So the Democrats lost Massachusetts- meaning that the Senate healthcare reform bill will probably now have to be forced through the House in advance of the State of the Union speech next Wednesday. President Obama’s approval ratings are hovering somewhere around the 50% mark (catastrophic right?); America is still mired in Afghanistan; prisoners are still in Guantanamo Bay; the economy is still bumpy and job losses are mounting; and the climate change has disappeared from the agenda. It hasn’t been the first year that many had hoped for- naively in my view.
Cards on table, Barack Obama has had a really strong first year when looked at in an historical perspective and in a contemporary perspective also, i.e. how he has contended with the issues that he has had to face. The Right argue what they argue and it’s just background noise really; there are also voices on the left who will never be satisfied. But overall this is a strong start to a presidency.
The problem is that- contrary to what may have been thought following his explosive campaign- he doesn’t seem to quite be taking the American people with him. My review of President Obama’s first year on LabourList this morning concludes (full article here):
All told, it’s been a good first year. He is governing wisely. He is delivering change. It now needs to become change that Americans fully believe in.
Anyway, just in case you have a sentimental wave today- probably not- but just in case, here is the inauguration once again:
Wed, Jan 20, 2010
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