Obama's first year receives praise and criticism by Webster students
By: Jenn Proffitt
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
However, Tyler Holman, a junior political science major, says Obama is dipping his hand into too many jars and going in too many directions.
"I think that some things he was able to get away with in the campaign, he's not getting away with now," Holman said.
But Holman said he thinks more transparency in government overall, whether with the Democrats or Republicans, would be good.
Rosen is more hopeful but realistic about the democratic process.
"It's a slow process," Rosen said of the American democratic process. "In (English) parliament, the prime minister can just push a bill through."
It is because of these limits that Rosen said he wishes Americans knew more about the democratic process. He said Americans don't like to cut their leaders any slack.
Bradley Smelser, a junior instrumental music education major, agreed. He said it's unfair to judge a new president on his first year since that's a transitional period. Smelser said he believes that the bickering between Democrats and Republicans will only halt progress on several of Obama's agendas - issues in which both parties have an interest.
Rosen thinks it's the internal bickering in the Democratic Party that is making it harder to pass through some of his plans.
"He's done as well as can be expected," Rosen said. "He came in with a lot of challenges."
Rosen said she thinks Democrats haven't done enough with their majority, referencing the 1994 Republican Party majority in both the House and the Senate, which was able to pass through much of their preferred legislation.
"Republicans tend to do better with majority," Rosen said.
Some of Obama's frustration with both parties came through during his speech.
Obama said, "But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We can't wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side - a belief that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can."
While Tyler Holman, a junior political science major and former member of College Republicans, disagreed with some of Obama's points during his speech, he does agree with wanting to see more new ideas coming out of the Republican Party.
"Be more vocal about new ideas," Holman said. "It would create more contrast than the left wing wants to pass this, and the right wing says no."
For those Americans who are still left feeling frustrated after Obama's speech, Rosen advised them to not pass judgment on his entire presidency yet.
"Let's give him four years," Rosen said.
"I think that some things he was able to get away with in the campaign, he's not getting away with now," Holman said.
But Holman said he thinks more transparency in government overall, whether with the Democrats or Republicans, would be good.
Rosen is more hopeful but realistic about the democratic process.
"It's a slow process," Rosen said of the American democratic process. "In (English) parliament, the prime minister can just push a bill through."
It is because of these limits that Rosen said he wishes Americans knew more about the democratic process. He said Americans don't like to cut their leaders any slack.
Bradley Smelser, a junior instrumental music education major, agreed. He said it's unfair to judge a new president on his first year since that's a transitional period. Smelser said he believes that the bickering between Democrats and Republicans will only halt progress on several of Obama's agendas - issues in which both parties have an interest.
Rosen thinks it's the internal bickering in the Democratic Party that is making it harder to pass through some of his plans.
"He's done as well as can be expected," Rosen said. "He came in with a lot of challenges."
Rosen said she thinks Democrats haven't done enough with their majority, referencing the 1994 Republican Party majority in both the House and the Senate, which was able to pass through much of their preferred legislation.
"Republicans tend to do better with majority," Rosen said.
Some of Obama's frustration with both parties came through during his speech.
Obama said, "But what frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day. We can't wage a perpetual campaign where the only goal is to see who can get the most embarrassing headlines about the other side - a belief that if you lose, I win. Neither party should delay or obstruct every single bill just because they can."
While Tyler Holman, a junior political science major and former member of College Republicans, disagreed with some of Obama's points during his speech, he does agree with wanting to see more new ideas coming out of the Republican Party.
"Be more vocal about new ideas," Holman said. "It would create more contrast than the left wing wants to pass this, and the right wing says no."
For those Americans who are still left feeling frustrated after Obama's speech, Rosen advised them to not pass judgment on his entire presidency yet.
"Let's give him four years," Rosen said.
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