The Limitations of the Obama Method

Barack Obama is a star of the small screen, a virtuoso of the web, a genius of the teleprompter–the discreet cheat sheet which brings to his speeches a flawless quality, like the recital of a lesson well learned. This, however, has not yet turned him into the convincing architect of change.

This summer, the administration and elected officials have been confronted by a popular furry of unexpected dimensions against the reform of the health system. These protests now risk derailing other reforms as well. They are fueled by a network of organizations that have motivations and practices can sometimes give you goose bumps.

However, this culture of confrontation is a given in U.S. politics. In the present context, it feeds on the precarious situation of millions of households that Wall Street has a tendency to quickly forget, obsessed as it is with current signs of economic revival.

One of the main messages delivered by these protesters is their fear of seeing the government fall into a spiral of deficit and debt that future generations will inherit. In addition, they don’t want any infringement on their individual freedoms.

So far, Barack Obama has behaved so like a president-school teacher, explaining that with patience and a little bit of good will, the political divide can be overcome in order to find solutions and an acceptable compromise.

This approach is starting to show its limits. Without disavowing himself and what he represents, the president must take a clear stand in the face of accusations of “socialism” thrown at him by his adversaries, in both good and bad faith, and confront them, if needs be, on the non-negotiable principles.

Candidate Obama used to warn that the road towards change would be long and filled with obstacles. The first ones are already on his path. He would deceive many by simply trying to avoid them.