A year later, ‘Maybe, we can’

A year ago, President Barack Obama's victory rocked the university as thousands of young voters shouted, "Yes, we did." Emotions ran high. Crowds spilled into the streets. The rioting continued into the night, contagious energy spreading faster than you can say "Obamania."

But in the wake of the annual State of the Union address, many students have become disenchanted with the man who promised change but has failed to deliver, while others remain optimistic and urge nay-sayers to be patient.

"Obama did all of his talking about change this, change that, and I really thought he'd do a good job picking up America when we were down, but obviously he hasn't really done that," said senior biology major Lauren Kiser, voted for Obama in 2008.

A Washington Post/ABC News poll released last week showed Obama's popularity eroding, with 53 percent of Americans reporting they approve of his job so far, compared with 68 percent who answered similarly about a year ago. Students' opinions seem to mirror that trend, raising concerns that he won't be able to fulfill promises without strong support from groups that carried him into office.

Students cited the economy, health care and the environment as important areas where the president has fallen short of expectations.

"He had promised several major bills and hasn't gotten any major passages," junior economics major Scott Neglia said. "It looked like he was overwhelmed and unprepared."

While many students point fingers at Obama himself, others said he isn't the only one at fault. Inheriting a recession, pushing a highly ambitious agenda and dealing with partisan bickering have all contributed to the lackluster results, students said.

"He isn't to blame for a lot of the issues," history graduate student Eleanor Saxton said. "I think Congress is more to blame than people realize, particularly for health care."

"I think he's getting awfully harsh criticism considering how the economy was," senior accounting major Adam Isaacson added. "Give him time to see how his plan works before we just bash him."

Yet others say Obama should be held accountable for shortcomings in his own proposals.

"He let the health care debate get hijacked by [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi (D-Calif.) and others," sophomore government and politics major Ashley Morse said. "Obama has not been able to smoothly transition from ‘running for office' to ‘running the office.'"

Also on Obama's to-do list are several initiatives aimed at making higher education more accessible, including increasing the number of Pell Grants awarded to low-income students and doling out tax credits to families with children in college. He has proposed an increase in federal education spending by 6 percent and making it easier for some graduates to repay their college loans.

"Change has not come fast enough," Obama told the nation Wednesday night, but many students say they'll keep waiting. Sophomore finance major Sonum Suri commended Obama for taking strides toward improving higher education affordability and noted it would just take some time.

"I voted for him. I still support him ... He's heading in the right direction so people just have to be patient," sophomore sociology major Dana Abramson said.

Students said they also appreciate Obama's can-do attitude and the positive image he portrays at home and overseas.

"I feel like he's given a different perspective to the country and a different image abroad," senior government and politics and French and Italian major Jorge Bazan said. "He gives the world a new face for America."

With that role comes responsibility to deliver, and Obama has yet to prove himself in that department, students said.

"America definitely has a big influence on the world," Kiser said. "I feel like we really need to step in and be a good role model. I would have liked to see a lot more environmental policy effort come from the administration."

Like many students, junior government and politics major Luke Lindberg has faith in Obama's good intentions, yet is skeptical of his ability to follow through.

Although Obama has made good on some of his campaign rhetoric — like withdrawing troops from Iraq in order to refocus war efforts on Afghanistan — he has struggled with other pledges like closing Guantanamo Bay and revamping health care, Lindberg said.

"I think he actually wants to do what is best for our country. At the same time, I think [during his address] he was kind of pulling on some of the moral heartstrings that politicians often pull on in order to arouse public support," said Lindberg, who voted for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 election. "I think he is never going to be able to fulfill all that he promised."

gulin@umdbk.com