Chicago Columnist Illinois Review · Political Strategist Analyst · Expert Advisor Institute for Truth in Accounting

SEIFFE:  New Year's Resolution

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 

By Ralf Seiffe

New Year’s Day is one many of us will to resolve to do better. For some it will be to lose weight, stop smoking or exercise.  Others will be more esoteric; write more, volunteer often or be kinder to strangers.  I am still trying to decide on mine; I’m stuck wondering how long to refrain from criticizing the Obama Administration.

My quandary is a mix of fairness to the new President and turnabout being fair play.  At the last change of administration, in 2001, the Left and the Bush haters allowed the new President no time to prove himself, characterizing the administration as “dead on arrival” and the President as “illegitimate.”  The President’s detractors began an immediate campaign to undermine any chance of national progress until 9/11 changed the landscape. 

Now, a new administration is about to take office and I predict that one month after Barack Obama’s inauguration, his presidency will be an evident failure if the standard for judgment are his campaign promises.  That’s probably a good thing for the Republic but, I wonder what the proper period of critical forbearance might be.

Having secured election on the tissue of an unformed vision and the challenger’s luxury of irresponsible promises, future President Obama is now watching his potential evaporate as the realities of the presidency intrude.  He’s confirmed President Bush’s plans for the wars, with few exceptions he’s picked a cabinet that must disappoint his sponsors and events in the Middle East probably obviate his promise to deliver a major address from a Muslim capital.  The financial meltdown puts his plans for expansive social engineering on hold for the foreseeable future. 

Politics are not being kind to the new administration, either.  The Senate will be his but it will probably be one filled with liberal frauds like Al Franken, policy illiterates like Caroline Kennedy, tainted appointee Roland Burris and family businessman John Salazar.  He will be subpoenaed for Tony Rezko’s second trial and Rod Blagojevich’s first.  Embarrassment is too mild a word.

The truth is, Obama’s administration--or at least the one his supporters expected--is dead on arrival.  The jackals on the Left, content to be kept and leashed by George Soros and his friends during the campaign, already sense this.  Now, as the new President’s activities show why he voted “present” so many times, his most ardent supporters are beginning to become disillusioned.  They may turn on him as he continues to discount hope and change. 

Even the Republicans are beginning to show the kinesis of an amoeba, but that’s vastly more activity than has been the case.  Reports on the cable news channels have the Republican National Committee toying with the notion that the party ought to have some principles like objecting to the orgy of bailouts.  With two of three Americans already holding that opinion, this is the very definition of political fortitude but if the GOP actually follows through, it could create a problem for the new administration.

Given these conditions, is it charitable to pile on so soon?  Should Conservatives resolve to play more fairly than the rabid, but well-funded haters on the Left?  Should we give the new President a honeymoon?  If so, how long should we forswear partisan attacks?  

Ralf Seiffe advises business start-ups and product launches from Chicago, Illinois, and is a political analyst and columnist for the Illinois Review. Mr. Seiffe is also an Expert Advisor with The Institute for Truth in Accounting.

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