Why Canadians Are Watching

The Obama election has captured the world's imagination like no previous one. So Canadians, like people in most countries, will be tuning in to the big ceremony and its reverberating celebrations. Inaugural stories currently dominate every media format from TV and radio, to blogs, tabloids and serious dailies, and everywhere I go, it's what people want to talk, and gush, about. Apparently, so do I -- well, the talking part.

I'll be tuning in because after a couple of years of romance and a whirlwind three-month engagement full of promises and speeches, the vows are today, and I can't resist rituals and parties. And it seems others can't either. In these cold and dark economic times, I've heard many others say they'll be basking in the computer monitor's warm glow (often at work) as it flashes inspiring images from Obamaland.

And I'll be watching because I love a good story; I cover pop culture for a living. I watch movies and TV, and read fictional and non-fictional stories about people all day. This one's Shakespearean in scope, and like most Shakespearean comedies, ends with a wedding, of sorts -- time for vows, dance and drink.

I'll also be watching because after the tents and bibles and gowns have been put away, and the honeymoon draws to a quick close, I have the party-pooping sense that things will start to fade. It's hard to keep the flame afire when life's energy starts to feed unglamorous, un-mysterious and unpopular tasks like paying the bills, and keeping the bickering kids quiet. So, now is a cultural savouring moment.

But like a good Canadian, I'm also suspicious of all this hype and excitement, and trust more the ordinary and unadorned. So with others above the 49th parallel, I'll be tuning in to the drama and celebration, but partly to catch a last, melancholy glimpse of the glitter before it fades into somewhat disappointing but hype-free dust.

And check out that glitter. Not surprisingly, American domestic media is infatuated with the story, covering it from every angle, and in every genre, including, most tellingly, in the tabloids. Almost psychic (thanks to some technological gifts like web analytic tools that help track and predict reader behaviour) in their perception of what people want most to read about, the tabs are telling almost no other story right now, despite famous births, divorces, arrests and awards ceremonies. The top story on Us Weekly is about Ben Affleck saying he'll camp out at the inauguration, and the top photo gallery features inaugural gowns.

In People, almost half of the cover stories are about the ceremony, including one about how Oprah hosted her star-studded talk show from D.C. yesterday, showcasing the world premiere of what's getting called the country's new anthem, "America's Song," produced by David Foster (from Canada) with some musical help from will.i.am, Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Seal (from England) and Bono (and, yea, Irish). Most tellingly, Oprah cried during and after the performance, inspired by the election and everything that's come with it.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher premiered their star-packed Internet video, in which celebs pledge to be the change they seek. I got downright shivery and emotional during that one, which set off the alarm bells in my cynical brain that chanted "sucker," "sucker," "sucker."

Even Jennifer Lopez, queen of self-promotion, says she's starstruck by Obama, that he brings her to tears, that he makes her excited, and that he's the biggest A-lister in the world right now. Need we look further for proof of the hype machine?

But it's not just the tabloid, readership-whore publications fixating on the moment. In the Globe and Mail, our national newspaper, the paper is so confident Canadians will be tuning in, they're devoting prominent space and resources to the ceremony, including live-blogging the event via Twitter.

And even our own government-funded media site features not only a quarter-page ad for coverage of the ceremony, but has devoted every one of its thumbnails to an inauguration-related story. From a Canadian in Washington sharing her story, to economic analysis, the CBC is trying to lure us in to spending our inspirational moments and clicks there.

But two stories there comfort me into thinking I'm not alone in my unappetizing sangfroid. First, an EKOS poll released today found that "Canadians feel the love for Obama, but are lukewarm to his plans."

No surprise in the first part of that statement. In fact, only 3.8 per cent of Canadian respondents have a negative view of the Democratic president-elect compared to 81 per cent who approve, an "outstandingly high" number compared to the opinions Canadians held of George W. Bush throughout his presidency.

And Canadians are resuming their cordial feelings towards the U.S., in general. In fact,
Canadians are so excited by Obama, that our estimation of Harper and other politicians suffers by contrast. Forty-seven per cent of Canadians generally -- and more in the under-45 crowd -- agreed with the statement, "Watching the excitement surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama and comparing it to our own political leadership, I feel disappointed with our options."

