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Photo courtesy of The Nation

Okay, let’s take a closer look at President Barack Obama’s first year in office.  Realizing that every possible medium is doing the same thing one year after the historic inauguration, I plan on taking a different approach here.  After this turbulent year in politics, who do we have in the oval office?  Is President Obama the change we all expected?  Was he the transformative agent the masses made him out to be?  To put it simply, yes and no.

Barack’s Finest hours:

Declassifying memos from President Bush’s legal counsel, that exposed torture techniques the CIA was engaged in.  Look, you can crap on the move all you want, but if you’re an incoming president, determined to transform the atmosphere in Washington from the previous administration–Then this is an important move.  Trying to instill a sense of openness and transparency in government, will go a long way in restoring trust on the part of the people. It was bold, controversial, and correct in my opinion.

His Oslo acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize;  His speech in Cairo. They were fine moments, because they injected heft back into our foreign policy, and they rejected the theme of all-out war with the Islamic world.  That distinction is vitally important.   Having military gravitas with direction is a necessary substitute for an aimless foreign policy.  The president’s speeches re-affirmed our position in fighting a war against rogue states and terrorists bent on our destruction– while seeking to remain grounded to the ideas of pragmatism and relationship building– with those who’d be best served as our allies.

Health Care, Health Care, Health Care. Even those who don’t agree can see that this was a bold, potentially defining (one way or the other) initiative.  I think most of the blow back has occurred because of the amount of time this issue has sapped from other issues.  And in a tough economy, health care reform was always going to be a tough sell.  But it was the right sell, and the right time to sell it, despite the obstacles.  The ideas in the bills on the hill will initiate greater change than we’ve ever seen in this country’s history.  Keep in mind health care reform has been contemplated for over 100 years.  It is, potentially,the greatest piece of legislation this country has ever seen– and it is closer to coming to fruition than ever before.  Kudos President Obama.

Sonia Sotomayor:  It was indeed a year of change.  Nominating the first Hispanic to the nation’s highest court deserves a finest hour nod.  Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation was not without its share of controversy, but the pick was the right one, and it will resonate with Latino-Americans– and all Americans– for years to come.

Coming Friday:  Barack Obama’s low points

George W. Bush:  Defense Secretary Robert Gates

Barack Obama:     Defense Secretary Robert Gates

George W. Bush:  Federal Reserve Chair Benard Bernake

Barack Obama:    Federal Reserve Chair  Bernard Bernake

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