Obama's New Challenges

Beyond the speculation over whether President Obama's "honeymoon" period has ended, there's not much in recent news suggesting the administration's job has gotten any easier. Obama is continuing to promote his ambitious agenda and, now more than five months into his term, juggle new problems at home and abroad. Although Obama still enjoys good approval ratings, his opponents and allies alike have stepped up their criticism on a range of issues. 

Last week, our community compared news and opinion on new challenges for the Obama Administration, finding a handful of stories that went beyond mere partisanship in addressing this topic.

Several publications noted a dip in Obama's approval ratings, particularly among independent voters. The Moderate Voice analyzed (NT reviews) recent polling on the Obama administration, concluding that the president has entered a new phase where he will have to work harder to maintain his popularity:

"His true skills as a politician — someone who needs to convince and cajole other politicos to give him what he wants, build working political alliances, and create a solid political coalition to support his efforts — will be greatly tested And those skills (or lack of them) are what will make the difference between him having a successful, bland or failed presidency." 

In a similar story (NT reviews), the Wall Street Journal suggested that independents may find Obama "more liberal than they expected." According to the Journal's analysis, Obama's budget, proposal to overhaul the nation's health care system and other issues are to blame for sinking approval ratings among independents, who are more concerned about government spending than most Americans.

The Politico looked at Obama's growing pains (NT reviews) in learning how to work effectively with Congress, in one of many stories that have hinted at Obama's inexperience in Washington. Citing three local battles Obama faced in Congress last week, the Politico made this assessment:

"Obama’s intellect, oratory and immense self-confidence make him an uplifting — some say elite — figure. But Congress is a baser place, filled with all the fears and hungers of the people it represents. And to succeed in this world, Obama needs not just his top-down leadership smarts but also a bottom-up personal depth that connects with the anxieties of lawmakers and helps to move them in his direction."

Also on the legislative front, ABC News and Reuters reported on Obama's effort to enact sweeping health care reform by the end of the year. ABC criticized (NT reviews) Obama for "glossing over the thorny details" in promoting his plan, and Reuters covered (NT reviews) the Senate's struggle to create a bill that appeases some in the Republican minority without making too many compromises. 

Others said that despite some of the obstacles the administration has encountered in recent months, the president's successes appear to outweigh any setbacks. In a generally favorable piece (NT reviews) from the New York Review of Books, Michael Tomasky, American editor of the Guardian, applauded Obama's ability to walk a political "tightrope" and govern beyond partisan affiliations. The Independent also remarked (NT reviews) on Obama's disregard for liberal and conservative antagonisms in foreign policy. "Mr Obama has changed the parameters of American foreign policy, in the Middle East in particular, and the consequences have been immediate," the Independent editorialized. "Subtly, but unmistakably, he is telling America about the limits of its power."

Health Care News Hunt
President Obama has made health care reform one of his top legislative priorities, and at his urging, Congress will attempt to tackle sweeping health care legislation this summer. With billions of dollars at stake and many powerful interest groups involved, both lawmakers and the president face a rigorous challenge in the months ahead. From Monday, June 29, through Sunday, July 12, our community will follow developments in the health care debate and seek out the best journalism on this pressing topic. Help us find news and opinion about key issues in today’s health care system, and evaluate competing solutions from across the political spectrum. Compare stories (or submit new ones) on our Health Care page.

-- Derek Hawkins, with Fabrice Florin, Kaizar Campwala and Joey Baker

Comments

[James Raider]

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[DominicT]

New administrations may need some time before they can start showing calculable results.

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[Carmen Thorne]

>>despite some of the obstacles the administration has encountered in recent months, the president's successes appear to outweigh any setbacks

Hmm, interesting thought. I used to think that it is exactly the opposite case! :P

[imranbzu]

New administrations may need some time before they can start showing calculable results.Several publications noted a dip in Obama's approval ratings, particularly among independent voters,Very nice Article I like it Thanks for Sharing plz keep it up