Americans and even the world watched with keen interest as Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton tried frantically to emerge as the Democratic Party’s flag bearer in the 2008 presidential election. The recognition of these two candidates was offer the test; it was a time for Americans to choose from two choices which were both challenging and record-creating.
First, one of the choices would result in the emergence of the first African-American president (Black president), and the second choice would result in the emergence of their first female president. Either of the two candidates was almost sure of getting into the White House since the Republican Party was fast losing its popularity due to situations of times. Obama eventually got the better vote because he was no doubt the greater popular of the two candidates. He was a history-maker, as he became the first Black to rule the nation after over 200 years of independence.
Everywhere one went then, one was greeted with Obamamania – Obama ‘T’ shirts, fez caps, belts, trousers, key holders, notebooks, balloons, wrist watches, eyeglasses, car stickers, etc. However the enthusiasm that greeted his election and eventual swearing-in as America’s 44th president began to die down earlier than later. He began to get rid of his rating and popularity clearly due to some controversial and hasty decisions he made. When these mistakes were repeated from time to time and in different areas, Americans and indeed the world started to have a rethink; and started to nurse the fear that that glitters may after all ‘t be gold.
What’s reduced his popularity?
Some of the decisions President Barak Obama made which have seen his popularity nose dive include:
1. Discrimination against Nigeria: On assumption of office, the president made his first official familiarization visit to the continent of Africa, his root. He accorded respect and recognition to countries like Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, etc if you are paying them a visit: but he shunned Africa’s most populous and most influential nation, Nigeria, and treated her like a leper. Nigeria might be having her own challenges on and on through her wilderness experience; one thing remains clear, she is clearly probably the most influential voice within the continent – ask the UN Security Council, ECOMOG, Common Wealth of Nations, AU, FIFA, CAF, etc and they would tell you the undiluted truth. She remains Africa’s biggest philanthropist, defender of the smaller countries, and the Sub region’s leader.
2. HealthCare Reform Bill: The healthcare reform bill had become the first litmus test that his government was subjected to. His reform bill was greeted with criticism and suspicion by both Republicans and some Democrats. The bill eventually got passed into law; but so many people had lost their faith in him as they could not be convinced the bill meant well for that poor masses.
3. Bail-out loans for Chrysler: The effect of the world economic recession was so biting that Chrysler Motors needed to request some bail-out loans from the government make it possible for them save a large number of jobs for their employees. This was handled with levity; now, we all know the outcome of government’s refusal arrive at the assistance of the auto company.
4. War in Afghanistan and Iraq: This was a primary reason Americans refused to vote for the Republicans: a lot of soldiers were losing their precious lives during these countries. So, they hoped the brand new president would stop this trend by withdrawing their kids, brothers, husbands and fathers from these wars that had consumed a lot of their resources. However, today, the country has lost over 4,000 military personnel during these countries, plus they continue to lose their able-bodied soldiers daily. This continual loss of their dear ones has made the people to get rid of their hope in the government.
5. Resignation of key ministers: Because this administration came into power, some ministers and some other persons appointed into key positions have voluntarily resigned from office. Why? I leave that to you to guess. Recently the defense minister, Robert Gates announced he will resign from the government in 2011. This decision was believed to have shocked obama beyond words.
6. Listing Nigeria as a terrorist country: A Nigerian who never grew up in Nigeria and never understood the cultural values of his people, made an attempt to bomb an American airline on 25th December 2009; a move that was vehemently condemned by all Nigerians. Surprisingly, President Barak Obama immediately placed Nigeria around the terror watch list. It was at any given time Nigeria needed understanding in the International Community because her president was on a sick bed in Saudi Arabia. That decision further reduced the respect that Nigerians, nay, Africans had for the American president.
7. The center East: Recent research and public opinion pools showed that about 70% of the Arab world feels that President Obama has lost his popularity in the Middle East. His wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; his role within the Israel-Palestine conflict, and his attitude towards Iran were said to be partly responsible for this dwindling popularity.
8. Lack of An incredible number of jobs: Because this present government assumed power, millions of jobs have been lost following the world economic recession. The folks feel enough isn’t being done to secure their jobs and guarantee their way of livelihood. So many people have committed suicide as a result of this. Some have even killed their wives and children as well as themselves.
Just how can This Popularity Be Regained?
1. Improved relationship: Obama should not treat everybody with suspicion. He ought to learn to attract those influential countries closer to himself rather than treat all of them with disdain or contempt. He should expunge Nigeria’s name from the terror watch list and obtain more support from Africa.
2. Stop the wars: America has spent vast amounts of dollars prosecuting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; and is also considering conducting a military exercise with South Korea, when a lot of her citizens are jobless and hungry. The nation is also running into debts. They ought to pay attention to popular opinion/demand and withdraw from all of these wars. They ought to forget about preserving their pride; rather the welfare of those should be their priority. The government should create more jobs and employments with the money being squandered on war. Allow the slaughtering of the soldiers stop to ensure that a few of the kids of these soldiers would get to know their fathers.
3. Revisit the economical stimulus bundle: They ought to try as much as possible in order to save those firms that have provided employment for thousands of Americans from liquidating as a result of the world economic meltdown.
4. Reduce Interference: America should allow regions to manage their affairs; and just send their war machines there when they’re truly needed and invited to help. Going there on their own with no invitation would make those people misinterpret their genuine intensions, and additional reduce their popularity.
