Madam, – The expectations surrounding the accession, later this month, of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States are just a little bit worrying. A significant proportion of the global financial industry is relying on him for a solution to the recession. We’re hearing a lot about what he’s going to do about both Iran and Iraq and there seems to be a perception that if he were to break his self-imposed silence regarding the Gaza Strip, that too might be resolved.
Now we have Kathy Sinnott MEP telling The Irish Times (January 7th) that, having checked with people in the US, the “feeling seems to be that the situation [regarding possible new US legislation on abortion] will be defused by President Obama”.
All in all it might appear that Mr Obama is being cast in the role of saviour of the world. Quite a big ask, as they say. The concern is that any shortfall in fulfilling these elevated hopes might have a prejudicial effect on what has the hallmark of quite a competent presidency. – Yours, etc,