Let’s hope the real Obama stands up

‘Neck and neck,’ ‘too close to call’ said the pollsters. I did not realise just how wrong they were when I decided, admittedly in somewhat of a cowardly fashion, not to glue myself to the box for the first time in decades, as election results were being called. A Romney White House was simply too dreadful to contemplate.

Romney came across as a Mr Nice Guy; perfect smile, perfect wife and kids, almost perfect career credentials. He gave years of service to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and counselled his community. He portrayed himself as successful in business, as saving the 2002 Winter Olympics and claimed a respectable approval rating as Governor of Massachusetts—albeit acutally one term with approval ratings in the basement . With such an impeccable façade how could he fail? If it weren’t for the pesky press he might not have.

There were questions about his ability to pay such a low tax rate, his acquisition of companies resulting in the laying-off of employees and his flip-flopping on Roe vs Wade. Worse, he was caught on video revealing his disdain for 47 percent of the people, a recording that also showed him to be double-faced vis-a-vis a future Palestinian state. His private view that such an entity was a lost cause contradicted his public statements.

A visit to Israel showcased either his profound ignorance or ingrained bigotry when he blamed Palestinian “culture” for the West Bank’s struggling economy, without mentioning the word “occupation.” A CNN profile of Romney showed interviews with people who once worked closely with him—at least two characterised him as a judgmental person who believes people of a lesser calibre do not deserve opinions. Romney has no patience for ‘the other.’ Put simply, he is an uncompassionate snob with whom the majority of Americans could not identify. His party, that has been hijacked by right-wing ideologues and Tea Party crazies, let him down, too.

Credit should be given where it is due! Mitt the Twit bowed out gracefully unlike Bush’s former advisor Karl Rove while commentating on Fox News was apoplectic, accusing his own network of jumping the gun by calling for Obama. Rove and his cronies had invested almost $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) into Romney’s campaign, so no wonder his eyes bulged. Likewise, Barack Obama’s nemesis, Donald Trump, has been tearing out his lovely thatch on Twitter almost calling for a revolution with tweets like “Let’s fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice. The world is laughing at us.” Rock musician Ted Nugent tweeted “Good luck America u just voted for economic and spiritual suicide. Soulless fools . . . What subhuman varmint believes others must pay for their obesity, cell phones, birth control, abortions and lives.”

The news of Obama’s victory brought relief to the people of the Middle East with few exceptions. Benjamin Netanyahu must be crying into his gefilte fish for backing the wrong horse. He has alienated almost 70 percent of American Jewry who voted for the incumbent and insults directed at Obama may elicit repercussions. A column by Yossi Sarid published in Haaretz was headlined: ‘So sorry President Obama, please forgive Netanyahu,’ speaks volumes.

However, ‘Not Romney’ celebrations aren’t good enough for the people of this region. Some pundits predict that we will see a new Obama, freed from re-election shackles. Others believe he is naturally averse to rocking the boat. Keeping Congress and the pro-Israel lobby sweet may have restrained Obama, forcing him to renege on a host of pre-first term promises. But now that he has no excuses, the world will witness his true metal.

In 2009, Obama promised a new beginning in relations between the US and the Muslim world. That did not manifest. He did keep his word on Iraq by withdrawing combat troops and he is on track with his commitment to pull US troops from Afghanistan in 2014. His most glaring failure is the abandonment of his pledge to personally work towards a two-state solution. Will you put this issue on the front-burner now, Mr President?

Also in Cairo, he made clear his intention of opening a new page with Iran and to hold discussions without preconditions. That too was shelved. Relations between Tehran and Washington have rarely been this tense; they have become volatile, following the Iranian military’s recent attempt to destroy a US drone flying over the Gulf. It seems that Obama is poised to lock horns with Congress, out to pass yet more anti-Iranian sanctions and Netanyahu, who is champing at the bit for war. Obama is ready to launch direct, fast-track talks with Tehran in the next month.

One of Obama’s early first-term pledges was to close Guantanamo within a year, citing its existence as a terrorist recruiting tool. On this he backed down in the face of political opposition and logistical difficulties. Only when Guantanamo’s gates clang shut can the US salvage its reputation on human rights so scarred by Bush.

Before anyone in this region offers Obama heartfelt cheers, he has much work to do. Will we see a new Obama or more of the same? At this point, that’s anyone’s guess.

Linda S. Heard is a British specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She welcomes feedback and can be contacted by email at heardonthegrapevines@yahoo.co.uk.