Current History: Obama’s First Year, A Critique by Brookings Institution Expert, Opens NAM Lecture Series

Kyle Hence, Ann Conner & Darrell West

In his fifth appearance at the Newport Art Museum Winter Lecture Series, Darrell West, author and Vice President & Director of Governance Studies for the Brookings Institution, held an overflow audience spellbound with an informed assessment of Barack Obama’s “eventful” first year in office, and his astute projections of political situations that will engage Washington, D.C. and America in the near future.

Formerly John Hayes White Professor at Brown University and an author, Dr. West assumed the position at Brookings last year. The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit, public policy think tank that conducts research

WJAR-TV Cameraman filming

and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and global economy and development.

Armed with sensitive inside information, as well as access to huge amounts of data, Dr. West exhibited his agility and ability to correlate facts and political trends to project fascinating future scenarios.

The speaker was introduced by Judy Hamilton, who explained the soup can sitting on the lectern as an “Art for Soup” donation request, then introduced Richard Hunt, Chair of the Winter Lecture Series Committee, who invoked the “needs no introduction” in welcoming Dr. West.

“The President has had many successes and failures since taking office,” Dr. West opened, noting that there had been some slippage in both confidence

NAM's Judy Hamilton

and popularity of the President, with unemployment now at 10%, and general negative feelings about the economy.

“All Presidents’ approval ratings drop in a recession,” he noted.

On the health care reform bill, he noted that only 5% of Americans would be helped immediately, and the other 95% not until 2012. “A front-load payment with a back-load benefit is a tough sell,” he added.

Commenting on the upcoming midterm elections, Dr. West said, “it’s a 20-ton election, with five Senators and twenty-five Congressmen standing. It’ll determine party control.”

About the wars being waged in Iraq and Afghanistan: “There will be a first review in December of 2010. By 2011, the President and his advisers will assess the operation’s success or failure, and say, ' OK, shall we stay or withdraw?'”

Chuck Berlinghof with Darrell West

About Lincoln Chafee’s chances at becoming Rhode Island’s governor, West commented: “ he stands a chance in an unpredictable election. There are two complications for him: fund raising (it’s harder as an independent), and tax problems in Rhode Island. The next governor needs to get 35-40% of the independents’ vote.”

In an interview with Newport Seen, Dr. West said that President Obama had recently addressed officers at the Brookings Institution privately, laying out his agenda for the future. “The President is concentrating on health care reform – he would like to have the bill passed before the State of the Union address - the economy and job creation, and environmental and green initiatives.”

In the interesting post-lecture question-and-answer period, Dr. West was asked:

Hugh D. (Yusha) Auchincloss

Q. “Do you think race relations have improved since President Obama took office?”
West: “I hope so.”

Q: “Will we ever have governance in the U.S. that works together?”
West: “Yes, but maybe not in our lifetime. The mood now is shrill, and
partisan.”

Q: “What about Joe Leiberman of Connecticut?”
West: “Prophecy tends to lead to things happening to the prophet. Leiberman (now an Independent) may become a Republican.”

Q. “Who will be the Republican Party candidate for President in 2012?”
West. “I honestly don’t know. Republicans should look toward the governors—Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Mitch Daniels of Indiana. Governors have to be pragmatic.”

Richard Hunt with Dr. West

In closing, he said that Obama, like Ronald Reagan, is personally popular, but people don’t necessarily like his policies. “They wonder if Superman is becoming Clark Kent.”

At the post leture reception, attendees eagerly sought out Dr. West with their specific questions.

Dr. West told Newport Seen that on his first lecture at NAM, “I was caught in a blizzard, and couldn’t get out of town.” The next time, “ I got a speeding ticket in Portsmouth.” This year, Dr. West only had to contend with shockingly cold weather.

The donors who make the Winter Lecture Series possible are Ronald Lee Fleming, Bob and Cynthia Sinclair, the Hope Foundation, Felicia Fund, Inc, and Anita and George Furbish.