Staff editorial
Year in review
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Opinions
Last update: 2/4/10 at 12:10 AM EST
Last week, President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address, offering the American people hope that he will fulfill the promises he made during his campaign. With a slip in popularity and virtually no Senate backing going into his second year as president, Obama faces the same struggles as almost all presidents before him.
During his presidential campaign, Obama made a number of promises, including that he would revive the faltering economy, close down Guantanamo Bay, end the war in Iraq and find a way to implement a universal health care system. To expect Obama to accomplish all of these in one year is a lot to ask of one man.
And the president has started checking off some of these on his massive to-do list. Obama issued a bailout for banks and businesses in need, and now plans to freeze government spending to help with the growing national debt. In addition, a health care bill has been in the works since last year. But when he is working with an unsupportive Senate, it is hard to get his legislation passed.
Although Obama began his presidency with a Democratic majority, recently a few changes took place inside the Senate. With a Republican taking the open seat in Massachusetts, declining support from Democrats, and a Senate election right around the corner, it is quite possible Republicans will become the majority in the house. If a majority change happens, Obama will have an even harder time getting the legislation he wants passed.
Of all the topics he covered during the State of the Union, the way he spoke to Democrat and Republican senate members was arguably the most interesting. Obama used his speech to warn Republicans that, "just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it is not leadership," and told Democrats, "the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills."
Although it seems admirable for Obama to take a stance against the warring parties, he may have only spurred the Republicans to continue "saying no to everything." He needs to find a way to encourage the Senate to work together without demeaning the parties, especially when Republicans appear to be gaining ground on the Democrats. Otherwise, Obama is going to find getting legislation passed even more difficult than before.
During his presidential campaign, Obama made a number of promises, including that he would revive the faltering economy, close down Guantanamo Bay, end the war in Iraq and find a way to implement a universal health care system. To expect Obama to accomplish all of these in one year is a lot to ask of one man.
And the president has started checking off some of these on his massive to-do list. Obama issued a bailout for banks and businesses in need, and now plans to freeze government spending to help with the growing national debt. In addition, a health care bill has been in the works since last year. But when he is working with an unsupportive Senate, it is hard to get his legislation passed.
Although Obama began his presidency with a Democratic majority, recently a few changes took place inside the Senate. With a Republican taking the open seat in Massachusetts, declining support from Democrats, and a Senate election right around the corner, it is quite possible Republicans will become the majority in the house. If a majority change happens, Obama will have an even harder time getting the legislation he wants passed.
Of all the topics he covered during the State of the Union, the way he spoke to Democrat and Republican senate members was arguably the most interesting. Obama used his speech to warn Republicans that, "just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it is not leadership," and told Democrats, "the people expect us to solve some problems, not run for the hills."
Although it seems admirable for Obama to take a stance against the warring parties, he may have only spurred the Republicans to continue "saying no to everything." He needs to find a way to encourage the Senate to work together without demeaning the parties, especially when Republicans appear to be gaining ground on the Democrats. Otherwise, Obama is going to find getting legislation passed even more difficult than before.
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