Did You Say Bipartisanship?

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As reported in The New York Times, President Obama called his budget proposal a "threat to the status quo in Washington" and cast himself as a populist crusader willing to do battle with special interests to expand health care, curb pollution and improve education.

It appears to me that the earlier proposed "bipartisanship" proposed by Obama five weeks ago when he inherited the position are slowing deteriorating at the moment and hopes to rekindle this relationship look faint.

The New York Times reported that Obama's address hinted at the strategy the White House intends to employ to push for the spending plan released last week, a return to a more traditional Democratic approach of positioning the party as fighting against the rich and powerful.

Now I'm assuming that the rich and powerful is the Republican Party, then does that mean that the Democrats are the poor and meak? In terms of the House and Senate, it certainly doesn't seem to be the case.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for President Obama's stimulus plan. I believe that it will create and save the approximately 3.5 million jobs and invest in the smart things, but I also remember President Obama proposing a biparitisanship as well. As the weeks progess, reading newspapers and watching press conferences, reactions from both parties seem to be more and more conflicting.

I clearly understand that action must be taken swiftly in order to jumpstart our economy as fast as possible, but I also agree with GOP representatives when they say that more times must be taken in order to lay our the proper logistics of these massive amounts of spending. Government spending must be done, but I believe that taking a little more time and incorporating right-wing views will result in a better overall bill and comrodory from both parties as a whole.

Let's see some real bipartisanship America.

Reaganomics: Meet Obamanomics

Photo Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Times has reported that President Barack Obama's $3.55 trillion budget dawns a new era of politics not seen since the Reagan Administration of the 1980s. An era of greater government intervention seems to be approaching, with Obama looking to break with the conservative principles that have been the standard in the last decade.

This could be effective, as Obama aims to involve the government in specific areas like education, where the government could provide loans to students at a far less rate than private lenders that control the field.

Although President Obama strives for bipartisanship, it appears that he has now began to spend his "political capital," by using the overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate in order to pass legislation. The $787 billion economic stimulus bill is a prime example.

Approval rates are still high, as a recent Gallup poll reported that 67% of Americans approved the way he was handling the stimulus bill.

This article effectively explained what it sought out to do, in explaining the dramatic changes the Obama administration has implemented, moving away from trickle-down economics, and heading towards big government intervention. There is a lot of criticism against this plan, but I believe that government aid in critical areas will benefit our nation in the long run. Only time will tell how Obama's plan effects the nation, but either way our economy needs help, and at least there is action taking place to combat this historic recession.

Obama Sets Date to End Iraq War

Photo Credit: The Associated Press

A new era of diplomacy in Iraq will begin Friday, after President Obama signed for troops
to cease all combat operations within the next 18 months. Obama made his feelings
very clear regarding ending this war.

"By August 30, 2010, our combat missions in Iraq will end," Obama said.

Obama's plan is to leave the majority of the troops in Iraq throughout
the rest of this year, then proceeding to implement an exit strategy, which
would leave approximately 35,000 to 50,000 troops to support counter-
terrorism responsibilities.

The president was in North Carolina Friday, discussing with troops the logistics of the exit strategy and what his plans are. Obama felt as if the United States has aided Iraq the best it could, and it is now up to them to pave their own destiny. Obama also noted that the United States intends to focus its attention mainly of Afghanistan and fighting terrorism and extremism.

Obama Promises Change

Photo Credit: Doug Mills/ The New York Times

If there was one sentence that defined President's Obama speech to Congress, it was the one that we will look back on four years from now and gape in the grandeur of it all.

"We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States will emerge stronger than before,"said Obama leading into an eruption of applause from Democrats and Republicans alike.

President Obama has inherited a $1.3 trillion deficit and with his recent stimulus bill, the debt will further increase. However, Obama's plan indicated that spending more in the short run will ultimately lead to economic relief in the near future. Obama's plan is bold, aiming to cut the national deficit in half by the time his first term in office is up.

There is great speculation to Obama's plan, with the majority of Republicans arguing that Obama is spending too much and that Democrats have rushed too quickly into passing massive amounts of spending. Democrats on the other hand argue that the debt former President Bush led us into has led to these brash circumstances. Tying up the loose ends of a proposed bipartisanship seems knotted up and unlikely.

Yet one man stands at the front of the podium, addressing the nation in these trying times with utmost confidence and optimism.

"We can't govern out of anger, but we must govern out of responsibility," Obama said.

Yes there is immense skepticism against President Obama and his chances of pulling our country our of this economic crisis. Yes it seems unlikely that our country's deficit will be cut in half by 2014. Yes it seems nearly impossible to invest in energy,
health care, and education and expect to emerge stronger.

But that charismatic figure that vociferously speaks to our country seems to have a presence that resembles Martin Luther King Jr. during his "I have a dream" speech. Like Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address," which rallied a nation when there was lack of direction. Like former President John F. Kennedy's "Inaugural Address," unifying a country desperately searching for a leader.

I believe that President Obama's speech to Congress will fall into the category of historic rallying calls, and we will look back on this and remember what he has said. Don't believe the skepticism, the Obama era is upon us. Under his guidance, he too will triumph through adversity and prove the skeptics wrong.

President Obama put it simple. "It is time for America to lead again."

Hold on to your seats America, change is coming.

Mission Statement

This is an educational blog, discussing the Obama Administration. Our mission is to observe and analyze current news on the presidency. This blog is run by four CSULB journalism students.