Offering Hope as a Politician

The surest way to political success is to offer hope to the voters.
Describe a specific situation in which offering hope to the voters might not lead to political success. Discuss what you think determines when offering hope to the voters will lead to political success and when it will not.
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In November 2008, Barack Obama won the presidential race of the United States. He campaigned under the mantra of hope and change for a more positive direction in the United States. Obama successfully rallied the support of sectors of society that do not normally participate in politics---that is, youth and minorities. Even those who normally participate in politics were enthralled by his rhetoric and message for change in a society disillusioned by a seemingly never-ending war in Iraq. While his promise of hope helped him gain political victory, the lack of positive change into the middle of his term has left a majority of the populace disillusioned and looking to other potential presidential candidates in 2012. Indeed, a message of hope may draw in voters but the lack of positive change after a while in office will ruin the politician's chance to win another term.

The President is the most visible leader of the United States. However, the separation of powers ensures that other branches of government, including the legislature and the judiciary, provide a check against executive power. While others share power in running the country, the President is viewed by the citizens as being most responsible for the trajectory of their country. For example, economic shifts are attributed directly to the President, although the ups and downs are determined mostly by other factors not under the control of the administration. Furthermore, the President does not only make key decisions in conjunction with other branches of government---he is responsible for uplifting the people and using his charisma to spread high morale and encourage citizens to be patient during difficult economic and political times. All in all, people look to the President as a role model and father figure of our nation.

President Obama campaigned under a promise of hope and attempted to continue his message while in power. However, in the midst of a sluggish recession, 9.2% unemployment rates, and troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, people have become restless and unconvinced about hanging on to hope. Recent times have shown that citizens can hold onto hope for so long. Hope for change must be accompanied by positive change for people to trust their leader and continue re-electing him. While the economic situation may have been caused in part by decisions made under the previous administration, people expect results after two years of a new president. Unfortunately, the morale of the people has been low, especially since many have lost their jobs and more are afraid of losing their jobs. President Obama is now largely seen as a contributor, if not the cause, of a sluggish economy. While he attempts to fulfill his presidential role as the country's motivator, he slowly loses grip of his chances for re-election as the country fails to see positive results.

Indeed, a message of hope may help propel politicians into office. Obama not only promised changes in the political dynamics of the country by being more open to diplomatic efforts abroad---His unique background as an African-American man raised in Hawaii and Indonesia represented a symbolic change in the nation's trajectory. Youth, ethnic minorities and even members of the status quo rallied with him as a way to view a future of an integrated, more peaceful United States. While the promises of hope helped the term begin with a fresh lens and revived atmosphere, the seemingly lack of results in the mid-term threatens to kill the hope held by the nation and open way to new leadership in 2012.