Obama’s Cloudiness

In the same week he announced his candidacy for re-election in 2012, Barack Obama has sweated ink to avoid the United States’ administrative paralysis caused by the budget disagreement between Democrats and Republicans. When Congress finally passes it in the next few days, the budget for the fiscal year will include the largest cuts in domestic spending in the history of the country, about $38 billion. This is less than what the Republican opposition hoped for, but rather more than what the president’s party wished.

The battle was just a test of economic confrontations ahead. Obama was able to govern with Democrats during the first two years of his term, but the Republican victory in the House of Representatives — precisely with the promise of cutting government functions and spending — has forced him to change course. Republicans, despite their division, are gaining strength for the first budget skirmishes of 2012, as well as for the imminent discussion on U.S. debt, which by mid-May will have reached the limit imposed by Congress. The debates may interfere with the presidential campaign.

The presidential balance at this point is far grayer than what was expected by those who flew in on wings to the White House — and many outside of the United States — looking for a rapid and profound change. Upon straightening out a formidable economic crisis and after having initiated an imperative, yet uncertain health reform, critical elements have been falling from the presidential agenda. Large domestic issues such as environmental policy, the huge deficit or immigration, are thought of as second best, with everything else left behind. Even on such crucial issues as Guantanamo, Obama has stepped down defenselessly.

Obama’s international enforcement is not beyond the abyss between promises and realities. Iraq may be a glass half- full or half- empty, as it is the more cautious and hesitant action by Washington regarding the Arab riots. But in Afghanistan, after ten years, there began a phased withdrawal in the midst of the evident failure of the presidential strategy. On another critical stage, Obama’s solemn declarations similarly have not helped to bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians.