It’s been eight months since Obama entered office, and what an adventure it has been!
On one hand, the man inherited one of the worst financial climates the country has ever seen. The expectation that he could fix that in his first year in office, was and continues to be an unrealistic one. After all, it was a mess that was eight years in the making.
On the other hand, Obama was at the forefront of an electoral tidal wave that allowed the Democrats to take control of the White House, Senate and House. The electorate was convinced by the message of change. The war, the economy and a loss of moral legitimacy with foreign powers across the globe, created a climate where the citizenry wanted new leadership, and they wanted it fast.
As off-putting as the idea may be, Obama’s electoral campaign was a perfect storm. Not only was the political climate ideal for the entrance of a presidential candidate unlike anyone the United States had ever seen before, but he was politically brilliant. He took big risks, and he addressed criticism head on.
Granted, his commentary on race was compromised, and his choice of Joe Biden for VP was a forecast of less than ideal political nominations to come. But at the end of the day, he maintained control of the conversation around his campaign.
It’s strange then that so many people are likening Obama’s health care push to his campaign strategy, because I don’t think they are at all similar.
Sure he is conducting townhall meetings. But that is where the similarities end. During the 
campaign, Obama managed to use his internet resources as well as his on the ground activists to fill up football stadiums. Now, the townhalls are dominated by out of control, paid GOP protesters that prevent even the semblance of a conversation.
Where is the Obama that we voted into office?
Since Obama was voted into office he has failed to put up a fight about anything. At the beginning of his term it was consistently argued that he needed to compromise on the small stuff in order to fight the big fight [read: health care]. But now that we are at the big fight… Obama is still trying to negotiate his way out of the ring. At the end of the day, it does make you kind of wistful for W’s resolve.
What is the point of electing an agent for change if he’s not willing to fight for it?
Maybe the bigger question is, how long can Obama maintain his support if he only caters to the 45% of the electorate that didn’t vote for him?
peace.
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