Barack Obama

Obama Claims Government Is 'Less Corrupt' and Women Are Better Leaders. There's a Problem With Both Ideas.

There's a lot of flaws in both sweeping claims—and one that they have in common.

Reem Ibrahim | 9.28.2026 12:03 PM

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In a preview clip from his new podcast, A Great Book with Barack Obama, former President Obama said, "The federal government is so much less corrupt than probably it's ever been, in terms of just pure bribes, or patronage or favors." And in a recent onstage appearance, he said that he "fantasized" about having "women in charge of every government for like two years." The two seemingly unrelated statements reveal Obama's superficial view of what makes good government.

The argument that we have less corruption is politically odd, given that Democrats constantly accuse President Donald Trump's administration of misconduct. But is it right?

It's true that the federal government was much more openly patronage-based in the past. Patronage was a primary contributing factor in political organization, with party leaders awarding public-sector jobs, contracts, and other benefits to those who were loyal.

But what's done openly isn't the end of........

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