Before he was elected president of the United States in 2008, Obama served as a senator in the Illinois legislature (1996-2004), delivered a keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 (and became famous for it), and was elected senator of the United States in 2004 (1 1) until he was successfully elected president in 2008. Before entering politics, he obtained a doctorate in law from Harvard University and worked as a lawyer.
Judging from Obama's resume, first of all, before he was elected president, he had never worked in any level of government and had no ruling experience. During his first term, his ruling ability was repeatedly questioned, which led to the total loss of power of the Democratic Party in both houses of Congress. Second, he is a junior senator with weak political capital and is influenced by big consortia, Wall Street and the Democratic Party. His first term was basically like a puppet (referring to his cabinet members). In addition, he was "naive" in diplomacy at the beginning of his tenure (such as trying to establish good relations with Russia and the Islamic world). ) highlights his lack of ruling experience and "green".
His election was not only catered to by policy proposals such as withdrawing troops from Iraq and universal health insurance, but also "loved" by American voters, especially female voters, young voters and ethnic minority voters, mainly because of the star effect brought by his black identity and the political vitality brought by his younger age.
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From 2009 to 20 12, Obama's first term.
In terms of internal affairs, the first thing to talk about is definitely the financial crisis.
The financial crisis in 2008 left a big mess for Obama, which was not in Obama's campaign plan. After Obama took office, he immediately began a large-scale economic stimulus plan (such as large-scale investment in infrastructure), but the effect was not very good (saving Detroit's auto industry was a bright spot, but Detroit soon went bankrupt). The second point is to save American banks (except Lehman Brothers). With Obama's financial help, Wall Street made a profit in 2009. At the end of the year, Morgan Stanley won an average year-end bonus of more than $200,000, in sharp contrast to the large number of Americans who lost their jobs. The financial reform in the United States is hopeless during Obama's term of office, because Obama himself was elected by a large number of political contributions, and he himself is an example of American money politics. As the president of the Democratic Party, many of his policies are similar to mutual appreciation and the Party.
The second thing I want to talk about is Obama's internal affairs reform, which mainly includes education reform, medical reform and tax reform. When Obama first took office, before the 20 10 mid-term election, the Democratic Party held a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and these reforms were successfully passed. Education reform, including increasing education funds, is not controversial (First Lady Michelle's diet lunch is quite interesting, so you can search for it yourself if you are interested). Tax reform, including tax cuts for small and medium-sized enterprises, and strict investigation of tax evasion by large companies and multinational companies (measures to increase Obama's income). The most important reform is health care reform, that is, to help low-income groups without health insurance in the United States get affordable health insurance. The American health care system is actually more complicated. Prior to this, there was no universal health insurance (a few states, such as California, had statewide health insurance for residents). On the one hand, Obama's health care reform has caused a great financial burden, on the other hand, it conflicts with the interests of insurance companies. This is also one of the focal points of the contradiction between the * * * Party and Obama, laying the groundwork for the future veto politics and government lockout. Universal health insurance itself is a great progress in the American social welfare system, but Obama has not implemented it well.
The third problem is the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill in Mexico was the worst environmental disaster in American history, and Obama's poor handling and slow response were strongly criticized by the American media and people, and his support rate has been declining since then. The oil spill itself is also a microcosm of many negative events during Obama's first term. These negative events themselves also promoted * * * and the party to regain the majority of seats in the House of Representatives in the mid-term election of 20 10. Since then, * * * and the party have started a vigorous political veto movement, and American politics has entered a stage of mutual consumption.
In diplomacy, it is divided into two stages.
From 2009 to 20 10, at the beginning of his new job, Obama promised "never to fight against Islamic countries", removed Poland's long-range anti-missile system, eased relations with Russia, signed an agreement with Russia to reduce strategic weapons, and then deployed to withdraw troops from Iraq. These measures won him the Nobel Peace Prize. However, can the United States "never go to war" with Islamic countries and maintain a relaxed relationship with Russia? These measures contradict the national interests of the United States and are more like Obama's wishful "fresh" diplomatic line.
The second stage, from 20 1 1 to 20 12, is the Arab Spring and the rise of terrorism.
