Obama’s Change of Phrase Shows He Is Alone

Published in Huanqiu
(China) on 30 January 2014
by Qi Yuedao (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Nathan Hsu. Edited by Brent Landon.
With three years left in the White House, the oft-repeated rallying cry "yes we can" of yesteryear has become "yes I can" in what could be called an attempt at self-fulfillment.

Happening only once a year with a television audience numbering in the tens of millions, there is no better opportunity for speaking to the public than the State of the Union address, and U.S. President Barack Obama has given it his all. After five years at his post, Obama appears to be as well-liked as ever. His speech to Congress on the evening of Jan. 28 lasted 65 minutes, garnering applause approximately 80 times in that space.

The longest round of applause was not for the president, however, but for a wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan present at the speech, who, in Obama's words, showed that he "never gives up."

But compared to the omnipresence of "yes we can" during the 2008 presidential campaign and that same slogan being repeated seven times in his 2009 inaugural speech, the topics and content, choice of words and tone in Obama's speeches now betray no small amount of "giving up."

The State of the Union Address is akin to a [Chinese Communist Party congress] "work report" in that it both reflects upon the past and looks forward to the future, a task that requires creativity, but often lacks in new ideas. Within the past year of legislation, the Democratic president has frequently run up against roadblocks presented by Republicans in Congress that have stymied his efforts. Administratively, a series of technical problems was identified within the website used to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, bogging the initiative down. And economically, while hoping to kick-start employment and accelerate growth, the authority and options available to the White House and the federal government have been limited, rendering the administration largely impotent.

Obama claims the coming year is a "year of action," because "America does not stand still and neither will I." However, the key examples listed were to raise the minimum wage and create conditions that will allow lower-income groups to enter the "middle class," as well as improve early education.

The agenda is less than realistic, and largely lacked details and a timetable. The most concrete issue is that of the minimum wage. Obama has promised that he will soon sign an executive order mandating that the wages paid by federal contractors to their employees must exceed $10.10 per hour. This executive order from the president is limited in applicability, as it extends no restraints over other types of business owners. The reason that Obama is using executive orders to implement these measures instead of asking Congress to pass legislation is the "hostility" he faces from Republicans, especially those in the House of Representatives.

The speech in front of Congress was somewhat different than those of previous occasions, with no reproof coming from Obama regarding partisan bickering. The only warning he gave to his opponents was not to entertain false hopes of scrapping the Affordable Care Act. Health care reform has been Obama's greatest achievement to date and perhaps will remain so for the entire eight years of his two presidential terms.

But the fact is that the troubles facing Obama are not all generated in the opposing camp. In 2014 there will be a midterm election for members of Congress, during which there will be Democrats who must go on the campaign trail once more in their bids for re-election. One might call it "wise" to maintain distance from the president.

While Obama appears strong, he has let slip some of his frustration, declaring that "wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that's what I'm going to do." With three years left in the White House, he is less impassioned and impetuous than five years ago, has suffered more setbacks, is becoming increasingly estranged from his party and the oft-repeated rallying cry "yes we can" of yesteryear has now become "yes I can" in what could be called an attempt at self-fulfillment.


白宫任期还有3年,当年高喊“YesWeCan”一呼百应,现在改口为“YesICan”可以算是自我实现。

  一年一次,数以千万计电视观众,不会有更好亮相机会,美国总统贝拉克·奥巴马竭尽全力。就任5年,奥巴马风光看似一如既往,1月28日晚向美国国会发表《国情咨文》演讲,持续65分钟,领受大约80次掌声。

  只是,最长一段掌声,不是给总统,而是给现场一名在阿富汗受伤的美军士兵,按奥巴马的说法显现“不放弃”。但与2008年竞选总统时“YesWeCan”无处不在、2009年就职演讲时同一句口号重复7次相比,奥巴马如今演讲的话题和内容、用辞、语气显现不少“放弃”。

  《国情咨文》类似“工作报告”,既回顾,亦展望,需要创意,难有新意。过去一年,立法领域,这名民主党籍总统频遭国会共和党人阻截,一事无成;施政层面,平价医疗保险注册网站暴露一系列技术失误,一拖再拖;经济运行,以促进就业和加速增长为指针,白宫及联邦政府部门权力和手段有限,一筹莫展。

  今后一年,奥巴马声称是“行动年”,缘由是“美国不会驻足不前,我也不会”,但他所列举的重点却是提高最低工资、创造条件让低收入群体进入“中产阶级”、推动幼儿教育……

  这些议程虚实相间,多数没有细节、没有时间表。相对具体事宜是最低工资。奥巴马承诺不久以后签署一份行政令,规定承包商执行联邦政府合同时向员工所付薪酬不得低于每小时10.10美元。这类总统行政令适用范围有限,意味着对其他企业主没有约束力。奥巴马之所以借助行政令施政,不求助于国会立法,是因为面临共和党阵营“敌意”,尤其共和党人在众议院占据多数席位,让他举步维艰。

  这次国会演讲,与先前一些场合不同,奥巴马没有就党派争议发表激烈言辞,唯一向对手发出的警告是:不要奢望废除《平价医疗保险法》。医保改革,是奥巴马迄今为止以至两届共8年总统任期内最主要“业绩”,有望载入“史册”,成为美国首位非洲裔总统的“政治遗产”。

  奥巴马的麻烦,其实不止来自对手阵营。2014年将举行国会中期选举,他所属民主党阵营内,一些人需要再次投入竞选,以求连任。与总统保持一段距离,堪称“明智”。

  所以,奥巴马看似强势,实际透出无奈,宣称“任何场合、任何时候,只要有机会,不以立法方式就能为更多美国人家庭拓展机会,我会那么做”。白宫任期还有3年,他的激情和冲动少于5年前,挫折和孤独多于5年前,当年高喊“YesWeCan”一呼百应,现在改口为“YesICan”可以算是自我实现。
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