After The Euphoria

All over the whole world, almost, the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States provoked a surge of superlatives: the event of the century, for some; hope of a new beginning, for others; even the advent of a new type of candidate, the real first President of the 21st century! There’s truth in all these hyperboles.

The symbol of the first black in the White House is essential to changing an image of America tarnished by eight years of Bush’s presidency. But the euphoria carries with it a risk of disappointment. Barack Obama is aware of it – in his speech in Chicago he insisted on the difficulties that await all Americans, and on the long road left to travel before overcoming three big challenges: two wars, in the Middle East and in Asia, and the socio-economic consequences of the financial crisis.

It’s true for American domestic policy. Blacks and minorities will feel better represented, but Mr. Obama will have to guard himself against seeming like the president of the colored community, just as he took great care during the campaign not to be the Black Candidate. In refusing to prioritize, for example, affirmative action, he’ll have to be careful not to appear a “traitor” to his community.

In foreign policy, the situation isn’t very different. The unilateralism that served as diplomatic doctrine to George W. Bush will give way to a greater attention to the opinions of partners. But, in the final analysis, it’s strictly American interests that will dictate President Obama’s conduct. Those who unquestioningly sing his praises today could be the first to become disenchanted. In Afghanistan, the new president will call for more troops from his allies. He’ll continue the rapprochement of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO, even if it means irritating the Russians and putting the Europeans in an awkward position. We could also mention the protectionist temptations reinforced by the economic crisis.

The time hasn’t yet come to burn what we’ve just exalted. The last few years have been so hard that the situation has to get better. But excessive expectations will inevitably lead to regrettable disappointments. Now is the time for measured optimism.