The Road Ahead: The First 100 Days and Beyond

The 2008 campaign is heading to a decisive conclusion. Barack Obama is sailing towards a triumphant finish on the winds of economic distress and financial crisis. Obama has demonstrated a steely coolness under fire, while John McCain has turned into a caricature of himself as an old man, out of touch and losing it. Temperament does matter in a President -- and on that score, Obama has won hands down.

I am hearing from friends abroad who assume that Obama will be the next US President (as I do), but who worry that the optimism and hope that characterized the earlier days of the campaign have been diminished by the economic crisis and by the angry tone of McCain's ads and rallies. They worry that Obama might inherit a damaged, angry and divided country, and not be able to reverse what they see as a nation in decline. A former British Admiral with whom I worked on NATO peace keeping asked me if America's best days are over and whether Obama can really reform our debt-ridden economy, and free ourselves from Iraq.

An Australian writer in country to film a documentary showed up at our house to interview friends who had gathered for a debate party. The informal working title for the project: "Is America Screwed?" The filmmaker asked guests to consider whether the US is going downhill, and whether Obama can repair the damage that Bush has done to the country at home and abroad. Can an Obama administration reform the American economy and renew the promise of American life as FDR did with the New Deal?

As a native Californian, I tend to be optimistic -- and I have always been a New Deal Democrat at heart and in practice, as much as possible over the years. Of course, I vote for giving hope another chance -- but we should not leave matters simply to chance. Bold action will be required of President Obama and his administration at home and abroad -- and we should all expect it of him. He will need to show boldness in his selection of his team and boldness in the initiatives that he lays out in his first 100 days in office and beyond.

He will need to take immediate action on numerous fronts -- and, equally important, explain to the nation (and the world) what he is doing and why he is doing it. FDR used folksy fireside chats to restore public confidence in government by explaining his decisive steps such as shutting down the nation's banks for a short "holiday" with language and metaphors that the public could easily grasp. Obama will need an analogous communications strategy of his own -- not a fireside chat nor a rap, but perhaps a tutorial model that works well with his cool and calm demeanor. He will have to go beyond the hapless Oval office speeches and Rose Garden reassurances of Bush, and find his own effective and emotive way of speaking directly to the American people.

What should he talk about?

On the economic front, he might well be faced in January with a deepening recession, and he will have to explain the imperative of an economic stimulus package -- one with immediate goals of restoring credit, restarting economic activity, shoring up the housing market, and reestablishing confidence that a competent leader is in charge in the White House. He can talk about nation-building at home -- about the need to signal priorities in the stimulus package with investments in infrastructure (highways, bridges, schools), in alternative energy sources, and by providing economic help for the unemployed, and for those faced with losing their homes or their jobs.

Obama should also make clear his commitment to reforming Wall Street and the financial sector of the economy. His choice to be Treasury Secretary and how he explains the person's mission will be an early indication of his willingness to find individuals to serve in an Obama administration who combine competence with a willingness to protect the public interest -- first, in carrying out the financial rescue package already passed by Congress, and then in supporting smart regulation of financial markets. A first order of business might be the appointment of a Presidential commission headed by the Vice President or by a populist like Senator Byron Dorgan to examine the most effective ways to regulate hedge funds, derivatives, credit default swaps and other arcane financial devices. Such a body could be tasked with looking at foreign regulatory models in Canada and Australia as well as at European proposals for a new regulatory regime in the US -- one that protects the public interest while not stifling genuine enterprise. Like the 9/11 Commission, it should have a clear (and short deadline) for reporting back to the President.

Obama's appointments to the Council of Economic Advisors, to the office of US Trade representative, and to Secretary of Labor will also signal the strength and depth of his commitment to reforming the economy. His first Federal Budget as President will spell out national needs and priorities and provide him with an opportunity to start making good on his campaign promises to reform the tax system towards greater equity, to build a better social safety net for the globalized economy, and to invest in a "green" economic future.

