What with job losses, banks collapsing and Celebrity Big Brother back on TV, the nation’s mood is unsurprisingly low. Which is why, one imagines, the one glimmer of hope perceived by the world, that of the inauguration of Barack Obama, was given such phenomenal coverage. While I understand the need to cover this major event that will impact in some fashion upon all of us at some point, there were still some points which were hard to stomach.

Firstly was the almost unilateral approval of the man with almost no reference to his policies. I am sure that he feels he is talented and capable of helping the country in its current state. But this is unfairly overshadowed by the almost constant references to his skin colour. The majority of those interviewed about his appointment being black also seemed to marginalise him as a President for the (previously) oppressed masses, rather than for all. I am still sceptical about how many of the millions of people rejoicing in the streets at his inauguration know what he stands for, other than a line nicked off Bob the Builder. Hopefully once the hype dies down this will come to the fore.

But until then we will no doubt be fed more hyped dross. I was particularly surprised to turn on the news this morning and witness the main headline being Barack Obama becomes President. Well surely that was yesterday? Apparently not said the BBC. Bar the footage of speeches yesterday, which were unprecedently covered to an extent that even Bin Laden in his cave in Afghanistan would have failed to miss it, the new line was the fact he danced at a ball. So already the celebrity culture kicks in. What was the first lady wearing? How good were his moves? These are far more important than issues.

And then we have BBC London, which led with what the Obama regime means for Londoners. Truly clutching at straws they interviewed kids TV presenter Floella Benjamin about what it means to her. I am sure Obama will impact on the capital, but really. The next bit was kids who have been inspired by his appointment. And so it went on and on. And on. And more tenuous and more tenuous. We have already seen politicians try and associated themselves with the Obama success so it should come as little surprise the news channels have too but by the end of the day I was desperate for anything other than Obama mania.

My fear is that he has come at the worst of times, and the country’s first black President will struggle to remain that in four years time. What no-one asked was the repercussions if he is unable to pull the country out of its economic crisis and the negative impact it will have on race relations. Surely any failure by team Obama will be latched onto by the far right as proof he (and by association African Americans) aren’t up to the job. One only hopes, to steal Bob the Builder once more, when the cry comes out, Can you fix it? He responds in action, Yes we can.

• How sad is it to see someone flung into the limelight through reality TV potentially dying under the spotlight. The coverage of Jade Goody’s fight against cancer is dramatic, painful and emotive, but it sits uneasy with me. While it is good to highlight the plight of many suffering from cancer, to have your life fade and possibly die in the full glare of the national media is not something I would wish upon my enemies.

• The guile of Harriet Harman to try and sneak the ban on MP’s expenses being revealed was unbelievable. Announcing the vote in between a debate on Gaza and the Heathrow third runway decision was political opportunism at its finest, and most sly. Thankfully, through overwhelming opposition in the House and beyond, she has been forced to back down. But her desperation to stop the details being published makes you wonder what there is to hide, and therefore all the more hungry to find out.