Playlist: Bill Moyers Journal: Expectations of the Obama Adm
Was the inauguration of Barack Obama a progressive moment? In this edition of the Journal, Bill Moyers talks with political columnist and blogger David Sirota and The Wall Street Journal’s Thomas Frank about expectations of the new administration and what must be accomplished for Obama to be considered a progressive President. Then, Moyers sits down with Columbia law professor and Nation columnist Patricia Williams and Princeton University’s Melissa Harris-Lacewell to discuss the significance of the election of Obama and what it means for the future. An essay presenting a post-inaugural reminder of democracy’s shortcomings and the administration’s challenges rounds out the program. Broadcast date: January 23, 2009. (57 minutes)
Bill Moyers points out That Boston Private and Whitney National Bank took bailout money with no intention of using it to help customers. Flushing Financial Corp. and others used their money to buy new companies.
Though Americans are, in a sense, shareholders in the bailout banks, they are powerless to make any decisions about how banks spend their bailout money. Banks received money without any mandates to how to change their behavior.
President Obama's choice for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury was affiliated with the bailout project prior to his selection for office. Is Obama keeping the status quo or will there be "tough" regulations on banks that want bailout funds?
While many people feel Obama had a clear mandate to proceed with his agenda, the President is criticized for reaching out to Republicans rather than charging forward. Will Obama be forced to "water down" his policies?
What does the progressive base that turned out for Obama expect of him? They expect him to fulfill his campaign promises, which he seems to be doing on Iraq issues.
Wall Street may need strong regulators rather than the people who have been part of the problem. Bill Moyers and his guests discuss Hank Paulsen, George Bush's Secretary of the Treasury.
Bill Moyers and his guests discuss the merits of the Obama presidency. Though he has brought in Clinton "retreads" in some positions, he offers hope to America and has encouraged an upsurge of Americans' engagement in politics.
Three days after President Obama's inauguration ceremony, Bill Moyers interviews two guests who had not foreseen his election. They discuss the general state of public euphoria over Obama's election.
"Nation" columnist Patricia Williams talks about the vocabulary of racism that surrounds the Obama election. Within the multi-racial black community, the word "bi-racial" and other color-coded words appear to be inappropriate.
Obama's election changes the self-perception of black Americans, who now feel connected with all Americans. His choice of Michele as his wife and his identity as a black man in America connects Obama with black men and women.
Now that Obama is in the White House, what is needed is the equivalent of Martin Luther King in black communities to press for civil rights, affordable, quality housing, and health disparities, to name a few.
Bill Moyers discusses the principle that every member of a society, even a ruler, must follow the law. The Constitution is binds us as a nation. The rule of law radically transformed during the Bush administration.
As Commander-in-Chief, Obama must renew faith among military leadership that civilian leadership is appropriate. Faith-based analyses flourish around the Obama election. It is a deflection that would be dangerous if passed into policy-making.
The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States gives hope to millions that a "more perfect union" can be forged. one in 100 Americans is jailed or in prison. Inner city education fails the poor and disenfranchised.