Obama optimism carries beyond inauguration

  Barack Obama has restored Americans' faith in government, says Charlene Fernandez, Yuma County Democratic Party chairwoman who is scheduled to attend his inauguration as the 44th president.

  Obama, the first black elected to the presidency, will inspire hope in "can do" government when he assumes office, she said.

  "When campaigning, I didn't even think of him as the first African-American president. I focused on the man, the party and the issues. Thinking back, on Nov. 4 our country said race didn't matter anymore, that anyone could be president."

 Attending the Democratic National Convention at the Mile High Stadium in Denver last July, Fernandez said it was a wonderful feeling to see such a diversity of people of color, age and gender who demonstrated optimism and that Americans have moved beyond the barriers of racism and sexism.

  She attended the convention as a superdelegate along with her daughter, Lisa, who was a delegate and now a political science senior at Arizona State University.

  Fernandez's term as county party chairwoman expires this week but she is still the vice chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party, to which she will run for re-election later this month. She also works as a community liaison for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. She planned to attend the Obama inauguration with her husband, Sergio, a retired rehabilitation consultant for the state.

  Wednesday the Democratic National Committee is scheduled to have an all-day meeting, during which national party officials elect a new party chair, vice chair and committee members. Fernandez credits Obama's victory in part to retiring DNC chairman, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

  "The Democratic Party is where we are today because of Dean," Fernandez said. "His 50-state strategy included Arizona, where he allocated staff and resources. I think Governor Tim Kaine (Dean's successor) will continue his policies."

  Fernandez said she became an early Obama supporter because of the hope he expressed and because he reminded the country that government can serve as a safety net when Americans are in trouble.

  "Just look at the bailouts (banks and autos). Whether you agree or not, I just don't think we can turn our backs on them."

  The changes in policy the Obama administration will bring about are going to bring back the economy, Fernandez said. The country may not recover in six months, she said, but the country will have a president who lets citizens know what he is doing and how all Americans will benefit.

  The economy is the most important priority, Fernandez says, because it drives everything else. The stimulus package Obama will propose, especially those aspects directed toward small businesses, will get Americans working again, she said.

  "One thing Obama talked about and I don't think I need to remind him about is teachers," Fernandez said.

  As a school board member, she said it is critical that districts pay teachers what they are worth or at least make strides toward that effort.

  "It's really exciting to be part of an historical event," Fernandez said of Obama's inauguration. "He's capable of bringing brilliant minds together and proof of that are his Cabinet appointments."

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William Roller can be reached at
wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.