Issue date: 2/3/09 Section: News

With the presidential inauguration complete, there are expectations of President Barack Obama from both professors and students.

John Hamilton, an associate justice on the Student Supreme Court, said when it comes to change, one does not know how well something is going to turn out until something materializes.

"There are no guarantees," said the public administration graduate student. "Sometimes, very good ideas have other manifested affects."

Hamilton said the problem with expectations is that Obama has inherited an awful economic situation.

"Some say this is the worst recession since the Great Depression," he said. "(Obama is) trying to do something different. You just have to wait and adjust and be flexible because no one can sit down and figure out things in one shot."

Andrew McNitt, a political science professor, said there will be attempts by the Obama administration to pass major pieces of legislation.

"In the next year the most controversial legislations will be passed," he said.

McNitt said legislative proposals, such as the regulation of banks, would probably be developed over the next several months.

"I think there will be some effort to help banks, homeowners on their mortgage and finding out something to do with the assets the banks have that may have no value," he said.

McNitt said other propositions Obama will focus on are energy and healthcare.

"He will also work on healthcare but this will be after the stimulus package passes," he said.

The stimulus package, referred to as the recovery package by Obama involves government spending and tax measures associated with gaining back economic growth.

As the power has shifted in Congress, some people are wondering how Obama will build bridges between the Democrats and Republicans when it comes to issues such as the stimulus package.

McNitt said the goal is to get the stimulus package passed through Congress by President's Day.

"I think he will get that stimulus package," he said. "It will be closer to his views of policy. It will not get a lot of Republican support but he doesn't need a lot. Only one or two in the Senate would do."

McNitt said the reason for speed for the stimulus project is to gain economic growth.

"Right now the stimulus package is the important tool they have to generate economic growth," he said.

Richard Wandling, chair of the political science department said when it comes to the stimulus package republicans have drawn a line in the sand.

"They have reciprocated at this point," he said. "It's a challenge for him. He had emphasized the concept of bipartisanship, so we will see what his leadership orientation is going to be."

Wandling said some people say Republicans should not cooperate with Democrats in Congress.

"Then there are some liberals who say Obama should not worry about cross-pressures," he said. "He is caught in the middle. The challenge ahead is to move ahead and bring together both groups to take on a declining economy with a united front."

Hamilton said he is optimistic about what the future holds when it comes to the changes being made in Congress.

"Hope is the best you can ask for," he said. "We are in a critical point in history where we have a lot of problems.


Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or jmleggin@eiu.edu.

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