Some Central Oregonians voice hope, others express doubt as Biden takes office
(Update: Adding local residents' comments)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Several Central Oregonians shared their thoughts with NewsChannel 21 following Wednesday's inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Josephine Whitaker said she is hopeful President Biden will bring the unity that he stressed in his speech.
" I guess I'm just kind of hopeful, because I feel like we live in an dystopian society, and I guess it's unrealistic to hope for a utopian society where everything is perfect," Whitaker said. "I guess I'm just hoping for order and that people can start loving each other and being happy, because I feel like that doesn't happen very often."
Her mother, Tonia, had a similar outlook as she described her feelings.
"Honestly? A sense of peace, looking for some order back in our country, a sense of hopefulness and, you know, a deep sense of needing to partake in creating peace in our communities," she said.
Cody Mehan from Bend said he watched President Trump'ss farewell and not the inauguration.
"I don't subscribe to what Joe Biden and what his administration stands for," he said.
Mehan said, however, that he will conform to the election results.
"I'm a Christian and I'm a born-again believer, and I believe that I'm supposed to submit to authority,: he said. "So I'm going to choose to pray for the -- then now, which I believe is the the falsely elected Joe Biden, and I'm going to pray for him and hope the best."
Bend resident Jordan Deiro said he's glad things remained peaceful in Washington.
"First off, I'm glad nothing weird happened," he said. "I know a lot of people were worried about people showing up, doing something funky."
But Diero said he doesn't believe much of what Biden had to say.
"I don't think his track record has shown too much of how much Biden goes, of him following through with much or doing much in office," Diero said.
And while Diero said the election outcome wasn't what he wanted, he added, "You know, I hope for the best and we'll see how it goes."
Oregon's governor, secretary of state and two U.S. senators -- all Democrats -- applauded Wednesday's inauguration of Biden as the nation's 46th president.
Here are their full statements (and Sen. Wyden's tweet):
Governor Kate Brown Issues Statement on Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today:
"Today marks a new chapter for our country as we welcome President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to the White House. It is an especially extraordinary moment for our nation to celebrate the historic swearing-in of our first female, Black and Asian Vice President — and the incredibly diverse Cabinet that President Biden has nominated. Our government should be reflective of the people it represents, and now Americans across the country will see themselves in the people holding leadership positions.
"We have waited a long time to have a strong, competent and trustworthy partner we can work with at the federal level — and now more than ever, we need that federal leadership to help states beat COVID-19, once and for all. As we still face what could be the darkest days of the pandemic, President Biden has laid out a strong vision and clear plan, based on science, for how the federal government will help the American people, and governors across the country — starting with the announcement of a much-needed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. I look forward to working with the President, Vice President and Congress on getting this ground-breaking package across the finish line.
"I also look forward to working with the new Congress on their For the People Act, which would establish Vote-By-Mail and Automatic Voter Registration nationally.
"Election after election, here in Oregon, we set the example for our country. Our 30-year-old Vote-by-Mail system took a turn on the national stage as states across the country shifted to voting by mail, and voting early, to enable people to vote safely and securely.
"Now, the work begins to make that permanent. I am so very proud that Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Amy Klobuchar have crafted this comprehensive legislation, which will be the first bill taken up by the new Congress. If passed, this bill will require the reforms we started in Oregon to be adopted by every state in the country. Automatic Voter Registration and Vote-By-Mail should be available to every citizen in this country.
"I hope that all of you will join me in supporting the passage of the For the People Act in the Senate. Because, the right to vote is fundamental — and it is sacred.
"While there are many challenges ahead, on this historic day I remain hopeful. We are determined as ever to rise, rebuild, and reinvent a more just and equitable country."
MERKLEY CELEBRATES INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement today following the historic inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris:
“In the midst of one of the darkest winters in American history, today is cause for celebration and resolve. Today, our nation begins the hard work of turning the page on a dark chapter marked by racism, division, and incivility, as we set out to write a new one of hope, freedom, and equality for all.
“It won’t be easy. First and foremost, we must face and defeat a devastating pandemic that has already claimed 400,000 American lives and robbed millions of their livelihoods. But we must also reckon with deeper and more long-lasting forces that have shaped everything about our lives and our politics, up to and including the current pandemic.
“For decades, powerful special interests have done everything in their power to rig our economy and our society in their favor. They’ve flooded Washington with dark money, and stoked fears and pitted groups of Americans against each other in order to protect themselves. Their project has done real, lasting damage to the fabric of our republic, and it’s on each of us to do our part to restore it.
“I have every confidence that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are well equipped to lead that charge with the skill, compassion, and determination it will require. And I am fully committed to doing all that I can to ensure that the Senate is a strong partner to their efforts—from tackling the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis, to passing the For the People Act and reinvigorating our democracy, to addressing directly our national shame of racism and discrimination and ensuring that every hardworking American has a roof over their head and food on their table. Let’s get to work.”
Huge congratulations to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris on this historic day. Our country is in good hands under your leadership and I look forward to the work ahead to right the wrongs of the last 4 years and chart a course for progress in the future.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 20, 2021
Secretary of State Shemia Fagan Statement on Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris
SALEM, OR — Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan issued the following statement on the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris:
“Today we witnessed the peaceful transition of power at the very location where a violent coup was attempted only a few weeks ago. The peaceful transfer of leadership is the bedrock of our democracy and Oregonians of all political leanings can celebrate its occurrence once again. We have an opportunity to restore faith in democratic institutions and overcome the divisiveness that has engulfed our nation in modern times. And, with the historic inauguration of our nation’s first woman, South Asian American and Black vice president, and a cabinet that promises to reflect the diversity of our nation, we will have a federal government prepared to continue our journey towards a more perfect union.”
“As I snuggled my children this morning and together witnessed history, I was overcome by the words of our nation’s youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman. Among her stirring words:
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
It can never be permanently defeated.
“While we have much work ahead of us to ensure that everyone, regardless of who they are, what their political affiliation is or where they live, feels heard and included in the institutions that serve them, today is a reminder of the greatness, hope, and resiliency of our democracy."
“I look forward to joining leaders in our state and nation to restore faith in our democracy and combat the scourge of disinformation that lies in wait to divide us once again.”
