As mid-term elections approach, it might be a good time to assess President Obama’s performance.
However, any assessment should focus on what that majority of Americans who voted for Obama were hoping to see, not the preferences of those who opposed him, and still do, may have wanted. Obama largely won by bringing in those who had not been voters–young people, blacks who felt marginalized, liberal Democrats and progressives, who saw little in previous candidates. Obama promised fresh ideas and perspectives, a change from the same tired debates, winning voters who hoped for change.
Focusing on some of Obama’s campaign promises might be a good start. Several websites, including one from The Washington Post, rate the president on fulfilling his campaign promises.
On changing the tone in Washington, the president deserves credit for his efforts to reach across the aisle. Although crafting all legislation out in the public spotlight proved too challenging, the process has been far more open than when Dick Cheney held secret meetings with oil and energy companies to craft legislation. Obama has made every effort to work with Republicans and conservative Democrats on legislation, a far cry from when George W. Bush took office with promises of bi-partisanship, which quickly became clear meant inviting Democrats to join in supporting the Republican agenda.
But if progressives were to name one frustration, it may be his tendency to chase after Republicans and conservative Democrats, who seem bent on running ever rightward, to avoid any agreement with the Democratic president. This game has diluted legislation, thwarting the hope for change.
Obama also promised to clear up Washington by banning lobbyists from his administration and restricting their power. He has delivered mixed results on this, putting in new rules but then making exceptions. However, the effort may yield little anyway, in light of the Supreme Court decision opening the door to unlimited campaign spending by corporations, even multinationals and foreign companies.
On healthcare, the president delivered a bill, although many supporters hoping for a more comprehensive, less-costly single-payer system, something taken off the table before the process began.
Foreign policy has been one of Obama’s biggest successes, where he has changed the tone, brought in a bi-partisan approach and a less unilateral tone. On the other hand, he has not closed Guantanamo, although conditions improved, and we are still in Iraq.
On the economy, letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest expire seems on track and promises for a middle-class tax cut have taken place. But real changes for Wall Street following the bail-out seem less certain.
Is Obama doing too much or too little? One argument is that the president is being too hands-off on certain topics or just trying to work on too many at once. It is debatable, but what is clear is that he is getting far too little help from politicians in his own party, who seem too happy to stand back and let him take the heat.