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Barack Obama must act like a true leader Barack Obama must act like a true leader
(4 months later)
It is a simple fact of American politics that power starts to fade away from a second-term president almost from the moment they are sworn in. Theoretically freed from the chains of having ever to seek re-election, they soon find that America's all too self-interested professional politicians are suddenly aware that the current occupant of the Oval Office will not be around in four years.It is a simple fact of American politics that power starts to fade away from a second-term president almost from the moment they are sworn in. Theoretically freed from the chains of having ever to seek re-election, they soon find that America's all too self-interested professional politicians are suddenly aware that the current occupant of the Oval Office will not be around in four years.
The ability to cajole and bully Congress – and even members of their own party – and get them to pass laws – starts to evaporate. Add to that the propensity of second terms to see presidency-defining scandal – think Monica Lewinsky, think Iran-Contra – and it is no wonder that many re-elected presidents seem simply to be waiting around for the term "lame duck" to be applied. But even by the super-charged standards of the modern news cycle, President Obama's serious case of second-term blues has come early. It is seven months since Obama bested Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the presidential election and sparked talk of a new era of progressive change while a defeated GOP would descend into anarchic faction-fighting.The ability to cajole and bully Congress – and even members of their own party – and get them to pass laws – starts to evaporate. Add to that the propensity of second terms to see presidency-defining scandal – think Monica Lewinsky, think Iran-Contra – and it is no wonder that many re-elected presidents seem simply to be waiting around for the term "lame duck" to be applied. But even by the super-charged standards of the modern news cycle, President Obama's serious case of second-term blues has come early. It is seven months since Obama bested Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the presidential election and sparked talk of a new era of progressive change while a defeated GOP would descend into anarchic faction-fighting.
Instead, Obama last week found himself buffeted by the storms of three separate scandals. The usually compliant Washington press corps, perhaps feeling neglected by a White House that has given them short shrift in terms of access, scented blood. They subjected Obama and his beleaguered press secretary, Jay Carney, to repeated and heated grilling at every turn.Instead, Obama last week found himself buffeted by the storms of three separate scandals. The usually compliant Washington press corps, perhaps feeling neglected by a White House that has given them short shrift in terms of access, scented blood. They subjected Obama and his beleaguered press secretary, Jay Carney, to repeated and heated grilling at every turn.
They had a lot of material to work with. News that America's tax collectors in the shape of the Internal Revenue Service might have been singling out conservative groups for extra attention has rightly shocked many, including, it must be said, Obama himself. Then there is the just as distressing revelations that the Department of Justice has been probing phone calls placed to journalists at Associated Press. The nominal justification for what seems an outrageous way to treat a free press was the hunt for a national security leaker. Given the administration's history of leaking details of its drone programme when it wants to look muscular on terrorism, the hypocrisy was breathtaking. Finally, the ongoing furore over how much officials tried to spin the tragic death of four Americans in Benghazi got a new lease of life amid a plethora of leaks.They had a lot of material to work with. News that America's tax collectors in the shape of the Internal Revenue Service might have been singling out conservative groups for extra attention has rightly shocked many, including, it must be said, Obama himself. Then there is the just as distressing revelations that the Department of Justice has been probing phone calls placed to journalists at Associated Press. The nominal justification for what seems an outrageous way to treat a free press was the hunt for a national security leaker. Given the administration's history of leaking details of its drone programme when it wants to look muscular on terrorism, the hypocrisy was breathtaking. Finally, the ongoing furore over how much officials tried to spin the tragic death of four Americans in Benghazi got a new lease of life amid a plethora of leaks.
All in all, it was whack-a-mole week at the White House and Obama was not the one wielding the hammer. To the amazement of some, the word "Nixonesque" started appearing in coverage of the week's events. The image of a secrecy-obsessed, hypocritical and over-reaching White House was clearly one the right wing was eager to peddle. But many on the left joined in, too. It was far from just the Rush Limbaughs of this world who were wondering if America's 44th president might just have something in common with its disgraced 37th one.All in all, it was whack-a-mole week at the White House and Obama was not the one wielding the hammer. To the amazement of some, the word "Nixonesque" started appearing in coverage of the week's events. The image of a secrecy-obsessed, hypocritical and over-reaching White House was clearly one the right wing was eager to peddle. But many on the left joined in, too. It was far from just the Rush Limbaughs of this world who were wondering if America's 44th president might just have something in common with its disgraced 37th one.
That takes criticism too far. None of the current scandals justifies comparison with the great deceit that Nixon presented to the American public. Rather than masterminding any of them, Obama and his team seem to have been caught by surprise as much as anyone else. But the three scandals do not stand alone. They have come after a period in which much of the sheen was already being rubbed off the prospects of Obama's second term.That takes criticism too far. None of the current scandals justifies comparison with the great deceit that Nixon presented to the American public. Rather than masterminding any of them, Obama and his team seem to have been caught by surprise as much as anyone else. But the three scandals do not stand alone. They have come after a period in which much of the sheen was already being rubbed off the prospects of Obama's second term.
