But this inauguration was important for more reasons than the racial barriers it broke. Obama is taking power during the longest recession America has experienced since the Great Depression.

In his first speech as president, Obama was optimistic but acknowledged the challenges the nation faces.

“They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America. They will be met,” he said.

Obama made health care and education reform, ending the Iraq War and green initiatives the centerpieces of his campaign, but that was before the nation was gripped by a collapse of Wall Street and unrest in the Gaza Strip.

Both of those issues will likely change the way Obama approaches the first months of his presidency, but Americans are still expecting him to make good on his campaign promises.

“There are a whole bunch of other things that I think are going to be higher priority,” said Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. “He’ll probably say, ‘Okay, here’s as much as we can afford to do … we’re not forgetting it, we’re trying.”

Experts said Obama may have gone a bit too far in promising swift change, and could have trouble when Americans expect more than he can offer in the first stages of his presidency.

“A lot of people are all revved up, thinking he walks on water and is going to be able to solve our problems overnight,” Ballenger said. “That just isn’t realistic.”

In Michigan, perhaps more than any other state, the policies Obama chooses to implement at the beginning of his presidency could have a lasting impact. The state has become a figurehead for the national problems of high unemployment, a struggling manufacturing sector and crumbling infrastructure.

And Michigan’s politicians know what’s at stake.

“The most important issue, and the one that he’s focusing on, is the economic recession,” Lt. Gov. John Cherry said. “It’s going to be absolutely critical for Michigan. It’s going to help us rebuild our infrastructure.”

Obama has promised to take swift action on the economy and, with the help of the House of Representatives and Senate, is expected to pass an $825 billion economic stimulus package in the coming weeks.

Cherry said he hopes some of that money will be allocated to help the state reduce its budget deficit — which is expected to reach $1.5 billion next fiscal year — and diversify its economy.

Michigan’s automakers also have lobbied for more relief in addition to the $24.9 billion that has already been loaned to the Big Three automakers.

“There’s some indication that Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress want to do more to help the Big Three,” Ballenger said. “But they’re also cognizant that the majority of the American population really does not support more government bailout.”

For some college students, Obama’s promise to offer $4,000 of aid to students who complete 100 hours of community service is the most important plank of his platform. But Ballenger said secondary education is likely to take a back seat to other issues.

“His main job is going to be getting the economy back on track, and you don’t do much to get the economy back on track in the short term by throwing money at higher education,” he said.

Still, MSU Trustee Dianne Byrum, who traveled to Washington for inauguration, ?said she’s confident Obama will come through on his education plans.

“He’s focused on education in general,” Byrum said. “Making sure that it’s accessible and affordable, and that there’s priority placed on educating our citizens.”