by Mary Teresa Fowler

Created on: February 24, 2009

The First Seven Days

It was a tall order to be President Barack Obama for the first seven days of his presidency. The atmosphere of hope and the hope for change had reached unreal intensity by Inauguration Day. Hopes, dreams, and ideals don't easily reconcile with the reality of the political world.

Yet in his first seven days in office President Barack Obama has managed to keep the idealism and deal with the reality. His winning approach was one of cautious balanced action.

The Balance

President Obama presented a stimulus initiative sporting a significant balance. President Obama recently unveiled his $825. billion dollar plan to stimulate the economy. The new president could have just simply pushed the bill through to implementation.

President Obama, however, chose a more balanced approach. He met with the Republicans to discuss the proposed stimulus. President Obama even held discussions on their home turf.

The meeting of minds continued later in a White House cocktail reception. The president seems to be giving the people's priorities more precedence than partisan politics.

The Caution

President Obama carried through on his promise to close Guantanamo Bay - but within a year. Enter the caution! President Obama's decision amounts to a promise about a promise.

No details have obviously been finalized about the aftermath of the closure. Which countries will agree to accept the displaced prisoners? The plan for future treatment of such infamous prisoners is unclear at best.

The Army Field Manual will be adhered to during interrogations except in unusual circumstances. Extra methods will then be put into force. President Obama, however, has not made any clarification about those procedures.

The closing of Guantanamo Bay, however, will reflect well on President Obama amidst the general public. At present it serves as a symbolic if undefined act of change and idealism.

The Action

President Obama was quick to act on his campaign promises during his first week in office. Reversal was the pivotal word for President's Obama's first seven days. In addition to Guantanamo Bay, there were reversals of other George Bush mainstays.

President Obama wants to withdraw combat forces from Iraq. He quickly reversed the current financial restrictions to overseas pro-abortion groups. He halted all last minute regulations proposed by the Bush administration.

President Obama also moved forward in naming special envoys for the Middle East and for Afghanistan-Pakistan. He looked to the future and addressed concerns about fuel consumption and global warming. Even in his own backyard he introduced a more strict code of ethics for top White House employees and appointees.

The Reality

It remains to be seen, however, if this cautious balanced action approach will play well in political circles. Opposing parties will always find fault with each other.

The President of the United States needs the support of the public and the confidence of his party. The public likes a bipartisan approach. Political parties though favor the center position for a leader.

The first seven days in President Obama's saw Obama's approval rating come in at 68%. Maybe cautious and balanced will forever be synonymous with President Barack Obama. It seems to have worked well in the first seven days!

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