From Obama to Biden

Stu News Laguna January 22, 2021

On Wednesday, I watched Joe Biden become our nation's 46th President.  For the first time in four years, I felt like I could breathe again.  

Scanning my friends' many Facebook posts, it seems I'm not the only one who felt relieved America is now under "new management" (and will soon be heading in a new direction).

I had the same feeling 12 years ago when Barack Obama was sworn into office.  So much so, I remember asking 25 friends here in town to join me in organizing an inaugural black tie gala in his honor.  Only one person declined.

Our host committee met weekly for two months before that wonderful night.  Given how many tickets we already had sold, I knew the event would be a financial home run.  What I didn't expect was how excited people would be to attend.

I can't tell you how many guests that evening said they were relieved the previous 8 years were over, that they felt like they could breathe again, and finally look forward to a revitalized nation.  

When it was my turn to address the crowd of 300 I said, "Barack Obama has a chance to join George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt as one of our greatest presidents."  As it turns out, I believe I was more right than wrong.

It's too early to know where Joe Biden will rank among our nation's presidents but I do know this:  Like Washington, Lincoln, FDR and Obama, he has inherited a country in crisis.  I know I wish Mr. Biden much success in the days and weeks ahead.  

I'm guessing my friends who helped organize the Obama Inaugural Gala a dozen years ago would agree.

-DF