[/caption]I have long been an Obama apologist - after all, we have an entrenched "tea party" of freshman congressmen along with massively corrupt DC infrastructure thanks to unlimited campaign funds from big business. Obama entered office at the worst possible time. There is a common saying which is actually a curse: "May you live in interesting times." A worse curse might will be "May you win high office in interesting times." Politics - after all - is the art of the possible. Those who dig in and won't budge - in the end, won't last.
However, the president's performance this week tells me that he may not have what it takes to govern in this environment. He is first and foremost a constitutional lawyer and a scholar. Nothing wrong with that. I would rather have a scholar than a cowboy like Bush as POTUS in such a challenging environment.
Taking the case to the American People...
In such uncertain times, the scholar needs to meet the orator. The President needs to be able to make his case to the American people by invoking patriotism - and an obligation for ALL Americans to share the sacrifice…and that includes the so-called job creators - who are creating plenty of jobs - they just happen to be in other countries. The conversation needs to be framed around patriotism. It is not patriotic to sit on cash - create jobs in other countries and then continually whine that your taxes are too high. It is not patriotic to insist that you need a tax holiday to repatriate funds - so that you "could" (not that you will) create a few more American jobs. It is patriotic to demand that those who have become wealthy from our capitalistic system give something back.
That is the task for the bully pulpit….The bully pulpit that the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, JFK, and Clinton used with such great success during their terms in office. Unfortunately, this pulpit has been left vacant or sorely wanting in this current administration. After this week's performance - where Obama had an extraordinary opportunity to turn the conversation from one of "raising revenues" to a plea for "patriotism" from those who can most afford it - I despair that the pulpit will remain vacant so long as Obama is POTUS.
Elizabeth Warren & the bully pulpit...
Looking around - I have asked - who among the democrats has that magic combination of intellectual rigor, a deep understanding of issues afflicting average Americans along with the willingness to use the bully pulpit? The name that comes up over and over again is Elizabeth Warren….
She is so popular with so many that she scared the banksters and Wall Street into arranging her ouster. Taking her out was one of the stupidest and cowardly acts of the Obama Administration thus far. Sure, it would have been a three-ring circus - and perhaps Ms. Warren would rather have an extensive root canal than face an armed camp of Republican anger. However, it let the republicans off easy. The would have thrown everything they could at her - but getting it to stick - IMPOSSIBLE. Ms. Warren is too well-liked by the public on BOTH sides of the political spectrum, too sincere and too intelligent for that.
Warren has that magical combination - she is capable, intelligent and charismatic enough to use the bully pulpit. She has shown her willingness to combine substance with charisma and take the argument directly to the American People. She is being encouraged to run for the U.S. Senate - but I think she should be drafted for president by the democrats….
Yes, I know it won't happen - but one can dream….Please don't retire Ms. Warren - keep throwing rocks. Your country needs you.
©2011 - RMGHicks - http://www.therobberbaroneconomy.com
Great post. Great, great post. I'll snag this and repost it at my place. Warren is special and has, ironically, balls aplenty. The medium really is the message and people are mediums. The President is not the proper "medium" for our message.
ReplyDeleteYes, you may use anything you see at my place. What did you think of Stumpy's new love, Vivienne? http://thebookofcletis.blogspot.com/2011/07/stumpy-and-vivienne-1-9.html
I have archived the previous story at the tab, "Patrice and Stumpy" at the top of the blog if you missed the others.
I will add, as you said, the President has had to deal with the most loathsome House in the history of the Republic. I pray, literally, he will find his mojo and thrash these bastards.
ReplyDeleteI am another disappointed Obama fan who reluctantly concluded that he just doesn't have the aptitude or passion to lead in the fight that is necessary at this time. I have much more confidence in Elizabeth Warren.
ReplyDeleteHi Cletis and Ron - I just think that she could lead. She gets out there and uses the bully pulpit well. Obama is someone who likes to create a win-win with opposition. This may work in real estate - in fact it works better there than the hard sell (contrary to popular opinion or thought). But the one thing I have learned by being in real estate is that you can't negotiate with the irrational. In real estate - I can walk away from clients like that and I do...Sadly - Obama can't walk away from the tea party. But in that case you have to stand PAT until the last second - and you need to rip their eyes out if you can. That's just the way it is. My primary worry is that he is not impassioned enough to use the bully pulpit and BRING THE ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC in an understandable way. THAT is his biggest failure.
ReplyDeleteRMGHicks
ReplyDeleteIn the event that your powerful Warren assessment hasnot yet been
seen by Kaller Lasn of Adbusters, please consider forwarding him a
copy at campaigns@adbusters.org (underlined) which is found under
contact section inviting "Ideas" and "Now What?" suggestions.
Idealism is a challenge. But given the stature of Ms Warren and the
events in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan culminating in the OWS / 99%
awakening, it would seem that a draft of the Senator to be, for a 2012
Presidential run deserves consideration.
Best,
Ron Lau