| − | The '''Obama Administration''' is the Executive Department portion of the U.S. government under [[liberal]], [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] President [[Barack Hussein Obama]]; it began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years. [[File:Obama_approval_index_december_13_2009-300x225.jpg|thumb|330px|Excitement for Obama was very high before people understood his plans; enthusiasm has plunged as criticism becomes sharper and strong opponents grow more numerous than strong supporters]] President Obama had a bad summer of 2009, as his popularity slumped, his party weakened and opportunities for celebrating achievements happened. Contentious town-hall meetings criticized the injustice of his health care proposals, unemployment grew, the stimulus did not stimulate, Democrats bickered more than usual, grim forecasts of failure came from his generals in Afghanistan, dark suspicions circulated regarding his motives for speaking to schoolchildren; accused of socialism, he was branded in Congress as a liar. He was criticized first for not making his case, and then for overexposure, as he deliberately put into the shadows everyone in his cabinet. Obama’s inexperience in domestic and foreign affairs worsened his troubles. Nothing worked right--he was embarrassed by winning the Nobel Peace Prize before any of his goals had been accomplished. | + | The '''Obama Administration''' is the Executive Department portion of the U.S. government under [[liberal]], [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] President [[Barack Hussein Obama]]; it began on January 20, 2009 for a term of four years. [[|thumb|330px|Excitement for Obama was very high before people understood his plans; enthusiasm has plunged as criticism becomes sharper and strong opponents grow more numerous than strong supporters]] President Obama had a bad summer of 2009, as his popularity slumped, his party weakened and opportunities for celebrating achievements happened. Contentious town-hall meetings criticized the injustice of his health care proposals, unemployment grew, the stimulus did not stimulate, Democrats bickered more than usual, grim forecasts of failure came from his generals in Afghanistan, dark suspicions circulated regarding his motives for speaking to schoolchildren; accused of socialism, he was branded in Congress as a liar. He was criticized first for not making his case, and then for overexposure, as he deliberately put into the shadows everyone in his cabinet. Obama’s inexperience in domestic and foreign affairs worsened his troubles. Nothing worked right--he was embarrassed by winning the Nobel Peace Prize before any of his goals had been accomplished. |
| − | Expectations of a Republican revival, a wild pipe-dream in the spring, became more realistic as the party led in the gubernatorial election in Virginia, and the Democrats continued in disarray in New York, Texas and California. Conservatives discovered the secret of organizing mass public rallies, while Obama's famous 2008 grass roots network remains strangely silent. Optimistic conservatives predicted that it will soon be 1994 in America again. | + | Expectations of a Republican revival, a wild pipe-dream in the spring, became more realistic as the party led in the gubernatorial election in Virginia, and the Democrats continued in disarray in New York, Texas and California. Conservatives discovered the secret of organizing mass public rallies, while Obama's famous 2008 grass roots network remains strangely silent. Optimistic conservatives predicted that it will soon be 1994 in America again. Conservatives cheered--but liberals bemoaned--his strong commitment to the [[Afghanistan War]], where he has tripled the American combat forces. |