Is Obama Losing Charisma?

Published in ABC Spain
(Spain) on 17/11/09
by Florentino Portero (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Kate Knibb. Edited by Patricia Simoni.
The arrival of Obama to the White house was an exceptional thing. Hardly anybody knew who he was; it was his first term as senator; he didn’t have any relevant achievements behind him . . . but he was able to speak to the American public the way they had longed for. He brought the change of scenery the public desired, leaving behind Hilary Clinton, who is more mature and prepared, but also part of the system they wanted to change. Almost a year later, Americans still see him as a symbol of a new era, but his value as someone to bring this change has taken a nose dive.

Polls show the population has been losing confidence in Obama as a reformer. If his health reform, currently under discussion, fails, it will demonstrate that he doesn’t have the backing of the majority of United States citizens. While they are frightened by debt and rising unemployment, the strategy for overcoming the economic crisis is not seen as a success. We already know that his foreign policy prescription fell by the wayside and that easing positions would make more than one person outside the U.S. happy, but it doesn’t seem like this is the best way to defend national interests. In all sectors, Obama is failing, but his image of reform and change still continues . . . although not for long.

The year of grace is over. Next year brings with it congressional elections, and the Democratic Party is preparing itself for the loss of seats gained by a few, more moderate Democratic candidates. It is likely that Republicans will regain the gubernatorial post in Virginia, given how conservative the state is. But if they win in New Jersey, it’s a different story, and this may set an important precedent. Obama has just a year to rectify his mistakes and demonstrate that he is able to resolve the problems of the people; if not, he risks exposing himself to a resurgence of Republicanism.


Obama a la Casa Blanca fue un hecho excepcional. Casi nadie le conocía, estaba en su primera legislatura como senador, no tenía logros relevantes a sus espaldas... pero fue capaz de hablar a los norteamericanos como ellos esperaban. Encarnó el cambio de aires que la gente deseaba, llevándose por delante a Hillary Clinton, más madura y preparada pero parte del mobiliario que se quería sustituir. Los norteamericanos, casi un año después, le siguen viendo como el símbolo de una nueva época, pero su valoración como gestor ha caído en picado.

La llegada de Los sondeos muestran cómo la población ha ido perdiendo la confianza en Obama como reformador. Si su reforma sanitaria fracasó, la que actualmente se está discutiendo no goza de la aprobación de la mayoría de los estadounidenses. La política económica, la estrategia para la superación de la crisis, no es percibida como un éxito, al tiempo que asustan la deuda generada y el desempleo. Ya sabemos que sus recetas en política exterior se quedaron en el camino y que ceder posiciones puede alegrar a más de uno fuera de Estados Unidos, pero no parece que sea la mejor manera de defender los intereses nacionales. En todos los sectores Obama suspende, pero su imagen de reforma y cambio todavía resiste... aunque no por mucho tiempo.

El año de gracia concluye. El que viene trae elecciones parlamentarias y el Partido Demócrata se prepara para perder escaños logrados por la mínima gracias a candidatos demócratas moderados. Que los republicanos reconquistaran el puesto de gobernador de Virginia era proba-ble, dada la tradición del estado. Pero que ganaran en New Jersey es otro cantar y ese sí puede ser un precedente importante. Obama tiene un año para rectificar y demostrar que está en condiciones de resolver los problemas de la gente o se expone a un resurgir del republicanismo.
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