Political Science

The election of U.S. President Barrack Obama came at a critical time in the history of the United States. The Democrat replaced a Republican thick in the midst of the worst economic crises to have rocked the country since the Great Depression of the 1930s. And while the country wobbled under the weight of the economic disaster, millions of U.S dollars were still being spent on the Global War on Terror which former President George Bush had launched in response to the terrorist attacks of September 2001. It is in the thick of these major events that the 2008 General Elections were held, bringing to power the first African-American US president.

It would be true to observe that the two events contributed to Obamas victory. Polls results showed that the former president had lost most of the popularity he enjoyed in his first term, even some members of his Republican party (MSNBC Newport). Obama thus inherited an economy which had either hit the rock bottom, or was very near there, precipitating popular support for change of leadership. Predictably, Democrats won more seats and currently form the majority in the Congress. It can this be expected that Obama will find the support he so critically needs to implement his agenda. The numerical advantage in the House will, in the meantime, earn him support for the agenda. However, this support may wane if there arises infighting among the Democrat law-makers, and Obama makes good his threat of banning pet projects or earmarks introduced by the members (CNN). A divided Democratic Party would make it difficult for the president to push ahead with his agenda.
His immediate predecessor, George W. Bush had been accused of employing expansive assertions of the inherent powers of the presidency, often earning himself and his policies spirited opposition from the lawmakers (Mann Rosen). While his party had more seats in the legislature, President Bush still used his executive powers more to propel his agenda, particularly in relation to the support and addition of troops deployed to the Middle East for the War on Terror.