Posted on 11/07/2009 11:26:27 AM PST by American Dream 246
Robert George says Obama didn't wait long after Tuesday's devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.
After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that Obama would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to Obama. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.
But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light Obama making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian affairs, he thanked various staffers and offered a "shout-out" to "Dr. Joe Medicine Crow -- that Congressional Medal of Honor winner." Three minutes in, Obama spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?
Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. Obama should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That's the least that should occur.
Indeed, an argument could be made that Obama should have canceled the Indian event, out of respect for people having been murdered at an Army post a few hours before. That would have prevented any sort of jarring emotional switch at the event.
Did Obama's team not realize what sort of image they were presenting to the country at this moment? The disconnect between what Americans at home knew had been going on -- and the initial words coming out of his mouth was jolting, if not disturbing.
It must have been disappointing for many politically aware Democrats, still reeling from the election two days before. The New Jersey gubernatorial vote had already demonstrated that Obama and his political team couldn't produce a winning outcome in a state very friendly to Democrats (and where he won by 15 points one year ago). And now this? Congressional Democrats must wonder if a White House that has burdened them with a too-heavy policy agenda over the last year has a strong enough political operation to help push that agenda through.
If Obama's communications apparatus can't inform -- and protect -- their boss during tense moments when the country needs to see a focused and compassionate leader, it has disastrous consequences for his party and supporters.
All of Obama's men (and women) fell down on the job Thursday. And Democrats across the country have real reason to panic.
Obama's TV appearance was actually worse than the above description.
He was cold, and read his statement as though he were describing how the White House budget is prepared -- it was a shocking display of detachment -- but as a person that loathes all things military, not surprising.
By the way, Joe Medicine Crow is not a recipient of the Medal of Honor. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- and from Obama.
Obama is so clueless he doesn't know the difference between the nation's highest award that recognizes "gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his [or her] life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States," and an award made for "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
Smarty-pants Obama should know the difference between the Medal of Honor and the Medal of Freedom -- especially since he personally awarded the latter to Crow.
Don't expect this blunder to receive wide coverage. It's not something he can blame George Bush for.
He should also know the difference between a “base” and a “post.”
Are you saying our Deear Reader is dumb? Do you know what can happen to you for saying that?
Tyranny is afoot in America.
I keeping hearing this crap over and over again, but have yet to see an example of this alleged "eloquence".
But he loves himself and he loves to see and hear himself and for him that’s what’s important. Vote for a narcissy and get a narcissy.
Like most liberals he has TOTAL CONTEMPT for the US military.
Insensitivity has nothing to do with it.
I agree — I don’t find him “eloquent” at all. Between his umm’s and ahh’s, his delivery is sterile, detached and oddly patrician...
What do you expect from a smug, condescending, demagogic, tyrannical, polarizing, elitist socialist, aka. a bleeding heart liberal.
Almost like a human teleprompter.
Oh, nevermind...
>>Are you saying our Deear Reader is dumb? Do you know what can happen to you for saying that?<<
I am more upset that the TOTUS got it wrong — I have high expectations for it.
What about a woman? Starts with a S - ends with an N?
Sarah would be just fine. I’d take Bowinkle J. Moose over this pig faced son of Satan.
I understand. I too had hoped TOTUS was American, sigh.
Congressman Billybob
No only is he not up to it, but not a single one of the people he has appointed to advise him at the White House realized what an appropriate response to the shootings at Fort Hood should be. Not one single advisor. NO ONE IN THE WHITE HOUSE realized the significance of what had occurred. I have said before that he often appears to be from a different planet, divorced from the American experience, unaware of what has deep meaning for Americans. And now I have to add that he has surrounded himself with people who share that same oblivious contempt for this country, its institutions, and the people who make it great. For shame.
Teleprompter prompted POtuS to say how proud he is of his muslime bro who instead of going to Iraq and fight muslime cutthroats, he decided to take out as many soldiers as he could and become martyr. But then he thought about all them rednecks protesting his "change" and "hope" for destroyed America, and he asked for different version.
(Almost got you there, boss....)
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