Renewed hope resonates in CNMI

Newly sworn in President Barrack Obama rose to the presidency on a platform that trumpeted the “audacity of hope” and that hope is resonating all over the CNMI, not only among elected leaders but within the community itself.

Obama’s presidency “has renewed the faith of America in our leaders—and in ourselves as the people who elected him,” said Jane Mack.

Mack said Obama has many difficult tasks ahead of him and “if I could give him a message personally, I’d ask him to keep politics out of science; make decisions on the facts as they are, not as he’d like them to be or as others wish they were,”

For NMC instructor Sam McPhetres, the coming of a black United States President is “long overdue.”

He said it has restored the reputation of America and “I am confident he’s going to work hard.”

The new administration, McPhetres believes, will benefit the territories because Obama himself was raised on an island.

This is a common refrain among government officials, who are hoping that Obama’s roots will give the United States’ highest official insight into issues facing the Commonwealth. Obama was born in Hawaii and spent time growing up there as well as in Indonesia.

“We’re hopeful because as islanders we feel that we relate more to Obama, having him originally coming from Hawaii, that he would be more sensitive to the island way of living,” said Senate President Pete Reyes. “Because of the fact he grew up on an island, he will see a lot of changes others failed to see because they don’t relate. So we’re hopeful.”

But besides his island background, Obama is uniting the country, Reyes said.

“He’s a symbol of a new hope, not just in the area of reviving the economy, but also bringing us all together as people. I’m very hopeful we’re looking at a better future.”

The new President understands the unique issues islands face, House Speaker Arnold Palacios said.

“I certainly believe it’s a positive because he can relate to island life and knows the issues we face, the understanding of the plights and issues and decision making process,” he said.

Rep. Joseph Camacho echoed Reyes and Palacios.

“There are many times we are forgotten or neglected because we ‘re so far off in another part of the world,” Camacho said. “The fact that President Obama grew up part of his life in Hawaii, at least he will remember this part of the world.”

Although Obama will be very busy, Camacho said he hopes he will remember the CNMI.

“I hope he hasn’t forgotten the CNMI is part of the United States, and we’re hoping for assistance from the federal government,” he said.

Palacios said the CNMI must be proactive in making contacts and building a dialogue with the president’s appointees. Palacios said he trusts new delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan will do a good job on the CNMI’s behalf, but that should not stop local officials from building relationships.

With every new administration the CNMI is affected, said Charles Reyes, the governor’s press secretary.

The Department of the Interior, which oversees the insular areas, will dramatically change, he noted, adding that there will be different policies and new relationships will need to be built.

“We don’t know how it will change,” he said. “But we’ll have to establish good relationships with new leaders of the Interior Department, communicating our priorities and concerns, particularly with CUC and grants.”

Last week, Ken Salazar, Interior secretary-designate, said he would work to reform the department that has been plagued by scandals in the past.

McPhetres also believes that Obama’s tremendous support around the world, which few presidents have, will be an advantage and will serve him well.

McPhetres believes Obama can weather the economic storm and overcome the crisis. “He faces a broad range of issues. It would be very difficult for him to overcome the present challenges but we have to support him,” he said.

Even those who didn’t support Obama during the campaign are being buoyed up by the groundswell of support that the new administration is engendering across the nation.

“First of all I must tell you that I am a life-long Republican and did not support Obama. That being said, he was elected by the majority and I do believe in democracy so he is now my president,” said Wolf Mojica of DFS Galleria Saipan.

Mojica hopes that Obama’s promise of change is realized and that he will change the U.S. government’s stance on the immigration. He said this is more favorable under the new head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Roslyn Leon Guerrero, coordinator for the Youth Congress, said the U.S. will once again make history.

“Many changes in our world is inevitable and much need to stay afloat and President Obama is willing to bring as much changes as he can,” she said.

She said many have been waiting for this and the people who voted for him strongly believe that Obama is the man who can forge the way to bring about changes.

“Such as finding a way to aid the ailing economy worldwide, to build a better future for our children, to bring peace to our country and the world, and bring home our men and women in uniform, and to secure jobs for those who have lost their jobs as well as finding jobs for those in need.”

Guerrero said Obama’s term in office will be like a roller coaster ride, and his goals and ambitions may not be accomplished immediately “but I am sure he is more than able to meet those goals.”

“With the faith we have in him, working cooperatively and contributing what we can when needed together, much can be accomplished,” she said.

If given the opportunity to meet Obama, Taotao Tano’s Gregorio Cruz Jr. said he would discuss the predicament the CNMI faces today and how the CNMI could get help.

He said he also wants to establish better communications, meetings, and discussions with the entire people of the Commonwealth and not just the elected leaders “about laws that would affect our people and our homeland as whole.”

Other than that, Cruz said, he leaves all matters in the hands of Washington Delegate Gregorio Sablan to pursue and obtain what is in the best interest of the people of the CNMI. [B][I](with Nazario Rodriguez Jr.)[/I][/B]