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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (366730)	5/30/2010 5:00:25 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	8 Recommendations Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793838

I've been thinking about Yuval Levin's comments that we expect too much of our Presidents. In one sense it's true. We are used to complex systems that work; we either expect the systems to work or paid experts to fix them fast if they don't work. But in another sense it's not true: Americans do understand there can be such a thing as a disaster. In the event of a disaster, what they look for in a President is leadership: they want to feel that he has a grasp on how bad the situation is, that he is marshaling the forces of the Federal government to help, that he is inspiring those who could help to get off their duffs and come help, while communicating with and calming those who can't help. That's what a leader does in a crisis. Obama is doing none of these things. Instead he first tried to shift all blame to BP, then switched to saying "I take responsibility" but has not yet produced anything like a plan of action. Meanwhile, he keeps trying to conduct business as usual as if that would insulate him from the crisis he's failing to lead. Americans understand that a real leader would say, we can worry about fault and damages and payment after the gusher has been sealed. Right now, we have to concentrate on mitigating the damage to the people and wildlife of the Gulf Coast. All during 2008, I heard people who concern themselves with leadership - experts in officer training, for example - call into talk shows and say, "What are the Democrats doing? Can't they see that this man is not a leader of men?" But the Democrats were simply intoxicated with Barack Obama. It's the morning after, folks. That's what you are hearing from James Carville and Chris Matthews: the hangover.