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UCLA Newsroom > Election Blog

Obama and the Lessons of the Crisis

October 15, 2008 | 12:58 PMGary Orfield
Presidents often shape their legacy in responding to crises. The truth is that Presidents in normal situations don't have great latitude to make major changes since power is shared with Congress and other institutions and policy-making involves delays, compromises and limits.
 
In a crisis, however, executive leadership is critical. Usually we cannot tell much about candidates in this respect during campaigns, which are highly scripted processes of communicating endlessly repeated central themes of broad general appeal, like "The Change We Need." This year, however, we have had the most frightening world financial crisis that the great majority of Americans have ever experienced and it was necessary for government to act very strongly and quickly, so both men who may have to implement the solutions had to react.
 
I think that there are some real insights into a possible Obama presidency from observing his responses. He is calm and confident. He seeks the best expert advice. He does not pretend he has answers when he does not. He is not panicked into playing the 24-hour news cycle for short term political gains. He does not wobble around after announcing his stand and he tries to convey relatively clear and consistent messages to the public.
 
Other lessons from both this crisis and his management of the campaign — he tends to have a long-term strategic sense and to manage a coherent and well-run operation and he tends to be moderate, pragmatic, and careful in his approach. In many ways this suggests that an Obama presidency would be radically different than what we've seen in recent history.
 
Another lesson might be drawn from his clear recognition and respect for Congressional leaders and their collaboration with him, something that was not very evident in the early parts of the Carter and Clinton presidencies and wholly lacking now in Washington.
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On-topic comments that add to the discussion are welcome. Please respect each other and the forum by using your real name and a civil tone. Spam and comments judged by UCLA to be libelous, offensive or abusive may be deleted without notice

Comments

Lars says:

I am so glad that somebody tell finally what i am think , THANK YOU!!! and thanks for your argument that " The truth is that Presidents in normal situations don't have great latitude to make major changes since power is shared with Congress and other institutions and policy-making involves delays, compromises and limits." Thats so correctly!!! But I think if Obama is growing up, he could be a real nice major! After the bad comes always the good thing. just for obame, too ;) <a href="http://www.sewerin.com">Lars</a>

pri says:

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Jaqes says:

President Obama has been to the New York financial district to argue for sweeping regulatory changes.http://www.rvshapeup.com/

Cai says:

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Jerry says:

President Obama is rock. He has sought tougher capital requirements for banks, arguing that banks' buying of exotic financial products without keeping enough cash on reserve was a key cause of the crisis. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has urged the Group of 20 nations to agree on new capital levels by the end of 2010 and put them in place two years later. http://www.financemetrics.com/

Simon says:

I just hope the lessons you mention are actually learnt so that we never end up in this situation again. At this stage I believe it way too early to till, so don't feel in a position to judge Obama yet. Only time will tell. http://www.hcsprovek.co.uk/Provek/Project-management-recruitment-jobs/

Kenneth says:

In this crisis period we need a president like Obama who will able to face all type of world crisis. But then also to fulfill the worlds expectation he need to go long way with his thoughts & ideas. Good luck from my end. http://financeideas4u.blogspot.com http://financeformulas.blogspot.com

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