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Elections, Inaugurations and the Road Ahead in the U.S. Presented for: Xxxxxxxxxx By Wendy Simmons Information Resource Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand. Transfer of Power in the U.S. A peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of American democracy
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Elections, Inaugurations and the Road Ahead in the U.S. Presented for: Xxxxxxxxxx By Wendy Simmons Information Resource Officer, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand
Transfer of Power in the U.S. • A peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of American democracy • Americans expect elections to be • peaceful, clean and fair • the outgoing officials to work with the incoming administration • the incoming officials to be civil toward the outgoing administration
© AP Images/Rick Bowmer Why is this man smiling??
On November 4, 2008: • The longest presidential campaign in U.S. history ended. • A record 130 million Americans cast ballots. • Barack Obama and Joe Biden were elected 44th president and vice-president of the United States.
Minorities in the Campaign • Transforming event for all Americans, particularly African Americans over 50 • Biography of the President-elect show his roots on three continents, Europe (mother / grandparents), Africa (father) and Asia (step-father) • His previous work was in low-income communities of Chicago
Obama’s school in Jakarta, Indonesia with a current class learning of his victory
Young People in the Campaign • Obama comes from a generation after the 1960s & appeals to young people • Many campaign workers were young people, the issues he talks about impacts them • Followed their use of technology for information, organizing and fundraising
Technology in the obama Campaign • 13 million e-mail addresses • Almost 4 million individual donors (online) • 200,000 local events organized online • 35,000 local groups organized • 1 million signed up for text messages • 3.2 million friends on Facebook • And it won’t end here …
Presidential Inaugurations The 20th amendment to the U.S. Constitution specifies that the term of each elected president of the United States begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election. Each president must take the oath of office before assuming the duties of the position. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.“ - The Presidential Oath of Office www.america.gov
First Inauguration, George Washington New York City – April 30, 1789
Abraham Lincoln Washington, DC – March 4, 1865 “With malice toward none, with charity for all … let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt Washington, DC – March 4, 1933 "This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.“ http://www.iipgir.state.gov/shortcut.cfm/CYK2 (click here to hear the speech)
John F. Kennedy Washington, DC – January 20, 1961 “The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” http://www.iipgir.state.gov/shortcut.cfm/CYK2 (click here to hear the speech)
What will happen on this Inauguration Day? • Obama and Biden families arrive by train January 17th • Celebrate Martin Luther King Day January 19th • January 20th begins with a prayer breakfast • Obama and Bush travel together from the White House to the U.S. Capitol • Joseph Biden and Barack Obama take the oaths of office on the Capitol steps at noon. • The new president gives his Inaugural address. • Lunch for new administration hosted by the Congress • Inaugural parade with representation of each state • George W. Bush and Laura Bush leave the city as private citizens • Inaugural balls and parties
Up to 4 million people • Millions will come to Washington DC for inauguration on January 20th / MLK Day on January 19th • Weather is unpredictable • Largest crowd ever in a city that is used to large crowds • Security and logistics specialists have been working for months • Hotels, catering, and transportation will be working overtime
First Responsibilities of the New President Choosing his team: • The president-elect spends much of his time during the transition choosing a Cabinet and other top advisors. • Cabinet officials are advisers and directors of various government agencies, such as the State Department, the Department of Defense and the Treasury. • The U.S. Senate must review and confirm Cabinet nominations following the inauguration. • The president appoints thousands of people to federal agencies in lower jobs who do not need approval • More than 2.6 million civil service employees continue in their jobs, ensuring continuity of government operations Ensuring the country’s security: • Since the election, military and intelligence officials provide Obama the same briefings they provide President Bush
Many issues confront the new administration • Turmoil in the international financial system • A national economic recession • First wartime presidential transition in 40 years • On going military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting extremism
Please join me in wishing them good luck! Thank you!
