The early analysis from the pundits is that President Barack Obama did not hit a home run in his Inauguration speech yesterday, but he did, to mix metaphors in a way he never would, hit all the right notes.

That in part is one of the burdens of being a great public speaker; a pretty good speech by Barack Obama would be a superb speech by almost anyone else.

But it may well be that this speech will gain in reputation as time goes on. A careful reading of the text reveals a number of profoundly strong messages, even if there isn't a single phrase that truly stands out. (Although, really, how do you ever beat the simple beauty of "Yes, we can"?)

But President Obama did what he had to do: he imparted certainty in an uncertain time and was inclusive at a time when the world is tired of division.

He was confident about the future, and the ability of Americans to get out of the mess they find themselves in, not least through applying the same historic values that made it such a great and inspiring country in the first place.

He came across as determined and confident in his administration's ability to lead the US forward.

But he also called on the country's leaders and citizens to pull together for the common good.

He took some well deserved swipes at the Bush administration, but urged Republicans and Democrats to adopt policies based not on ideology but on whether they work.

Thus he said: "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."

For the world, President Obama offered both a carrot and a stick, saying: "Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more. ..."

"We will not apologise for our way of life nor will we waver in its defence. And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that, 'Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.'"

President Obama's appeal to Bermudians is best demonstrated by these words: "For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.

"And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

As we grapple with our own legacy of racism and division, President Obama offers us a way forward, one that recognises and never forgets the past, but maintains the eternal, almost biblical faith that "old hatreds shall someday pass" and that "the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve".

That, surely is what Bermuda strives for and reaches for; for "our common humanity to reveal itself".

President Obama recognised that the way forward would be hard, and Bermuda needs to acknowledge the same. But his optimism is infectious and it should take root in Bermuda as well.