The Impact of Obama and the Rise of Obamaism

TLDRThe Obama presidency widened the divide in America due to factors like the rise of social media and tribalism. Obama's focus on building a winning coalition during the age of social media contributed to the polarization. His transformational rhetoric gave way to conforming to the norms of Washington, leading to further division. Trump emerged as the avatar of the forgotten man and woman, promising to disrupt the system.

Key insights

👥The Obama presidency contributed to the division in America, unintentionally widening the divide.

📲The rise of social media during Obama's presidency played a role in the polarization of society.

🏛️Obama's focus on building a winning coalition led him to prioritize winning over unity.

💻The influence of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter increased during the Obama administration.

Obama's initial transformative rhetoric gave way to conforming to the norms of Washington.

Q&A

How did Obama widen the divide in America?

Factors like the rise of social media and tribalism, as well as Obama's focus on building a winning coalition, unintentionally contributed to the division.

What role did social media play during Obama's presidency?

The rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during Obama's presidency increased the polarization of society.

Did Obama prioritize winning over unity?

Yes, Obama's focus on building a winning coalition led him to prioritize winning over unity, contributing to the wider division in society.

How did social media influence politics during the Obama administration?

The increasing influence of social media platforms during the Obama administration changed the political landscape and contributed to the polarization of society.

Did Obama's rhetoric change over time?

Yes, Obama's initial transformative rhetoric gave way to conforming to the norms of Washington, which further contributed to the division in America.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The Obama presidency unintentionally widened the divide in America.

00:35The rise of social media and tribalism contributed to the polarization of society.

01:15Obama's focus on building a winning coalition prioritized winning over unity.

02:27Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter gained influence during the Obama administration.

03:58Obama's transformative rhetoric gave way to conforming to the norms of Washington.