Bold action and strong Presidential appointments will also be required for dealing with problems beyond our shores. Obama will need to appoint a strong team of his own to lead in foreign and national security areas. He might select someone like Senator Chuck Hagel, a Republican who opposed the Iraq War, as Defense Secretary. He does not need nor should he keep on any of Bush's people. There needs to be a fresh start.

On day one in office, President Obama should make good on his campaign promise on Iraq by calling home Central Commander David Petraeus for talks about a timetable for withdrawing all US forces from that country. Only a clear ultimatum to the Iraqi government will push them to get their act together and to understand that they are going to have to take responsibility for governing the country. At the same time, he should announce a major diplomatic "surge" in the region -- calling for a conference of all involved countries including Iran and Syria to plan for regional security and stability. He might also send a high level envoy to Tehran -- perhaps Vice President Biden or former top military leader like Admiral Bill Fallon or a former Defense Secretary such as Bill Perry -- to initiate talks with Iran. These talks might lead to a grand bargain between the US and Iran not unlike the Shanghai accords that President Nixon signed with Chairman Mao -- i.e., an agreement to disagree but to engage and talk on all issues, and to normalize relations in order to do so.

Obama could also announce a special envoy to the Middle East to signal his commitment to an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement -- someone like Bill Clinton or Sam Nunn. He should also announce that he is sending a US ambassador back to Damascus, and that the US supports the ongoing talks to establish permanent peace between Israel and Syria. As part of this action on the Middle East, he might also explain that the US government is not at war with the Muslim world. He should drop the usuage of "The War on Terror," announce the closing of the prison at Guantanamo, and state that the US does not condone torture by any American soldiers or intelligence officers. Such actions taken in the first weeks of an Obama administration would be an unmistakable signal to all the countries of the Middle East and to Muslim nations around the world that a new government is in charge -- one that will take a more nuanced approach to resolving the deep-seated problems of the region, and one that will listen to its friends and allies, and not fear talking to its adversaries.

As part of the First 100 Days, President Obama could also send a strong message about global warming. He could announce naming someone such as Al Gore to be his special envoy to lead the US team in Copenhagen to consider the follow-on to the Kyoto Accords. Whatever innovative research the US develops on alternative fuels in the future (and Obama is committed to this path), it will not come on line soon enough to begin significantly slowing the environmental damage caused by climate change.There has to be an international accord with more than platitudes. A world recession might make such an agreement even more difficult to achieve, but the problem is not going away. President Obama could signal both his understanding of the seriousness of the situation and communicate it to the public in an Obama "tutorial."

Such a bold, progressive 100 days will, of course, bring a reaction from the losers in the election, especially from right-wing Republicans and retrograde conservatives in media and business. In addition to standing up to the attacks and pressing ahead, the Obama administration and his allies in Congress should not stop exposing the crimes and misdemeanors of the Bush administration. Efforts such as the hearings led by Congressman Henry Waxman and Government Operations committee should be stepped up, not stepped down. Investigations into possible illegalities in the Justice Department, Interior Department, and other agencies should continue. The public needs to know what went on during eights years of Radical Republican rule -- and it needs to know how much damage has been done by the Bush "hollowing out" of the Federal government. It will be a huge job for the Obama administration to restore not just public confidence in government, but real competence inside the government. This also will be required in the areas of Homeland Security and Intellingence where politicization of intelligence and security matters and disdain for professionalism led to disasterous policies that squandered billions of dollars and severly damaged the reputation and interests of the United States. Understanding the extent of the damage is essential to a good repair job.

Neither the first 100 days of an Obama administration nor the first four years will proceed smoothly and easily. There will be political battles won and lost, mistakes made, and unexpected events that aid or impede reform. On a plane ride from the east coast, I re-read a terrific book, The Defining Moment -- FDR's First Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathan Alter, the Newsweek columnist and skilled author. In it, you can find an exciting story of hope restored to a nation by a courageous President, Franklin Roosevelt, who took bold action, and who brought the public along with him by telling them what he was doing and why.

