Obama “Underestimated Washington Politics”

Obama’s dismal approval numbers aren’t just the result of the mess he inherited from the previous administration. His greatest mistake was underestimating the challenges of the American political system. His image now suffers from the polarization he seeks to overcome as president.

President Obama tried to come off the defensive in his State of the Union Address. In doing so, he presented Americans with a new and unusually belligerent, perhaps even populist, image no one had suspected even existed.

He had good reason to do so since he had watched his approval ratings slip due to mistakes he made and defeats he suffered during his first year. But bear in mind, Obama inherited gigantic problems as president. Two wars and the worst economic crisis since 1929 would have been enough on his plate. But Obama decided to take on comprehensive healthcare reform, something that proved to require too much courage from his own Democrats and was beyond the power of his inexperienced administration.

Obama’s biggest mistake was probably underestimating the American political system: the potential of the opposition to block everything he tried to do. That holds true not only for the distinct lack of leadership and fighting spirit from his own party but also for the often irresponsible blanket rejections of everything by the Republicans. His image suffers from the political polarization he tried but failed to overcome; in all likelihood, he will never overcome it.

Public approval ratings of Congress have been far beneath those for Obama. Many Americans have come to feel that Washington does nothing, and they take their frustration out on the man in charge.

This young president has accomplished far more during his first year in office than is suggested by his low popularity numbers. He would do well to remain stubborn and not allow himself to be infected by notoriously nervous Washington politics. One might accuse him of being overly confident in the government’s ability to solve problems.

All in all, however, he has ushered a beneficial tone of deliberation into the White House. He should stick with that rather than going populist.