By Amy Flis

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Culminating in his inaugural address on Jan. 20, President Barack Obama moved the nation to have the highest voter turnout in decades and the American people to raise their expectations for their government. Unfortunately, the hope Obama brought to Washington D.C. has not yet proved as revolutionary as anticipated. The high expectations he inspired have finally been met by the reality of the political system.

The controversy surrounding Tom Daschle’s nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary is a first example. Obama made several symbolic gestures to the American public that promised a clean administration, free from special interests and questionable balance sheets. Then a few weeks into his presidency, it was discovered he gave us just that—a lobbyist and tax evader. Although Daschle was technically never a registered lobbyist and later paid the owed tax money, the various excuses he gave for the situation did little to restore his status as the ethical politician Obama endorsed. 

The economic stimulus plan also proved somewhat disappointing. After almost a month of debate in Congress, the resulting bill is filled with compromise to the point of weary resignation where no one is happy. Despite Obama’s encouragement to take swift action, Congress dragged its feet and made too many compromises. The bill, once over $800 billion, dropped to $787 billion according to CNN.com. Along with the extensive congressional negotiations came the constant complaints from both sides citing reasons why the bill would not have as great an impact as it could. Unfortunately, there was nothing Obama could do to bring the legislation back to what he intended. 

One accomplishment you cannot deny Obama is that he inspired many young people, myself included, to become more personally invested in politics. However, in doing this, I have come to find that, like a flashy magic trick, it is not as magical once you see the mechanics behind it. 

Only time will tell what impact the passage of this stimulus package will have. However, it does demonstrate that the charismatic leader elected last November is no longer a pristine, all-powerful symbol of hope. His powers are limited as is his capacity to make the changes he promised. 

I still believe in Obama. It will take more than these mistakes to lose me as a supporter, but the events have brought back the reality of his power. Despite his efforts, it appears Obama does not have the power to transcend the political system. He is just a politician, one who will work hard for the nation, but who cannot do it all and cannot bring about a landmark change in the American political system. At least not yet.