A stimulus plan that has worked — 3.7 million new jobs in less than two years and an economy that is picking up are no small achievements. Moreover, he has to his credit bringing to an end two undesired wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and pulling back the US troops in all humility. Similarly, the way the incumbent went ahead to acknowledge the rightful place of the emerging economies from Brazil to India, and put Asia Pacific and Eurozone regions in an assertive position in foreign affairs is genuine leadership. Last but not the least has been Obama’s sense of accommodation for the Muslim world from his sermon at the Cairo University to abandoning Hosni Mubarak as the mass inTahrir pitched an open-ended tough choice for Washington.
New strategic realignment with Russia and the intention to share dependence with China is making the United States a more powerful entity than a spent force, as analysts had come to assume in the twilight of George Bush’s presidency.
The GOP has to do some serious soul-searching as it sails towards the November duel. The hype that the Republican candidates had created in their endeavour to strike at the psychological chord with the silent majority hasn’t really helped them. The mantra to bomb Iran and marginalise the Muslim community is suicidal, to say the least.
The path of triumphalism and jingoism through military adventures is a deed of the past, and Washington cannot afford to charter that territory anymore. Be it Mitt Romney or anybody else, the GOP has to present a manifesto and personality that is strong, adaptive and real in essence. Obama on his part with his soaring popularity has made a mark. The Republicans have to compete and not merely contest the claim.
Khaleej Times