'Promises. Promises' (Hal Cohen)

Hal Cohen

Hal Cohen -- World News Trust

Nov. 5, 2009 -- Here we are.  One year after the historic election of President Barack Obama.  Some supporters are celebrating his accomplishments.  Some are expressing disappointment at his lack of progress.  His detractors are looking for evidence of lost support.  The media is given this gift of an off year election to frame it in whatever manner they think will garner the most ratings.

Here is the surprising truth about the first nine-plus months of the Obama Administration:  He has fulfilled EVERY campaign promise he made.  Detainees are still being held at Guantanamo Bay.  Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is still Military policy.  There is no legislation combating global warming.  Wall Street is giving out insane bonuses on the public’s dime.  Perhaps worst of all, Republican’s and Democrat’s are not holding hands and singing Kumbayah.

Candidate Obama never promised to solve these problems.  His campaign slogan was, “Yes, We Can!”  During the primaries, I wrote about the distinction between Senator Clinton’s campaign and Senator Obama’s specifically pointing out the former First Lady’s talk of what she would do for us in contrast to the plural “We” employed by Obama.

Candidate Obama did not promise to deliver change.  He challenged us to demand it.  Remember, “We are the change we’ve been waiting for.”   So, how have we done?  Around the time of the inauguration, there was a story circulating about Franklin Delano Roosevelt asking citizens if they wanted him to accomplish things followed by The President exhorting the people to “make” him do them.  

To what extent have we been successful in making The President pass our agenda?  We’ve got the Lily Ledbetter Act, which was only necessitated by the Roberts Supreme Court.  Expanded health care for children, as we await the big ticket reform bill.  Speaking of which, HCR still contains the Public Option even though its been killed more often than Freddy Kreuger, Jason anc Chuckie combined!

Both the Secretary of the Army and the Defense Secretary have acknowledged that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell must end.  Elected officials also acknowledge, and publicly call for a repeal of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act.  A Democrat actually went on the House floor and said that it is Republicans who want Americans to die!  Another Democrat used an obscure rule to move climate change legislation out of committee despite a Republican boycott.

We’re doing a pretty good job.  To be sure, President Obama has not led as much as many on the left would like.  He also campaigned on a promise to change the tone in Washington, and try to work in a bipartisan fashion.  Remember, he represents ALL Americans, even the ones that call him a Nazi.  It is honorable, admirable, and responsible for him to do everything he can to bring everyone together.  

It is also showing some signs of success;  twenty percent -- statistically speaking.  The Republican closed fist of Jan. 20th has now opened by one finger.  People are complaining that too much of the Stimulus bill went to tax cuts for the sake of three Republican votes and that it would have been more effective without those additional cuts.  Indeed, many economists agree that more stimulus is needed.

There are those on the left who complain, as well, that President Obama has “warned” them not to primary Conservadems, and that ads against them for their tepid support of health care reform were not helpful.  Again, this is where “We” come in.  He has to say that.  He has to have their backs.  They are the current legislature.  However, these machinations have led to tremendous public pressure on these lawmakers.

Nine months into the Obama administration, there has been extraordinary progress.  Here is where we are now:  1) If you are pleased with the President so far, great!  2)  If you don’t think he’s done enough, keep being critical.  3)  If you think the criticism coming from the left is unfair, President Obama is man enough to take it -- so chill.