Question

You have studied the executive branch of government and the wide range of power, as well as the various roles of the head of that branch, the president. Consider the presidency of Barack Obama. In a minimum of two well written-paragraphs, discuss one role or power which you think the President has used well, and another role or power of the presidency, which you think has not been used as well as it could or should be. (Note: Consider yourself an objective historian.) (10 points)

Answer 1

Well used power role:

Obama asked Congress for approval of health reform, a key promise in his campaign and a legislative goal that aims to expand medical coverage to all US citizens. On July 14, 2009, Democrats in the House of Representatives presented a health reform bill and Obama had the expectation that Congress would authorize the plan before the end of the year. One of the components of the health system reform project is the creation of an optional insurance for those who do not have the possibility of accessing private insurance, by means of which it seeks to reduce expenses and improve the quality of public health. On September 9, at the extraordinary session of Congress, he delivered a speech in which he defended his proposal, also denied all the rumors that emerged in summer by the opposition, noting that the project has a cost of approximately 900 000 million of dollars in a period of ten years. On March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives finally approved sanitary reform - with amendments such as the prohibition of using federal funds to fund abortions - by 219 votes in favor and 212 against.

Role of Power that was not well used or could have improved:

On May 11, 2009 Obama replaced General David McKiernan as army top commander in Afghanistan with the former commander of the Special Forces, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, with the conviction that the experience of McChrystal would help bring security to Afghans and facilitate the use of anti-insurgency tactics. However, McChrystal submitted his resignation on June 23, 2010, due to the publication in Rolling Stone magazine of harsh criticism of the general and his team to the Obama Administration, for his management and direction of the war in Afghanistan, replaced by General David Petraeus.