Obama should learn from Clinton's term

United Americans stand against Washington, where the federal government is heading and how it is failing to deal with the economy; divided Americans are as never before on how to fix the list of woes facing the world's most powerful economy, a federal debt of unprecedented proportions and unemployment that is hovering stubbornly at the 10 per cent level.

And for the first time since 9/11, Washington's foreign policy is not on the radar of its electorate.

After one third of US voters went to the polls in Tuesday's midterm elections, President Barack Obama is facing the stark political reality that he is the leader of a Congress divided — Republicans having regained control of the House of Representatives, and a Senate where the Democrats majority has been reduced.

Gone too is the message of hope that swept Obama to power just two years ago. Over that time, voters have become disillusioned with his message of change — the change that they have witnessed is one of shrinking pay, higher taxes and less government services.

Where they were once concerned about their international security, now it is the security of their jobs that is on their minds. If there is a war to be fought, it is not one on terror, it is on the economy and ensuring that jobs are preserved, mortgages can be paid, and the economy can grow at a level to sustain the quality of life to which millions have become accustomed.

The results seem to indicate too that after eight years of the deeply contentious presidency of George W. Bush, Americans have moved on to a moderate extent and are willing to place an ‘X' beside the name of Republican candidates.

With the all-important purse strings controlled by Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives, there is a stark choice facing Obama and his party. They must choose to negotiate and achieve, or revert to a state of political stalemate, where the workings of Washington are deeply divided, its committees more partisan, and its people left to wonder why their federal government is no longer relevant and working for them.

The time for hope and hype is gone. The challenge now is to find a way forward, where the President leads by building bridges and reaching out across the floor to Republicans, not advancing the White House agenda domestically and internationally without partisan consideration. There is a role model for Obama to follow, and it is that of Bill Clinton.

During his eight years, Clinton held a presidency over the divided Congress and worked through compromise to advance a moderate agenda which improved the lives of Americans at home and presented a moderate face abroad.

Should Obama not follow this path, he will be a one-term wonder.