On the one hand, the repeated suppression of the Taliban in Afghanistan prompted Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan. On the other hand, after 20 1 1 Iraq completely withdrew its troops, the Iraqi government collapsed and terrorist organizations expanded rapidly. Obama didn't want to get into a ground war in Iraq, but instead used drone bombing, causing a large number of civilian casualties. Obama's "fresh" diplomacy was completely defeated by reality.
In the Arab Spring, Obama and Hillary held high the banner of ideology, supported democracy and freedom, killed Egyptian President Mubarak, an American ally, and killed Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi with France, provoking a civil war in Syria, and the Middle East was at war for a time. Apart from the Syrian civil war, which can strike Russian forces in the Middle East, whether it is the civil strife in Egypt or the civil war in Libya, the national interests of the United States have been severely hit. With the development of terrorism, IS is about to enter the historical stage. 1 1, 201The Benghazi incident in September was a heavy blow to both Obama and Hillary.
To sum up Obama's first term, there are few highlights (medical reform) and many black spots (oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Benghazi). As far as parties are concerned, the Democratic Party lost its majority in the House of Representatives on 20 10 and the Senate on 20 14. As far as China is concerned, the economic recovery is weak, the interests of the Middle East are hit, and terrorism is everywhere. This shows that Obama's ability to govern is insufficient.
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20 13 to 20 16, Obama's second term.
Obama himself is a very smart person. After polishing his first term, he began to show his superb political skills.
Because * * * and the party controlled Congress, Obama made little progress in internal affairs, gun control legislation was ignored by Congress, immigration reform was unconstitutional, the federal government stopped for 20 13, and * * * and the party seized Obama's medical reform, family planning and immigration issues to completely contain Obama. In addition, from 20 13 to now, there are many international hotspots. So first analyze Obama's administration in diplomacy, and then make a little analysis in internal affairs.
In diplomacy, Obama began to show his strategic thinking of safeguarding American hegemony. On March 28th, 20 14, Obama delivered a foreign policy speech, shouting that the United States would lead the world again 100. Obama's diplomatic strategy is nothing more than attacking Russia and the European Union and preventing the rise of China.
The first strategic action was the civil strife in Ukraine in early 20 14. The United States invested 500 million dollars to provoke the opposition in western Ukraine, overthrow the pro-Russian Ukrainian government, and planned the Ukrainian civil war. In order to counter it, Russia annexed Crimea and supported the militia in eastern Ukraine. Pro-Western armed forces and pro-Russian armed forces started a protracted civil war in eastern Ukraine. The civil war in Ukraine and the oil price war initiated by Saudi Arabia are synchronized, killing two birds with one stone. First, it overthrew the pro-Russian government of Ukraine and posed a great threat to Russia. Second, provoke confrontation between the EU and Russia. Third, sanction Russia through economic and financial means, and hit the Russian economy hard.
From June 5438 to February 2008, the Federal Reserve began to implement the quantitative easing policy (that is, printing money to cut interest rates), but it was not until the civil war in Ukraine in June 20 14 that hot money from all over the world (especially Europe and Russia) flowed into the United States, and the American economy began to recover. Hot money enters the United States, mostly through investment and purchase of US Treasury bonds. Either way, after receiving a large amount of foreign investment, the American economy began a so-called strong recovery, with GDP growth rate rising and unemployment rate falling. For example, China people invest heavily in American real estate, especially in California and new york. Quantitative easing is actually quite interesting (I took out a loan to buy a car in the United States on 20 13, and the loan interest rate was 0%, which also gave me a lift). The United States exports inflation to the world through extensive currency issuance, and then promotes the economic recovery of the United States through the return of hot money. The end result is that the economies of Europe and Japan are very bad, and the United States stands out.
The second strategic action is Asia-Pacific rebalancing. Asia-Pacific rebalancing was put forward by Obama in 20 1 1 year, and it was well implemented during his second term. Asia-Pacific rebalancing is actually to contain China and prevent or delay the rise of China. Militarily, 60% of the troops should be put into military bases in the Asia-Pacific region; Maintain the blockade of the first island chain in the East China Sea around Japan and Taiwan Province Province; Prevent China from controlling the South China Sea and integrate ASEAN in the South China Sea. This military strategy aims at blocking China's exports in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean and controlling China's economic lifeline (oil and other resources). Economically, the introduction of TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement) not only strengthened the national interests of the United States, but also dealt a blow to China's manufacturing industry.
