Rebound time!

“How Obama Can Bounce Back in 2014”

Albert R. Hunt

January 5, 2014

The New York Times

                2013 just ended and President Obama is starting his 5^th year in office.   His 4^th year in office wasn’t his greatest, but there wasn’t any “real scandal”, only a policy blunder.  Bet you can’t guess what it was? The health care rollout.  The health care rollout is the main thing people are talking about related to government and politics.  The heath care rollout has been paused and even gone through some technical difficulties, so what does this do to President Obama?

                President Obama’s public standing has plummeted, due to the health care rollout, and history suggests that President Obama’s rebound from a second-term will be difficult.  The article states 5 ways that President Obama can defy those odds. 

                One way he can rebound from this setback is to “open up the wagons”, meaning that he needs to make some changes, not to completely transform, but to just make some changes.  Transforming his entire image in ways is something that even the president cannot do.  In one of my other blogs, I talked about President Obama changing and replacing a lot of his personnel.  Over the past month, there have been three important additions to the White House ranks: Serving as counselor is John D. Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, who, other than Jim Baker in Ronald Reagan’s administration, was the most effective occupant of that position. Two others with considerable credibility are Phil Schiliro, as health care adviser, and Katie Beirne Fallon, who starts as congressional liaison.  The concern that is still high is that whether he will listen to them in a time of great need.

                Another way he can rebound is to mend health care.  This is the problem that has brought him down.  The goal of seven million enrollees by April 1 is beyond reach. There must, however, be a substantial number, of about five million, with a quarter of those young people to keep the support of the insurance industry and prevent an explosion in premiums.  The third way he can help his public standing is to “go on the offensive”.  This means that the best the House can do is neutralize the issue, and that’s exactly what needs to happen. 

                The 4^th way is called “beyond the water’s edge”.  A nuclear deal with the Iranians would be one such success.  Foreign policy achievements rarely elevate a second-term president’s popularity. Failure with Iran or a conflict in the South China Sea could undermine him further.  The last thing that could help President Obama is pure luck, and you already know what that is. 

                The economy will always be crucial and a tough thing.  “With the House controlled by Republicans, the president is devoid of realistic policy options to accelerate growth. But the psychology and perceptions may matter a lot.”  All in all, the odds still remain against President Obama for recovery, but there is always hope……..or luck.