Riding The Roller Coaster: America since Obama

Great Expectations

The Situation in 2008 Two unpopular wars dragging on – Iraq and Afghanistan A bitterly divided nation – Red States against Blue States The greatest economic crisis since the 1930s – Financial meltdown Great expectations for improvement at home and abroad – Not being George Bush

Obama’s Domestic Priorities The Financial Crisis Health Care Reform Financial System Reform Withdraw from Iraq within 16 months Increase troop levels and contributions in Afghanistan Tax Reform – strengthen the middle class Reform education Shut down Guantanamo Bay prison

International Expectations

Outreach and Repair Pledged cooperation, foresworn unilateralism to European allies Reasserted American support for the UN Signed a disarmament agreement with Russians cutting nuclear forces by 1/3 Appealed to the Islamic world Leaned on the Israeli leadership Met with Chinese leadership

January 2009 «I don’t think the American people expect miracles.»

Democratic Majority in Congress House of Representatives – 257 Democrats – 178 Republicans Senate (Bullet Proof) – 57 Democrats + 2 independents – 41 Republicans

Actions taken – Passed 1.2 trillion dollars in stimulation packages – Including infrastructure and education sections Health Care Reform bill passed within one year – March 21, Financial Reform bill passed winter 2010 Renewable energy - 38 billion dollars awarded Increased troops and contributions to Afghanistan – together with NATO – new troops sent Withdrew troops from Iraq – out, remain Lifted restrictions on embryonic stem cell research Passed bill making it easier to organize unions Did not shut down Guantanamo Bay prison – still open

Obama’s Falling Approval Rating

Falling International Popularity

US Leadership Role 2010

Causes Of The Great Falling Off First and foremost, the economy – Sluggish growth with over 8.6% unemployment – $14 trillion dollar public debt – public worried Solid Republican Opposition – Nope to Hope – Health Reform - compromise – Tax Reform - compromise The Tea Party Movement – Populist anti-tax, anti-debt, anti-big government Continuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – Compromise with military necessity – disillusioned supporters at home and abroad Great expectations of middle and working class not met – Compromise on tax reform– political necessity – Middle class & working class economically worse off

The Tea Party

Tea Party Make Up

Run-Up to 2010 Mid-Term Elections

Independents

View of Federal Government

Congressional Elections 2010 Republican House of Representatives House of Representatives – 243 Republicans (+ 63) – 193 Democrats Senate – 53 Democrats (- 6) – 47 Republicans

2011 – 2012 Compromise and Conflict Central Developments The Budget and the Deficit The Presidential Campaign

US Government Public Debt $

Blame for Federal Deficit

US Debt Ceiling

Presidential Elections 2012 The Eternal Campaign Democrats have the incumbent – Obama declares candidacy; April 4, 2011 – Begins massive funding efforts; one billion dollars Republicans begin search for nominee – Open field of possible candidates – The interesting race in the primaries

Possible Republican Candidates

Obama vs ??????

Evaluating Obama Overall Approval Rating (Post-Bin Laden – 52% approval)

Approval Rating By Groups (Pre-Bin Laden)

Was - 18; Pre-Bin Laden

Obama Leadership (Pre-Bin Laden)

Obama Character Ratings (Pre-Bin Laden)

Republicans vs Democrats Congress

Blue and Red States

Political Cartoons Political cartoons – – /ig/Barack-Obama-Cartoons/