By no means is President Obama weak or incompetent. After all he has passed more substantive legislation in his first 18 months than most presidents have in 8 years (2 terms). At any given time the Stimulus that prevented a Great Depression, a Healthcare Reform Bill that contrary to popular belief will save the country from a medical catastrophe, and the Financial Reform Bill which attempts at regulating the financial sector was considered dead.
In fighting for the above legislation the President was always attempting to find common ground with Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats to great consternation of Progressives & Liberals. Most new that his intellect was with those who new deep substantive change was necessary, however his politics necessitated just a bill substantive enough. After all, after a major framework of healthcare reform and financial reform were effected, they could be improved as long as power remained with the Progressives.
Given the first pressure filled 18 months of the administration in which a united Republican front overtly pushed for an Obama Waterloo and a left flank that was continuously critical of the President’s propensity to compromise, many likely expected the stereotypical “Angry Black Man” response. Instead, the President’s constant calm and assuredness prevailed. While this stance is the ultimate display of strength many in the country have been inclined to believe this as a signal of weakness.
The President would have accomplished much in his first two years without nearly a display of anger. He has not touted or articulated his accomplishment in a manner that the American citizen can identify with. He paid dearly in the 2010 midterms for this. One however cannot look back as it is likely his demeanor and tactics in his first two years actually enabled such legislative achievements.
The President is not likely to get any major legislation in the next two years given the new makeup of Congress. It is for this reason the magnitude of substantive legislation in his first 18 months were so important. He made the necessary concessions and tolerated the necessary abuse from all sides.
In the next two years it is incumbent on the President to dispel the new narrative of him being weak and incompetent. He must reengage his base, a base he did not stay engaged with sufficiently. He must roam the country and illustrate how the massive volume of legislation passed impact each person on the individual level. Lastly, he must contrast a country following his progressive policies versus the arcane policies of the Conservative that are mathematically impossible, morally incorrect, and fiscally unachievable.
My Book: As I See It: Class Warfare The Only Resort To Right Wing Doom
Book’s Webpage: http://books.egbertowillies.com – Twitter: http://twitter.com/egbertowillies
