Should a phrase be coined to describe the first year of Barack Obama’s presidency it would perhaps be, “Damned when he did, and damned when he didn’t.” It is doubtful whether the actions and policies of any president in modern American history have been subjected to the barrage of criticism, vilification, and analysis to which President Obama’s has been.

When the president assumed office on January 20, 2009, he was one of the more popular men to assume that lofty position, with an approval rating close to 70 percent. Within a year that rating slipped to just over 50 percent. According to recent polls he has lost the political base that elected him – young liberals, who were mobilized by his populist rhetoric when seeking office, but who now believe he is too caught up in big government, not abiding by the will of the people.

Overwhelmingly, the people’s will is for an improved economy – one that provides jobs and better financial opportunities. But, Obama’s critics have increasingly chastised him for focusing on providing universal healthcare and spending billions to assist the once ailing banking and automobile industries. Others criticize him for losing touch with the people, and being too involved in trying to achieve too many objectives while ‘imprisoned’ in the White House – thus not understanding the challenges of average Americans.

So strong are the criticisms against the president that the surprising victory of a Republican candidate for the late Senate Edward Kennedy’s Massachusetts seat, has been taken as a vote against the president and his policies.

What seems hardly considered in the harsh criticisms against Obama is the fact that he inherited a virtually bankrupt country from his predecessor, President George W. Bush.

President Obama, from the day he was elected, long before assuming office, has been absorbed in finding solutions to the grave national economic problems. These problems have kept him closeted in the White House, consistently deliberating with advisors ways to improve the economy.

Immediately on taking office, he sought and got Congress’ approval for $787 billion to stimulate the economy and provide jobs. He took steps to halt housing foreclosures and provide help to people on the verge of foreclosure. He stabilized U.S. foreign policy and the nation’s posture internationally; he pulled troops out of Iraq, and escalated the war in Afghanistan in an effort to eradicate terrorism and al Qaeda. He also tried to effect climate change, reform and regularize the operation of the nation’s banks, and reform healthcare. All of these initiatives brought criticism of one sort or the other.

Looking at the president’s performance during the first year, what stands out is that he underestimated the complexity of politics in Washington D.C. He took office confident that he could change Washington, make it more bi-partisan. He quickly reached out to Congressional Republicans to get their support on the stimulus funding, but even before he met Republican representatives, they announced that they would not support the stimulus plan.

Every step along the way, Republicans have set out to ensure that the president fails in his endeavors. Infamously, one leading Republican, referring to the president’s primary domestic policy – new healthcare legislation – said that Republicans should not support the legislation as its failure would “break” the president and that it would be his waterloo.

It is hard to understand that in a country where 47 million people have no healthcare insurance coverage, the attempt by its president to provide this coverage has met such strong opposition. But, the healthcare industry consists of very influential corporations, groups and individuals, who make millions from the existing system and have easily influenced lawmakers and a significant percentage of the public not to support the president’s agenda. Obviously, the president underestimated the power of special interest groups in healthcare.

There is still hope

But, President Obama has only accomplished just one year, one in which he has learned much and can now make better decisions. Hopefully, he now understands Washington better, realizing it is he who must lead D.C., and not the other way around. Hopefully, he starts drafting the reforms and new legislation he wants, for Congressional debate, rather than waiting for the easily influenced, divided Congress to draft bills crucial to his administration. Hopefully, he resumes the role of a populist, endearing himself to the people, reacting to their pain and anger as when he was Candidate Obama. Hopefully, he understands the urgency of Americans for a better standard of living, beginning with jobs, and that the real change they need is the ability to pay rent or mortgage, pay bills, shop, pay for the health insurance he wants to offer them and send their children to college. He must strive to be the people’s president, not just the president of the White House.

There is confidence that he will adequately analyze his first year, realizing who and what his assets and liabilities are, and reform his leadership to really provide change to America.