The desperate hunger strikers of Guantánamo Bay have shone a harsh spotlight on Obama's manifest failure to fulfil his 2008 campaign promise to shut the vile prison. Figures on both the right and left have been appalled at the enthusiasm with which Obama has embraced a drone programme with a dismaying lack of regard for innocent civilians, due process and indeed the US citizenship of some of its targets.The desperate hunger strikers of Guantánamo Bay have shone a harsh spotlight on Obama's manifest failure to fulfil his 2008 campaign promise to shut the vile prison. Figures on both the right and left have been appalled at the enthusiasm with which Obama has embraced a drone programme with a dismaying lack of regard for innocent civilians, due process and indeed the US citizenship of some of its targets.
Finally, there was the humiliating defeat over gun control. In the wake of last year's tragic Newtown school shooting, Obama had staked a huge amount of personal capital on a mild tightening of America's notoriously lax gun laws. Yet Obama was outfoxed by the cynical machinations of the National Rifle Association. Just as his first-term push over healthcare was gutted of its most transformative element – a public option for coverage – so it was that a bill on gun controls was filleted of a ban on automatic rifles.Finally, there was the humiliating defeat over gun control. In the wake of last year's tragic Newtown school shooting, Obama had staked a huge amount of personal capital on a mild tightening of America's notoriously lax gun laws. Yet Obama was outfoxed by the cynical machinations of the National Rifle Association. Just as his first-term push over healthcare was gutted of its most transformative element – a public option for coverage – so it was that a bill on gun controls was filleted of a ban on automatic rifles.
No wonder that Obama's second term is being seen as a devastating disappointment. Some of this is not his fault. No president in America's system of checks and balances can get their own way. And Obama is cursed by having to work with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives determined to derail him. Yet Obama all too often shows neither leadership, ambition, nor courage. Just look at Guantánamo Bay. Obama openly admits the base is a PR disaster and a moral wrong. Yet his solution is to seek help from Congress in dealing with the issue, the very same Congress that has stymied previous efforts.No wonder that Obama's second term is being seen as a devastating disappointment. Some of this is not his fault. No president in America's system of checks and balances can get their own way. And Obama is cursed by having to work with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives determined to derail him. Yet Obama all too often shows neither leadership, ambition, nor courage. Just look at Guantánamo Bay. Obama openly admits the base is a PR disaster and a moral wrong. Yet his solution is to seek help from Congress in dealing with the issue, the very same Congress that has stymied previous efforts.
This is all too typical of Obama's style of governing. The candidate on the campaign trails of 2008 and 2012, who can inspire so many with his glorious words, is replaced in office by a president whose defining characteristic appears to be aloofness. Perhaps the only good thing to come out of the scandals and current malaise will be an overdue realisation that things need to change. For no one wants an American leadership vacuum. Obama deserves great praise for rescuing the American economy from the brink of collapse, but huge problems remain. Poverty, inequality and joblessness all blight the economic landscape. Abroad, numerous short-term crises, such as North Korea and the war in Syria, cry out for attention while several major long-term trends, such as climate change and the rise of China, demand American leadership.This is all too typical of Obama's style of governing. The candidate on the campaign trails of 2008 and 2012, who can inspire so many with his glorious words, is replaced in office by a president whose defining characteristic appears to be aloofness. Perhaps the only good thing to come out of the scandals and current malaise will be an overdue realisation that things need to change. For no one wants an American leadership vacuum. Obama deserves great praise for rescuing the American economy from the brink of collapse, but huge problems remain. Poverty, inequality and joblessness all blight the economic landscape. Abroad, numerous short-term crises, such as North Korea and the war in Syria, cry out for attention while several major long-term trends, such as climate change and the rise of China, demand American leadership.
Now is the time for the Obama of the campaign trail finally to step up to the plate. He must shed his instinct for caution, get rid of the notion that he can't do anything without Republican support and start to lead the country that elected him. None of the scandals assailing him smacks of Watergate and he must put them behind him. Though Republicans will drag them out as long as they can, he must rise above them and use the clout of his office to bring about real and bold change.Now is the time for the Obama of the campaign trail finally to step up to the plate. He must shed his instinct for caution, get rid of the notion that he can't do anything without Republican support and start to lead the country that elected him. None of the scandals assailing him smacks of Watergate and he must put them behind him. Though Republicans will drag them out as long as they can, he must rise above them and use the clout of his office to bring about real and bold change.
Immigration reform, climate change, curbing the power of the still-too powerful banks and myriad crises abroad are all in desperate need of action. If he does not, then Obama will have betrayed the hopes for change he once so powerfully embodied. It would be a tragedy. Due to the colour of his skin, Obama will always be a historic American president. But it would be better all around if that fact were because of his actions while in power.Immigration reform, climate change, curbing the power of the still-too powerful banks and myriad crises abroad are all in desperate need of action. If he does not, then Obama will have betrayed the hopes for change he once so powerfully embodied. It would be a tragedy. Due to the colour of his skin, Obama will always be a historic American president. But it would be better all around if that fact were because of his actions while in power.
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