Presidential elections are round the corner in USA, World’s
greatest democracy. This time it is a fight between the incumbent President Barrack
Obama and Mitt Romney, the Republican representative. Unlike the Presidential
election of 2008, this time the fight is a close tussle between Obama who is
seeking his second term in office and Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate who
is contesting the first time.
My mind goes back to 2008 when two new faces entered the
arena – Barrack Obama, as candidate of Democratic party and John Mcain of
Republican party. It was a critical juncture in the history of USA as far as
the economic and foreign relations scenario were concerned. Former US President
George Walker Bush after serving two terms had pushed the economy into an abyss
before bowing out of White House to lead a happy retired life in his home State
of Texas writing memoirs and other hobbies.
US economy was in a shambles and the citizens of America
were putting the entire blame on George Bush whose govt had made a mess of US
economy. Subprime lending crisis had almost drained the exchequer plunging the
US in a catch-22 situation. Bush was both hawkish and stubborn in all his
dealings with enemy countries. Both at home and abroad he was a hated figure
and the Americans heaved a sigh of relief, the moment he stepped out of office.
Investment corporations, banking institutions and other commercial
establishments were on the verge of closure. Some already were closed – Lehman
Brothers, Fanny May, Freddie Mac and a few other establishments had to down their
shutters. The housing bubble burst left thousands and thousands homeless, unemployment
reached its peak, forcing the unemployed citizens turn to suicides, those who
came to USA and were settling there since years were forced to fly back to
their homes abroad. The US electorate badly wanted a change of govt at the
earliest to lift the economy which had fallen into a ditch and they found in
Barrack Obama, the Democratic Party candidate, a savior and naturally got
attracted to his promises to lift the economy from the deep pit. As a good
orator and like a seasoned diplomat he conquered the hearts of millions of
Americans. During his whirlwind campaign tours lakhs and lakhs turned up in
each State to listen to his oratory and as predicted by political observers
around the world, he came out victorious in the end humbling John Mcain at the
hustings.
Euphoria didn’t last long since the new incumbent had
inherited a heavy burden over his
shoulders – the legacy left by his predecessor George Bush and the those were
days of headache to the former.
In the place of the former team he had to seek a suitable
team for the smooth running of the government. Furthermore, an economic
resurrection, a new foreign policy, medicare facility embracing majority of US
citizens, providing employment to millions – the numerous promises he held out to the
citizens couldn’t be fulfilled he was required to pump a large amount in the
economy but due to the obstacles created by the Opposition Republican Party he
was forced to reach a compromise and at last US $789 billion dollars only could
be injected into the system which was comparatively insufficient to bail out
the loss-making institutions but had to be content with it.
Alan Greenspan, an ardent advocate of free-market economy
who was the Chairman of Federal Reserve for a period of almost 18 years – the
man mainly responsible for leading US economy into a pitiable state stepped
down and in his place came Ben Bernanke who served as one of the faculties of
Princeton University before being appointed as the Chairman was entrusted with
the task of giving a new face to American economy.
Hilary Clinton, former American first lady who had nursed
ambitions of occupying the saddle as the first woman President had to backtrack
when Americans opted for Barrack Obama for the prestigious post. She was
appointed Secretary of State who from the very outset is shining in the post inviting
the appreciation and applause of leaders the world over and is considered to be
a future contender for the post of US President. She is of immense help to the
incumbent President in her discharge of duties as Secretary of State especially
on the foreign policy front.
Even after nearly four years US economy is still not at a satisfactory
level contrary to the promises and assurances made by Obama, yes, many of his
promises still remain unfulfilled. For example, before being elevated to the post
of President he had promised the citizens the closure of Guantanamo but the
assurance has not reached anywhere. Likewise the unemployment problem still
remains unresolved. His foreign policy is also not upto the expected level,
even at the time of penning this piece he is on a collision course with Iran
over the latter being accused of assembling nuclear weapons. The Afghan
situation is still in a flux where the threat of Taliban takeover of the nation
still holds the nation to ransom like the proverbial sword of Democles and the
scheduled date of withdrawing from Afghanistan is in the year 2014, nearly 2
years from now. His policy of protectionism faces scathing criticism by nations
like India as it adversely affects the outsourcing of jobs which is leading to
the increase of jobless youth in India and other such developing countries. It
is a truth which we all have to take into account that four years in office is
comparatively insufficient to fulfill all promises and assurances he held out
to his citizens, the dream of occupying the post for another term to fulfill
all the promises and assurances is understandable. One thing is for sure, even
after further four years his all assurances are not going to be fulfilled not because
of his or anybody’s fault new issues are bound to crop-up.
2008 is not 2012. The Barrack Obama of 2008 is not the
Barrack Obama of 2012. Due to his lacksture performance he will have to
surmount obstacles galore. Instead of a smooth walkover, this time he has to
fight it out, sweat it out in the coming days to take on a formidable rival in
the form of Mitt Romney and get ready for a bitter tussle.
Battle lines are already drawn.
No comments:
Post a Comment