A Different View

Later today, President Obama is scheduled to appear on the daytime television show "The View" in the midst of some scrutiny from the left. Several politicos including Pat Buchanan and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell have argued that a sitting president appearing on a morning talk show like The View lowers the status of the office.


Despite these squabbles, I feel it would be beneficial for the president to appear in a new medium, in this 24-hour incessant news cycle, it has been increasingly difficult for the White House portray messages without it being diluted by chatter. Appearing on The View gives the president an opportunity to voice his concerns directly to the people, and a new audience at that. Last year, The View averaged around 4 million women viewers aged between 18-49, outreach like this to new audiences may prove critical for the White House to control its message, and also remind Americans of why they granted Obama with that office in the first place with the show's more casual tone that the president thrives in.

Harlem Week Opening At Gracie Mansion

Yesterday, I went to the celebration for the opening of "Harlem Week" at Gracie Mansion. I was invited with only a few hours notice and was reluctant to go because I was unfamiliar with event. However, I swallowed my nerves because I knew it would be a good experience for me. I put on my suit and tie and drove to the event, as I was nearing the mansion my mother noticed Senator Bill Perkins walking to the event, my mother and the Senator are acquaintances and she quickly prompted me to get out of the car and introduced me to him the timing was great! After some small talk he offered to take me in with him which would avoid some of the security hassles due to his senatorial status. I quickly passed through the airport-like security, agreed to take a picture with the senator later, and parted ways with him as he had to conduct some business.

Major Bloomberg

 I was all alone at this point, experiencing something completely new to me. I was used to being in the company of other teenagers at parties, not those in the upper echelons of New York politics. Regardless, I kept my wits and was able to navigate this new environment. On the stage I saw both the Mayor and the Governor about to give speeches, I decided that I was going to meet them before they left. Instead of standing as close as I could to the podium, I positioned myself to the side of the stage where I knew they would exit and waited. Both the Mayor and Governor had powerful voices that commanded attention; perhaps it was the fact that I was standing right next to the speaker but nonetheless I found it was very different from watching political speeches on television. When the mayor was finished he left the stage exactly where I thought he would and was heading right toward me with a band of secret service agents. When he finally reached me I introduced myse- SOMEONE INTERRUPTED ME! I had to awkwardly shake the mayor's hand again and re-introduce myself as a student blogger who was interested in getting more involved in politics. He understandably seemed slightly agitated because he was in hurry somewhere but agreed to take a quick picture before he left. 

Governor Paterson

 I did the same with Governor Paterson; the Governor seemed to be less in a hurry and stopped to give me some words of encouragement in what I was doing. Afterward, I spoke with Assemblyman Keith Wright who I met in 2004 when I was 10 years old; we were at a fundraiser for John Ruiz who ran for a district leader position. I showed him a picture of the moment (Congressman Charles Rangel was also in the picture) and he seemed impressed that I remembered him and introduced me to his son. He gave me his card and I plan to call his office later this week.

Senator Perkins

When I finished my runs I noticed Senator Perkins was near the exit. I was impressed that he brought up taking a picture. I decided to leave with him. As we were leaving he gave me his card and we parted ways. I was glad I decided to go; the experience has given me added confidence in dealing with famous people. I know that in order to grow, you must first step out of your comfort zone.

Obama's Weekly Address

Obama's Opportunity

On March 4th, 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the presidency with a bold plan to face the Great Depression not with cowardice, but with fierce aggression. At the time, the country was at its lowest point. A psychological depression was every bit as prevalent as an economic one, the feeling that life was only bound to get worse was widespread. In his first inauguration speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt framed his entire presidency with the phrase “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. This declaration spurred a new confidence in the American people and a new awareness that no problem is insurmountable. The New Deal, FDR’s series of initiatives to breathe new life into the economy was his answer to the crisis. For eight years, economic conditions had peaks and valleys as the government desperately tried to invigorate the market, but for all of its bona fide efforts it was unable to tow the country out of the slump.

However, on December 7, 1941 the national situation changed as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States was thrust into war. The country, previously opposed to any involvement in the ongoing world war suddenly had a very real, tangible enemy. In response, war was declared and FDR used existing industries to provide the tools necessary to fight. This was when the depression ended; everyone who wanted a job could acquire one in a factory. The Japanese attack provided the United States with a tangible enemy, a goal, a reason and the motivation to act, a feeling that was lacking throughout the depression. It was only when this happened that the United States finally emerged from melancholy. The tragic legacy of Pearl Harbor is one of unnecessary loss of innocent life, but it is also one of the reasons for the United States emerging from the depression, winning the war, and becoming a global superpower.

President Obama has a similar opportunity to not only revitalize the economy, but once again place the United States firmly ahead of its competitors. So far, the Obama Administration has responded akin to the Roosevelt Administration in its approach to solve the economic crisis: providing capital to stimulate the economy. While this strategy may improve the economic conditions slightly, it doesn’t have the same clear benefits as when there is a strong sense of urgency like after Pearl Harbor. Obama’s opportunity to strengthen the country comes from oil: oil is the enemy. If the President can better frame oil as a threat to the environment, and our national security, while at the same time offering clear alternatives to invest in, this will place the United States at the helm of a 21st Century global market. The current "Gulf Oil Spill" is a keen example of the destructiveness of oil on the environment and should be referenced in the argument for green energy. If the United States is able to reduce its usage of oil, the rest of the world will slowly, but ultimately follow. If the United States continues to purchase less and less oil, it wouldn’t be valued as much. In sequence, if the country invests strongly in green industries, it will have a new bargaining chip that few countries have and will put the United States in a position to not only get out of the current economic crisis, but become the global merchant of green energy.

Update:

In the weekly presidential address on July 3 (broadcast two days after this article was posted) President Obama discusses exactly what I was suggesting.