History Becomes Mystery
December 3, 2009
by Raynard Jackson
Political analyst
In 2008, Barack Obama made history by becoming the first Black to be elected president of the United States of America. He ran the closest thing to a perfect campaign I have ever seen. But, this history has turned into a mystery since his swearing in as president back in January 2009.
Winston Churchill (former prime minister of Britain during WW II) once said, “To every man, there comes a time when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a great and mighty work, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the moment that could be his finest hour.” We all receive and experience only a few of these moments in a lifetime. How we respond to these moments will dictate our life’s story.
I think Obama’s candidacy for president last year was one of these moments and he responded marvelously. When he received his “tap on the shoulder,” conventional wisdom told him that he was crazy! America was not ready to elect a Black man! Members of the Black political elite said, “it wasn’t his time!” I, to, was one of these people.
But, fortunately, he answered his “tap on the shoulder” and went on to prove to America that he was uniquely equipped with the talents needed to win his race.
After 8 years of Bush, America was mentally and fiscally drained by the seeming arrogance of power displayed by the Bush administration. Congressional Republicans were impotent before the Bush White House and basically did whatever they were told to do.
America had been so mentally beat up—9/11, wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, partisan bickering in Congress, and the financial collapse—that they were looking for a fresh face to inspire hope in this country. So, Obama came along with a message of “hope, change we can believe in, and yes we can.” He had accepted his “tap on the shoulder.”
His election last November was universally received as a very historic, positive, and good thing (politics not withstanding). He took office in January with so much goodwill that he could have done pretty much anything. This is where the mystery of his presidency begins.
Regardless of what happens with his healthcare proposal (and I think he will get it passed in some form this year), this will prove to be his Achilles heel. The biggest mistake Obama made has nothing to do with the substance of his proposal. The president’s biggest mistake was to allow Congress to write the bill versus submitting his own bill to Congress.
There is nothing in the president’s past to indicate that he tolerates confrontation very well. This aversion to confrontation and his need to be a conciliator will marginalize his presidency if there is not a drastic change in his governing style.
No one in Congress fears opposing the president. The president needs to learn how to be more like LBJ and to crack a few heads. Democrats in Congress are much further to the left than the president. But, they seem to be crafting the agenda and the White House is just following along. Well, that’s not what the American people voted for. They did not vote for Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. They voted for a president that would get things done, be bi-partisan where possible, and get our fiscal house in order.
Obama’s election made history. But what happened to him after the election is a mystery. Where is the candidate who had no turnover in his campaign staff (this is unheard of for a national campaign)? Where is the candidate whose campaign finances were never questioned (again, unheard of)? Where is the candidate who was able to inspire all Americans that a brighter day was coming?
I am acutely aware that there is a big difference between campaigning and governing. But, this is the same person that masterfully answered his “tap on the shoulder.” “What a tragedy if this moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the moment that could be his finest hour.”
Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm. You can listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m. Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group.
Don’t forget to register to listen to my radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m. Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on my photo to join my group.
Raynard Jackson has been named to Talkers Magazine’s “Frontier Fifty.” The “Frontier Fifty” is a selection of Outstanding Talk Media Web casters.
