Posted on 05/07/2011 12:02:24 PM PDT by a fool in paradise
It was just a firehouse chat with the guys of Engine 54 in lower Manhattan. But President Barack Obama delivered a message he hopes will also hit home with every American in this week of national catharsis: "You're always going to have a president and an administration who's got your back."
In the denouement to the daring raid that brought down Osama bin Laden, the president has in effect been reintroduced to the nation.
While taking care to strike the right tone — trying to savor the success of the dramatic covert operation without appearing to gloat — Obama has offered himself as a decisive leader willing to take bold risks.
He's gotten a bump in the polls that isn't likely to last. But Americans may well come away with altered perceptions of a president whose strongest personal qualities in past polls have run to squishier traits like being a good communicator and friendly.
"It sheds a new light on him," says pollster Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center. "What happened here may improve impressions that he is a strong and forceful leader, and that's the enduring potential benefit."
Obama's understated victory lap — not that he would ever call it that — continued on Friday in Kentucky...
But it is inescapable that he is not only a president. He also is a candidate for re-election. And the successful raid can only do him good politically...
-- EDITOR'S NOTE — Nancy Benac has covered government and politics in Washington for more than 25 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
No, I wouldn't call it "understated" either.
But he said he doesn’t want to spike the football. Oh, he means waving it in the face of Islamist radicals who SUPPORTED Osama Bin Laden. He doesn’t mind taking all the credit “Obama killed Osama” himself.
Waiting for the drumbeats of “war crime” to bang louder at what Obama did last week.
So sick of this “gutsy” crap. What was so gutsy about it? It was a no brainer. Who wouldn’t have taken the opportunity to nail Bin Laden? It’s like saying it was gutsy to bend down to pick up the $100 bill you found on the sidewalk. Who wouldn’t?
And “understated” victory lap? It was about as understated as a nuclear war.
“Let me see your war face!”
“You’re always going to have a president and an administration who’s got your back.”
Interesting that he chose the word always. Hopefully he was referring to the office and not himself.
Maybe to donors at fundraisers...Otherwise, cold and aloof. The least personable president in decades--perhaps since Nixon or Hoover (and I think they tried to be friendly, just weren't very good at it, whereas Obama has contempt for most people).
I think we've had enough "p'ew" to last forever. Let's get a new president. This one, B.O., stinks.
“The least personable president in decades—perhaps since Nixon or Hoover (and I think they tried to be friendly, just weren’t very good at it, whereas Obama has contempt for most people).”
Ironic, coming from someone who is supremely contemptible.
“reimagining”
Used to be called “lurch to the right before elections”
No kidding. I keep wondering when the magic moment will arrive, and he proclaims himself Osagyefo and President-for-Life.
Some people think he keeps poking conservatives in hopes someone will get mad and give the Obammunists their Reichstag Fire moment.
So AP is working for the Hussein 2012 campaign?
You have a problem with that poster?
The Left has contempt for the Military and will freely exploit it for self-serving purposes.
“You have a problem with that poster?”
Can you read?
Yeah right. How that economy doing Obummer? It feels more like you turned your back on the American people.
Haven't you heard? Obozo's our first life president. No more Republicans. The all-seeing, all-knowing, all-wise MediaRats have said "no" to any more Pubbies; America deserves better!
<Barf!>
Mr. niteowl77
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.