Obama Has Won, but Can He Overcome Government Paralysis?

Published in Le Figaro
(France) on 7 November 2012
by Laure Mandeville (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Diana Huet de Guerville. Edited by Mary Young.
This question will be the focus of all discussions in the days to come. The president has won, which wasn't a given. This victory should give Democrats reason enough to celebrate after a bitter and closely fought battle. But will Obama be able to govern? What lessons will he take from the months of total paralysis imposed by the House's Republican majority? Will he seek inspiration from Clinton's three-way battle with Republicans and Democrats during his second term? Or will he overcome Republican obstruction the Truman way, using public opinion as leverage against his adversaries?

Observers are unanimous: He has limited room for maneuvering in a highly charged psychological context.


Obama a gagné mais triomphera-t-il de la paralysie du système?

Cette question sera au centre de toutes les discussions dans les prochains jours. Le président a gagné. Ce n'était pas donné d'avance. De ce point de vue, les démocrates ont de quoi se réjouir, au terme d'une bataille âpre et serrée. Mais Obama pourra-t-il gouverner? Toute la question va être de savoir quelles leçons il tirera des mois de paralysie totale que lui a imposés la majorité républicaine de la Chambre. Ira-t-ill chercher l'inspiration dans le jeu triangulaire pratiqué par Clinton pendant son deuxième mandat, entre démocrates et républicains? Ou vaincra-t-il les blocages républicains à la manière de Truman, qui allait chercher l'opinion publique pour se battre contre ses adversaires?

Les observateurs sont unanimes ; la marge de manoeuvre est faible et le contexte psychologique chargé.
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