President Obama is fast approaching the point at which the record of his aspirations in relation to his actual accomplishments will come into shaper focus, and the extravagant expectations that greeted his candidacy will face the harsh light of reality.
This would be difficult enough for any ambitious person; however, it is very likely intolerable for someone whose presidency and its legacy is meant to be an affirmation of his status as a "great president".
The last two words in quotes are President Obama's, not mine.
In an early interview, Obama directly said that he wished to be a "great president". He was then asked about what he meant during a later "Meet the Press" interview: (emphasis added)
MR. RUSSERT: You told Men's Vogue Magazine, that if you wanted to be president, you shouldn't just think about being president, that you should want to be a great president. So you've clearly given this some thought.
SEN. OBAMA: Yes.
MR. RUSSERT: And what would, in your mind, define a great president? ...
SEN. OBAMA: But I think, when I think about great presidents, I think about those who transform how we think about ourselves as a country in fundamental ways so that, that, at the end of their tenure, we have looked and said to ours — that's who we are. And, and our, our — and for me at least, that means that we have a more expansive view of our democracy, that we've included more people into the bounty of this country. ... And they transformed the culture and not simply promoted one or two particular issues.
For someone who aspires to be a great president and sees himself as a transformational leader of historical proportions, this president's actual record is rather thin.
In seeking to bend the country to his liberal transformational views, he has not united the country by finding common ground. Rather, his insistence on his own policy views has mobilized opposition and deeply divided the country. Whatever else may be seen as his accomplishments, effective leadership and governing is not likely to be among them.
Moreover, the president has no major economic, political, or international accomplishments to his credit — initiatives that are uniquely his and that go beyond the ordinary impact that any modern president can be expected to have. His health care bill, the one major candidate for possible presidential accomplishment, is mired in controversy. And it remains to be seen whether it will accomplish any of its intended purposes.
In foreign policy, the president has not succeeded in changing the international system's basic operating premise of self-interest. American allies — Europe, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, and others — are still our allies. Our rivals and enemies — Russia, China, Iran, Syria, and others — remain opposed in spite of the president's decided effort to lighten America's footprint abroad, or perhaps because of it.
The president's time is running out to consolidate major achievements.
Domestically, an economic grand bargain seems unlikely.
Internationally, a real resolution to the current standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions remains elusive, at best. The president's determined withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq regardless of their continuing need for a steady partner leaves their future circumstances very much in doubt. The reawakening of radical elements in Syria, Libya, and elsewhere does not bode well for great accomplishments in the remainder of the his presidency. Administration beliefs that it can accomplish an Arab-Israel Mideast peace deal in nine months seem fanciful, if not fantastical.
The only plausible administration opportunity for a "major" accomplishment is to sign a major immigration bill — any reasonable major immigration bill.
Next: Why President Obama Will Sign Any Reasonable Immigration Bill that Reaches His Desk
