Since the democratic race against the Hillary Clinton and perhaps fueled by it as well, Barack Obama has been a celebrity more than he has been a president-elect. It was quite historical, during the democratic run it was either going to be the first female or the first black democratic representative in the presidential race. Tensions and hopes were high, and considering everything else that happened after Obama beat Clinton to the punch, I wouldn’t have thought John McCain stood a chance in the hype department. In the end, when the dust settled and the battlefield cleared, America had elected its first African American Chief Executive.

Hopes are exceedingly high for Obama. He was the epitome of change itself in the US. So in every aspect he was, is, and will continually be scrutinized, take for instance his energy plan. Obama’s energy plan is unlike his predecessor’s, to say the least. While both Obama’s short- and long-term proposals for a ‘green’ energy plan for the US have been widely welcomed, there are quite a few challenges to overcome. But to stress on some important points on Obama’s energy plan, it includes: tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower crude oil prices to alleviate the plight of American citizens brought about by spiking oil prices; a ten year, 150 billion dollar overhaul of the country’s energy system (which recently has had some changes such as approving a “limited amount” of off-shore drilling to accommodate and encourage bipartisan support); thrusts to use fuel efficient Hybrid cars in the coming years in efforts to reduce harmful environmental impact; and to generate millions of new jobs related to the above efforts. All in all, it sounds pretty good, but how it all rolls out is what’s more important.

The Obama-craze goes beyond US boundaries, and thus there is an equivalent overwhelming sense of expectation, and hope. For America and the whole world’s sake, let’s hope the implementation and subsequent effects of Obama’s energy plan would end up acclaimed rather than criticized.