But FDR did not do it alone, and he had no plan set in stone. He was progressive and experimental -- above all, he acted. And he had allies in the country at large, as well as in the Capitol. Grass roots groups such as the Townsend clubs in California pressed for old age pensions, and the CIO union organizers risked their lives to mobilize workers. In Congress, leaders like Senator Vandenburg of Michigan (a moderate Republican) and Senator Wagner of New York (a pro-labor Democrat) fought for and won far-reaching legislation that went beyond FDR's initial positions and broadened his horizons of the politically possible. Pick up Alter's book and dip into it. You will find it instructive and inspiring.

With WWII, Dr. New Deal became Dr. Win the War, but FDR and his team did not stop at defeating fascism and nazism. They also took bold action to win the peace. FDR's deep seated commitment to realizing Woodrow Wilson's vision and his adroit political maneuvering led to the creation of the United Nations. His team of economic advisors helped to establish the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Obama's team will be have to reform these institutions and perhaps create new ones for the new century.

The lessons of the New Deal are clear: A reform-minded, progressive Democratic President governing with a Democratic Congress in a time of crisis can reform and renew our country, and at the same time, provide strong global leadership. History shows us that as a nation and as a people we have the capacity to renew our system of government and to play a leadership role in the world. Decline is not inevitable -- and it certainly is not here yet. The damage of the Bush years can be repaired and reversed -- but it will take bold action on the part of President Obama, and all those who join in him the effort in and and out of government. It is not a project for the timid nor faint of heart.

Comments

[PerryWhite]

Anyone know when the first Wealth Redistribution Checks (WRDs) will be issued?

[Jezreel]

This was a wonderful article. I can't emphasize how much I agree with its tone and the important points it raises. Many of us share the concerns of you and your friends Mr. Shearer. We all worry that Barack will inherit a set of problems that are nearly insurmountable. I've even read some articles in European papers about the demise of America. We have infact arrived at a critical juncture of our nation's history.

Senator Obama is a wise man and he's pragmatic and remarkably astute. He will surround himself with the right leaders. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if within the first 100 days of an Obama/Biden Administration most, if not all, of the issues addressed here are addressed forthrightly and effectively.

As to FDR's ability to lead by persuasion, Obama's entire campaign and political platform is predicated on the involvement of an informed and involved electorate. He believes that he cannot be an effective President without the involvement and support of the American people that what makes the fear mongering and cultural and class war politics of the McCain/Palin campaign and the RNC and a politicized DOJ so dangerous and harmful to the future of our democracy.

[obamagirl1968]

I agree. This was an excellent analysis. President Obama has demonstrated that he is willing to listen to those who don't completely agree with him and that he is willing to make bold moves to move the country forward after already having weighed the risks.

[babaann]

FDR dealt many of these same negatives. He was a white man. Obama will have to overcome so much racial stuff before he can effectively deal with the "crises". I firmly believe he can lead us through the times ahead. We, American People will need to lend positive support to help overcome the negativity that sprouts.

[SteveMDFP]

A Modest Agenda for the first 100 Days:

1. Close Guantanamo.
2. Present a healthcare bill to congress
3. Start negotiations with Iran to halt nuclear weapons development, in exchange for assistance in getting their oil and natural gas reserves pumping
4. Appoint a Treasury Secretary who can communicate and inspire confidence
5. Rescind all executive orders and signing statements that infringe upon the rights of the people, the Legislature, and the Judiciary
6. Appoint a team of special prosecutors to root out all the crimes of the Bush Administration
7. Get bin Laden
8. Negotiate with the Taliban to enter as legitimate political parties in regional elections.
9. Promptly draw down the forces in Iraq, and plan on drawing down forces in Afghanistan as negotiations with the Taliban proceed.
10. Present legislation for progessive taxation
11. Lay out a process for effective re-regulation of Wall Street
12. Re-institute the Fairness Doctrine for broadcast media.
13. Campaign finance reform with teeth. E.g., opting out of public financing results in broadcast advertising subject to the Fairness Docrine, forcing the financing of equal time for the opponents.
14. Repeal the Patriot Act and the other affronts to civil liberties
15. Voting rights legislation to remove residual barriers to registration and voting, and require federal certification of electronic voting systems.
16. Cancel that unworkable, destabilizing missile defense system in Poland
17. Push for a moratorium on NATO expansion. Negotiate Russia's entry, with democratic reforms.

