To Keep or Not to Keep: Obama and Bush's Policies

An event 19 months in the making, Monday's meeting between outgoing President George W. Bush and President-Elect Barack Obama could have served as further proof that in this period of history, surprises are the new expectations. By contrast, no curve balls were thrown, and we only know what we have been told: That while their respective spouses reportedly chatted in a separate room, the sitting President and his successor "had a broad discussion" described by Press Secretary Dana Perino as "constructive, relaxed, and friendly."

While a jaded public may be tempted to rewrite that polished assessment as "ceremonious, boring, and insincere," perhaps a more productive way to pass the time would be to fill in the blanks with our own speculations. The following aspects of current Bush policy may or may not have been addressed behind those closed doors; but we can be assured that Obama will have to consider keeping, or doing away with, the following Bush initiatives:

No Child Left Behind: The primary educational act associated with the Bush administration, NCLB was attractive when the President first laid its blueprint in 2001 (bi-partisan efforts of its principal sponsors in the Senate didn't hurt either, and leaving the testing to the states didn't seem a bad idea). But seven years later, proponents of standards-based education reform - including many of the teachers mandated to issue the rigorous tests - are frustrated with its obsessive focus on scores. Is it possible to quantify learning? NCLB tried, and to the tune of an additional $1 billion in 2007 alone according to the Washington Post. Suggestion to Obama: Overhaul - or scrap and start over.

The Patriot Act: Is it unpopular? Do a Google search. Has it kept us safe? We may never fully know (therein lies the reason that classified information is known as "intelligence"). What we do know is: a.) Highly criticized warrantless wiretapping was discontinued in 2007 according to widely published reports, and b.) America has not been attacked on its own soil since the act's inception. Suggestion to Obama: Keep - and visibly demonstrate your campaign mantra of "willingness to step across the aisle" in the process.

Unrestrained spending: Even if Obama keeps his initial pledge to withdraw all troops from Iraq over a 16 month timetable, thereby curbing our military spending, who can say with certainty that overall spending will be reduced? The Washington Times claims that his proposal to establish a "green energy sector" over the next ten years may come at a pricetag of $150 billion, and the healthcare plan that won him accolades with proponents of universal care after the debates may cost $50 to $65 billion by his own admission. Suggestion to Obama: Sure, your base already praises your plans, but lowering the bottom lines can only help your popularity - we promise.

Strategic humanitarian aid: If every President boasts a shining achievement that few can argue with, George W. Bush's is PEPFAR. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which devoted $15 billion to fight global poverty and AIDS from 2003-2005, is one spending effort whose results are tangible by most accounts (recent progress can be tracked on http://www.pepfar.gov/about/c19785.htm). PEPFAR's efforts are primarily aimed towards Africa, with $1 billion of its budget poured into the 136 countries benefiting from the Global Fund. Suggestion: PEPFAR should continue to receive the attention of one President Obama.

Will he heed the suggestions? We have (at least) four years to see.