At least three Bowdoin students braved chilly temperatures and unprecedented security measures to join the approximately 100,000 people gathered in the nation's capital last week to observe President George W. Bush's second inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration festivities lasted for three days, with the swearing-in administered by Chief Justice William Rehnquist on the final day, January 20, in front of current and retired dignitaries such as former presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush. Proudly attending this inauguration were two of Bowdoin's most prominent College Republicans, Dan Schuberth '06 and Chris Averill '06.
Schuberth, after taking the fall semester off to devote himself entirely to the Bush campaign, described the experience as being "very much like attending a Super Bowl victory party."
Another College Republican present for the inaugural celebration, Mattie Cowan '08, noticed the increased security.
"The security in the entire city was very tight. There were snipers on all the roofs on Pennsylvania Avenue and helicopters circling above during the parade," said Cowan.
While the fanfare surrounding the inauguration serves tradition, it is the inaugural address that provides the President with the opportunity to share his vision for the next four years. Focusing on foreign policy, Bush used lofty language to describe his foreign policy goals for the next four years, citing tyranny as our deepest "vulnerability."
"For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny?prone to ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder?violence will gather, and multiply in destructive power, and cross the most defended borders and raise a mortal threat," said Bush during the address.
President Bush's foreign policy goals sparked fierce debate among Republicans and Democrats everywhere. At Bowdoin the reactions were no less varied.
Responding to Bush's freedom rhetoric, Conor Tong '08 remarked, "I feel like he was trying to proselytize the ideals of freedom and democracy to the rest of the world. I don't necessarily feel that it's the United States' job to do that." Schuberth, however, lauded the President for extolling the importance of spreading freedom and liberty abroad.
"He spoke boldly about his vision for promoting freedom and liberty abroad to protect the freedom and liberty that we enjoy here at home," said Schuberth. "I realized that I was listening to a man that had a clear and concise vision for how our country should be run and the mission we as Americans should be engaged in."
While many Republicans eagerly watched the proceedings either in D.C. or on television, many Democrats, indicative of the significant ideological divide between the parties, chose not to tune in at all to the inauguration.
Commenting on the President's address, Nick Kasprak '08, a devoted Democrat echoing the sentiments of many of his fellow party members, said, "I stayed as far away from that speech as possible."
President of the Bowdoin College Democrats Alex Cornell du Houx '06 voiced his concerns about Bush's willingness to heal the political divisions with the country.
"He needs to try and work with both Republicans and Democrats to create positive change for the future; however, I fear, based on his previous four years and not being restrained by a future election, this will not happen," said Cornell du Houx.
Although President Bush is just beginning his second term in office, both parties remain hard at work. After significant Republican wins, Cornell du Houx believes that the Democratic Party needs to be more prominent than ever.
"The Democratic Party needs to stay true to our values of helping the average worker, providing healthcare, a living wage, protecting the underprivileged," said Cornell du Houx.
"We need to strengthen our base and encourage them to vote."