Second Lieutenant Obama
Last fall, I watched (helplessly, it felt, from overseas) as still-to-this-day-Senator John McCain’s campaign imploded as the economy tanked. Probably the most embarrassing thing to witness was his inexplicable attempt to suspend the race and even cancel a debate so he could dash back to Washington, DC, to vote on some bailout that today in retrospect is simply more money pissed away.
Then-Senator Obama cooled his own heels, took inventory of the situation, and although detractors attempted to paint him as indecisive and slack-jawed about the situation, was able to play it as a testament to his introspective and thoughtful style compared to McCain’s spastic and rash reaction. Whatever merits of either perspective, it was certainly the last nail on the McCain campaign coffin (which had begun to shut a couple weeks earlier with the financial meltdown itself).
While I never viewed Obama’s tendency to lack in his reaction as anything more than his opportunistically taking a comfortable place on the sidelines (witness his “Present” votes, for example), I admired at least his ability to make it seem like he was in control and smooth. Calm, cool, and collected.
There have been several incidents of late, however, that make me question (anew) his readiness for the job of chief decision-maker. He’s losing it. He’s now the one acting rash. The one lurching, the one lashing out. And we’re now seeing his lack of experience cost him and us.
Three cases in point:
We learned recently that the president is not even aware of what is in the healthcare legislature that he’s so fervently pushing on Capitol Hill. Naturally he’s trying to ram this through much as he did with cap-and-trade, the $787B pork bill, and his budget for the remainder of the FY—before anybody has a chance to know what’s in it. That’s politics. In fact, he recently delayed a Congressionally-mandated update on the budget ostensibly so that the shock wouldn’t put the kybosh on the healthcare vote (back when there was a snowball’s chance of that in the first place, at least). The result? He’s looking rash and desperate.
Another perfect example is his reaction to the Gates situation in Cambridge. Apparently without realizing that he was on TV at the time in front of the entire White House press corps during prime-time, he blurted out what can only be classified as a characiture of an angry black man’s reaction to what he considered the cops’ hassling of a race-agitator. The result? Bush-league and amateurish. Certainly below that of a president. An enitre week of distraction from the point of his press conference in the first place. This is clearly not the way someone in control does his thing. And what’s more, he’s found it impossible to apologize. Someone with a better sense of himself would have by now, and we’d have all moved on. Not bringing humble closure to this episode belies a lack of self-confidence. It’s uncomfortable to watch.
Finally, there’s Honduras. It’s remarkable, knowing what we now know about the situation with this (erstwhile?!) ally of ours that this administration continues to side with the criminal Zelaya. Just today, the State Department revoked visas for representatives of the legitimate interim government of Honduras. The administration has cut ties with the country and ceased military activities, central to our Central- and South American missions, based there. The Obama policy toward Honduras as they attempt to cleanse themselves of this unlawful former president and his grab for power is not only wrong, I have not seen even once any explanation whatsoever of their policy. All you can say is that they have a policy of supporting this Chavez wannabe, but they don’t even defend or explain it. Based on the facts that are now out there, there is no question whatsoever that this policy is wrong. But, naturally, the administration, caught making a rash and hasty decision about whose side to be on in the early days of the crisis is in no condition to admit error and backtrack, shift his support to Micheletti, the Legislature, the Supreme Court, (the list goes on and on) in this expression of sovereignty. The result? Not only was (is) Obama wrong, he does not possess the capacity to correct himself even though he clearly can tell he’s wrong (by not defending this mistake).
The bottom line here is that Obama’s lack of leadership experience is starting to show. I earlier praised him for his handling of the pirate hostage situation and have given him credit for continuing so many necessary Bush-era anti-terror policies. While I judged at the time that he had made these decisions deliberately and thoughtfully, I’m now beginning to consider the possibility of either dumb luck or simply his inaction (from being frozen in the headlights) lasting long enough for the solutions to come without his screwing them up.
It reminds me of what some of us in the military call the “2dLT Syndrome”. Second Lieutenants who come right out of college who have no more leadership experience than the workshops and laboratory atmosphere of OCS or an academy or ROTC, when thrown suddenly into a situation where they actually have authority and power for the first time have two reactions. Their first is to freeze and paralyze their actions for fear they screw something up. Their second is to let that power go to their heads and start bossing people around without any knowledge of what the situation is. So drunk on being able to make people jump, their entire world becomes a trampoline factory. When found to be in error, they have not the maturity nor experience to understand how to gracefully recant, retreat, and re-attack. They just further drill themselves into a proverbial hole of their own lust for power.