Having dealt with Russia, the European Union and China, who else can challenge the leadership of the United States?
The third strategic action is to implement the policy of strategic contraction and balance in the Middle East. On the one hand, we will never intervene militarily in Iraq and Syria; on the other hand, we will use our allies (such as Turkey) to make a balanced strategy. No sooner had Russia entered Syria than Turkey shot down the Russian Su -24 bomber. Russia attacked the Turkmen opposition in Syria, deployed anti-aircraft missiles and criticized Turkey for smuggling IS oil. Instead, Turkey sent troops into Iraq to train Kurdish forces. All kinds of strategies are well played.
The terrorist attacks in Paris are good for the United States. When the French president visited the United States, Obama was unmoved and only said that he could enjoy information. In fact, maintaining a superficial blow to IS is actually a conniving attitude. A refugee crisis broke out in Europe, and 1 10,000 refugees poured into Germany. Obama said that 65,438+00 Syrian refugees will be accepted in 2065.438+07. The strategic withdrawal of American troops from the Middle East is to concentrate on containing China in the Asia-Pacific region. But at the same time, it is necessary to balance Russia in the Middle East. This balance strategy is wonderful, but it is difficult to do. Maybe one wrong move will lose the game.
Through the above means, we can see that Obama is no longer the Nobel Peace Prize winner who held high world peace and promised never to go to war in 2009, but has gradually become a sophisticated and cunning politician who only cares about national interests. If anyone still says that Obama is a dove, he can only say that his "dove" is too humble. Obama knows that if the United States is dragged into a protracted war again, the blow to the United States will be huge and devastating.
In terms of internal affairs, there are three aspects: first, gay equality (Obama supported the legalization of gay marriage in a high-profile manner before the second general election and raised a donation of $6.5438+million within a few hours of making this statement); Second, gun control; Third, immigration reform.
Gay equality was "legalized" and "legislated" by the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States with a vote of 5 to 4, and the White House lit a rainbow flag. All five liberal judges of the Supreme Court voted in favor, two of whom were nominated by Obama. Gay equality was first passed by most state legislatures, and then ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, thus bypassing Congress, the highest legislative body in the United States, and being realized in all states in the United States. This process is indeed a bit absurd, posing a great challenge to the separation of powers in the United States, but American politicians basically avoid talking about it.
Gun control is a major social problem. In 20 15, there were 35 1 mass shootings in the United States in 334 days, including school shootings, church shootings and street shootings. Criminals armed with AK-47 semi-automatic rifles fired at unarmed people. This scene has happened so many times in the United States that the party and the party can basically ignore it. In recent years, Obama has repeatedly called for legislation to control guns after various vicious shootings, but basically ignored the party's congressional management. So far, the Senate has not put the gun control bill on the agenda. On the one hand, some Americans believe that gun rights are human rights, and on the other hand, the American Rifle Association has strong lobbying ability. After all, the arms industry is a profiteering industry. Even if you have gun rights, good citizens with pistols, criminals with AK-47s and American troops with M 1A2 tanks, can you really defend yourself against tyranny? Money politics, money politics, iron capital, mobile politicians.
At the beginning of 20 15, Obama put forward an immigration reform plan, the main goal of which is to gradually legalize 5 million illegal immigrants to live, work and pay taxes in the United States. Its implementation means is executive order, with the purpose of bypassing the party-controlled Congress for reform. This immigration bill can be said to be too radical, far beyond the understanding of American society, and aroused the rebound of public opinion. Donald Trump has been far ahead of other presidential candidates in the polls by speculating on the topic of immunization, which shows how much public opinion this immigration reform plan has won for the party and the party. * * * The Republican Party took Obama's immigration reform to court, accusing him of undermining the separation of powers, ultra vires and unconstitutional. Obama lost all the way and has now reached the Supreme Court. This immigration reform is basically difficult to implement during Obama's term.
Generally speaking, during his second term, Obama gradually moved from idealism to pragmatism, from a political novice with insufficient ruling experience to an old-school politician. Whether it is to bypass the Congress for reform or to find a balance in diplomacy, it shows the improvement of its ruling ability and political means. At present, Obama has made good achievements in diplomacy, but he also faces many challenges. It promoted economic recovery, although economic growth was not so strong; Gay equality has been passed, but this reform is symbolic; Gun control and immigration reform have stalled.
