Has Obama’s charm ever transformed a hostile dictator?
Yesterday, when writing about candidate Barack Obama’s pledge, if elected to meet, the then-leader of North Korea, Jim Geraghty quipped that many
. . . of us are pleased that this promise reached its expiration date . . . but one would like to think that any future presidents would not need to be disabused of the notion that their personal charisma and reasonableness could win over unhinged hostile dictators.
Geraghty’s quip reminds us yet again that part of the Democrat’s appeal was that his supposedly superior temperament would provide the cornerstone for the change his election would herald. Only problem is, save for the reactions of those to the charismatic candidate’s speeches, no one could provide much, if any, evidence that this man had ever used the power of his personality to reconcile opposing parties or effect real reform.
And his charm and reasonableness certainly haven’t helped transform hostile dictators threatening the United States and oppressing their citizens into benign despots making peace with the U.S. and relinquishing their control over their societies.
6 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Obama has no charm, no persuasive abilities; Obama is an illusion created by the MSM & Obama’s campaign. Obama’s cult of personality is crumbling all around him.
Comment by Sebastian Shaw — December 20, 2011 @ 8:05 pm - December 20, 2011
I was going to just give a one-word answer of “No,” but Sebastian Shaw’s comment is even better, so instead I’ll go with a “what he said.”
Comment by Kurt — December 20, 2011 @ 9:25 pm - December 20, 2011
Narcissists always believe it’s all about them and their charms. Not so much…
Comment by Mary — December 21, 2011 @ 9:15 am - December 21, 2011
I second your sentiments, kurt. Well done, Sebastian!
Comment by Bastiat Fan — December 21, 2011 @ 9:36 am - December 21, 2011
You will recall The Won took upon his newborn Presidency, a tour across the world stage, whence he made apology in person for the outrages of America past as he so presumed and ordained.
Go hang yourselves all! You are idle shallow things, I am
not of your element. You shall know more hereafter.
Twelfth Night Act 3, scene 4, 118–128
“The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.”
The Merchant of Venice (V, i, 83-85)
“And thus I clothe my naked villany
With odd old ends stol’n out of holy writ,
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.”
King Richard III (I, iii, 336-338)
“Oft expectation fails, and most oft there
Where most it promises; and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits.”
All’s Well That Ends Well (II, i, 145-147)
Merciful heaven,
Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
Splits the unwedgeable and gnarlèd oak
Than the soft myrtle; but man, proud man,
Dress’d in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he’s most assur’d—
His glassy essence—like an angry ape
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.
Measure For Measure Act 2, scene 2, 114–123
And so forth…..
The Won just never got around to conversing and converting dictators, charlatans and fellow travelers. He strutted his stuff upon the stage, but pleas for guidance in bolted salons were never forthcoming. Oh, bitter disappointment and outrageous fortune turned to vinegar. Is there no justice? Social or otherwise?
We weep at such glorious opportunity spent. Even playing at sport and seeking other climes hath not rekindled the soul of the great lowerer of the oceans and cleanser of the airs.
Comment by Heliotrope — December 21, 2011 @ 12:59 pm - December 21, 2011
The US Army caught Saddam, later hung by Iraqis.
Our Seals shot Bin Laden.
The Libyan rebels shot Ghaddafi.
The LORD GOD took care of Kim Jung-il.
That just leaves the Iranians, and a few Pakistani generals.
Comment by Ted B. (Charging Rhino) — December 21, 2011 @ 3:56 pm - December 21, 2011