This, I think, is what we’re seeing these days as Obama starts to fall apart.
-Nick (ColoradoPatriot, from TML)
18 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Obama really is claiming he do a fishes and loaves miracle; more health care for less money.
And the only people who believe he will really do it are people who think he really is The Messiah.
Comment by V the K — July 28, 2009 @ 10:47 pm - July 28, 2009
2dLt Syndrome? From what you’ve described, Obama is a classic case.
Comment by Sceptress — July 28, 2009 @ 11:18 pm - July 28, 2009
Thank you for bringing up Honduras. To diplomatically, financially, and politically shun a country that is fighting to preserve their democratic constitution is well beyond a travesty. These people, taking to the streets for freedom and democracy, have been hung out to dry by this Administration. This little democracy in Central America should be boisterously defended and held up as an example of a democratic constitution in action. Thank the Lord for true leadership, as has been on display in the Honduran Supreme Court, the Congress and the Military. What is happening in Honduras is not a coup, it is a preservation of Constitutional ideals.
I also think that you are correct in your analysis, Nick. Once is an oversight, twice is a curiosity, but three times is a pattern. I suspect one could reasonable add, FOUR: Response to the Iranian uprising. FIVE: North Korea!
I am sure there are many other examples to demonstrate a profound lack of leadership ability….To add insult to injury lets add number SIX: DADT. Number SEVEN: Gay Marriage!
President Obama is in over his head and it shows. The President was never a leader, he is a follower.
Comment by GoCon — July 28, 2009 @ 11:27 pm - July 28, 2009
I admired at least his ability to make it seem like he was in control and smooth. Calm, cool, and collected.
Yeah. We want a leader who will reply to an issue with “Call me if you need me.” We sure as hell don’t need someone who drops what he’s doing to return to Washington.
Now THAT’S leadership right there.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — July 28, 2009 @ 11:47 pm - July 28, 2009
Ditto the thanks for mentioning Honduras. I saw that news item earlier today and I just wished I could get Hillary on the phone to ask WTF? Has anyone in the MSM managed to ask Gibsy about this?
Don’t you just wonder if some of the more senion people in this administration (exclude the Chicago cronies) wonder privately just how in hell this guy managed to get the job? Oh, sure, Bush and McCain all but handed him the keys but, criminy, is the public this dumb? Or just easily hoodwinked?
Comment by SoCalRobert — July 29, 2009 @ 12:12 am - July 29, 2009
We are desperate for a non pol. Someone who isn’t just mouthing what we want to hear. Obama, a community organizer was suppose to be above lobbyists, above partisian politics. Turns out he is a neo phite boob surrounded by boobs. Bush had Cheney and Bush 41. Who exactly does Obama have to bail him out? There’s no experience there.Those that don’t learn from history are due to repeat it. This is Jimmy Carter II and there’s no denying it. Look how disappointed the liberals are. They are stunned silent by the incompetence. They thought this was their dawn.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — July 29, 2009 @ 12:37 am - July 29, 2009
This is not just Jimmy Carter II; this is Jimmy Carter on steroids. Everything this administration does is “shoot from the lip” adolescent hubris. It is the chldren’s hour in the WH, and the inmates are running the asylum. While I agree that McCain’s inexplicable behavior in suspending his campaign made it seem as if Obama was the more thoughtful and measured candidate, the coolness masked a particularly frightening brand of narcissism that smacks of sociopathy. The wheels are coming off and Obama continues to gaze at his reflection, believing himself to be a messiah. This is some scary sh!t.
Comment by Southern Yankee — July 29, 2009 @ 9:48 am - July 29, 2009
It’s hard to see the ‘Leadership’ through the fog of town meetings, special emissaries, under-qualified and WH czars.
Ahh, yes….Change we can believe in.
Comment by Ted B. (Charging Rhino) — July 29, 2009 @ 11:36 am - July 29, 2009
The Lady Doth Protest Too Much !!!
