Connie Lawn: Anniversaries and Mandates

This is the first year anniversary of the election of Barack Obama. It is not the happiest of times, but he has had a good year. He and his family bought a dynamic, glamorous, multi racial aspect to the White House. They appear to be enjoying the experience, despite some setbacks and many challenges. The symbols of the year may well be the exciting Inauguration last January, and the awarding of the Noble Peace Prize, which the President accepts in December.

There are always setbacks, but this President stays on an even keel, and keeps most events in perspective. Some of the setbacks occurred in the elections Tuesday. The Democratic candidates for Governor lost in the states of New Jersey and Virginia. President Obama had campaigned for them, and the candidates or their supporters poured millions of dollars into the races. Some critics of the President say this shows he really has no mandate, and his coat tails are short. But, other experts point out, the President inherited a massive debt, recession, wars, and other crises from the Bush Administration. He could not possibly turn it around in one year. Besides, all the election news was not bad. A Democratic candidate defeated a Conservative in New York State, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg was elected to a third term in New York City (although he was reported to have spent 100 million dollars of his own money to win in a close election!).

There are other anniversaries at this time. Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall was torn down, and the Iron Curtin imploded. The events were marked here with a visit to the White House by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. That was followed by her historic speech to the Joint Session of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. She said all the right things in the speech about the main topics in the world. The full extent of European – American cooperation has yet to be determined.

This week also marked the 30th anniversary of the take over of the American Embassy in Iran. American diplomats were held prisoner for 444 days. Thousands of Iranians marked the date by burning flags, and shouting for the destruction of the United States and Israel. But, hundreds of other brave Iranians are suffering in prisons, because of their opposition to the ruling Government. Some have been tortured and killed. President Obama marked the anniversary with a tough statement on Iranian – American relations. And, in her speech, Chancellor Merkel said a nuclear powered Iran is a threat to the entire world.

President Obama takes his victories and setbacks with him, in his upcoming trip to Asia, where he meets with leaders from the Asia and Pacific region. In his many travels, he shows the world is actually smaller and more interdependent than it once was. Like it or not, we are all in this together. Happy Anniversary, Mr. President! -- Connie Lawn

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

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