News Release
Heard on campus – a new tone in D.C.
May 6, 2009
An assessment of Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office recently on the Penn State Harrisburg campus solidified one point of change in Washington – a new tone of governing is evident.
A panel of three Penn State Harrisburg political experts and a former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor mulled the impacts of the opening months of the new President’s administration in a public discussion April 22 which featured a focus on that change in tone.
Moderated by Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Carol Nechemias, the panel discussion, broadcast throughout the Commonwealth by the Pennsylvania Cable Network, featured former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel, Professor of Public Administration and Public Policy Jeremy Plant, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Political Science Michael Kenney, and Professor Emeritus of Public Policy Robert Bresler.
Kenney offered examples of the new tone with a list of actions taken by the Obama administration: a focus on a stable Iraq and less on democracy; signals that the administration is willing to negotiate with Iran; a willingness to concede the U.S. role in the Mexican drug trade and illicit guns; and the possibility of improving relations with Cuba.
Bresler, however, prefers to take a wait-and-see attitude on progress and Singel believes the tone and the President’s determination have resulted in early successes. He cited equal pay for women, the economic stimulus package, the facing down of the Somali pirates, and a recent world tour as Obama’s “temerity to step up to the plate.”
All the panelists agreed that strength is the key in dealing with both adversaries and allies. But they differ in what type of strength. Kenney says a “systematic attempt to create a new tone with soft power and diplomacy” is the way to go, while Bresler believes Obama must gather strength – economic and militarily – before negotiating with adversaries.
Plant added that the “moral power” of America must be restored pointing to three needs: the restoration of the institutions such as financial and manufacturing which have been severely damaged; a move toward a multi-power world in which the U.S. is not the sole leader; and the restoration of trust and dignity in government.”
In conclusion, the panelists agreed that time will tell if Obama is successful, but that he will govern with – or without – the GOP.