The legacy of Barack Obama’s presidency is one of complexity, marked by a mixture of achievements and shortcomings. While hailed as a symbol of progress due to his historic election as the first African-American president, his time in office also witnessed deepening divisions within the nation.
A Divided America
As the first African-American president, Obama’s election was seen as a milestone in the fight against racial prejudice and discrimination.
However, his presidency also saw an increase in racial tensions, particularly highlighted by high-profile incidents of black Americans dying during encounters with the police.
Despite the initial optimism surrounding race relations, many Americans, especially within the black community, began to perceive America as a divided nation.
The promise of a “post-racial America” seemed far from realization, revealing the complexities of addressing deeply ingrained social issues.
Healthcare and Economic Challenges
One of the central achievements of Barack Obama’s presidency was the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. While celebrated by Democrats as a landmark achievement, this policy was met with vehement opposition from Republicans, who argued that it infringed upon individual freedoms and resulted in rising healthcare costs. This stark partisan divide exemplified the growing polarization within American politics, further contributing to the perception of a divided nation.
Economically, the Barack Obama years witnessed a continuation of the hollowing middle class and a widening income inequality gap. Despite efforts to stabilize the economy following the 2008 financial crisis, a significant portion of the population felt left behind, deepening socio-economic disparities. These challenges reinforced the notion that the American Dream was becoming increasingly elusive for many citizens.
Foreign Policy and Global Reputation
Barack Obama’s approach to foreign policy, particularly his efforts to disentangle the nation from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, received mixed reviews.
While many progressives claim his softening of the U.S. isolation of Cuba and advancing LGBTQ rights domestically were notable accomplishments, his handling of the Syrian civil war, Libya and perceived failure to assess the threat posed by the Islamic State generated criticism.
Additionally, China’s expanding influence in the South China Sea and Russia’s growing cyber threat and military activity in Ukraine raised concerns about America’s standing in the world. This led to a sense that the U.S. was no safer on the global stage compared to when Obama took office.
Barack Obama – “The Worst President in History”?
In a new book titled “The Worst President in History, the Legacy of Barack Obama,” authors Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan present a list of 200 reasons why they believe Obama’s tenure as president was fraught with controversies and shortcomings.
While liberals might dismiss the list as exaggeration, conservatives argue that even 200 reasons don’t adequately capture the extent of their concerns.
This updated edition of their 2016 book takes into account Obama’s final months in office and his first year as a private citizen. It delves into controversies such as the attempts to shield Hillary Rodham Clinton from prosecution over her private email server and questionable dealings tied to the Clinton Foundation. Reason number 200 points to the FBI’s alleged anti-Trump bias in favor of Clinton.
Margolis and Noonan insist that the real record of Obama’s presidency has been obscured by his allies, supporters, and the media. They argue that this “fantasy version” of his legacy must be challenged to prevent the distortion of history.
The authors offer a sampling of the 200 reasons, which include:
- Blaming predecessors. Barack Obama’s tendency to attribute problems to the Bush administration and Congress.
- War on coal and oil. The closure of over 200 coal-fired plants during his presidency.
- Cutting AIDS funding. The controversial decision that adversely affected Africa, where most AIDS-related deaths occur.
- Nominating John Brennan as CIA director. Brennan’s subsequent criticism of President Trump.
- DACA via executive order. Obama’s use of executive authority to provide amnesty to around 800,000 young undocumented immigrants.
- Assault on the press. The Committee to Protect Journalists’ concern over the Obama administration’s efforts to stifle government officials from speaking with the media.
The authors argue that their list continues to grow as they discover more instances of what they perceive as Obama’s shortcomings.
Of course, not everyone agrees with the pair. When Pew asked Americans which president has done the best job in their lifetimes in 2018, more named Barack Obama than any other president.
One thing about Obama’s legacy is certain, its ability to divide Americans.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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