Thus far he is a dismal failure. I know it’s early in his term, but all indications are that it will continue. And the media will be a willing accomplice until the American people are truly fed up with it. That loud resounding boom you hear will be the collective 52% minus the wackiest of the left, pulling their heads out of their ass.
By Jay Rooney
President Obama was called upon to lead and has utterly failed, and in less than two months. From the stimulus package that won’t stimulate even Chris Matthews’ leg, to the continuing series of ethically questionable political appointments, through an outrageous Congressional spending binge that included unfettered earmarks, he has passed on all the easy leadership opportunities. What will he do on the tougher issues?
Recall that the presidential race was a dead heat when the economic crisis hit last fall. Obama’s legendary calm, cool, and collected manner was viewed as better for dealing with a crisis and he pulled ahead. We know now that this persona is a media-hyped marketing fiction devised by his campaign. His comical reliance on the teleprompter (at a rodeo!) has become the butt of late-night jokes, and in his unscripted moments he’s like an unprepared high school debater fumbling for his lines.
The politician as leader has always been a curious formulation. Politicians are rarely leaders and yet that’s what children are taught in school. Last fall’s elections were viewed by teachers as an opportunity to show children that electing our leaders is the beauty of our democratic system.
