Listening to President Obama’s magnificent Inaugural address today, I am struck by his ability to hit on what every American craves out of Washington—a willingness to put work before politics.

“On this day,” he said, “we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for too long have strangled our politics.”

It was also impressive that President Obama made a point of stressing that programs that do not work should not be continued, and that an educational system that does not serve children must be overhauled.  That is a concession from the ideological left that is sure to evoke cooperation and reciprocal serious rethinking by the right.  It is the strategy of a man serious about breaking boundaries and moving the country forward.

We should also remember how rare such moments are in American politics.  Twenty years ago, George H.W. Bush began his presidency with these words, “To my friends — and yes, I do mean friends — in the loyal opposition — and yes, I mean loyal: I put out my hand. I am putting out my hand to you, Mr. Speaker.  I am putting out my hand to you, Mr. Majority Leader.”

“Mr. Majority Leader,” George Mitchell, promptly began to maul that outstretched hand.  Worse than the out-and-out attacks on 41’s presidency was the Democratic majority’s persistent, stone-walling refusal to cooperate with the president on his agenda.

In the next two presidencies, though the kind words to the opposition were there, the Inaugurals of both Clinton and Bush 43 starts had a triumphalist, nah-nah-nah-na-na flavor.  In both cases, Democratic and Republican opponents set out to wear down and destroy.

Now we are back to the outstretched hand.  This time, I think there is a good chance it will taken.  Not just because the Republican opposition is at low tide.  And not just because Mr. Obama seems by nature to be an inclusive and conciliatory man.  It will be taken because it must be.  President Obama made it clear—the buck may not always stop “here” on every president’s desk.  But it is stopping now.