
As he did three years ago in his book, Barack Obama did again in his inaugural speech today -- separate himself and his new administration from the petty politics practiced by his Baby Boomer predecessors.
"On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics," he said today to millions of people in person and on television.
"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
His comments today after taking the oath as the 44th president echoed the sentiments he addressed in his 2006 book, "Audacity of Hope" when he wrote:
“In the back and forth between Clinton and Gingrich, and in the elections of 2000 and 2004, I sometimes felt as if I were watching the psychodrama of the baby boom generation — a tale rooted in old grudges and revenge plots hatched on a handful of college campuses long ago — played out on the national stage."
There have been 16 years of Baby Boomer presidents: Bill Clinton for two terms and George Bush for two terms.
Obama, born in 1961, is a late Boomer, and, as such, is often referred to being a part of Cuspers, Generation Jones and even the leader of a new generation, Generation Obama.
Generational separation -- older Baby Boomers from younger Baby Boomers, old politics from new politics -- has been a recurring Obama theme through the primaries against Hillary Clinton, through the general election against Republican John McCain, and through the transition from the administration of George Bush to the new administration of President Obama, which goes to work full-time tomorrow.
For more info:
Full text of President Obama's speech