Obama's promises
Steven Wu
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Opinion
Barack Obama may have won the 2008 Presidential Race, but is he really going to follow up on the promises made during his campaign? There is hope for change in the form of significant government assistance for those who most need it. With the platform of expanded and subsidized healthcare, more government oversight on the economy and a more focused approach to the problems on the home front after a withdrawal from Iraq, among other things, the campaign promises much. But the question stands: will Obama be able to break away from the political system in Washington?
Every presidential hopeful presents the potential for change, and each one tries to distance him or herself from policies that made the prior president unpopular. In many cases, however, things said during a campaign do not directly turn into results during presidential terms. In order to retain the support of voters and get results, politicians frequently conform their "beliefs" and suggestions to the desires of groups with the most power.
If potential outcomes turn out to be harmful to the public in the future, a politician may choose to avoid that course of action in order to not become entirely unpopular.
For these reasons, I believe Obama will meet a similar fate. Although popular now because of his separation from President Bush, the failing economy and foreign relations, if Obama is unable to resolve the situation, he will quickly lose support from the American public and, in turn, his current allies in Congress. I do believe troops will be withdrawn from Iraq, but as soon as problems begin occurring again, such as insurgent attacks, he will send a security force back in, or at least leave a small garrison behind. This will prevent a full devotion of resources to domestic aid.
In addition to that possibility, Obama may not be able to completely carry out his campaign promises because of the need to satisfy groups that might turn away funding if they do not receive the outcome they seek. Therefore, policies such as those for research into alternative energy might once again be halted by the power of corporations and special interests.
So although popular and loved at present because of his ability to stand up to the corruption of the political system, Obama may not be able to avoid turning into a politician who must conform to such standards in order to achieve goals. Even if he avoids this, he may not become the effective president many hope he will be.
Every presidential hopeful presents the potential for change, and each one tries to distance him or herself from policies that made the prior president unpopular. In many cases, however, things said during a campaign do not directly turn into results during presidential terms. In order to retain the support of voters and get results, politicians frequently conform their "beliefs" and suggestions to the desires of groups with the most power.
If potential outcomes turn out to be harmful to the public in the future, a politician may choose to avoid that course of action in order to not become entirely unpopular.
For these reasons, I believe Obama will meet a similar fate. Although popular now because of his separation from President Bush, the failing economy and foreign relations, if Obama is unable to resolve the situation, he will quickly lose support from the American public and, in turn, his current allies in Congress. I do believe troops will be withdrawn from Iraq, but as soon as problems begin occurring again, such as insurgent attacks, he will send a security force back in, or at least leave a small garrison behind. This will prevent a full devotion of resources to domestic aid.
In addition to that possibility, Obama may not be able to completely carry out his campaign promises because of the need to satisfy groups that might turn away funding if they do not receive the outcome they seek. Therefore, policies such as those for research into alternative energy might once again be halted by the power of corporations and special interests.
So although popular and loved at present because of his ability to stand up to the corruption of the political system, Obama may not be able to avoid turning into a politician who must conform to such standards in order to achieve goals. Even if he avoids this, he may not become the effective president many hope he will be.
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