Obama and Reagan
Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama
Point-by-Point
There are parallels between the presidency of Ronald Reagan and Barak Obama. The similarities between the leaders make for an uncomplicated comparison; however, the differences provide greater explanatory power. Barak Obama has been credited with some of the stellar qualities of Ronald Reagan. There oratory skills are comparable and they were both popular at the beginning of their terms. Reagan became a republican icon. While the final statement on Obama is some distance away, he is becoming increasingly unpopular as a president. How do we account for this? In this essay we will compare and contrast the presidents and their policies. Ultimately, it will become apparent that the similarities are merely superficial, the ideological and policy differences of the Obama and Reagan presidencies account for the variant receptions they received from the American public during their presidencies. Obama is becoming unpopular not because of bad policy but bad communication.
In times of economic difficulty the American society will embrace the novel and different (Weatherford 918). Similar economic conditions carried both men to the seat of power. Ronald Reagan won the presidential election in 1980 because the country was dissatisfied with the economy. Similarly, in 2008, Barack Obama managed to win the presidential election through a promise of "hope and change." These two men share the same ability to convince the American people they could solve common problems and restore a sense of security to the country.
Additionally both men were crucial centripetal forces uniting divergent flanks of their parties. The Democratic and Republican Parties were uniquely divided during the times these men came into office. Republicans became unified on Reagan's unique character and the issues and causes he stood for. There were two parts to Reagan's Party: the social-conservative side which supported anti-abortion beliefs and strong family principles, and the fiscal- conservatives who supported Reagan's tax-cuts and intercalation policies. Similarly for Obama, the Democratic Party was fragmented into individual sections (Freeman 329). One faction of the party includes a foreign policy opposed to war, a greater flexibility regarding same-sex marriage, and abortion rights. A larger, less conservative wing leaned toward repairing the economy and increasing jobs. The personal appeal of Reagan and Obama served as an adhesive to fuse the disparate elements of the party together.
Political parties aside, Reagan and Obama established a stimulating dynamic within the American psyche: in times of trouble, the American society fears the "old and familiar" more than the "new and unknown." Frustration coupled with a desire for something better can send a wave of transformation through the population that alters history, as we see with these men. Reagan and Obama shared "firsts" upon entering the White House. Reagan was the oldest man elected President, and Obama was the first African-American elected to the White House. These issues did not matter to a country that was simply searching for something better. Both men also communicated with the public on a level that elevated them to "super-hero" status. Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator," and his speaking abilities no doubt strengthened Republican causes.
Both men faced a recession early after assuming duties as president. The chief difference between both of these situations is that the economy was in better shape for Reagan than for Obama. With better finances, the government in Regan's era could spend more readily to stimulate the economy. Reagan faced a national debt of nearly 40% of the gross domestic product. Obama, on the other hand, faces a gross domestic product of nearly 90%. With this mind-numbing figure being so close to exceeding the GDP, Obama faces a greater difficulty in rekindling prosperity through spending. Both men were confident at a time when the country needed to believe in something positive. These men illustrate how
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