My 90-year-old landlord is convinced I should write my dissertation about Donald Trump, instead of Barack Obama. He says it would be “more interesting”. Fair enough.
Instead I’m “stuck” with Obama’s Middle Eastern policy. How he tried to extend his slogan of “Change” into that troubled region by promoting a “New Beginning”.
I marvel at questions like these:
Why was there a new beginning needed?
How did the ‘new’ look like in the eyes of the charismatic 44th President of the United States?
And what on earth did he refer to as ‘old’? Bush? Clinton? Cold War diplomacy? The New Deal? Slavery?
Then it struck me, sipping my tea at the window and watching my landlord bring the trash bins to the street.
Trump is essentially doing the same thing!
Let that sink in.
The beloved champion of the free world that seduced Europe in his 2008 speech at the Brandenburg Gate.
And then what many on this side of the Atlantic consider an erratic Twitter lunatic on the who starts fires everywhere, and whose ego might as-well bring the end of humanity as we know it.
They are doing the same thing.
Making an un-great America great again or changing America for the better. Where is the difference? For Trump, the past is bad, of course. And for Obama? If everything was alright, there would be no need for change.
Two Presidents. Is this a pattern? Let’s have a look at some past slogans:
John Kerry (2004): Let America be America Again
George W. Bush (2000): Reformer With Results
Walter Mondale (1984) America Needs a Change
Jimmy Carter (1976) A Leader, For a Change
Gerald Ford (1976): He’s Making us Proud Again
Warren G. Harding (1920): Return to Normalcy
James Blaine (1884): Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha
Alright the last one is an honorary mention, though it seems like politics were more fun back in the 19th century.
(Have a look: https://www.presidentsusa.net/campaignslogans.html)
The others all promote change in one way or the other. Promising their voters a departure from the current status quo, which of course is undesirable, seemed to be a common thing.
Just like Trump.
Just like Obama.
“Trump and Obama are doing essentially the same thing.”
Like pretty much every other politician. They rarely promote the status quo.
Or would you vote for “Same old thing with Nils”?
No.
Change sells.
The present is never perfect, and future promises are easily made.
Politicians get votes and voters are inevitably disappointed.
But it wins elections.
Just like Trump.
Just like Obama.
The devil, of course, lies in the details.
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