The problem of missing data stems from more than just police obstructionism or oversight.
What is a problem is the state's obstructionism (see article).
In the interview Mr Obama gave to the New York Times on July 24th, the president trumpeted the fact that "the economy is far stronger now than it was four and a half years ago" and cited long-term fallout from the financial crisis and obstructionism in Congress as the real culprits keeping the middle class down.
And surprisingly often, an American president can only act by appealing to the self-interest of others, being obliged to share his power with others.Mr Obama's press conference in the White House on Wednesday saw him in confident form, making the case with vigour that the wider American public would not tolerate obstructionism from Congress.
Added to these, as you mention, is the totally unacceptable attitude of President Thabo Mbeki towards the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and his ongoing sponsorship of Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe.Helen SuzmanJohannesburgNon, non, nonSIR – Charlemagne writes that: "France might instead lapse into a long-term obstructionism" (Charlemagne, April 23rd).
The diehards are now keen to exploit extraordinary circumstances as widely as possible to filibuster any conservative judges Mr Bush nominates.However, obstructionism looks as dangerous for the Democrats as over-reach is for the Republicans.
If the Democrats descend into obstructionism, the swing group could well switch back to Mr Bush's side for the next battle.
Mr Obama's supporters would point to his first term, and the serial obstructionism of Republicans in Congress, and argue that the president has no choice but to come out fighting, as he seeks to achieve anything in his final few years in office.I wish I could feel so gung-ho.
After all, they'd be able to take credit for the expansion in coverage and, with the help of sympathetic journalists, blame all problems, expected and not, on Republican obstructionism.
Ask Democratic leaders why, and they say that the party's narrow majority in the Senate 49-499, witwotwo independents who are allied with the Democrats) has been unable to overcome Republican obstructionism.
But no matter who is chosen, he will still face Mr Ozawa's dogged obstructionism.