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Although Obama still has one year in office, this does not hinder the discussion of Obama's political legacy.
Economically, both TPP and TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement) under negotiation will consolidate and strengthen the economic status and development of the United States, and economically contain and crack down on emerging countries such as China, Russia and India.
In diplomacy, Asia-Pacific rebalancing and Middle East contraction strategy are both desirable measures. If 2065 438+06 * * * and the war fanatics in the party are not elected, it is conceivable that Hillary will continue to pursue and deepen these two strategies. Secondly, it is very important for the United States to maintain its hegemonic position, attack Russia, gather the European Union and maintain chaos in the Middle East. In addition, Iran's nuclear negotiations and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba are remarkable achievements, although the above three strategies have not had a far-reaching impact on US diplomacy and national interests.
However, other countries are not fools, and they will certainly not be idle in diplomacy and military affairs. Whether it is China's Belt and Road strategy, Russia's strong intervention in Syria, or the rapid convergence of the EU with Russia and China, it has left a huge shadow for Americans to "lead the world again 100". For more than seven years, the influence and control of the United States on the world has declined, and it cannot be said that it is mainly Obama's pot, because of the current situation.
In terms of internal affairs, Obama's achievements in the world are achieved through universal health insurance, gay equality and immigration reform. However, from a certain point of view, these reforms are radical, splitting American society, leading to the rapid development of conservatism in the United States and the complete failure of the Democratic Party in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
During Obama's tenure, political attrition and veto politics prevailed. The laws proposed by Obama were not passed by Congress, and the laws passed by Congress were not implemented by Obama. Social, economic and institutional reforms within the United States have stagnated in many aspects. For example, the gun control agreement is actually conducive to maintaining the stability of American society, but it is hopeless at the * * * and party congress. For example, the problem of illegal immigrants needs to be reformed now, but Obama's line is too radical and left-leaning. His executive order completely legalizes illegal immigrants and American children, which directly caused a strong rebound. So far, it has been ruled unconstitutional by the court for many times, and now it has been appealed to the Supreme Court, and it is impossible to implement it during its term of office.
Obama's internal affairs reform is mostly focused on social aspects, but not deep enough in economic and political aspects. Outstanding problems in the United States, such as the growing polarization between the rich and the poor, such as the politics of money and power, such as the politics of veto, such as financial supervision, have hardly changed. These problems are bound to accompany the United States into the next decade and twenty years, which will have a great and far-reaching impact on American society.
On the whole, Obama failed in all aspects in his first term, did a good job in diplomacy and military affairs in his second term, and the US economy also recovered, with little progress in internal affairs. It can be said that Obama is barely a qualified president of the United States, not too bad, not as good as George W. Bush who spent all the money in the United States, and not as good as Roosevelt. Its own weakness and the weakening tendency of the United States determine its pattern and historical position. The American aircraft carrier is still moving slowly on the established route. All Obama has done is to make some hardware repairs and upgrades to this aircraft carrier. Tinkering, another eight years.
It's done.
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Off-topic, Obama can be said to be one of the most vacationing presidents in American history. He likes playing golf very much and invites NBA stars to play ball to celebrate his birthday. It is said that he often holds parties with Hollywood stars at the White House all night.
His own star effect is very strong, and the great attention brought by being a black president made him more like a star than a politician in the first two years of his presidency. "Yes, we can" has attracted many fans all over the world. A teleprompter, eloquent; Leaving the teleprompter, he was often asked by Romney in the 20 12 general election debate.
He is happy to be on TV and be funny on talk shows. He has a Twitter account, a Facebook account and a Quora account in Zhihu, USA. The team behind is good at using new media for publicity and advertising. Recently, I just ate fish with Baye in Alaska, and the China Navy specially passed by to congratulate me.
Obama often says that after the presidency, he misses the days when Air Force One didn't have to buy a ticket to queue up.
So, he is really a new wave of politician propaganda. Didn't you see Trump talking and laughing with two of himself in saturday night live? Politicians entertain the public, and the public is happy. This is a serious matter, so let's smile.