But Canadians are worried about his plans when it comes to NAFTA, Afghanistan, and the economy. Not exactly small issues.

And secondly, Heather Mallick writes that she's trying to avoid disillusionment by not getting illlusioned in the first place. But that's easier said than done, especially in the middle of a world-record setting media excitement storm.

American politicians get elected not just for their qualifications, but for their ability to fire up the hype machine. Even in this election, Obama pulled ahead of McCain due to his charisma as much as his credentials (which is why Sarah Palin's addition to the ticket caused such a stir -- but her empty charisma proved no match for Obama's double threat). But the irony of creating too much excitement is that inevitably disappointment and disillusionment follow, in greater proportion. Then it's even harder to get things done.

I'm with Mallick -- I'm trying to avoid getting swept up, but it's hard. I love a good story. I want real change. And, sure, celebration is an important part of that, and symbolic change can spur deeper change, I know. But the more hype and inspiration and tears and singing there is, the more wary I am that the only change we'll see is that from fantasy to reality.

How about you? Will you be watching? Why? And are you inspired or wary or both?

Comments

[hilaritee]

I can understand this writer's curiousity over our new president.; we are a very big nexd door neighbor to have. However I would hope that most Canadians would be more concerned with their increasingly right wing government. Stephen Harper seems to have much more in common with our last president than he does with Obama. The image of Canada as a peace loving, culturally open country no longer rings true. Things are getting a lot chiiler in the "great white north".

[CharlieMarlowe]

There is nothing in Canada's history to suggest that it is a peace -loving nation. . Canada is not a war-mongering nation but that does not make it peace-loving. It is the nation that developed the concept of using the military as a Peacekeeping force, but it is still a force. Please remember that Canada was involved in both World Wars two years before the U.S. got involved. As for culturally open, it is still that.

[UberReaganite]

Canadians are simply relieved.

Smart Canandians know that if Bush was from a logging state instead of an Oil state we would have had tanks rolling into Canada 8 years ago to "Save the timber resources from the Evil French Canadian Terrorists and find Canadas hidden WMDs".
Canadians also know Bush that felt threatened by their "Social Medicine" and that America would have to eventually contain that type of Communism from spreading into America and preventing our own incompetent and biased medical industry from generating ridiculous profits.

Yes, Canadians should FEAR American Republicans because American Republicans are a threat to the very independance of Canada.....

[Virgil Kane]

I have nothing against Canadians. Canada is a beautiful country.

[karela]

We've just experienced the American equivalent of Princess Diana's courtship, engagement and wedding and now we wait with bated breath for every detail of the love affair to come and the products of the marriage---in this case, not babies, but a better country and world. England, Canada, Australia and most of the world can understand these feelings. But unlike the sad story of Diana, we already know that our First Couple are deeply in love. If you harbored any doubt, it was written on their faces when they danced to Beyonce. But we get a big bonus beyond the romance. We have just acquired a President of uncommon character who also demonstrates the tenets of love in his relationships with everyone he works with. That can't be anything but good. He says that we will get through our current troubles if we all do our part. I BELIEVE him!

[CanJournalist]

As a Canadian I think Americans should look past the worship and excitement surrounding Obama. I think people should wait to see what changes he makes (if any) and how he handles the hurdles being thrown his way before they get to excited about the new president. Look past the celebrity because he has a LOT of work to do, and make a judgement based on that.

[forgivedontforget]

Seriously most of the celebration is Bush is out of office and no repug is taking over.

[Sparhawk]

Wrong. The jubilation, excitement and all the pomp and circumstance was directed at Obama not against Bush. Draw is what Obama is poised to do not what Bush has done.

Sooner or later, the Bush years won't be a viable crutch for Obama supporters and the Administration.

He will be judged by what he does or doesn't do and not by what Bush did or didn't do. Which is the right way to look at it.

[devilyousay]

Today's Globe and Mail EKOS poll shows Harper's appeal dropping, Ignatieff perceived as best to forge a good relationship with Obama and the view of a coalition softening into a good idea. Why all the change? Obama and the fall to obscurity of Stephan Dion.

Personally, I love Obama's ability to inspire, but think what he says is more important than how. His choice of Rick Warren started my warriness and until I see somethink different, I won't get on the bandwagon either.

