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Domestic and Overseas Intervention

3/12/2013

2 Comments

 

Legacies and Lame Ducks

If you are ever daft or driven enough to consider running for the US presidency one thing is surely true you will possess an ego that demands that you leave a footprint in the US political sandpit that is difficult to erase. In other words, this office will allow you the opportunity to make an impression on domestic and/or international society that has your name on it. The historic examples are numerous; Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln et al cover the 1800s while the 'American Century' was filled by T Roosevelt, Wilson, the Alphabet presidents of FDR , JFK , and LBJ, followed by Nixon, Reagan and G. W. Bush.  So, where does the present incumbent sit in this pantheon of power? Moreover, how will he leave his own personal political footprint, or is that aim no longer achievable thanks largely to a lack of political space, poor timing and weak professional judgement?

Obama for some is the personification of a changing US society - positive and negative - and therefore, his legacy was confirmed on the very day he was first sworn in to become the first black American President. However, this emblematic acknowledgement is not what the President had in mind when he first started to tackle the primary issues of the day. Domestically, he was going to change the relationship between Wall Street and Main Street allowing for a fairer and more regulated union, he was going to put America back to work after the debacle of the 2008 financial crash, and completely revamp the US healthcare system allowing the 45 million American citizens without any cover to be protected. Internationally, the aims were also high but clear, produce a winning formula for the Afghanistan conflict, end US involvement in Iraq, produce meaningful talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis and develop a firmer and fuller relationship with China.  So, how is his success rate so far?

The Wall Street initiative never really gained any real traction because of two principle reasons, Obama spent far too long on the issues of Iraq and Afghanistan when he was first admitted to the Oval Office, in other words, the time for fundamental change in the financial world had been missed and the impetus lost, moreover, some have subsequently observed that Obama's heart was not really in this topic since his political career had been largely funded by Wall Street - biting the hand that feeds you comes to mind. Putting the US back to work has been a little more successful, however, the official unemployment rate is sticking around 7.6% while the real figure is more like 14% when taking into account the 'invisible' unemployed. It seems that the US is at least three years away from returning to 2007 employment rates.

Now, 'Obama Care', this was going to be the President's flagship policy - a restructuring of a US healthcare system that had never ever been undertaken and achieved before. The original proposals were ambitious so, unsurprisingly, they were slowly and effectively watered down by a private health care lobby that fund many US Senators and Congressmen, but a bill was still finally agreed and passed through Congress - an amazing success. However, the devil is always in the detail and Obama's lofty managerial style did not allow him to get involved in the finer details of how such a complex plan was going to be rolled out. The result was a political disaster as the computer system that was going to transform medical protection nationwide crashed, the software may now be out of 'accident and emergency' but it is still recovering and the latest prognosis is it will not be back to full working order for about a year.

Internationally Obama has had just as tough a time. Firstly, he is no natural diplomat or negotiator, but more importantly, he lacks those 'foreign affairs instincts' and therefore, has lent heavily on his Secretary(s) of State and his Vice President. Clinton was capable and cautious since she was playing with a relatively poor hand, Joe Biden has been a useful spokesperson but a little too combative while the jury is still out on Kerry who seems a little too keen in announcing successes before the real game has even started. Hence, US withdrawal from Iraq has left a space that has all the qualities of a failed state. Afghanistan will be left as a social, economic and political 'basket case' regardless of what the Pentagon, London and Brussels suggest and the Israeli/Palestinian rapprochement still remains a political mirage; one of those stories from the 'Arabian Nights'. This leaves China and Iran. Well, the relationship between Beijing and Washington remains at best strained; the recent dispute over a Chinese air defensive zone has just highlighted how little real trust exists between the two super powers. Finally, is there a ray of hope for Obama through the most unlikely of places Tehran?

Iran, that 'axis of evil' maybe the US President's source of salvation since it seems on the face of it that the US and Iran have rediscovered a way of  talking to themselves that could not only diminish the 'nuclear threat' posed by this populous Shia nation but help unlock the riddle that continues underwrite the sectional conflicts in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. The political potential is huge. But before we all get carried away let us not underrate the power of certain individuals and vested interests that do not want a peaceful resolution to these differences but instead wish to demonstrate the power of their ego's and their own particular legacies.                     
             


