How Will Obama Govern?

Washington Post Analysis: President-Elect's Campaign Provides Some Clues To Make A Preliminary Assessment

(Washington Post)  This story was written by Dan Balz.

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President-elect Barack Obama proved one of the most formidable political candidates of the modern era, but his résumé is one of the shortest of any recent incoming president, and so knowing for sure the kind of chief executive he will make is something that will have to wait until he takes office in January.

Obama has not had to demonstrate his skills as a negotiator with balky members of Congress. He has met with foreign leaders, but little is known about how he would handle himself in such gatherings. He has faced no crisis akin to what a president can expect. He has steadfastly resisted outlining how the dramatically altered economic and fiscal environment will affect his governing agenda. He has skirted some of the tough questions he'll face in the early weeks of his presidency, particularly on spending.

Still, there are enough clues to an Obama presidency in the 21-month campaign he waged to win the White House to provide a preliminary assessment.

The analogy between campaigning and governing is imperfect, but with the techniques of the permanent campaign increasingly shaping the modern presidency, the gap is far less than it was a generation ago. Some presidential scholars, political strategists and Obama advisers say his disciplined, cohesive, technology-based and well-oiled campaign may prove a model for the kind of presidency he hopes to have.

For a candidate who began as a novice on the national stage, Obama proved remarkably steady, anchored and unruffled. Those personal attributes, if they are indicative of presidential character, could provide the ballast that any administration needs when turbulence hits -- as it did at various times during the campaign. His temperament as a candidate suggests a president not given to highs and lows, and his campaign foreshadows a White House more orderly than those of the two most recent Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

When others doubted his candidacy in the summer and fall of 2007, Obama stayed true to the course he and his advisers had set at the start of the campaign. When he suffered setbacks at the hands of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in this year's primaries, he made readjustments without rancor and kept moving forward. When the financial markets cratered in September, and Sen. John McCain scurried in different directions in response, the measured reaction by Obama and his campaign helped persuade doubters about his fitness to be president.

"They reacted very well under those circumstances, almost a model presidential candidate reaction, compared to McCain, who reacted as a maverick senator," said political scientist and presidential scholar Charles O. Jones.

If nothing else, Obama demonstrated enormous talent as a communicator, another key to the modern presidency. Ronald Reagan, a master in front of the camera, is seen as the model against which other presidents are measured. Bill Clinton, though different from Reagan, also was extraordinarily gifted in his ability to connect with people. Obama's greatest rhetorical gifts have been on display before huge audiences -- 125,000 Tuesday night in Chicago's Grant Park, 200,000 in Berlin, 80,000 at Invesco Field in Denver when he accepted his party's nomination. Unknown is whether he can be equally compelling in smaller and more intimate settings, or as persuasive addressing the nation from the Oval Office in a time of crisis.

During the campaign, Obama spoke about the need for an ambitious agenda to dramatically expand health care and wean America off its dependence on foreign oil. He has outlined a big package of middle-class tax cuts, favors a sizable stimulus package to spur economic growth and has embraced the government's $700 billion intervention to shore up financial institutions. The debate that is coming will be over how large his early agenda will be and how quickly he will move to try to enact it.

One adviser noted that there is a difference between being bold and being rash, suggesting that, as president, Obama will set big goals for the country but with a realistic timetable. Obama more than hinted at that in his victory speech in Chicago on Tuesday night, warning of setbacks and false starts. "We may not get there in one year or even one term," he said, "but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there."

Whether Obama has deep ideological convictions or a philosophical framework with a pragmatist's demeanor is something that will become clearer as he begins to turn campaign promises into programs and priorities. Obama's critics described him as a liberal, a socialist and, as McCain put it, a "redistributor." His voting record and the platform upon which he ran certainly suggest that his beliefs put him left of center. But Obama allies point to his pledge to govern inclusively as a counter to those who say his real purpose is to drive through the liberals' agenda.

"He is genuinely a progressive, but he's not an ideologue," argued Tom Mann of the Brookings Institution. "He's a broadly pragmatic person who, when confronted with new situations, is prepared to take a new approach or new strategy."

One of his senior advisers, speaking before the election on the condition that he not be identified, said Obama is determined to live up to that pledge to reach out to independents, Republicans and critics in an effort to demonstrate his commitment to trying to unify the country and change the tone of political discourse in Washington. President Bush said much the same thing eight years ago when he was nearing his inauguration.

