EDITORIAL: President Obama taking a more moderate approach in Washington
Tuesday night’s State of the Union address further showcased President Barack Obama’s transition to the center of the political spectrum.
After years of progressive campaigning up to the 2008 election, Obama has left a recent mark that is oddly similar to what his opponent, Sen. John McCain, campaigned for during that same year.
The president outlined his plan to freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years in hopes of saving $400 billion over a decade. He proposed cuts to spending for both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as community action programs he has supported since taking office.
Even the Affordable Health Care Act, signed into law last March, is a watered-down version of the progressive legislation Obama originally promised to push through Congress.
His increasingly moderate views are becoming more apparent in politics nationwide as the deficit widens. At this point, it can be assumed that any Republican who dismisses the aforementioned proposals would be doing so on the sole purpose of not identifying with the other party. The proposal to freeze spending for such a significant amount of time is one of the most conservatively fiscal stances Obama has taken since 2008.
In addition, the president’s push in December to extend Bush-era tax cuts despite liberal resistance in Congress was applauded by most GOP legislators. Those tax cuts extend to all income levels and include those who make more than $250,000 a year — something Obama frowned upon when on the campaign trail.
This change in tune does not necessarily show weakness in Obama’s ability to lead in Washington. Instead, he has taken his philosophy of immediately “changing” the nation and replaced it with a more realist approach.
He has acknowledged that in order to achieve those changes, sacrifices must first be made. This realization can occur with just about any government official after their first year or two in office.
Beyond the usual routine of working to “innovate” and “reinvent” the nation — Obama’s speech was similar in this regard to Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State — the president demonstrated a sense of cautious optimism. Americans have generally grown tired of hearing what will be done without any explanation as to how.
That is not to say Obama has been perfect in doing so. Major campaign promises such as immigration reform remain unfulfilled.
But Obama’s move toward the center shows maturity in his presidency — something that ought to be encouraged.
The primary goal in Washington the past several years has been to rise back up from America’s worst recession since the 1930s. The president should strive for that goal no matter what — even if it means political shifting on some issues and occasional disagreements with his own party.