[obamagirl1968]

The civil liberties work should only be undertaken AFTER he has had the opportunity to influence the Supreme Court.

If he can get bin Laden in the first 100 days, the rest of his presidency will go much smoother because he would have demonstrated that he has the hutzpah to face down 'evil'.

Getting a team in place to fix the financial system should be the number one priority. Only after the team is in place and starts releasing their findings should he undertake a reform of the tax code to be in effect for the 2009 filings.

[oldgoose]

The punishment our country would endure with another four years is hard to fathom and the ideal of Palin as president is more than frightening! . I hope no one gets complacent and forgets to vote; this election is not over yet!. If elected a president Obama should present our country on inauguration day with an uplifting message. We need one very badly right now! Then he can reassure all of us by appointing competent people to help him run the government (regardless of their political affiliation) and rid federal agencies of all the political cronies appointed during the past 8 years since most of them were appointed on the basis of loyalty instead of competence. He can do no greater good for all of us than to call in Admiral Mullen and Gen. Petraeus and demand they start immediately implementing the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq! The demonstrations of these past few days in Bagdhad should be enough to prove to anyone it is past time! This act alone will go a long way to restore our standing amongst our friends overseas. Then when he has restored faith in our politics and our allies are on our side once again he can start talking to our "enemies" from a position of strength. The one thing he cannot afford to do is weaken our armed forces at a time when we are economically stressed, politically isolated and someone, somewhere may get the idea we are weak enough to challenge.

[homesteader]

May you be right about Obama being able to start his presidency with something that approaches the 1st 100 days.

If he is not, the best alternative is that whoever is president will have to play Herbert Hoover for a while until we are ready for a 100 days. And that will probably be for four years.

Not fun.

[grrLAboy]

Volunteering in your communities will be more important than ever before. This is how I intend to continue my support for Barak in the years ahead.

[rbloom]

Hey gang! The election isn't over yet!
There are 17 days left till the election and there's a shitstorm building fast. Nothing is as dangerous and unpredictable as a threatened power elite, and the Reeps have demonstrated clearly over the past several elections that they are capable of anything.
Everybody's saying "Oh, tsk-tsk, we're really turned off by McCain's negative ads," but you know what? That's what voters have said about negative advertising for generations. And you know what else? It still often works. McCain is not going to abandon the strategy -- he's ramping it up with more lies and charges in ads and public appearance and some really sleazy stuff going out under the radar with robocalls and direct mail.
Now is not the time to sit around and compile a progressive laundry list. We should have done that over the past 8 years or so, and we can turn to it Nov. 5, if we win. Now is the time to redouble our efforts -- and donations -- to walk away from the computer and into the local campaign office or, if you have the time and means, into a swing state. And do the serious work that still needs to be done to win this.
We have to bring this home!

[joe6671]

The desiderata are Ok. The execution will not be. I'm sure Obama will try to do all the things he promised. I also think that he is savvy enough to decide logically . But I still don't think this will happen.
I think he is a better thinker in the abstract than an executioner of policy. He will also be forced into tough military decisions. He will have trouble getting out of Iraq. The USA wants things in Iraq for its investment. It will not be forthcoming. What will he do? The arguments with Iraq and the military involment will shatter his promises. Then comes the question of Iran. Will Iran give up its nuclear ambitions? Of course not. Then what will he do. Whatever he does , his political goose will be cooked. A similar situation prevails in Afganistan/ Pakistan. The situation is not easily resolved. It needs money and manpower neither of which we can spare too easily these days. These r just the external problems. The problems internal to the USA are just as complicated. I wish him well, though I think , most of you Obama enthusiasts will be terribly disappointed with him. One does not send a rookie to solve that many complexities. I am not voting for McCain but he would be better to try these problems because he could never be accused of betrayal. Obama will unquestionably be accused of betrayal as he fails to solve these hugely difficult problems.