       


 


     
2 Comments
Valérie
6/12/2013 05:36:18 am

I find it rather upsetting how everyone’s giving Obama such a hard time. Even more problematical would be to draw a comparison between the significant accomplishments of this president and his predecessors since I am convinced that this is impossible because one should take into consideration the particular and different domestic and international conditions at the time. One of the observations here might be that Obama’s presidential campaign created overwhelming expectations that were rather unrealistic; in a way one could argue that he wanted things too fast, especially considered his lack (or rather little) (of) experience in the private sector and as a senator. Another thing people tend to forget is the mess Obama had inherited from Mr. Bush. Had he succeeded Clinton, for example, things might have been entirely different now. Bush had been in office for 8 years, had dragged the nation into two wars, and had left Obama with a faltering economy. As Forbes argues in this case, ‘Bush started (economically) from a high base and came in low’, whereas ‘Obama started from a low base and came in worse’. For example, if we look at former office holder Wilson who successfully managed to push through substantial reform, we have to consider the different nature of the heritage of his predecessors. Or, for instance, did FDR not serve for no less than 12 years?

Another problem here might be the fierce Republican opposition he has challenged ever since he entered the White House. In order to pass effective and progressive legislation, it takes all branches of the government to make this possible. What we have witnessed so far is the fierce opposition of Republicans to most of the legislation he wanted to introduce. Only recently, Obama’s criticism at the House of Representatives on their inability to produce legislation such as an immigration overhaul stressed the lingering tensions between him and the congressional Republicans. Same story for the Government Shutdown, by the way. How can he push through significant reform if he is always frustrated in his plans by his opponents?

In this way, I think we really should give the guy some credit since he already succeeded to make considerable progress. In this case, I think of what he did for the car industry, the Fair Pay act, the war on terror etc. Yes, there is always room for (a lot) more improvement, but my point here is that we have to give the President time to carry out his policy and that we should not and cannot compare him to his predecessors.

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Eveline Versluys
13/12/2013 04:18:29 pm

A lot can be said about Obama’s accomplishments in office and there are indeed arguments to made against his promises to effect change within US society, but I still believe Obama can be regarded as a great President. Yes, most of that has to do with the fact that he is the first Black President and therefore will always be remembered, but another reason why Obama’s legacy will never be forgotten is his great oratory skills. In these classes we have often stressed that politics is power and while I will certainly not reject that assumption, I strongly believe that the power of words is by far the most vital one. In these last couple of months, Obama’s speeches were not so memorable, to say the least. However, when I was watching his speech at the Mandela Memorial a couple of days ago, he confirmed all my previous believes that Obama could become a great President. His speech was not just a tribute to Mandela. It was a tribute to universal values, which are far too often neglected in many parts of the world, including The United States. No matter how much of a cynic you may be, it was simply impossible not be touched by his words.

“It should also prompt in each of us a time of self-reflection. We must ask: How well have I applied his lessons in my own life. It’s a question I ask myself, as a man and as a President. […] We too must act on behalf of justice. We too must act on behalf of peace. There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom but do not tolerate dissent form their own people. There are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.[…]While I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be a better man.”

Not only did he put the ideals of justice and peace into words, he also dared to criticize the hypocrisy among leaders. Obama’s political power may not lie in his actions, but it most certainly lies in his words. He is able to translate his ideals into a language everyone can understand. Obama reminds us that these ideals are timeless and worth fighting for. As he said in his speech, he may never be Madiba, but no one on this planet would have been more suitable to go on that stage and inspire the people of South Africa. He may not be Madiba, but in his words, he sure as hell comes close.

And that’s why- regardless his inability to get things done- I think Obama is a great President.

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    Dr J Ken Kennard Professor of Politics and History - Master Program in American Studies - Universiteit Gent

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