Posted on 06/24/2010 7:16:16 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia
Barack Obama, who has in recent days turned haplessness into an art form, played a masterstroke today, making perhaps the canniest, wiliest, even wisest decision of his generally rudderless presidency. I refer, of course, to his appointment of David Petraeus to the Afghan war command, in place of the Rolling-Stoned Stanley McChrystal. In doing so, Obama has, at a stroke, taken Petraeus out of the 2012 presidential race.
Keep your friends close—and the competition closer. There has been a buzz about Petraeus and the presidency since about the fall of last year, and to many in the Republican Party—a party bereft of ideas and credible leaders—the general has increasingly taken on the aspect of a possible messiah. His impeccable military credentials, his undoubted intelligence, his mastery of personal and professional politics (you wouldn’t catch him talking to Rolling Stone in a million years), plus his undoubted (if carefully tailored) conservatism have led many to see in him a man who can take on Obama in 2012, and beat him. He is even the sort of guy who’d allow the GOP to broaden its tent, drawing in “undecideds” and independents.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailybeast.com ...
I thought we had plenty of both, and they both have something in common... they work.
What a load. Still could happen. If he goes over and kicks the crap out of the Taliban and gets us back on track...still could happen.
Try as you may, BHO looks weak, sounds weak, and IS weak...nothing you can do to change that. If anything the General will magnify his weakness and could make a huge sattement by stepping from the theater to run against him.
I don’t claim to know anything about Petraeus’ political beliefs or ambitions, but I don’t think this country is in the mood to elect a military leader, regardless of credentials to the Oval Office. I want Gen. Petraeus and people like him right where they are, doing what they are doing.
I don’t think Petraeus would run, but if he wants to, Obama’s appointment aids these ambitions. How? By next year one of two things happen:The US makes great progress in A’stan and Petraeus is given the credit.or. The situation deteriorates, the Left forces Obama to begin withdrawal next July. Petraeus resigns in protest and enters the race for GOP nod. Obama’s self imposed July 2011 deadline gives Petraeus all the time he needs to run, if he chooses. No one will blame Petraeus for a deadline imposed disaster, while he will get the credit for a win.Obama will get the blame, but will be unable to claim the victory.Ironic for a guy who blames his disasters on the former POTUS.
The premise here is that the General is actually interested in running. I wouldn’t bet on that.
This also assumes that the General would be a real player if he were to run. The problem is, you ask 100 people on the street who General Petraeus is and you’ll get 95+ blank stares.
0bama made himself look like the self-righteous little p*ssy he is. He strengthened every potential GOP candidate with his hissy fit.
They are completely delusional.
In March, the General spoke at St. Anselm College and visited the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.
Even though General Petraeus is a NH resident, there is no reason to make these visits if you were not at least thinking about making a run.
“making perhaps the canniest, wiliest, even wisest decision of his generally rudderless presidency”
All he did was confirm that Bush’s decisions were superior to his. Don’t know how this makes him wiley and wise. I do not share the author’s opinion that Pretraus is out of the 2012 running for Prez. I think this decision by Mr. Skittles makes Pretraus the strong horse and Mr. Skittles the weak horse in 2012. Basically, Mr. Skittles has admitted that Pretraus owns him from here on out with regards to anything military and most likely foreign policy as well. In a head to head debate, what would Mr. Skittles have to offer against Pretraus in the area of experience? Pretraus owns Mr. Skittles now. Wiley and wise, methinks not. He cannot even contemplate firing Pretraus and Pretraus can demand concessions for his continued service. This does not put Mr. Skittles in the drivers seat, but rather in the back seat.
Exactly. That’s the problem with not taking responsibility for your actions.
Nothing King Obama does is for America but for himself. He is the slickest con man child I have ever seen. A real playboy that hit the lottery. This whole Presidency is just a fun and games.
I'm wondering the same thing ... if Zero is true to form, he'll put some 'perfumed prince' Wesley Clark type at Centcom, who'll put roadblock after bureaucratic roadblock in Petraeus' way.
Excellent point.
“Except that Petraus has been very cool to any suggestion that he might run for POTUS. “
Ike played it “cool” too. Eisenhower let himself be “drafted” into running or at least made the appearance of being drafted into running after denying he wanted to run. Not saying Petraues has any thoughts of running but a denial doesnt necessarily mean a denial.
You make it sound like this is a one man con game. Hardly.
This is an attack on America, a con game that has as it's goal the enslavement of YOU and the stealing of all of your wealth. It is the same game that Hitler played and the leaders of this coup are at least three steps ahead of you.
Alvin Green could take on Obama in 2012, and beat him.
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