Obama's triumphs are also his weaknesses: Health care, stimulus, financial reform

Obama's decision to press ahead on a major health-care reform package instead of an easier, pared-down version – against the advice of some of his closest aides – created at least the appearance that he was less engaged on the economy. Health care took until March 2010 to finish, well beyond Obama's original summer 2009 deadline, and while some elements are popular, uncertainty over how the whole package will play out in practice leaves a majority of the public uneasy.

"Politically, the trouble with the focus on health-care reform is it's unpopular," says Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. "It may well have positive long-term effects, but those effects won't become apparent for a long time. Meantime, the Democrats have a midterm to contend with."

Another question is whether Obama could have been doing more on the economy. Mr. Pitney suggests the big stimulus package could have been more heavily oriented toward infrastructure. "Even though there was a lot in the stimulus bill, there are still a lot of unmet needs, as anyone who's driven on a highway can attest," he says. "And the political advantage of that is that it would have been extremely visible."

Going forward, the door to more stimulus spending is only barely open. Before the July 4 recess, most Senate Republicans (and one Democrat) successfully blocked the latest extension of unemployment benefits, citing mounting deficits and debt. After a successor to the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D) of West Virginia is named, the legislation is expected to pass.

But with less than four months until the Nov. 2 midterms, there's virtually nothing Obama can do about the economy that will affect his party's prospects. After November, the legislative ball game could change, with reduced Democratic clout. Obama may well have to go back to the drawing board on his big agenda.

Related:

• House passes financial reform, but a Senate hurdle awaits
• Troubling reason for drop in unemployment rate: People exiting work force
• Can Obama, Biden give a boost to Democratic candidates?

IN PICTURES: Inside President Obama's White House

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