In seeking the presidency, Obama demonstrated his ability to direct an enterprise of significant size and complexity. A presidential campaign pales in comparison to running the federal government, but Obama's has been described as a model of efficiency, at least in the context of a business as chaotic as running for the White House.

Obama surrounded himself with talented people and trusted them to do their jobs. He paid tribute to campaign manager David Plouffe and chief strategist David Axelrod on Tuesday night, but there were literally scores of people who played critical roles and who did so without the backbiting, leaks and internal warfare that marked other campaigns.

Advisers credit Obama with setting a tone early -- no leaks, egos in check and everyone pulling in the same direction -- that survived the tensions of a long campaign. His policy apparatus was vast, a mixture of veterans of past administrations and outsiders, and by all outward evidence, it was freer of self-aggrandizement than is sometimes the case among policy wonks and intellectuals.

What intrigues those watching as the Obama campaign morphs into an Obama administration is how the 44th president will employ the organizational machinery and technological innovation of his campaign to advance his legislative and policy priorities. This structure was a key to his victory, but there is no direct translation to the White House.

Jones offered this caution. A presidential campaign is singularly, even selfishly, focused on two things: the candidate and Election Day.

A president often doesn't have that luxury, despite the attention showered on his every move. Events demand attention and reaction. "When you become president, you don't get to control that in the same way," he said. "That's where we don't have much evidence. So it's hard to judge with this fellow."

[deathofusa]

HE had better let us become, prosperous by drilling like Alaskan citizens are and Alberta Ca. citizens are. None of this enviro animal silly ***. It''''s HUMANS that count, not animals!! Sick of handing money hand over fist to foreign countries who don''''t care about us, dumb. Posted by savethefaith at 08:05 PM : Nov 06, 2008


You are so silly. Obama? Drill? ha ha ha.

[lalabradle]

Obama has been president now for 33 hours and I have yet to see any of the changes he promised. Did he even show up to work today? If he were in the private sector he would have been fired by now. I am sure most of America is having voters remorse. I am already tired of his lies and deciet!

You really sound stupid. Everyone knows Obama will not be in the white house until January. Bush after 8 years has done nothing but bring this country to ruin. So I really don''t understand posts like this. Now we see why our country was in a mess, look at the kind of people who support the Republican party. LOL!!!

[lalabradle]

Lines were long and tempers flared Wednesday not to vote but to get paid for canvassing for Barack Obama

Oh how the promises are all ready ending.. Wake up Obama voters you got taken...

I see the stock market is down again today.. Way can''''t magic Obama fix that.


Why hasn''t your man Bush fixed anything in 8 years. Obama is not in the white house yet. And when he does get in he''s going to be working on the mess that you Republicans made. We don''t expect him to be able to fix it right away. You are an idiot. What the Republicans have done to this country is going to take another 8 years or more to fix.

[lalabradle]

He *** well, better do a good job! We''''re not paying him to play games and cheat the hard-working small business owners out of money to give to the slackers, WHO have no idea the hours, work and responsibility that goes into running a business!!! HE had better let us become, prosperous by drilling like Alaskan citizens are and Alberta Ca. citizens are. None of this enviro animal silly ***. It''''s HUMANS that count, not animals!! Sick of handing money hand over fist to foreign countries who don''''t care about us, dumb.

I am sure he will do better than any Republican has done. They have all but finished this country off with the mess they have made.

[mbskoczen]

Day two of President elect Obama and the stock market goes lower...

[txgrouch2007]

Hello? Where did all the posts go?

Did somebody complain and get them ALL deleted???

[usmc99_03]

It is a sad day when the citizens of this country would elect a man that can turn his back on the American flag, and all it stands for. Think of the troops and all others whom have made great sacrifices for this country. What was it all for?

[credibility2]

Through patronage and cronyism - the Chicago way!

[cpelzar--2008]

The market is down 870 points in less than 24 hours.

As a President Elect, you cannot run on a platform to tax people earning less than 250K,150K 120K, Tax Small and Large Business and increase Capital Gains Taxes and not expect the market to react negatively and have companies take preemptive measures by laying people off.

In a recession this is irresponsible and the cause of billions being lost in just thats 24 hours.

[endofempire]

He''ll use his favorite book: Das Kapital.

