CNBC Host Says Obama Sullied Office With 'Ass to Kick' Line

Obama is so thin-skinned: he was just one-upping those who wanted to know whose butt he'd kick. If he worried more about setting a good example--at least with his speech--perhaps it would rub off on his actions, which seem merely defensive.

The worst action was deliberately contradicting what the experts he asked for recommendations came up with by his reaction to criticism. The experts' report pointed out that curtailing oil drilling could cause more harm than good, by causing more explosions. After they signed off, Obama/minions deleted that portion and added their own recommendation that oil drilling cease--without the report authors' knowledge. If he did something like that to me I'd see him in court.

Jill of CA 6:08PM June 13, 2010

It's rather surprising more critics haven't come out of the woodwork. Perhaps the raw commonality of American life - the deTocquevillian supremacy of equality -- has finally, fully triumphed. We're now living in a country, it's often said, full of guys, folks, "players," and "morons."

The mighty have fallen, or been brought down to size, the brilliant are shown to have quirks and deficiencies, celebrities hang on for a few years before the attacks deflate their significance, the educated, like Gore, suffer because of their fastidiousness. Meanwhile, the beautiful seem to retain their glow longer than the rest, sometimes, if they're lucky, until the wrinkles set in.

If America is good at nothing else, it excels at reducing and discrediting those deemed to be superior with broad-based yellow journalism, sleazy media reports, and water-cooler jokes. Bill Clinton wisely steered clear of highfalutin language and concepts. W had no choice since he had not mastered the edified art of dignified communication or cognitive mastery. And now Obama, understandably, is eager to prove that despite his privileged background he is just one of the guys. Clinton played sax, W wrangled tumbleweed, and the Big O shoots hoops. Yo dudes, it's just us here at the top, putting our pants on, like you, one leg at a time.

Oh sure, you might say, Where's the example of sophistication and dignity, at least for the kids' sake? And in a society with few outstanding role models, you wouldn't be wrong. But it should be said, in all fairness, that setting such a high standard makes one a more conspicuous target. Aiming lower, flying beneath the radar, illustrating street cred and lowbrow tastes are, let's face it, de rigueur, and have been for a very long time.

Arguably, Woodrow Wilson was America's most intellectual president, as well as being one of the most delicate personalities to have lived at 1600 Penn. Ave. What good did it do him? Andrew Jackson's rough and accessible demeanor remained the sine qua non of Democratic behavior long after he was buried. Americans don't generally feel comfortable in the shadow of superior talents, though we fool ourselves into believing we should be all we can be.

If you haven't spent time recently watching kids pour out of a high school, say in Manhattan for instance, then set aside a couple of hours of instructional viewing. The bullying is obvious since nearly every person effectuates a street-wise senisbility as opposed to distinct nerdishness. In cool weather hoods are common, black and gray are prominent, and fashionable twists are worn like costumes in order to avoid standing out as a thoughtful individual hesitant to follow the crowd. In a way most of them are trying to look like urban alpha dogs, but in fact they look and act like sheep. You know, the way Obama is now communicating.

So dogs, don't be so hard on the man, he's just capitulating to a society that routinely expects rank conformity.

arty kraft of NY 8:10AM June 10, 2010

It's sad when people don't understand to what standard leaders are held. When the most powerful person on the planet can lower themselves to use such language in public is unforgivable. How are young people to learn respect. I would suggest a moral compass is not to blame, but a lack of one that allows such behavior, let alone some to stick up for such thoughtless behavior. It's no wonder the youth of the world don't understand with no moral leadership. There is no standard of decency anymore. The real world may be one thing, and the leaders may feel the same as those who live in it, but it doesn't give them license to act as they feel without thought of being a role model. Where is the responsibility inherent in such leadership? Certainly not in this administration, nor in some of the less than thought out comments made here.

Fatbrain of NV 1:31AM June 10, 2010

Not a peep from Ms. Quick when Cheney used the F word. I suppose the context was appropriate and there were not sensitive ears (ie - children) to hear Mr. Cheney's outburst. I guess our school age children don't listen to the nightly news - just the morning talk shows. Sounds to me like some conveniently manufactured righteous indignation on the part of Ms. Quick. I say - get over it. If the word "Ass" is offensive to Ms. Quick thank God I don't have to walk on eggshells around her.

bob tatum of MN 11:06PM June 09, 2010