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/28/obama-news-appearances-business-media-ratings.html
Comment by TnnsNE1 — July 29, 2009 @ 2:47 pm - July 29, 2009
Actually, I find Dear Teleprompter to be more like Sgt. Schultz from “Hogan’s Heroes.” He’s always out there saying “I KNOW NOTHINK! I SEE NOTHINK!” and he’s right in the thick of things.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — July 29, 2009 @ 3:36 pm - July 29, 2009
In was in the LBJ library a few weeks back, all you see on the walls are for the most part great society stuff. Even those the war on poverty has done little good its still listed at this great thing. To say nothing of the fact its become a sacred cow that is bankrupting America. Health Care feels like something Obama wants to put on his Presidential library wall He doesn’t know or care whats in the bill. As long as he gets to sign something and he will say anything to get that done. Notice I didn’t say do anything because he doesn’t know what to do. I was to busy running for president to learn the ins and outs of the US Senate.
Its also funny that Democrats are turning on Rahm too since he helped many of the Blue dogs get elected and Rahm seemed to think what ever he said they would do forgetting that the members of congress are always looking for reelection more so than the agenda of any given presidents because no matter how much they piss off Obama if they can make it pasted there first reelection they are likely to outlast him anyways.
Comment by Greyfire — July 29, 2009 @ 5:23 pm - July 29, 2009
its also worth noting Obama has had only ONE count it ONE cabinet meeting since becoming president. I know when giving all those speeches not much time to talk to people you have give power of over looking the executive branch too but come on ONE!
Comment by Greyfire — July 29, 2009 @ 5:38 pm - July 29, 2009
Y’all seem to view Obama’s actions as those of an ignorant narcissistic neophyte. Maybe, but what if we’re just seeing everything going according to plan?
I’ve tried to think of anything else The O could do to destroy our economy (if that were his goal) and I can’t think of anything. Rather it looks like the Cloward Pivan Strategy is being rather smoothly executed before our very eyes. This fits nicely with his past associates and actions.
On the other hand, we don’t truly have any reason to think he’s bright, so who knows.
Comment by Polly — July 29, 2009 @ 5:47 pm - July 29, 2009
Very good analysis. Camilla Paglia has some similar insight as you, although she chokes it up to bad handlers and not Obama directly. Obama is very much in the B. Clinton vein of sticking his finger in the air before taking action. Situations like the Cambridge arrest only more stalkly contrast the far left’s true views with the rest of the country that holds more reasoned, moderate beliefs. Sadly, even this planted, scripted remark didn’t achieve it’s affect since his 100% trust of ultra left friends/campaign fundraisers came back to bite him in the ass.
Comment by Tim — July 29, 2009 @ 6:41 pm - July 29, 2009
Greetings-
It’s no suprise that the President supports Zelaya — he is a Leftist. The old saying holds true: “There are no enemies on the left.” That’s why Obama practically high-fived Chavez (Zelaya’s role model). It also explains why he so quickly labeled the police as stupid (after he admitted no knowledge of the sordid affair in Cambridge) and blamed doctors for the high cost of medical care (by suggesting that they perform unnecessary operations). He’ a leftty – need we say more?
As for 2ndLt Syndrome … I was once on of those butter bars and strived not to be one of the worst kind you described … Even I knew how much damage a bad leader could wield. I eventy switched to the Air Force Reserves and served (DADT) as an NC0.
Comment by Jack in Dallas — July 29, 2009 @ 6:50 pm - July 29, 2009
Very good analysis. Camilla Paglia has some similar insight as you, although she chokes it up to bad handlers and not Obama directly.
She’ll come around. Obama chose to surround himself with people who are even more incompetent than he is, and that fact is becoming quickly obvious.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — July 29, 2009 @ 6:52 pm - July 29, 2009
Isn’t this more REMF syndrome than 2nd LT?
Comment by The Livewire — July 31, 2009 @ 9:20 am - July 31, 2009
Humm…It appears that Mr. Hope and Change hasnt even achieved anything. However, looking at his non-existent record, what could you expect? The Age of Minority is about to come to an end. Tony Villareal out West in Los Angeles has been a failure. And now Mr. Obama is further proof that just because you are a Minority, doesnt mean you have an idea about governing. Get ready for Sotomayor!!!
Comment by Duffy - Native Intelligence — August 1, 2009 @ 12:54 am - August 1, 2009