DAVE ROSS

The peaceful transfer of power

Jan 21, 2013, 5:46 AM | Updated: 11:47 am

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Chief Justice John Roberts after Obama was officially sworn-in in the Blue Room of the White House during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, as first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch. (AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool)

(AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool)

Monday’s inauguration is a huge affair, but of course the real inauguration – as required by the Constitution, was Sunday at the White House.

It took exactly 33 seconds and was followed by the shortest inaugural speech on record, delivered to his daughter Malia, “I did it.”

If you listen carefully you can hear her say “You didn’t mess up.”

Of course this being a re-election, he’s peacefully transferring it to himself, but in this case that might be more significant than it seems. By all accounts the Obama of 2013 is not the Obama of 2009. The old Obama had this quaint idea about no red states or blue states, just the United States. The new Obama, according to former adviser Van Jones, is feeling more comfortable with power and partisanship

Said Jones, “I think he had a “come to Jesus moment” at some point in that presidency, where he said you know I’m going to stick with those who brought me.

And as Republican consultant Alex Castellanos said on CNN, he faces a much weaker Republican party, “In two years he’s got that same awesome machine he just had that helped him get elected president. He could use that, possibly, to win the House. He could run the table.”

So this inauguration may not be a “transfer” of power, but you can bet the president’s supporters are hoping it signals the re-discovery of how to use it.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

The peaceful transfer of power