Barick Obama's Presidency
His Election Would Bring the Biggest White House Change Since 1933
May 22, 2008 Carroll Trosclair
The election of Barick Obama in November, if it occurs, would create the most dramatic change in the White House since Franklin Delano Roosevelt succeeded Herbert Hoover in 1933.
Some changes would be obvious. Political power would move from Republican to Democrat, from Red States to Blue States, from western to midwestern regions, from conservatives to liberals and from Texas to Chicago. He would be the first African American president.
Obama would give the presidency a Senator’s viewpoint for the first time since Richard Nixon moved from the Senate to the Vice Presidency to the White House. John F. Kennedy was the last candidate to move directly from the Senate to the White House. Senate experience and colleagues, which the last six presidents have lacked, can help in dealing with Congress.
Obama was criticized through much of his campaign for the vagueness of his plans, but his speeches, interviews and website provide some clues to the priorities of his presidency, including these:
End American Participation in the Iraqi War
This was the cornerstone of his campaign and could occupy, even bog down, his administration for months or years.
Greater Internet Use
Obama has proposed greater use of Internet databases and websites to provide the public with "searchable, sortable and downloadable" information on lobbying, campaign financing, federal contracts, corporate tax breaks and Congressional earmarks.
Gentler International Relations.
Obama has severely criticized Geore W. Bush’s tough tactics around the world and would rely more on negotiations than threats in relations with other nations. He has espoused John F. Kennedy’s famous inauguration words: "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."
Congressional EthicsObama said he would "fight for an independent watchdog agency to oversee the investigation of congressional ethics violations." Delving into Congress’ self-policing policies could raise major separation of power issues and sour relations with that body.
Campaign Finance Reform
He has advocated public financing of campaigns plus free television and radio time for candidates, issues that might invite lengthy court challenges if they pass in Congress.
Contracts and Lobbying
Obama has said he will create a "contracts and influence" database "to disclose how much federal contractors spend on lobbying, and what contracts they are getting and how well they complete them." He has also proposed that "nearly all" contract orders over $25,000 be awarded by competitive bidding. In his Iowa campaign, he said "I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over."
Health Care.
TIME says Obama would advocate health insurance for all children, but would push to make insurance affordable rather than mandating it.
Congressional earmarks
He wants earmarks to be accompanied by the name of the legislator and a written justification 72 hours before the bill is approved. He said he would also give the public five days to review such legislation on the White House website before he signed the bills. Again he would be stepping on Congressional toes and attempting something he has been unable to do while a member of the Senate.
Guiding the Economy
According to TIME Magazine, Obama would push to:
- Eliminate Bush tax cuts
- Raise capital gains taxes
- Find tax breaks for the middle class
- Budget on a pay-as-you-go-basis
- Auto fuel efficiency
- Use some revenue from cap-and-trade energy auctions to finance clean energy research
Some of these projects would certainly challenge Obama’s campaign song: "Yes, We Can."
Obama & Clinton Claim Most Votes
Barack Obama and Adlai Stevenson
Barick Obama
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