President Obama shows promise in first 100 days

WE SAY Increasing budget deficits likely to undermine future initiatives.

Since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, a president’s first 100 days have proven a popular gauge by which pundits and the public alike have assessed their performance.

Don’t tell that to President Barack Obama, who following his election cautioned that, given the magnitude of the issues presently facing the country, it would be wise to instead focus on the first 1,000 days.

Regardless, as the political Hallmark holiday arrives, Obama enjoys a 65 percent approval rating and has been able to sell his agenda to a favorable Congress and receptive American public.

The administration’s crowning achievement has undoubtedly been the passage of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a necessary bill designed to stimulate a flagging economy through increased spending in infrastructure, education, tax relief and social welfare programs.

When it came to shoring up a financial industry teetering on collapse, the Obama administration was slower to act, but it eventually unveiled a bank rescue plan with potential federal commitments of $1 trillion to purge toxic assets from the balance sheets of troubled institutions.

While the economy has been the administration’s primary focus – and with good reason – in many regards Obama’s first days in office have been as much an exercise in repairing relationships abroad as they have been institutions at home.

One of Obama’s first acts was to mandate the closing of Guantanamo Bay – a black eye on America’s reputation. Hopefully, ending the use of the coercive techniques that drew so much criticism during the Bush years will garner sorely needed international support for the continued struggle against terrorism.

Obama has rightfully made a commitment to continuing the fight in Afghanistan, where a resurgent Taliban threatens the long-term stability of the region.

Obama’s willingness to engage, even with those governments with whom America has historically enjoyed contentious relationships, is refreshing. Even if countries such as Iran don’t reciprocate, it is better to make clear to the international community that they are the spoilers.

Despite recent successes and signs of recovery in the housing and financial markets, the long term economic forecast is still grim. Obama’s $3.5 trillion budget guarantees annual federal deficits in excess of $1 trillion until at least 2012, and the cumulative deficit will double by 2019.

In light of these figures, it remains uncertain what the administration will ultimately accomplish in terms of reforming health care and promoting green technology – two major initiatives promised during the general election.

While showing signs of promise, it is yet too early to determine the fate of the Obama administration – best to ask again in 900 days.