Like many here, I have become increasingly saddened by the lack of progressive action by the Obama administration. It seems, at a basic level, that we are losing many of the most important elements that I wanted most. Whether health care, gay rights, torture, or an effective stimulus, all have been dodged or weakened. As my despondency over these issues has increased, I have become irrationally angry. And so, I sat down and started to ask myself, what did I believe Obama would accomplish when I voted for him, and how has he done?
When I sit back and do a gut check, I have to say he has achieved more than I thought he would, but less than I wished.
Before the election--as I was assisting the Obama campaign with both money and time--I believed the following things.
- HCR
While I was glad that Obama was campaigning on HCR, I assumed it was DOA in the House and Senate. I assumed that we could get it, at best, in his second term with only window dressing in the first term. In sum, then, the reality is that Obama has slightly exceeded my expectations HCR. I now see it as likely that the bulk of the uninsured will be insured...but the insurance companies will remain in charge.
- Iraq
While I sought a rapid removal of forces from Iraq, I expected that Obama would take a slower approach. In this regard, Obama has met my expectations on Iraq.
- Afghanistan
Based on his campaign pledges, I expected Obama to escalate the war in Afghanistan. This was the issue I disagreed with him most forcefully on. In the end, he actually seemed to consider escalation more seriously then I thought, but still escalated. It is, in my mind, a mistake, but Obama met my expectations in Afghanistan.
- Gay marriage/DADT
I had no clear idea to what degree Obama could achieve any significant progress on either front, though I hoped he would advocate forcefully for both of these issues. That said, I expected that he would only begin to address these issues in the second half of his first term. In this regard, I do not yet know if he has, or has not, met my expectations.
- Economic Stimulus/financial reform
I did not expect any significant stimulus to make it through congress (except for the banks, of course). I was surprised by the limited stimulus that was passed, and I am hopeful for the similarly small jobs stimulus that may be coming. I also thought, however, that Obama would use the economic crisis to substantially toughen oversight of banks and such. In these terms, Obama exceeded my expectations in regard to the stimulus, and did not meet my expectations on financial reform.
- Torture
I wanted Obama to prosecute the war crimes of the Bush administration, but never thought he actually would. On torture, Obama met my expectations.
On balance, then, Obama has slightly exceeded my expectations. I cannot be sad with what Obama has accomplished, but rather I am sad about the state of the American populace. Obama has pushed the country further left than I thought he ever would. For that I am grateful.
Perhaps my expectations for the Obama presidency were overly pessimistic. I support a far more progressive agenda than Obama but, in my mind, Obama was the most progressive candidate that could actually win. I would rather have Obama than McCain.
And so, I worked for Obama, and supported him. I will work for Obama again. And though I am sad that my country continues to be more conservative, more uncaring for poor and sick, more aggressive on the world stage, and more intolerant...Obama has done more than I thought he would. I cannot say that I am content with what has been accomplished, but I am resolved to at least be a bit happy about what has been achieved.