Norwegian Newspapers
On President Obama
The majority of Norwegians probably watched the inauguration of USA's 44th President Barack and its first African-American president Tuesday evening, either live or in the top news on TV. In the morning the newspapers had their say:
Aftenposten errs on the side of caution. Acknowledging the importance of Obama's inauguration, Aftenpostennotes that "Barack Obama will administer such high expectations that he is almost doomed to disappoint many of those who have tied their hope to him." The newspaper cites the ongoing global financial crisis, among other crises, as major hurdles to Obama's administration that will be difficult—if not impossible—to overcome.
Vårt Land, an Oslo-based Christian-leaning newspaper, is similarly cautious. "We can of course say that the expectations are so large that it is impossible to fulfill them," writes the newspaper. "The American people see that their country is both at war in several places and in the most serious economic crisis since the Depression. There is no shortcut out of it this."
Trondheim'sAdresseavisen strikes a somewhat more optimistic note but acknowledges the many difficulties Obama will face: Obama "began his campaign with the slogans 'Yes we can!' and 'Change.' The need for change in a world gripped by climate and financial crises is today even bigger than when Obama began his campaign. In the coming years, he will need the momentum from the enthusiasm, fervor, and optimism that propelled him to his position as the world's most powerful leader."
Stavanger Aftenblad sums up America's expectations for Obama: "that he will pull America out of the current financial crisis, that he will improve health care and education for everybody, that he will bring home the soldiers from Iraq." The rest of the world has its expectations too: "that he will get a hold on the conflict in the Middle East, that he will end the war in Iraq, that the USA will listen more and pay attention to its allies, that he will take a different stance on climate change than his predecessor." Unlike other newspapers, however,
Stavanger Aftenblad sees a streak of pragmatism and realism in the American public. Americans, the paper suggests, "are hardly expecting a miracle." As for the international community, "of course, we must be realists."
Bergens Tidene is perhaps the least cautious of Norwegian newspapers in its support of Obama. The paper sums up its position in its op-ed lede: "Barack Obama faces enormous challenges. But we can't imagine anyone better to take them on."
The former Labor Party organ Dagsavisen takes an ambivalent stance on Obama's inauguration. America's "high expectations give President Obama power in the form of public support. But they may also become his enemy. The danger of disappointment lies extremely close. He is well aware of this."
And since we started with Tuesday morning's Aftenposten let us end with the paper's Wednesday morning's comment on the new President's speech:
"Obama's words must sound like beautiful music in the ears of USA's many frustrated friends".
Compiled for the Norway Post
by Ian MacDugall
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