I continue to be impressed with our new President. He understands that communicating (both talking and listening) is a vital part of governance. He is willing to compromise without sacrificing principle. And he understands that power comes in many forms. He also seems to understand that influence is often more effective than raw power.
President Obama has a large majority in the House of Representatives and a nearly filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. So, he could simply ram his agenda through without Republican help. But yesterday he spent several hours on Capital Hill meeting with <gasp!> Republican leaders of both houses. He explained his thought process on the stimulus package, but more importantly he listened to their concerns. And he made some compromises, albeit on minor points, but compromises nevertheless. He could have summoned the GOP leadership to the White House to meet on his turf, but he went to them. And he met not just with the leadership but with the entire GOP caucus. Both of these are powerful symbolic steps that speak to his commitment to a new, more cooperative type of governance. And how very different from the way Washington has run, at least since 1994!
And on the international scene, his first telephone call to a foreign leader was to Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, and the first interview he granted as President was with a moderate Arab network, Al Arabia. His first executive orders have been directly aimed at addressing some of the most egregious errors of the Bush administration vis a vis the Muslim world. Rather than appearing to view Muslims as “other,” he has reached out to them and spoken of our shared dreams for our children — that they be able to live in peace and dignity. Clearly, he is reaching out with an open hand, quietly challenging the Muslim world to unclench their fists. His assessment of Al Qaeda’s reaction to his election — that they are nervous — is telling. He asked his Arab listeners to consider whether Al Qaeda is offering them a way that will fulfill their aspirations for the future. No bluster, no demands, no threats — just a quiet but powerful question aimed at identifying common ground. He has appointed not one but two highly qualified special representatives whose job it will be to coordinate our efforts in dealing with the Middle East region — former Senator and Envoy George Mitchell for the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Ambassador Richard Holbrook for Afghanistan-Pakistan. All of these actions — the phone call, the interview, the executive orders, the meetings with the top military brass to plot a new course in Iraq, and the appointment of the special representatives state clearly the importance of the region and they announce a new approach. Even Sec. Gates’ comments yesterday that a democratic Afghanistan is not feasible is a clear break from President Bush’s dream of spreading democracy throughout the region.
