by Xinhua writer Wang Wei

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- One year after Barack Obama's landslide victory in the 2008 presidential elections, his party is faced up with another test on Tuesday as a handful of local elections are held in states and cities.

Starting early morning, registered voters began casting their ballots in Virginia and New Jersey, where Democrats and Republicans are intensely wrestling in the gubernatorial elections.

A voting guide is posted outside a polling station in New York Nov. 3, 2009. Citizens of New York City went to polls on Tuesday for the general election of the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking for his third term. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
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HISTORIC VICTORY SHED

One year after Obama stirred up the nation with his historic victory at the presidential election night, the enthusiasm and expectations are seen shed by doubts and disappointment.

"He is a president who has established extraordinarily high expectations," said Rozell. "He made bold promises and significant changes to Washington, D.C.."

One of the good outcomes brought by Obama's presidency, as Rozell mentioned, is the improvement of the U.S. image abroad as the president has made efforts to reach out to Muslim world and Middle East countries.

His steady and cautious leadership in mapping the Afghanistan strategy by consulting with many civilian and military officials also drew a contrast with his predecessor, representing a welcoming change to the political culture in the White House, he added.

However, Obama's promise of a reform to provide the universal health care coverage has been processed slowly, and debates over the issue have created splits and anxiety among lawmakers and public.

The 800-billion-US dollar stimulus package backed by the president and congressional Democrats seems to have stopped the economic meltdown from getting worse, but there is still a long way to go to turn the economy around and bring jobs back to Americans.

Quoting the number released last week showing that U.S. GDP in the third quarter showed a 3.5-percent growth, West said he believed that Obama and his stimulus package have helped improve the economy and officially ended the recession.

"The biggest challenge has been the high unemployment rate, which almost reached a double-digit level," said West. "It is hard to persuade people you, as a president, are doing your job, if this rate remains high."