[clancy49]

Once the title changes to President even President Elect, there is no longer any pressing the flesh, meeting people face to face, talking to the constituent. The next step is the ivory tower. The President listens only to his advisors, the soothsayers, the lobbyist who will fund the next campaign. The only difference is the personality. It doesn''t matter if it was McCain put there, either one will forget the people, the issues of the people, and the needs of the people. We are all long gone from the President''s memory. Now it is all about power and ego.
I hope we the people do not forget the massive turnout in this election. I hope we remember that we voted a man in and we have the power to vote the man out. The only thing we can do is stay united in our strength of numbers and keep reminding the occupant in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that it is a temporary lease. We the people have the real power. Thank you America for the large turnout to show our power whether your candidate won or not. Mine did not and I hope I am wrong about the economic platform the winner stood on.

[brianbwb-2009]

It does seem to most sane people that President-elect Obama is a pragmatic man, during the campaign he passed up several opportunities to righteously hammer the GOP, perhaps out of the idea that he didn''t want to come across as too radical, even though there was the strong possibility that it would have increased his landslide even further.

I believe this is what we will see in the two Obama terms, reticent of any extreme moves from either side of the aisle, even though he could use this opportunity to use the pulpit to hammer the GOP into extinction, and have much popular support in doimng so.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by SocialismSux

Hey ''Sux,

The Presidential oath of office is described in Article II, section 1 of the Constitution:

"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Nothing in this section requires that the oath of office be taken on the Bible. Neither do the words "so help me God" appear in the oath. While Presidents often include this phrase in their inauguration ceremonies, the words are customary; they are not required by the Constitution and have no legal significance."

So, if he wants to swear on Darwin, or even Lewis Carroll, there is no requirement that he use a bible, so it is really up to him, and I couldn''t care less what he uses.

What is important is that the era of Bush is over.

[socialismsux]

phydeux2

Do you believe in freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression?

Yes or no

[socialismsux]

phydeux2

Do you believe in freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression?

Yes or no

[socialismsux]

And if you didn''''t NEED religion, and only faith, why are you quoting scripture out of a Bible written by a RELIGION
posted by phydeux2

LOL. Explain how a "religion" wrote the Bible. And actually, it''s your ATHEIST BUDDY that you have teamed up with out of your arrogant pride that brought up the Scripture.

Are you really that blind, seriously?

[deathofusa]

erasmusdummy -- There is a signed letter from John McCain, along with 10 other Republican senators warning of the crash 2 years before the economy tanked. And, guess who blocked the legislation that was proposed (By the Republicans) for more regulation of the housing giants?

No, not Bush.....it was you dummy democrats. Particularly Dodd and Frank. Seems that they didnt want to give up their kickback money at the time....
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Posted by poopnuts1111 at 01:47 PM : Nov 06, 2008


Don''t forget Maxine Waters. She fought like a dog.

[socialismsux]

S-Sux, for your information, most athiests aren''''t "anti-Christian". They just want the zealots to keep their religion out of their face. Personally, so do I.
posted by phydeux2


Sure pal, as soon as they stop shoving their belief in Darwin in our face, we''ll stop speaking up for ours.

If you think Christians should just "shut up", then you are CLEARLY against the Constitutional rights of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion.

So JUST ADMIT IT. You are AGAISNT the Constitution.

[deathofusa]

They say his tears were of envy, not of being proud.

Obama accomplished what Jackson never could.
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Posted by poopnuts1111 at 01:44 PM : Nov 06, 2008


Yes. That was obvious. It was priceless. Lol. I am sure it will be shown on some late night show.

[ken3331]

For those who are under the impression that 95% will not pay higher taxes you better read up.ONLY about 35% pay taxes in this country and those who make 100k or less will pay through the A-- under Obama. The tax will be given to those who don''t pay taxes. That is called socialism- look it up.

More than half of this country is made of small businesses and those companies will have to pay higher taxes if Obama pushes for mandatory health insurance. They will not pay the highter tax, instead lay off workers.

Large companies will go overseas and the USA will faulter deeper into a recession.

Obama will try to overturn the 2nd Amdendment- The right to bear arms- OH, yes,this will not go over real well.

Obama wants to control freedom of speech, no more conservative radio. Sure, you libs would like that, but that is not only what you call real ''change'' that is called: " communistic change. "

Wake up and smell the coffee, while you can still afford it. HAHA