swearing ins, luncheons and parades, with fake smiles all around.

Despite the fact that second inaugurals are often dull affairs, President Obama’s first one was so exciting this one will have to be a snore. But there is a weariness people in both parties have expressed this last week, something worse than indifference or ennui. Both Republicans and Democrats know just how deep the gridlock is, how paralyzed the Congress is, and how little Obama can accomplish in his second term as long as a fiscal crisis looms. No one feels much like celebrating, let alone spending all that money.

No soaring rhetoric about unity that Obama will undoubtedly include in his inaugural address can convince Americans that the U.S. government is prepared to come together and solve our more severe problems.

That said, we will all listen. And then we can hope that just weeks from now we are surprised by a sudden burst of cooperation and consensus that makes a deal possible, with Americans confident in their leaders again, ratings agencies and world markets calm, clearing the way for both parties and both chambers in Congress to function again.

Even in 2013, one can still hope.


REPUBLICANS BACK DOWN FROM DEFAULT FOR NOW WITH SHORT-TERM MEASURE — GOOD POLITICS? AskAB returns Tuesday, Jan. 22nd. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.

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