Now if his ascension means we get rid of Harper, then I'm cheering for the guy.

These are interesting times in Canada.

[holyhandgrenaid]

The fall of Dion is a little tragic really. A skilled enough politician, smart, and his heart was in the right place.

But, of course, he wasn't exactly shrewd and about as skillful a leader as Harry Reid... so a terrible one

That and he sounds like a french Kermit the Frog

[ObamacratInCA]

"The fall of Dion is a little tragic really." I agree ever since Dion did the Titanic song its been hard to find a big hit. Maybe there's a spot in the next James Bond soundtrack. Something must be done.

[LetMeUnderstandThis]

Not to be snarky or anything but what does Canada produce?

[Dystopic]

most of the oil we import is from Canada, not the middle east

[totalliberal]

Most of Americas trade.

[forgivedontforget]

I can almost guarantee you 80% of Americans don't know that.

[viewfromuphere]

only the biggest trading partner of America......

[CaptainStormfield]

If Im not mistaken, Toyota built its last car plant in Canada. They found that the combination of Single Payer Health care and a highly educated work force made sense. In the Southern U.S. , even tho the states were coughing up huge tax incentives the cost of health insurance and training costs were too much.

[holyhandgrenaid]

Canada is one of the leading producers of a range of natural resources (metals, oil, timber). Massive grain operations, manufacturing, and they control whats estimated to be the largest volume of fresh water in any country.

[MajorKong]

Lots and lots of oil.

And all those little 50-seat Canadair jets the regional airlines fly.

Also, for a country with 1/10th our population, they've sent an awfully large percentage of their young men off to die in the World Wars.

[dryrock]

Always enjoy knowing how my neighbors to the north perceive us, merci. The post and comments make some good points.

Today is one of celebration for us, and many of us were expecting the pleasure of the soaring rhetoric for which President Obama is known. Rather, he chose to reminded us that, from day one, we face enormous challenges (of which many affect our northern neighbors), it will require enormous patience, and that each of us must play a part in restoring our prosperity and security. And he set the example by starting his work during the transition so he can hit the ground running on Day One. It was a bit sobering, and he has been criticized for it. As I reflect on it, I see the wisdom in it.

Please keep us in your thoughts as we push the re-start button. We'll need all the good will you can spare.

[RobinSeattle]

I wonder what Harper will do now. Before today, he attached himself to Bush like a sessile sea creature locks on to a rock at the bottom of the ocean. But now Harper's moorings are gone and he is a rightwing poodle in search of an alpha dog of his ilk.

I do wonder with the reduction in oil prices what that will do to Alberta's oil industry, which revolves around mining very expensive to extract oil from tar sands. It has also been a big jobs driver in Canada and should prices fall further, which they will if America gets its energy act together (and Canada itself becomes greener), could usher in much higher unemployment down the road.

NAFTA has to go, though. It has been a very bad deal for the U.S. and it actually hasn't really done Mexico the kind of favors that it had hoped.

[peterg76]

NAFTA has been a disaster for everyone that wasn't a rich foreign investor. Canadian media, unfortunately, continues the NAFTA propaganda, though with luck the mystique will begin to break down.

Harper, sadly, was a Bush sycophant. He sells out to the neo-cons because he likes selling out his country.

[sabbeloka]

If facts matter - NAFTA

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:JNpdBkiAHe8J:www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Regional/NAFTA/Fact_Sheets/asset_upload_file366_13495.pdf+NAFTA+benefits+to+the+USA&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca&lr=lang_en

Renegotiation of NAFTA will benefit Canada

[viewfromuphere]

I always thought the whole NAFTA controversy during the primaries was kind of a straw man....deals get renegiotated from time to time....what's the big.....

and I for one was never a big NAFTA booster to begin with.......

[viewfromuphere]

well...I for one think that America made the right choice this time....and while there is a ton of hype...that's something America does as too...and that's just how it is...

The trepidation I've seen talked about in Canada....oh come on ....we feel that way about every American adminstrat­ion.....wi­ll they remember in the end...Canada is not the 51st state and we do not always agree ...coughIr­aqcough...­..

I sincerely hope that this new administration is highly successful.....and it looks as if all the talent is there to make that happen.

So call me...a typical Canadian..­..cautious­ly optomistic.