A year of Barack Obama

What a year it has been for Barack Obama. Before he was elected as president of the most powerful nation on earth, the former Chicago senator was popular but one of the few criticisms of him was his inexperience. Now, a year into his term of office, he has become undoubtedly more knowledgeable. But those high ratings have been steadily falling as American public opinion wonders if putting him in the white house was such a good idea. Going by the recent election to replace the late Senator Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts it seems Obama can no longer walk on water – he’s human after all.

The US president reacted in surprise when given, perhaps prematurely, the Nobel Peace Prize last year. This was a way of expressing support for Obama, almost like saying: ‘we like you but please don’t follow your predecessor in starting fires that cannot be put out.’ The truth is they needn’t have bothered. Obama is far more concerned, currently, with the American economy as well as other domestic matters.

One of these matters is his healthcare plan. Americans prefer the dollar to the dole and the president is finding it hard to win supporters on this issue. His determination to force this through has damaged his popularity but nonetheless he shows no sign of compromising. Obama has the political will, something many leaders around the world do not exercise (our own government would be an excellent example).

In Illinois, 20th May 2006, Mr Obama made a speech on healthcare in which the following quote was taken: “I ask you to be advocates for a health care system that is fair, that is just and that provides every single American with the best your profession has to offer.” Obama has made healthcare the cornerstone of his presidency. He cares not a bit for his ratings. He’s there to serve the people, every American.

However healthcare is not the only big policy change the first black American president wants to bring in. The US economy has been battered by the credit crisis and Obama’s administration wants to challenge the banks. He says they “took reckless risks in pursuit of quick profits and bonuses” (Guardian, January 2010). The anger is palpable. Wall Street will have to take a hit.

“If these folks want a fight, it’s a fight I’m ready to have”, says the president (Guardian, January 2010). With one banker reportedly getting paid $9 million, Mr Obama may be able to recoup some popularity in fighting huge payouts such as this. He’s in no mood for compromise with the largess going to some business executives. Change is in the air. Would we see this with a republican in the white house? Probably not. Obama has fire in his belly and a marked disregard for his, and his party’s poll ratings.

Later in the year I hope to examine the president’s form on foreign policy. For now though it is too early to make pronouncements. The president is a year in office and is doing some heavy lifting. He’s banging through policy with remarkable determination and resilience. For that he must be praised. However Obama will act only in the best interests of those that put him where he is now – the American people. The rest of us will follow.