by David Hornestay

Created on: December 05, 2008   Last Updated: January 09, 2009

Expectations necessarily depend on definitions: in this case, definitions of both the second and first coming are needed. Was the first coming FDR or JFK, or are we really going back 2,000 years? Is the second coming a fulfillment of progressive ideals and the much-invoked "promise of America," or are we talking millennium in its original sense?

Let's assume that even the most ga-ga Obama enthusiasts have in mind merely a messianic age with a small "m" and nothing involving raptures and signs in the heavens portending a supernatural return. We would be contemplating a United States of America at peace with all its neighbors, working hand-in-hand to solve world problems of poverty, diseae, energy, and climate deterioration, while bringing prosperity, opportunity, and equality to all our citizens. That doesn't sound radically different from the lofty goals of many an Inaugural or State of the Union address by Presidents of both parties.

So the difficulty is in the implementation, and the difficulties at this particular juncture in American history suggest a particularly daunting set of challenges for the incoming President. First and foremost is the worsening economic situation, only recently offically designated as a recession, and threatening to be the worst since the Great Depression. Beyond that lie conflicts in two countries that visibly strain our armed forces, a near-nuclear Iran, hostile masses that believe the USA is the source of humanity's troubles, entitlement programs capable of bankrupting the Treasury, global warming capable of unleashing natural forces that can change our way of life, and depleting energy sources.

President-Elect Obama has already demonstrated intelligence, political sagacity, and cool deliberation in beginning to assemble his Administration and in his public statements. He has chosen able, experienced people without undue regard for previous affiliation or loyalty except to avoid extremes in ideology. In recognition of the nearly unprecedented economic crisis, he has given priority to mobilizing for that struggle while participating in daily intelligence briefings and designating a first-rate national security team. To do his part to restore confidence, he has offered a bare outline of economic recovery initiatives without stepping on the toes of the current Administration, keeping closely in touch with their emergency actions. Consistent with the impression he has projected since his powerfully moving speech at the 2004 Democratic

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