Eight immediate issues facing the new U.S. President
By Todd Eastman
While Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden was on the campaign trail, he was quoted as saying, “Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking.”
Irregardless of who becomes the next President, they will have several immediate challenges to deal with. Here are just eight of them.
1. The Economy. Whether it be through tax cuts, tax increases, or spending freezes, something has to be done to stimulate and stabilize the U.S. economy. The new president has an uphill battle to fight, as current President George Bush isn’t likely to implement any changes suggested by the president-elect unless it will clearly reflect positively on him.
2. Selecting a new cabinet. With the unpopularity of the Bush Administration, it is fairly certain that the entire presidential cabinet will be completely replaced. In fact, expect a pretty thorough house-cleaning effort, top to bottom.
3. With the expected loss of several Republican seats in the House and Senate, the United States will become even more polarized. After contributing to this polarization during the elections, the new President will now have to find a way to reunite the people and bring together the legislature in order to initiate the changes promised during the campaign.
4. The Iraqi war. Whether it be a fight to victory or a rapid pull out, something has to be done to end the Iraqi war as soon as possible. The fiscal cost and the need to redeploy soldiers to Afghanistan will be tugging at the President’s sleeve.
5. The Afghanistan war. The first step in ending this war is the capture or killing of Osama bin Laden, something that has completely eluded the Bush administration.
6. Pakistan. With the shaky nature of the Pakistan government, a nuclear power, it is imperative that the Pakistan government become stabilized. Our ability to participate in this stabilization is being hampered by the ongoing military strikes required along and across the Pakistan border and is leading to more political unrest within the country.
7. Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The prison is a blemish on America’s stature and must be closed, as promised, as soon as possible.
8. Iran. Iran continues to be accused of harboring terrorists, and their nuclear goals must be reigned in.
Just think – on the first day of a new job, most people have to worry about learning names and titles, locating the restrooms and coffee machine, and arranging their desks to suit their tastes.
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November 4th, 2008
“8. Iran. Iran continues to be accused of harboring terrorists, and their nuclear goals must be reigned in” …..says who ? the american government ?. just because your government says so- doesnt mean crap. Apparently changing presidents isnt going to do anything for america’s foreign policy at all, not untill he change the view point of americans in general. “sigh” no matter, its only a matter of time before the EU and china finally tell usa where to stick it.
November 4th, 2008
Please note that I used the word “accused” of harboring terrorists, and I think that most people would agree that Iran becoming a nuclear power would not be in the best interests of the Middle East. The point is that our foreign policy dealing with Iran will be an issue for the next President of the U.S. I don’t presume to know how that issue will be dealt with.
November 4th, 2008
4. The Iraq war has been over for years. We won! Now all left to do is to end the occupation of Iraq responsibly.
5. & 7. The need here is to terminate. We, the Afghans and the uncharged prisoners at Gtmo have withstood Bush’s efforts to make political hay out of fecal matter in both Afghanastan and Gtmo. Assign a platoon of special forces to launch Osama into the hereafter and be done with it. Refer all claims from either to the Republican Party.
November 5th, 2008
ok, so foreign policy regarding iran sounds much better.
“and their nuclear goals must be reigned in” this is the sentence that got you into trouble, Iran remember have stated that their nuclear goals are power, not bombs, wether you believe them is a personal opinion, and shouldnt be stated as fact. as for the terrorists, yes i noted that you used the word accused and personally am very impressed an american hasnt just instantly believed their government.
anyway that was my rant.:)