The Pain Of The Polls

Over-exposure, that's what the problem is. There was a time when Americans couldn't see enough, hear enough, read enough about the new human African-American phenomenon. This distinguished, highly intelligent and immensely motivated man who turned his attention to politics at the very highest executive level of his country compelled and electrified Americans. He promised to unite Americans in their common zeal to achieve a civil balance between themselves, and he told them it could be done, and with his help they could do it.

Every word he spoke elevated the debate. His calm demeanor and electric-charged personality, his charming smile and resolute manner gave confidence where it had been sapped out of the public from sad and weary years of war, economic decline, a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor, and a soaring deficit which the prosecution of an unpopular war kept front and centre. Barack Obama's charmed existence, his transcendent presence and soothing encouragement vitalized an election campaign that became his.

c.2009 Washington Post

Seems destined that all good things come to an end. He's the same person he was before the election, with all those excellent qualities, and those who embraced his vision and his persona before, still do; he remains their shining hero on the hill. But his omnipresence also palls just a wee bit. His easy assurances, his admonishments to the detractors of his programs and the confidence he instills in his supporters remain the President's greatest assets. But balance and a little bit of a step back from morning, noon and night addresses to the nation might be in order.

Say, a once-a-week address to the American people? Might that not suffice? Hasn't the President much, much else to do than continually stand front and centre and expound and promise and explain and declaim? Moderation goes an awfully long way; over-exposure has a tendency to pall on people, bore them, irritate them to the point where they gasp for relief. It would be a bit of a relief for President Obama, too, give him more of that precious element he has so little of; time, to do other, important things.

We don't want him necessarily brooding, or engaging in too much solitary introspection, mind. He must remain engaged and in the game. No indulging in wondering about a fickle public that suddenly begins to doubt, to ask questions, to express uneasiness with the economy, the massively growing debt, the inequity in bailing out banks and financial agencies, while unemployment is steadily and alarmingly growing. There is simply just so much one individual can accomplish, against the travails impacting internationally.

But it must be troubling to acquaint oneself with the fact that confidence in one's plans is slowly seeping away, that the public - the very electorate that hailed his victory as the historically-first Black President of the United States of America in whom a huge balance of the population had earnestly, joyously placed their trust - is entertaining doubts. He is, after all, only human. Extraordinary, capable, reliable, determined, but human, withal.

It is certainly compelling and humbling at one and the same time that President Obama stands four-square and tall against the adversities that assail his country and his administration. He unflinchingly faces and attempts to counter them to the best of his considerable ability. He does make the occasional mistake, and he will have to face that too, but as that tired old saying goes, his heart is in the right place.

America badly needs a universal health care plan. That a majority of the population remains insecure and uncertain about its implementation, cost and needfulness is surprising. The $1-trillion cost for implementation to reform the health-care system does not appear to enthuse the public. It may, however, that huge percentage (47-million Americans) without any kind of health care, and it may those who are steadily losing employment and with it their invaluable health coverage.

But polls are placing the public's trust in President Obama's ability to wrestle with the strugglingly uncertain financial situation - the growing unemployment rate, lack of consumer confidence, fears of a growing deficit and monumental debt, and the country's dedication to handling two overseas wars, alongside the international 'war on terror' - elements that have eaten deeply into this president's popularity ratings.

To paraphrase the humble little inscription on U.S. currency, Americans will simply have to tell themselves over and over again: "In Obama We Trust".