Now over Thanksgiving weekend we learn that he took an elbow to the mouth in a pick-up basketball game, prompting White House surgeons to sew his lip together with 12 stitches. As one commenter snarked:
While they're at it, they could do us all a favor and just stitch his mouth shut.
I continue to be amazed that there are erstwhile Obama supporters who say they are surprised at his less-than-stellar performance as commander-in-chief. Did they honestly think that a man with such a thin leadership resume was really prepared to assume the grandest leadership role in the world?
If Obama had stayed in the U.S. Senate for a full term or two and chaired some important committees (or if he had left this year to run for mayor of Chicago and served for a few years as chief executive of the Windy City), then he would have been poised to use that experience as a guide for success in the White House.
But when your work history includes little more than a brief stint in the U.S. Senate, part-time state senator, part-time adjunct law lecturer and community organizer, there's not a whole lot to draw on when it comes to governing one of the most ungovernable nations on earth.
So disenchanted progressives are reduced to either attacking him as a spineless moderate or castigating Republicans for doing a great job of demonizing him. But the reality is that the only reason the Republicans are becoming "the party of no" is that there is absolutely no political downside to doing so. Most of Obama's policies are unpopular and, as I made clear in a column earlier this fall, absolutely no one fears him — not even members of his own party.
Good luck, Mr. President. You're not a bad guy, but I think you're in over-your-head. And unless the economy makes a strong recovery over the next year, you're sunk. May you have a happier Thanksgiving in 2011.
"one of the most ungovernable nations on earth"
ReplyDeleteThe oldest and most stable democracy in the world? Really?
Lately, yes. Unless this nation can agree on what to cut and/or which taxes to raise (which seems unlikely), then we are headed either toward default or high inflation and a devalued currency from the printing of money to cover the debt.
ReplyDeleteUngovernable: absolutely. The American people demand a level government benefits and services they absolutely refuse to fund, and they crucify any leader who tries to close the gap.
ReplyDeleteSewing his mouth shut would have been delightful. I also want to ask all the TV Stations to give ME an OBAMA FREE DAY. I have never seen any president spend so much time on TV and usually from somewhere other than Washington DC?
ReplyDeleteI’ve noticed that the talk radio hosts refer to Barack Obama as the young president, and I think it says a lot without saying much. Obama isn’t really a seasoned politician, and as Terry said, he might be in over his head.
ReplyDeleteWhat would you have done if the opportunity ever presented itself that you had a shot to be President of the United States? Even if he’s a one-term president, he still ends up as a winner. Timing is everything, and he was at the right place at the right time.