The difference between Election and Inauguration

Whether you support the new US administration or not, the events the President’s recent European trip, including the “bow” or “low hand-shake” given to the Saudi King, raises the question if the administration knows the difference between election and inauguration.

In Election mode, YOU are the President. It is a celebration of accomplishment, of victory. The election is about you, about the struggle, the strategy and the execution of your plan. You are the center point, you are the focus, you are the chosen.

In Inauguration, you are The PRESIDENT. It is about assuming responsibility, taking up the reigns and fulfilling the lead seat of the land and the most powerful position in the world. You don’t make the position, you step into it, it is no longer about you, but about what it represents, the people, the history, and the spirit of the most powerful and influential country in history.

Should that country bow to the Saudi King? Should it claim and apologize for arrogance, especially the French? Should it demean itself to the Turkish people? Should it ignore, excuse, and even give audience to the tantrums of a rogue nation who refuses to follow any rule or law? Should it pause when a few rebels attack US ships?

As an individual, it is debatable and possible quite diplomatic. As The PRESIDENT, that answer is no.

It seems the current administration is still campaigning and needs to know the election period is over. The Presidency is not and never has been about the individual, regardless of how the media would like to portray it. It is no longer about Obama, but about America. This is not college life, this is not theoretical discussion, this is real power with real consequences. The behaviour and even policies may be ok for the president of a student union, not the action of the President of the Union of States.

Hopefully the current administration will realize and understand that when you represent the position, the country supports you. When you use the position to represent yourself, the country will not.

The election is over. Where is THE President?