It’s one thing to make promises without specifics and quite another trying to carry those promises out when faced with those specifics.
If Obama fails to do so, some will give him the benefit of the doubt (like those who say “It was Bush’s fault.” no matter what) but I suspect that many of those moderates who went toward Obama may shift in other directions if he is unable to perform.
Just my two cents, but it seems Obama has already kept more promises than the average politician. Certainly for so early on in his administration. It simply is the case that promises are made at a wild rate on both sides of any campaign. It’s been that way for ages. Once they get into office, the scene changes – and MUST change. Reality always has and always will shift – and there’s no way for a candidate to foresee what changes in their promises they will be forced to make.
The best we can say about campaign promises is that they are an indication of the general direction the candidate wants to take the country. Of course, opponents will claim “He doesn’t keep his promises” (though I was no fan of GHWB I did think the “No New Taxes” attack was unfair), and supporters will say it’s more complicated than that.
Obama’s agenda is ambitious, and I for one never thought he’d be able to accomplish much of it. That neither surprises nor disillusions me. He’s doing a fine job.
According to Politifact.org, out of the promises Obama has worked on, Obama has only broken about 5% of them (6 broken promises out of a total of 111).
Michigander about 15 years ago
If we can, we’d be better for it.
Dtroutma about 15 years ago
At least he RECOGNIZES reality! Raising the Titanic would be a snap compared to undoing the damage from Bush.
lcbiiimd about 15 years ago
It’s one thing to make promises without specifics and quite another trying to carry those promises out when faced with those specifics.
If Obama fails to do so, some will give him the benefit of the doubt (like those who say “It was Bush’s fault.” no matter what) but I suspect that many of those moderates who went toward Obama may shift in other directions if he is unable to perform.
cdward about 15 years ago
Just my two cents, but it seems Obama has already kept more promises than the average politician. Certainly for so early on in his administration. It simply is the case that promises are made at a wild rate on both sides of any campaign. It’s been that way for ages. Once they get into office, the scene changes – and MUST change. Reality always has and always will shift – and there’s no way for a candidate to foresee what changes in their promises they will be forced to make. The best we can say about campaign promises is that they are an indication of the general direction the candidate wants to take the country. Of course, opponents will claim “He doesn’t keep his promises” (though I was no fan of GHWB I did think the “No New Taxes” attack was unfair), and supporters will say it’s more complicated than that. Obama’s agenda is ambitious, and I for one never thought he’d be able to accomplish much of it. That neither surprises nor disillusions me. He’s doing a fine job.
danielsangeo about 15 years ago
According to Politifact.org, out of the promises Obama has worked on, Obama has only broken about 5% of them (6 broken promises out of a total of 111).