Far Worse Than a Failure to Communicate
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on August 6th, 2011 4:31 am by HL
Far Worse Than a Failure to Communicate
Peggy Noonan, WSJ
There was drama at the White House this week when a man tried to hurl himself over the fence. But the Secret Service intervened and talked the president into going back inside and finishing his term.That's from Conan O'Brien's monologue the other night. It captures the moment pretty well. Mr. Obama's poll numbers continue to fall, his position in the battleground states to deteriorate. From Politico: “Obama emerges from the months-long [debt ceiling] fracas weaker—and facing much deeper and more durable political obstacles—than his own advisers…
Alienation Threatens Both Parties
Ronald Brownstein, National Journal
In the shadow of the bitterly fought agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling, the independent voters who usually hold the balance of power in American politics are expressing astronomical levels of discontent with President Obama, Congress, and the Washington system itself.This towering wave of alienation presages more volatility for a political system that has seen the public turn from Republicans in 2004 toward Democrats in 2006 and 2008, only to snap back toward the GOP with near-record force in 2010. Now, on several key measures, the public’s assessment of Congress is even…
Of Development and Dictators in China
President Flunks Leadership Test
Richard Benedetto, Washington Times
In the government and politics classes I teach, we discuss and debate the multiple roles of the American president. They range from commander in chief to political party leader. One key role on that list is that of morale booster – the continuing need to help make the American people feel better and build public confidence when things aren’t going so well; providing a needed shot of optimism to the national psyche when it is down.It is a role Americans have come to expect from their presidents, starting with George Washington. It is a role that President Obama has yet to master.
