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You Can't Ask for More
Pete Souza / The White House
For the vast middle of this country, and the even vaster populations that lie beyond it, it has been a relatively good year.
The global exultation that we saw a year ago, as the news of Barack Obama’s election became irresistibly clear, was in a way a problem for the administration that dawned that day. How could anyone live up to expectations like these? On countless fronts, the Obama team has not, as we see from the exasperated gasps of the left, furious that lobbying and war and corporate bailouts have not been expunged from the historical record. But for the vast middle of this country, and the even vaster populations that lie beyond it, it has been a relatively good year. Many problems have been addressed; many more were, if not addressed, then at least mitigated; and most important of all, Americans have a feeling that they are being told something like the truth about their government.
Most important of all, Americans have a feeling that they are being told something like the truth about their government.
A year ago, the most dire problem facing Americans was the collapse of the economy. The hold-your-nose solution may have been ugly, but the Apocalypse was averted. Jobs are coming back very slowly, and not much in Michigan or my state, Rhode Island, but still, things might easily have been worse. Health-care reform has been predictably messy, and the results are not yet in—but no president was ever going to simply impose a solution; even FDR could not. Foreign policy has been brave at times (a decision to reverse course on missile defense in Europe), skillful (the Honduran crisis solved this week), and occasionally inspirational (a bold speech in Cairo to the Islamic world). That being said, we all know the biggest problems lie ahead, in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. And of course in the Middle East, where there has been little progress and mixed signals on issues like Israeli settlements. Decisions there will alienate large swaths of Obama’s shifting constituency—it can’t be avoided, even if the decisions are correct. But the first year gives reason to think that the decisions will be well thought out, and well explained to the people who elected this still-evolving president. You can’t ask for much more than that. At least not at this early moment to be asking.
Plus: More Daily Beast contributors on Obama’s election anniversary
Ted Widmer directs the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University. He was a speechwriter and senior adviser to President Clinton.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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Ted Widmer directs the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University. He was a speechwriter and senior adviser to President Clinton.
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Ted Widmer directs the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University. He was a speechwriter and senior adviser to President Clinton.
Conastoga
If you believe all that garbage you wrote above I have some ocean front property in Nevada I would like to sell you. And the country is in debt for how much money. No problem solved
just a bigger one made.
p51575j
Exactly!
gameon
Economy is worse,iraq is the same as when he took office,Afgh. is worse,we no longer have missile protection from russia, and for what?Enormous deficits,more than Bush had.Unemployment rising,increased taxes,decreased services.
Conceding to Russia and giving a speech in Cairo have done nothing but hurt the american people.This writer is guilty of blind loyalty and wishful thinking.
winston1
I think Ted Widmer has a tingle going down his leg.
p51575j
It certainly has NOT been a good year for me! I consider myself middle -- no, lower middle -- and I definitely have not had good year. I struggle everyday just to make utility and mortgage payments and put fuel in my 15 year-old car. We eat a lot of pasta at home because it's cheap. However, the last thing I want is more Government involvement/control in my life and the nation. I don't want a handout from the Government -- which is taxpayers' money! I am 54 and in college now to better my status in life. Everyone can do it. We need to take care of ourselves and not expect a handout from hardworking taxpayers! BTW: I am paying for my post-secondary education out of MY pocket, not taxpayers' pockets. Ted Widmer is like politicians: detached from reality. "Relatively good year" my aching back! The Government needs to stop taxing us to death! They spend and tax, and tax and spend. Baloney! They need to study Thomas Jefferson. He was a brilliant fellow.
iamglenbeck
Teddy finish the rest of your kool-aid after you take a big ol hit a crack and write sum more.
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