[BeasleysMom]

Of course he will have many of the problems that you point out. But, I differ with you that he will be accused of betrayal. His openess and honesty with the American people will count for much during the next few trying years. Americans will undoubtably be grateful to see any progress as we move away from the stulifying Bush years. As you point out the problems are enormous, but he has a fine intellect and will do as well as anyone could to pull the country upwards. A good president who is concerned about serving his country to the best of his ability can go a long way in elicting the support the people even if he isn't able to accomplish wonders.

[DrBillo]

Obama should sit down and talk to people like this author to begin his term in office in an organized and meaningful way--these suggestions are excellent and putting the best,regardless of party in the cabinet is a sound beginning!!

[WAWTU31]

at some point the media has to be looked at and the role they serve or do not serve in getting out information to the public the old model is dead and the new model, one of right and left media, is not serving our national interest at all.

[LeonBNJ]

I believe during the primary, Sen. Obama spoke of as a priority in his first 100 days to review and as appropiate, reverse some of the 'national security' policies of Bush as well as some of the 'signing statements' and ending any use of torture per the Geneva Convention and related issues.
He will have a plate overflowing like at Thanksgiving when he takes office as the article notes. I do believe he can and will handle it well and end the worst nightmares of the GWB era.

[Seamus]

This is the best article and posts I've read in a long time. Thanks.

[jeffrey678]

Reinstate the fairness doctrine first or all else is lost. Diversify the media outlets.

[Trevdee]

You're right that it will take bold action to reverse the poor excuse for leadership we have had for close to 8 yrs now. I wonder, however, inasmuch as Americans are crying out for, and otherwise yearning for change, if they'll be really willing and able to face the change that will come after 1/20/09. It's a given that a lot of these campaign promises will not be fulfilled immediately and they should be seen for what they are - just words. To turn this economy around will take money and patience. Reforming multilateral organizations such as the IMF, World Bank and just the entire Bretton Woods financial system has to be undertaken. The US might be the world's largest economy but our hold on this honor is tenuous as it's just a matter of time before China surpasses us. Looking back at how FDR and the Congress of the day handled the Great Depression should be mandatory reading for both presidential aspirants as well as today's Congress. They could learn a thing or two.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Fine post, Derek. If I know Obama as well as I believe I do, he has already assembled the fundamentals of your 100-day-al­phabet-sou­p. However, I would stress the following three points which will make all of this possible: I believe Obama will take bold and considered strokes in staffing and policy administration; you have only look as his 20-month campaign to know that this is a person who knows how to steer a 50-state-s­hip-of-sta­te; the crises we now face will make sharp turns in this roiling seal all the easier. Second, let's not leave everything in Obama's capable hands. He has built a 50-state movement that must continue to support his efforts beyond the election. One of my fears is that the liberal-pr­ogressive-­lefties are so invested in doctrine and orthodoxy that we will shoot ourselves in the foot and undermine Obama's "unorthodox" efforts; what we need to know is that Obama is a progressiv­e-pragmati­st who is not tied to ideology----that is his greatest strength! Third and finally, the "Big Bang" you so aptly describe must begin on November 4; Obama must not only win, he must win commandingly with a clear mandate from "all people of good will". That will signal the beginning of the first bloodless American revolution of the 21st century.

VOTE, GET OTHERS TO THE POLLS TO VOTE AND FIGHT VOTER SUPPRESSION

Obama/Biden
08/12...it­'ll take that long!