Barack Obama Gets High Marks for Economics But Not for Rhetoric
I'm gonna give President-elect Obama an A+ for the prose of governing, and a C- for the poetry.
Who would have thought that the guy who's been criticized for the past two years as naught but a sweet-talking celebrity would perform so well in the governing process, and come up so short on the inspirational rhetoric?
Again, today—great appointments, as Obama continues to assemble his team of superstars.
What's better than having Larry Summers or Timothy Geithner advising you on economic policy? Having Larry Summers and Timothy Geithner on your squad. And let's throw in the wicked smart Christina Romer, and the sure-handed Melody Barnes, for good measure.
Good, too, is the emphasis on bipartisanship. The country desperately needs to be unified, as Obama works his way through two wars and an economic meltdown. Could anything be worse right now than a bunch of partisan haggling?
But—and Rob Schlesinger, you're the expert on presidential rhetoric—am I wrong in saying that Mr. Charisma is coming up waaaaayy short when talking to Americans?
Or are we really supposed to be thrilled and reassured by the bunch of blah-blah-blah we just heard?
"We need a recovery plan for both Wall Street and Main Street." Now there is a toad of a cliché.
I know he is not president. I know he has to save something for the inaugural address. I know he's exhausted from a two-year campaign. I know he has to go into virtual lockdown as his advisers run a gazillion details by him, and every foreign head of state phones to congratulate.
In normal times, it would be fine for a president-elect to disappear, re-charge the batteries, bask a little and work on his plans for a new administration.
But these are not normal times, and the inauguration is still two months away. Obama needs to dazzle, and get folks swooning again. He should not let the hope and excitement of his victory dissipate.
Tags: Barack Obama | Obama administration
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Reader Comments
"Barack the Brain"
Get used to it, folks. This guy is one very smart dude and he has something to go with it --- maturity. In fact, if I had to sum his character up in just a single word that word would be mature. I will agree with those who claim we've chosen a few very intelligent presidents in the past. But, please believe, none with this man's level of maturity. It virtually oozes out of him --- so much so that pundits like Mathews, Olberman, Brooks and Broder hardly know what to make of it. Chris Mathews seems especially perplexed, even to the point of publicly lamenting Obama's "lack of passion." Translation: why can't the President Elect show more emotion, raise his voice, and get excitedly angry like I do when the situation is particularly alarming? But "there he goes again," low key, totally in command, cool as a cucumber, with nothing seeming to faze him. Plus, he almost invariably makes good decisions when it is only human to screw up big time at least once in a while. Maybe that's it, the guy isn't "human" enough.
But, like I say, learn to deal with it. You elected one smart, exceptionally mature person for president and that is what you're gonna get for at least the next four years.
stop Obama's socialism
"Instead he is focused on getting to work restoring the stability of this country. I don't want to be dazzled. I want hope and reassurance that we come out of this crisis intact and flourishing."
FDR lengthened the depression by 7 years with his bad economic policies.
Here's what we ALL should be doing right now - working to actively STOP any New Deal 2.0 from happening.
If you want an economic future worth calling it "hope" we HAVE to stop the flawed and bad Obama economic policies.
don't need dazzle
Give Mr Obama a break. After that grueling campaign he should have a vacation. Instead he is focused on getting to work restoring the stability of this country. I don't want to be dazzled. I want hope and reassurance that we come out of this crisis intact and flourishing.
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